Post Yoga Retreat Thoughts

I have just returned from leading my third yoga retreat at Sky Meadow in Stannard, VT.  I had a wonderful experience again and as I began wondering what made this retreat so special I came to the same conclusion I always do; it's the people.

I feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity to spread the joy of yoga in such a serene setting that connects me back to source each time.  I know that no matter where I am in my life, I will certainly get guidance and re-assurance that I am exactly where I need to be.


If you've never been on retreat before it is a truly pure experience.  A chance to explore yourself, learn from others, nurture your body with clean food and yoga, relax your mind with meditation.  Being mindful was my favorite part.  Hearing just the breeze through the trees.  Savoring birds singing.  Savoring nature itself.

I've learned this year that my intention is to savor and be patient.  Quality and simplicity are much more important than doling out a product.  I would love, for example, to focus more on this blog in a way that is more organized and regular but also want to challenge myself to really write about things as a way of finding more peace.

One thing I always revisit with each retreat is the sense that we as humans judge ourselves way too much and for what?  Is it going to make us enjoy life more? Will we be happier comparing ourselves to impossible standards?  Never.

What I am Taking Back from This Year's Yoga Retreat

• Pure Food
• Smiles
• Love
• Openness 
• Drinking tea more than coffee
• The Attention Given to Preparing Food
• Vegetarian Cuisine
• Rice Dream Vanilla Ice Cream and Raspberry Cobbler
• Baking
• Desserts That Have Less Chocolate and Sugar
• Moments of Peace
• Nature
• The sound of the breeze through the trees and nothing else
• Swimming and playing in fresh water ponds
• Enjoying Friends
• Being More Playful
• Being less hard on myself
• Allowing myself rest and social recuperation when needed (I'm a closet introvert!).
• Appreciating Myself
• Dreaming Big
• Meditation
• Learning Conscious Communication
• Attention
• Going Slowly
• Eating Fruits for Snacks
• Conserving 
• Making the goal be to understand others rather than to relate to them or project my own experience.
• Being OFF the internet
• learning to dive