I think we can all agree, that going on a yoga retreat is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.
There’s the excitement & anticipation before you set off and that wonderful feeling during the retreat as you spend the days resting & reflecting, reconnecting with your body, exploring new places and eating super healthy.
But, how can you hold on to the retreat feeling once you’re back home & into your regular busy life?
Here at Yoga Breaks in Spain we’d love for you to keep the ‘retreat you’ long after you return home.
So, here’s 6 simple ways you can hold on to that retreat feeling at home.
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Stock up on healthy food
One of the reasons you feel so good on retreat is because you ate wholesome seasonal food that not only nourished your cells but helped keep your blood sugars even. So, how about, before you leave for the retreat – or soon as you return home – place a grocery order for healthy food to be delivered the day you return home. Or, even better, sign up for a meal delivery service such as Gousto or HelloFresh so you have all the ingredients you need to create mouth watering healthy meals in a flash. And, if there was a drink or infusion you enjoyed on retreat, make this at home. Fresh lemon & ginger take seconds to make and mint tea made with fresh mint is super easy.
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Start the day quietly
On retreat we start each day quietly. We suggest you avoid talking, just sip your morning tea somewhere quiet – ideally outdoors to reset your circadian rhythm & to help you awaken slowly. So, why not start your days @ home this way too? OK, it may be difficult to sit for 10 minutes if you’ve got to leave for work, but start the day quietly anyway – no radio, no TV, no scrolling on your phone & keep chat with others to a minimum. Open the window, take some deep slow breaths, let the cool morning air enter your body & refresh your lungs after a nights sleep. Or even better, start with a short meditation courtesy of free apps such as InsightTimer
3. Stimulate your senses
When our senses are reminded of something in our past, we can be instantly transported back there & experience the same feelings all over again. So, were there any sights, sounds, tastes or smells you enjoyed on retreat? Perhaps it was the smell of the incense in the yoga room, the taste of the freshly squeezed orange juice, the music playing during the yoga sessions or the fresh woody smell when walking in nature? Whatever your senses loved on retreat, introduce these at home. Download some relaxing music, buy some incense, take a forest walk, make your own morning juice .. whatever made your senses light up, stimulate them again.
4. Keep up with your yoga practice
On retreat you spent hours on the yoga mat. So, whilst it may not be possible to practice an hour every day at home, just 20 minutes will make a huge difference physically, mentally & emotionally. If you don’t have a yoga studio near home, there are some great free classes on YouTube or, better still, sign up to an online app such as Glo or to your favourite teacher who offers online sessions.
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Do something new/different
One of the best things about being on retreat is exploring new places, meeting new people & having interesting conversations. So how about doing something different at home where you’ll meet new people? When we do something new, it’s refreshing, makes us feel energised & stimulates our brains. Websites such as Eventbrite & MeetUp are great ways to find out what’s going on in your area and to meet new people.
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Start planning your next retreat!
We’d love you to have something to look forward to so why not start planning your next retreat?! You’ll have something to daydream about when life feels overwhelming & you’re wearing many hats!
Check our latest retreat calender for escapes in the UK and Spain and let us know if you’d like us to hold a space for you.
Other posts you might like :
How to Create a Yoga space @ home
4 ways to progress your yoga practice
Do you need yoga if you play sports / work out?
