Retreat Yourself!



Ever since I spent a month in Goa, India at Ashiyana where I did my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Course (YTTC), I have longed to return to India or travel to some other exotic location for a yoga retreat. At first I had dreams of taking a group of yoga students to share some of that magical experience with them. Then I thought, No, I'll go by myself and have some 'me' time." But then my work schedule, my budget or my responsibilities at home remind me that escaping reality for a week, a fortnight or a month is just not possible. It's hard enough getting time away with my family. How can I possibly say to them, "No, sorry, I will not be joining you for the one holiday you have this calendar year. I'll be going somewhere by myself." It feels so selfish. Then somewhere along the way I realised that I don't have to travel to create the experience of a yoga retreat. There are certain elements that I could create right here at home and if I could do that, imagine how much more enjoyable my daily life could be.

St. Augustin said, "People go abroad to wonder at the heights of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motions of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering." We don't have to hop on a plane and travel to a far off land to look deeper into our own soul, to clear our minds or strengthen our bodies. We can do that right here at home in what I'll call a 'Retreat Yourself' experience. Consider these 7 steps toward a path to 'Retreat Yourself.'


Step 1 DECLUTTER

There is something liberating about living out of a suitcase for an extended period of time. It is a refreshing reminder that we don't need all the stuff that fills our homes. If I can return from a month away happy and relaxed having worn the same four outfits and same two pairs of shoes over and over again, why do I need all the shelves, drawers and closets full of clothes I have become so accustomed to? Typically at an ashram or yoga centre there are minimal furnishings . Look around you. Do you really need everything that fills the four walls of your home? In preparation to 'Retreat Yourself', go through the rooms of your home and choose to either put away, give away or throw away every item in your home. By giving away, we benefit others. By putting away, we clear our minds. By throwing away, we rid ourselves of all that is not useful to ourselves or others. What a cathartic release!

Step 2 KID- / PARTNER- / PET-FREE TIME
Decide on an hour, a day or even a week that you will have to yourself. That's right, all to yourself.  Get a neighbour to take your children (and then you can return the favour!), give your partner an excuse to go do whatever s/he wants for the same amount of time, take the dog to the kennel and lock the cat in the other room. When you take the time to meditate, do yoga, sit in silence or do some journal writing, it needs to be time by yourself. That is one of the luxuries of going away to a retreat but you don't have to jump on a plane to create that environment. If you have three or more children and a demanding spouse it gets difficult to get some 'Retreat Yourself' time but it's not impossible. Call on friends and family for help. Hire a babysitter who will take your kids to the park, the mall, or the cinema for a few hours. Do what you have to do to create time for yourself. Stop saying, "I can't" and start saying, "I can if I..."

Step 3 DIGITAL DETOX

This part is the easiest aspect of Retreating Yourself but we convince ourselves that it is the most difficult. Unplug it or turn it off. It's that simple. No, don't put it on 'silent.' Turn it off. Humans in the developed world lived for thousands of years without Facebook, mobile phones, instant messaging and email. You can live for a day, a week or (gasp!) a month without it too. When I mention this I always get the reply, "Yes, but what if there is an emergency?" What type of emergency would warrant you being in constant contact 24/7? Why can't you appoint someone else to handle the emergencies for that particular hour, day or week?  If you already practice yoga, then you probably know some like-minded yogis who would agree to be your emergency contact and then you can be theirs. Repeat this mantra: "I allow myself to unplug from the world. I allow myself to unplug from the world. I allow myself to unplug from the world..."

Step 4 VOLUNTEER

Karma yoga, as described by the Sivananda Yoga Vendanta Centres, "purifies the heart by teaching you to act selflessly, without thought of gain or reward." Karma yoga is an important part of any yoga retreat and is the act of giving to others without concern for the benefit to self. Also it is part of the four paths of yoga. "By detaching yourself from the fruits of your actions and offering them up [to the Divine], you learn to sublimate the ego." There are countless ways that you can do this right at home. 

Look around you, there are people in need of your time, energy, creativity, strength and compassion. You could volunteer by offering to clean the sanctuary of your church, mosque, temple or synagogue once a week. Not religious? No problem, head down to the local hospital and offer to read stories in the children's ward. You don't feel comfortable around children? Why not contact your local homeless shelter, battered women's shelter or soup kitchen and offer to serve meals - or do whatever they need for an hour a week or a month? There are opportunities to practise karma yoga every single day. Make this important branch of yoga not only a part of your 'Retreat Yourself' time but part of your daily life.

Step 5 SPEND TIME IN SILENCE
Choose a particular time during the day when you will be silent. Once you stop talking, you begin to listen. You will listen to others, listen to your internal thoughts, listen to nature and even listen to the silence around you. Ask your family members to help you by honouring this time.

Allow your phone calls to go straight to voice mail. Ignore the text messages and emails and turn off the television. Use the time to journal your thoughts. Make a small sign that says, "I am in silence" so that when someone talks to you, you don't have to break your silence to explain why you're not talking. Spending time in silence is powerfully healing and beneficial and is a normal part of many yoga retreats.

Step 6 DETOX and EAT WELL
There are countless ways to detox and improve your overall eating habits. At an ashram the menu is limited and yogis usually take part in the preparation and clean up of the meals. It becomes a ritual, a habit and one that is not only satisfying to the belly but to the soul. You not only prepare meals for yourself but for others and when done with love and compassion, I believe those feelings are shared through the food you prepare. In the developed world, we tend to look at food as a reward to feed our emotions, rather than a fuel for our bodies. A detox diet does not have to be limited to juices and water. You can begin by eliminating certain elements from your daily eating habits and consider food as a fuel, rather than a reward. Some suggested items to eliminate from your daily diet are:

     a) alcohol
     b) caffeine

     c) all processed cane and corn-based sugars

     d) all fast food

If you start by eliminating the above and begin to notice a positive difference in your mind and body, you can then consider eliminating the following as well.
     e) products made from white flour
     f) meat products
     g) dairy products

By changing your eating habits step by step you can transition into a healthier lifestyle rather than drastically switch to a diet that you plan to follow for a limited time. Be patient with yourself.  It took a long time to get into your current eating habits. Give yourself time to change them.
As you begin to eliminate the not-so-good stuff listed above, you will find that you will naturally replace them with healthier options like fresh fruit, vegetables and alternate protein based products, such as soy and legumes. You might even find yourself exploring vegetarian recipes and menus.  You will notice a difference in the way you feel. Enjoy it!

Step 7 YOGA, YOGA and MORE YOGA

And finally, a yoga retreat would not be a yoga retreat without the yoga. In order to Retreat Yourself, create a small, sacred yoga space that is for you. You don't have to have a statue of Buddha or Ganesh in the space if those are not part of your belief system but there should be symbols that are sacred to you.  For example, I like to burn a bit of incense before I practice in my yoga space because for me it feels cleansing. I also have a copy of the Lord's Prayer and an OM symbol in my space because those are sacred to me. Make it personal and meaningful to you.

Try to do your asana practice everyday. It doesn't have to be complex or difficult. You can begin with simple sun salutations then add standing balances and twists then finish off with restorative poses. If you don't always feel like doing a self practice, you can always pop into your neighbourhood yoga studio. Alternatively, classes are offered online at YogaGlo and you can choose from a wide variety of classes led by well-known teachers. There is a 15-day free trial and after that it is only $18USD per month. That's less than one class costs in most major cities.

So, there you go a yoga retreat in a few simple steps. Take time for yourself, de-clutter your space, spend time in silence, volunteer, turn off the mobile devices, eat well, and do yoga. Your retreat is closer than you think. It's right inside of you.