Sep 24

Keith on Retreat

As I get ready for one last push to fill the remaining spots in February’s Yoga retreat in Yelapa Mexico, it is with a renewed excitement for retreat. I love hosting retreats (like this year’s fantastically successful Yoga On The River) but I get even more excited when I get to go on retreat (as a participant).

I’m not just selling, I’m a buyer too (and I contend that most retreats are needlessly overpriced). By my own admission, I am a “retreat junkie”. My total days-in-retreat count is about 300 and I will be upping that number about 10% in the near future!

Between now and Mexico (Feb 19-26) I will be attending two separate yoga retreats: 4 days in Napa with Stephanie Snyder (late October); 4 WEEKS in India with Tribe Yoga (Jan 9 – Feb 6).

Why do I go on retreat? For the same reasons I cite when promoting them: Deepening my practice, challenging myself to learn new aspects of yoga (and self), immersing myself in natural beauty, getting away from my “norm” and giving myself space for new growth. Most of my periods of significant growth and clarity are linked directly to retreat.

I chose Stephanie’s retreat because I know her to be an amazing teacher, but her regular classes are not conveniently located or timed for my schedule. Why struggle to make any one class when I can join her retreat and get six?

The India adventure is a whole ‘nother story. I will be in Goa completing my 500 hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Certification. My teaching practice has come a long way in the last eight years. Why not give it a boost? There are always more aspects and asanas to be explored.

I hear so many “justifications” for why people don’t attend retreats. Any worthwhile adventure provides hurdles and challenges our comfort zone. I understand completely. Neither of these retreats fit nicely into my busy calendar or my meagre budget. I will be giving up 10% of my annual earnings, missing my loving wife and having to find substitutes for about 85 classes. I will be traveling and spending my birthday alone. I won’t know anyone attending either retreat and look forward to an 8-hour overnight layover in the Mumbai airport. I happily choose the experiences over the excuses.

“There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom”…Anais Nin