It's funny how little things can make you pause and take stock.
Last week, triyoga's weekly marketing email landed in my inbox. It included a link to my recent post about tackling jump through transitions.
Just below that was a link to a profile of David Swenson. For those of you who don't know him, David is one of the best loved and most popular teachers out there - he's had a major influence on my own yoga practice and teaching.
In fact it was David who first inspired me to want to teach myself.
I very clearly remember the moment when, sat with my wife on a beach in Goa, we decided that we were going to enrol in a teacher training course on our return to London.
This was during a 2 week retreat with David - so you can certainly say that it was one of the most transformational experiences of my life (retreats do have a way of doing that!).
Up until that point I'd worked in media agencies for a decade and I'd never felt happy or that I belonged in that environment. In fact at times I felt quite desperate that I had to spend so much time, energy and focus on something that I had no real passion for.
And if you'd told me 10 years ago that I'd be featured in the same email as David, I'd never have believed you.
So yes, the email was a small thing but it prompted me to reflect on how far I've come in that time - and how lucky I am to now do something that I truly love.
It's so easy to take things for granted sometimes...it's good to have these little reminders to be grateful.
So what actually happens on yoga retreat (with me)?
““It isn’t at all untrue to say that being on retreat with Matt was genuinely a life changing experience for me. Being able to come away and connect with Matt’s yoga and meditation teaching, with nature, with delicious food and with a really genuine group of humans, was hugely meaningful. Tilton House is an incredible setting; warmth radiates equally from the log fires, the kitchen, and the host; and practicing in a yurt listening to the rain outside is really quite magical - you chose a great spot!””
Joining a yoga retreat is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your exploration of the practice...no matter what your previous level of experience
Are you curious about joining your first yoga retreat but not sure what to expect? In which case, read on...
Joining a yoga retreat can be a truly precious gift to yourself - an opportunity to immerse yourself in a sustained period of practice and a way to deepen your understanding of yoga, no matter what your previous level of experience has been.
But if you're newer to yoga and you've not been on retreat before then I'm conscious that it can perhaps seem a little daunting to take that first step. I well remember feeling the exact same way...
Will you be surrounded by elite level 'gymnast-yogis' with the teacher exhorting them to wrap themselves into ever more exotic contortions? Do you have to be able to do a handstand? Will you be hit with a stick if you inadvertently slouch during meditation?
The answer to all of these questions is a definitive no...at least not on my retreats!
My intention for running retreats is to leave all participants feeling more centred and grounded at the end of our time together...more connected to their practice, more connected to their bodies and breath. And perhaps more connected to a sense of inner stillness.
We will of course deep-dive into the postural aspects of the practice, but with the greater time afforded to us we'll also have time to explore pranayama (breathing techniques), meditation and other elements of practice.
There will be time for open discussion about different aspects of the practice (philosophy, anatomy etc.) and time too for relaxation...to read, write, sleep or explore the surrounding countryside as you see fit - an increasing rarity in this day and age.
Another wonderful aspect of retreats is the opportunity to spend time in a transformative space with like minded yogis and to forge new friendships. Many people who I consider to be amongst my very best friends are people who I first met on a yoga retreat.
And at the risk of over-promising, it's amazing how taking time out to pause and find stillness often opens up the space for us to connect to our sense of creativity, vision and purpose.
In fact it was whilst on retreat with one of my own teachers that I decided I wanted to spend my life teaching yoga and meditation to others...who knows what might open up for you?
“Matt’s yoga retreat gave me the physical, mental and emotional space to practice yoga and explore meditation with ease and confidence.
A safe, warm and encouraging environment filled with friendly people”