considering your first yoga retreat? 3 things to know..
Women’s Yoga retreat at Soulshine Bali with Julianne and Kirin in 2020.
This is a note mostly for those of you who haven't yet been on a yoga retreat, but have loosely (or deeply) considered it.
Yoga retreats are as dreamy as they sound (I can speak to the ~15 I have lead) and they can be a lot more than that too. A deep reconnection to our yoga practice, the beginning of an incredible friendship, a reconnection to part of ourselves we forgot, a space to not to fix but to remember our wholeness, and grow from there.
Sometimes we make space for the dreamy things, sometimes we put it off because.. well, we're not sure.
So that you can have more clarity around our yoga retreats, I've thought about it in terms of the top 3 things I hear and feel most from students:
1. An authentic, amazing community of like-minded and like-hearted people.
A community that seems to emerge out of thin air, among new and old friends.. and brings a palpable joy and love and gratitude to just be together.
It happens partially because we as leaders help to set the tone, and it's also largely because people come from all walks of life (backgrounds, jobs, etc.) that share a fundamental sense of respect and love.. for each other, nature, and ourselves. It is a group of people that desire contentment and growth. Connection and solitude. Yin and yang. And have declared this time as sacred and important.
There is a felt sense of friendship and deep care right away.. I have heard this sentiment many times.. and I think it's synonymous for feeling like we can be really be ourselves.
I have been witness to so much .. love.
Witnessing people of all ages come to know each other for the first time with a sincere love and curiosity, and also witnessing dear friends reconnect. Our retreats usually have at least 50% of returner yogis.. meaning there is a continuity, a fold you are welcomed into.
2. A feeling of deep reset and a true break.
Not having to plan anything and allowing abundance to be provided for you!
It's like an all-inclusive vacation, with a lot of heart and intention. And without a doubt, everyone comments on this in their own way, because it's so rare that we get to show up and receive deeply and let go of planning.
When we can do this for a couple days in a row, or a week in a row.. combined with daily yoga practices, space for reflection, spontaneous conversations.. it gives our brain and body space to regenerate.
When's the last time you got to know yourself from that place?
3. A feeling of really being reconnected to your body and yoga practice.
Another common thread is of course the appreciation many who join share for yoga. Not all who join are regular practitioners, but something about yoga speaks to everyone.
We practice yoga everyday, often twice a day. Simple, nuanced, profound practices of breathing and connecting with our body in new, intelligent, curious ways.. it is a type of centering that is in and of the body, and hard to put into words, but is something that grounds us into the moment, and impacts us in a real way.
Thank you for tuning in and hearing about the craft and LOVE of what we do, alongside creating classes here in San Francisco.
It is a deep privilege to hold good space for you and for our community to come together.
I also know it's an absolute privilege and luxury to be able to consider joining a yoga retreat. I wish everyone could receive this gift. And, if it is possibly within reason that you could join, I invite you to consider it.
I also hear this on every retreat, without fail.. "I can't believe I almost didn't come! This is so where I need to be" .. or something like that. Truly, I hear it on every retreat.
Wether you join a retreat with us, or a retreat elsewhere, may you go where you find resonance with the leaders and community, and may you receive exactly what you need.
Check out our upcoming retreats here, and please feel free to write into us with any questions at all.. travel, yoga, payment plans, etc.. we're happy to help.
We often set up calls too just to make it easy, and make sure you can get a sense for who we are without any pressure to join.
Reach out here: info@outdooryogasf.com
May you find exactly what you're looking for to feel at home, alive, connected, and present for this next chapter of your life!
Much love,
Julie, Kirin and the Outdoor Yoga team