Spiritual Awakening and Self Discovery
How can a yoga retreat awaken your spirituality ?
“Inhale, and God approaches you. Hold the inhalation, and God remains with you. Exhale, and you approach God. Hold the exhalation, and surrender to God” – Krishnamacharya
Yoga has long been hailed as a powerful spiritual practice that promotes self-awareness, mindfulness, and tranquility. It is currently employed in a wide array of settings in which lowering stress is key [2] – including cancer recovery, substance abuse rehabilitation, and eating disorder recovery. If you are a point in your life in which you are keen to hone your spirituality, an excellent way to do so is by going on a Life Synergy Retreat. As you take part in activities that heal the mind and spirit as well as the body, you will feel more connected to the ‘universal life energy’ that unites us all.
A powerful blend of meditation and yoga
Life Synergy Retreats involve much more than honing your yoga skills. It involves a plethora of other activities, including meditation – a powerful way to keep the mind ‘in the here and now’, an important prerequisite of a rich spiritual life. As noted by best-selling author, Eckhart Tolle, many people live too much in the past (in a state of regret or guilt) or in the future (worrying about money, health, etc). The key to happiness, he notes, lies in simply living consciously in the present moment; giving ourselves fully to it. This ability can be enhanced through the practice of meditation.
Honing self awareness
Meditation and yoga increases one’s awareness of mind and body, and the connection between the two. As noted by Harvard professor of spirituality, Caser ter Kuile, today, human beings are seeking to discover themselves and others in a far more open-minded fashion than past generations did. Thus, some people opt for card readings to discover obstacles to happiness [3] and changes they can make. Others make time for mindfulness practice [4] to be aware of both their positive and negative feelings – repressing neither of the two yet maintaining a healthy enough distance to discover more about the self. Still, others use social media [5] to foster the sense of self-connection and share their thoughts, views, and interests. While you are on a Life Synergy Retreat, you will have various options that can increase calm and self-reflection, including pranayamic breathing sessions, massages, and restorative alignment. You will also have free moments in which to think about aspects of your life that can benefit from change and formulate a fruitful strategy.
The nature effect
Researchers from the University of Sussex in the UK have shown that exercise in nature has significant benefits for human mental health, including a reduction in (stress hormone) cortisol levels, and improvements in self-esteem and mood. However, being in the midst of a spectacular natural scenery such as Playa del Carmen in Cancún has an added benefit: it reminds us that we are not simply material; that we have a spiritual element that needs nurturing. According to Carl Jung, natural settings such as lakes, mountainsides, or beaches are unique in their ability to combat the sense of isolation [6] and insignificance that modern city life instills in human beings. As we gaze at the sea or practice our breathing upon the soft white sands, we are reminded that there is a rich interior world we so often bury beneath the need to “get the job done” in our daily urban lives. Taking part in a Life Synergy Retreats involves getting away to a beautiful seaside setting, consuming healthy food, enjoying a massage and other treatments, and sharpening your yoga and meditation skills. However, one powerful benefit you will undoubtedly benefit from is a deeper sense of spirituality; a connection to the universal force that is greater than all of us, yet which we all house within.
[1] https://lifesynergyretreat.com/retreats/meditation/
[2] https://backpackerverse.com/ta
[3] http://www.scielo.org.mx/pdf/i
[4] http://www.scielo.org.mx/sciel
