| We live in a fast-paced competitive society where we | | | | the most popular ways to enjoying life are by getting |
| suffer from lack of sleep, become overworked and | | | | involved in leisure activities, participating in organized |
| tense full of anxiety and stress which seem to be | | | | events or going on vacation. Therefore, with that being |
| addressed as the norm. In today's world, we are | | | | said as our response to addressing the everyday |
| influenced by other people's thoughts and perceptions, | | | | stressors that dominate our society it is necessary to |
| which provoke thoughts of anxiety, worry, apathy, | | | | incorporate a form of relaxation which leads me to the |
| irritability, helplessness, hopelessness and fear...so to | | | | introduction of the buzzword "RETREATS." |
| ask yourself...How healthy is it to have your energy | | | | You may ask yourself some of the following |
| consumed by so many different negative states of | | | | questions; what is a retreat and what does it consist |
| being and thoughts simultaneously?" It is simply not right | | | | of? The answers are simple; retreats focus on |
| to let these things dominate our mind and body. What | | | | activities that will provide rest and relaxation for your |
| is the answer to overcome these everyday pressures | | | | mind, body & soul giving you the opportunity to |
| from our society? The answer is to reduce tension, | | | | discover your unlimited energy and potential within. A |
| quiet our active minds by letting go; otherwise known | | | | retreat can consist of a visit to a local spa, a fitness |
| as Relaxation. | | | | class, a mind/body class, meditation, spiritual activities, |
| Around the globe, various forms of relaxation have | | | | experiencing an alternative therapy, receiving a |
| been practiced which include an expression of arts, | | | | massage, traveling to a retreat centre and other simple |
| exercise and mind/body movement. One example of | | | | activities that allow you to enjoy yourself without |
| relaxation is the practice of Yoga which was | | | | having any judgments or perceptions in your mind. |
| introduced over four thousand years ago. In India, Yoga | | | | There are plenty of organized retreat getaways all |
| is a way of life and practiced daily to improve the | | | | over the world. They usually have a daily routine with |
| body's physical health and clear the mind in preparation | | | | morning and evening mind/body exercise, lectures, |
| for meditation in the pursuit of enlightenment. One of | | | | workshops, activities mixed throughout the day, spa |
| the most important elements of yoga is the breathing | | | | therapies, alternative healing sessions and healthy |
| which is the breath control; called "pranayama." | | | | meals. These retreats often have several adventure |
| "Pranayama" in yoga terms, let's you enter into an | | | | activities packed into their schedule depending on the |
| environment that will allow you to just "BE" connecting | | | | location. There are retreats that will cater to specific |
| your mind and body to support you on your path to | | | | interests and needs some examples include; Spiritual, |
| holistic wellness. | | | | Raw Foods, Detox, Couples, Creative Writing, |
| Let's try practicing this simple breathing exercise | | | | Meditation, Yoga, Pilates, Surfing, Women/Men only and |
| together...Stop what you are doing... | | | | Adventure Retreats. |
| Slowly begin to inhale deeply from the diaphragm and | | | | Retreats may also offer a variety of destinations |
| letting the breath move slowly through the body to | | | | making it more of a journey and sense of |
| reach above the crown of your head. | | | | accomplishment when completed. Four years ago, I |
| Pause... | | | | went on a wonderful Spiritual Journey visiting |
| Hold this breath for 10 seconds. | | | | Monasteries, learning about Buddhism and experienced |
| Exhale slowly letting the air and expelling it out all the | | | | adventurous travels through India which included the |
| way through your body to the very tips of your toes. | | | | achievement of reaching the peak of the Himalayan |
| We all have to breathe whether we think about it or | | | | Mountain during our three day trek. This trip was |
| not, as it's necessary for our being. The meaning of | | | | organized by a non-profit organization and allowed |
| Pranayama in Sanskrit can be separated as such; | | | | participants to interact with the local people and |
| Prana=lifeforce and yama=control. Therefore, | | | | immerse ourselves in their culture and way of life. |
| pranayama is the art of mastering the lifeforce within | | | | In addition, some of the larger retreat centers, such as |
| your being and body. In addition, specific breathing | | | | Rancho La Puerta and Canyon Ranch offer theme |
| exercises are useful to release your body from | | | | weeks. You can also find local hotels with spas and |
| muscular tension and free your body of any active | | | | day spas that will offer a menu for a half or full day |
| thoughts. Synonymously, relaxation appears to be the | | | | treatment. There are also wellness companies that |
| correct way to recover from our active lives and | | | | offer Mini Retreats locally which will provide you with a |
| means to letting go and improving our holistic selves. | | | | half or full day or weekend itinerary. Moreover, you |
| Annually, we spend numerous amounts of time, energy | | | | can search the internet for the location and activities |
| and money investing into our future in order to | | | | that you are looking for and are guaranteed to find |
| increase our education, better our careers and | | | | one that fits your interests and needs. Therefore, |
| enhance our knowledge. However, we have neglected | | | | retreats are becoming one of the most popular ways |
| ourselves, and in order to maintain the energy to | | | | to enjoy your vacation and use your spare time |
| complete all of these things we need to have the right | | | | efficiently. Therefore, consider taking the time to |
| combination of exercise, sleep, nutrition and stamina to | | | | RELAX and do something for yourself and your body |
| maintain a balanced healthy mind and body. Our goal is | | | | will thank you for letting it recuperate, refresh and |
| to align our priorities and put ourselves first. Some of | | | | rejuvenate. |