The week that inaugurated my 26th turn around the sun was spent in a Yoga retreat in south of Ubud. I wanted to begin this new chapter with an experience of learning and expansion, in line with my goals for the year ahead.
For 7 days I benefited from a healthy, structured routine again: waking up before 7AM, when the 1st class of the day took place, having breakfast afterwards; practicing another 2 times that day; and spending the remaining hours turning inwards or enjoying the company of fellow yogis.
It is a special feeling to get up with the sun, in time to see the first rays of light tinging the surroundings with a timid golden hue as the early birds begin to fill the sleepy atmosphere with a gentle melody; a kind of peace & quiet that will imbue the rest of the day with tranquility and positivity!
I got to improve my Vinyasa and Yin practices: the first often consists of one breath to movement flows, to balance body and mind; the latter is a slower sequence with longer pose holds, to focus on the ligaments and connective tissues. I was also introduced to new styles like Ashtanga, a physically demanding and rigid sequence of poses, and Himalayan Kriya, intended to release energy and clear blockages through dynamic movement and diverse breathing techniques.
On our spare time, we walked along nearby rice fields or allowed the serenity of the garden to sooth our souls (and sore muscles, after a few days of consistent practice); we also made beautiful flower arrangements for offerings, to be placed in altars all over the retreat’s property and learnt about traditional dancing. Overall, had a very restorative, nourishing time!
There are some key takeaways I gathered over the course of this week.
Firstly, I was reminded of the importance of attending in-person classes to access firsthand the guidance of teachers. Their input can make a significant difference to not only protect one's body but also explore its potential. And I was in very good hands! One of our teachers was mentored by the man who is praised as the best Yogi of the XXI century, Jani Jaatinen, who defies what we think the human body can do (if you’re curious, check this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moZdLtHNGv8). For example, he pointed out that, while I could do a headstand, I was placing pressure in the wrong place, the neck, which could result in an injury over time, so I had to relearn this pose; he also noticed when my shoulders were not relaxed, and a gentle tap drew my attention to this detail. The breakthrough was improving on my crow pose, experimenting with its more advanced variations, which I never dared to try when practicing on my own. It turns out additional guidance on simple aspects like foot placing or eye gazing can dictate the success of a pose, even if the foundations are already within us.
I also understood how inspiring and supportive it can be to surround ourselves with individuals who also take interest in the same activities as us, and with whom we can share our perceived limitations. Our bodies are all built very differently and each of us attending the retreat excelled at different poses, so we guided, motivated and reassured each other in moments of doubt and struggle. This approach, anything but competitive, fostered a safe, uplifting space that are key elements for a sense of community and belonging.
When I left the healing grounds of the retreat, I was fortunate to witness the Balinese celebrations of Kuningan, which is the last day of a holiday called Galungan. Symbolically, the spirits of deceased relatives visit the Earth, and families welcome ancestors through prayers and offerings. The streets were perfumed by the aroma of incense and decorated with tall bamboo poles with suspended offerings, elements which added to the allure of the parades of locals dressed in traditional costumes. Now the challenge was allowing the wisdom cultivated during this week to permeate other aspects of my life beyond Yoga.
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