2009 August | Manifesting Possibilities

Rejuvenate your spirit with an at-home retreat

Aug 082009

This month’s Ezine highlights the many values of taking time out to retreat. Shaundar, my cat pictured here, retreats roughly twenty hours a day (!) and is a constant reminder for me to slow down.

If you’re in need of reconnection, rejuvenation and relaxation, there are a few spaces left in my August Women’s Retreat. Join the circle – you are most welcome.

If the timing is not right for this gathering, check out the ideas below for ways to design an at-home retreat.

Wishing you a wonderful August,

Maripat Abbott, CPCC
Life Coach

Certified Yoga Instructor

Rejuvenation, Relaxation, Reconnection, RETREAT

“The myth is, when you focus on yourself you are being selfish. The reality is, if you don’t know your true self and cultivate an ongoing relationship with her, you can’t truly be with or give to anyone else.”

~ Jennifer Louden, The Woman’s Retreat Book

I attended my first retreat about 13 years ago, on the advice of a wise mentor. My daughter was three at the time, and leaving my family behind was not an easy decision. In fact, it involved a lot of letting go: letting go of the belief that I was the only one qualified to care for her, letting go of the notion that I was selfish to take time away from my family, letting go of my belief that there wasn’t enough time, letting go of the feeling that as a stay-at-home mom, I hadn’t “earned” time away, and the list goes on.

I wanted a retreat that would allow me to connect more fully with my body, and ended up at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Since that time I’ve been on many vacations, but not one has remained “in my bones” like this very first retreat. I remember almost all of the nuances of this experience – the way the trees bent as the storm rolled in over the mountains, the way my full, deep, resonant breathing unlocked my nervous system, even the taste of the apple cinnamon tea I drank in the cafeteria alone at night. I even remember vividly the content of a few of my dreams.

This time alone was my first taste of yoga and deep relaxation…my desire to instruct yoga was born then. I wonder now if I ever would have slowed down enough to hear the call to teach had I not chosen this retreat. I definitely needed the jumpstart of a five-night retreat in order to fully realize my desire.

And not only did my family fare incredibly well without me, my husband fully supported additional trips. He could see that the woman who returned was calmer and more grounded…far more enjoyable to have around!

As I stand on the precipice of hosting my very first women’s retreat, I feel humbled – leading women more deeply into themselves is an honor. As I excitedly prepare the materials for the weekend, I feel abundant with ideas that will contribute to the ideal environment for nurturance and fun.

There are still four spaces left. Check in with yourself and ask, is this retreat for me? If so, join the group – you are most welcome. Click here for details.

If the timing is not right for this particular retreat, perhaps you will join us next time. Meanwhile, please see below for ideas on how to create your own retreat, right where you are.

A WOMEN’S RETREAT ~ AUGUST 21-23

Please join me for my first women’s retreat, held in a lake-front private home where you can draw upon the serenity of natural surroundings to connect deeply with yourself and other like-minded women.

During this retreat, you will experience:

Reconnection with your body, mind and spirit through gentle Yoga classes, journaling or scenic walks.

Pampering for yourself with the opportunity to schedule private life coaching, massage or reflexology sessions.

Provacative workshops to enhance your life experience.

Sisterhood and connection through sharing by beach-front evening bonfires and interactive workshops.

Rejuvenation from the stresses and pressures of your world.

Space is limited to ensure deep connection. Click here to register and learn more.

Rejuvenate your spirit with an at-home retreat

When it’s simply not possible to jet away to an exotic retreat center, with a little creativity you can create a beautiful retreat experience at home.

Here are some general guidelines:

Use rituals to open and close your retreat so that the time is set apart from your regular life – for example, you may light a candle, play special music, decorate your space or wear a particular outfit.

Put boundaries in place to protect your time and retreat space – for example, hire a babysitter or explain carefully to your family that you will be unavailable, just as if you had actually gone away.

Set an intention for the retreat, without planning the outcome – for example, you may want to be open to guidance about a problem you are having, or clarity about a new venture you are embarking on, or healing and recovery after a busy or painful time.

Now that you have the basics handled, it’s time for the details. Mix and match from this list of retreat ingredients for your own perfect recipe:

Cultivate your creativity – Gather colored pencils, sketchpads, magazines, instruments, notepaper, music, etc. and open yourself up to your creative muse.

Luxuriate in the bath – Sink into oil-laden water, surrounded by, candles, music and incense.

Journal - Have pen and paper ready at your fingertips to capture insights, reflections, visions, intentions and other thoughts and ideas. – Consider starting a “mini-retreat journal” to record your intentions and visions.

Be in your body – Full, deep, resonant breath is one of the quickest paths to relaxation. Try abdominal breaths while reciting a favorite mantra.

An at-home retreat does not have to be limited to a special event that takes lots of planning and time. You can do this monthly, weekly or even daily. Even 30 minutes of focused “me time” will enable you to reenter the world feeling rejuvenated, grounded and more at peace.