The Magic of Retreats: What I Continue to Be Shown About Them

The way that Amy and I run retreats is truly like no other out there. I’m not bragging, but drawing from my experience from this past weekend’s “Savor Simplicity Retreat”. It was incredibly transformational for myself and all present. {Next year July dates are in the books, reach out to me!}

You see, both Amy and I show up with our own sweet vulnerabilities AND a deep, rich, and wholehearted positive belief in every participant who shows up. We are space holders and facilitators as well as in the “yoga soup” with the participants at just the right ‘temperature’, speaking metaphorically. 

So, as people quietly and timidly walk into the yoga room, they see each other for the first time. Some will immediately go to others with hugs and greetings of welcome because they’ve retreated together before; some for the past couple of years with Amy and I!

Others will enter and not know a single other person, nor Amy and me.  

All are brave. Fearless, in my humble opinion, to show up for what is ultimately unknown. 

Magic of retreats

What is known is that there will be movement, connection to breath, meditation, s’mores, and a whole bunch of nature!  The unknown is what will transpire and ultimately take place during our time at the Himalayan Institute in the Pocono mountains. {Hint: SO much goodness!}

As we all center and slowly transition into a 4-day, three night, weekend of gathering, intimacy, connection, and deep listening to our own hearts and to each other, the magic begins. 

This year however, I had entered in with a lot of burn out in my own personal life. This was causing me to have worry that the undercurrents of my personal life might affect the collective at this retreat. And I did not want that to happen. 

And another part of me knew I didn’t need to worry too much. All would be taken care of.

And that is the practice of TRUSTING Source.

Of dropping in, releasing, and opening up to life. Life as it is. Taking a deep breath. Showing up with an open heart. Being vulnerable.  And loving it all anyway! Growth abounds in abundance from this place of Being. 

Peace
And therein lies the magic of our retreats: 
  1. It doesn’t matter how you show up – single or with friends. The way that we invite you to welcome yourself as much as anybody else can have a profound effect on the collective. 
  2. It doesn’t matter what you show up with. Just like, when you are  overwhelmed and  don’t want to meditate, that’s the best time to meditate. Similarly, if you are burnt out and don’t feel like taking any action or decision, you need to go on a retreat.
  3. Spirit is always present. And, Spirit creates transformative experiences. This can happen anywhere, but especially when people gather with intention and purpose.

So let me repeat:

It doesn’t matter how you show up, or what you show up with, Spirit is always present!

So as I, too, settled in on that first opening circle ritual, things were already transpiring within the magic of connection of not only the hearts that were present at this Retreat, but the hearts of all beings around the world. 

This is the truth of the power of an individual, and the collective

That when one person begins to love themselves deeply, the vibration reverberates within the group. And when a group of courageous, open-hearted beings comes together in the cocoon of love and respect, the reverberation expands across the globe. 

If you have ever been curious about what a retreat experience is like, let’s have a conversation.

And also don’t take my word for it:

Here’s what an ex-participant, Suzanne H. had to say:

“I found the retreat to be so invigorating. It was a perfect blend of time spent with incredibly kind, present, open hearted people and time spent in quiet reflection. Through diverse yoga classes that drew in many movement practices, natural surroundings that nourished and inspired, and making new friends, this was truly a beautiful experience for a first-time yoga retreater! Shawna and Amy are the best facilitators I could ever imagine!”– Suzanne H. 

Finally, if you’re curious about how it went with my worry of burnout undercurrents, I can tell you that it dissipated completely! And one of the things that I shared with people in the closing circle ritual was that this weekend allowed me to let go of another small piece of myself that was holding back my authentic Light from shining. 

 

A part of me was released into the cosmos like a balloon flying up to the stars. Reminding me to shine and to shine brightly. To live fearlessly, deeply, authentically, and to keep trusting Spirit because spirit is who I am. It’s who we all are. 

 

 

All my love, 

Shawna 

Breathe and Believe.