So you’ve decided to explore yoga. But what does that mean, exactly?
Yoga means different things to different people and part of your journey is to figure out what it means to you.
However, throwing yourself into a class might seem a bit, well, intimidating.
Enter the “EXPLORE YOGA RETREAT”
The Explore Yoga 3-Day Retreat is just the place for you if you:
- Are interested in yoga but have not done any classes or practices
- Practice at home and want to go to a class but feel uncomfortable stepping into a studio/gym environment
- Are new to yoga and want to learn more about it in a small, focused group
- Feel like you might be too “mature” to start a yoga practice
Join us on our next exploration adventure, coming soon!
Why Should I Start a Yoga Practice?
The benefits of yoga have been well documented. What doesn’t always get talked about is the challenge of stepping into a class without knowing much about it!
I struggled with it myself, and I have been a fitness professional for 30 years! You can read more about my conflicts with it here.
I knew, as you probably do as well, about the upside of yoga. Nonetheless, I felt frustrated by some of the affectations of many so-called “yogis” – impossible seeming poses, expensive outfits, Sanskrit words, and a general lack of explanation of what we were doing, how to do it properly, and why we did it at all.
If you have come across some of the same issues or are concerned about the possibility of running into some of these attitudes and others, you may be feeling that the benefits won’t outweigh the level of discomfort you might feel.
The Good News
It WILL be worth it!
Of course, we know yoga is supposed to be awesome but it always bears repeating. There are so many positives – and this is the shortlist!
- Flexibility: Yoga enhances your body’s flexibility, improving your range of motion and preventing injuries.
- Strength: Through various poses, yoga builds muscular strength, promoting better posture and overall body stability.
- Stress Relief: Practicing yoga calms the mind and reduces stress, leading to improved mental well-being.
- Mindfulness: Yoga encourages mindfulness and self-awareness, helping you stay present and focused.
- Balance: Many yoga poses improve balance and coordination, enhancing physical stability.
- Breathing: Yoga emphasizes controlled breathing, which can boost lung capacity and relaxation.
- Posture: Regular yoga practice corrects and maintains good posture, reducing strain on the spine.
- Pain Relief: Yoga can alleviate chronic pain, such as lower back pain and headaches, by releasing tension.
- Circulation: Dynamic movements in yoga stimulate blood flow, promoting better circulation throughout the body.
- Better Sleep: Practicing yoga can lead to improved sleep quality and better insomnia management.
These benefits can greatly enhance your life by promoting both physical and mental well-being.
What Will We Do for 3 Days?
Explore Yoga is a relaxed retreat, one where you will get to know some new friends – or maybe bring some old friends – for a tranquil, safe environment to learn about and practice yoga. A sample agenda might look like this:
DAY 1:
- Spend some time getting to know each other, review some basic postures, and then go through a fun yoga class together
- You will have some free time to journal, explore, practice – whatever you want to do
- Lunch on some delicious and healthful food
- Learn a bit more about the origins of yoga, how it has evolved, and how to incorporate it into our lives
- Free time
- Dinner – more yummy and nutritious food
- Restorative practice followed by guided meditation
DAY 2:
- Check-in with each other and Q & A. Review options and variations for common postures.
- Morning practice
- Free time to journal, explore, practice – whatever you want to do
- Lunch on some delicious and healthful food
- Discussion on our personal approach to yoga
- Free time
- Dinner – more yummy and nutritious food
- Restorative practice followed by guided meditation
DAY 3:
- Check-in with each other and Q & A. Review some more advanced movements and postures
- Morning practice
- Free time to journal, explore, practice – whatever you want to do
- Lunch on some delicious and healthful food
- Discussion on what we have learned so far and how we are planning to incorporate yoga
- Final practice and guided meditation
- Goodbyes!
There will be plenty of time to unwind, learn about yoga and how to own it, as well as get some time to process it all and time to be on your own.
What are you waiting for? You deserve some YOU time!
Interested in finding out more about our other retreats? Check out all we have to offer on our Retreats page.
