om body
E
ver feel overwhelmed and feel like you just need a
break? I hear you! Yoga and other healing retreats are
the answer but what if going away is not an option? Well,
what about a one-day urban retreat instead? The magic
that happens on longer retreats can be replicated in a
day or a few hours. How, you ask? Here’s how:1
Enjoy ‘me’ time: Remember, being able to disconnect for a few
hours is not selfish. It’s far easier to escape for a few hours
on weekends without work getting in the way so that you can
recharge your batteries. Taking care of yourself is the best way to
make sure you can then look after others (family, children, friends,
work colleagues). It allows you to relax, which is beneficial for you
and those around you.2
A break from stress: A day to just do yoga, eat in a calm
environment, get massages or other holistic therapies will
help the body feel better and the mind feel freer too. We are
not meant to exhaust our adrenal glands by consistently releasing
cortisol to keep us going. Say no to stress!3
Meet like-minded people: On a day retreat you can still
spend time with likeminded people who, like you, are there
to find ways to relax and rediscover their inner voice. ShareTake the day off! Chantal di Donato says one-day urban retreats could be the
answer for time-poor city dwellers
and connect on a deeper level and make new and hopefully life
long friendships.4
Time slows down: Day retreats allow time to slow down
because we are no longer chasing tasks; we are living in the
present. Just being on our mats, in a circle sharing, chanting
or listening to inspirational talks and having wonderful food with
beautiful people. We are finally allowing ourselves to be in the now.5
Personal growth: You do not need to become a monk or a
hermit to begin your spiritual journey. Day retreats allow time for
introspection and provide a platform to work on ourselves - time
to examine what makes us happy or unhappy and time to listen to our
hearts for once. Going to any yoga class is amazing and beneficial too
but taking a few extra hours to be settled in a calm environment on a
day-long retreat is the next step in taking care of ourselves.There are so many more amazing benefits of spending a day at a
retreat but perhaps the most appealing is that they are practical and
accessible to anyone, especially in a big city like London, where we
so desperately need time off to rest and reset.Chantal di Donato is a yoga teacher, founder of Live Lean Health
and runs one-day urban retreats. Visit: liveleanhealth.com