Definition of Yoga: To join or to unite. Unite mind, body and soul.

Yoga is not about the shape of your body, it’s about the shape of your life. No matter your belief or your physical capabilities, you have a right to be grounded, in tune and at peace with who you are and where you’re heading.

I was fortunate to spend some quality time out in the bush exploring some phenomenal spots to practice yoga with some special people.

During this self-love retreat we ventured on, I discovered so many new things about why, ultimately, a Yoga getaway is magical for anyone. The peace and tranquility of the bush blends beautifully with the quiet serene spaces Yoga requires.

Here are a few reasons why making a special yoga breakaway in the bush can only benefit you: mind, body and soul.

1. IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU

Yep, that’s right you read correctly; everything is about you. Everything is taken care of, the idea of a Yoga retreat is ensuring a safe space is created where you can nurture your mind and soul, all you need to be concerned about is enjoying all the luxuries that are on offer. For the ladies that joined us this weekend; beautiful sunrise and sunset sessions awaited them alongside some incredible safari experiences.

2. AN OPPORTUNITY TO FEEL PRESENT AND IN THE MOMENT

How often do we allow our lives to pass us by? Escaping to the bush and settling in for some much-needed self-love and relaxation, we allow ourselves to activate our sense and arrive. Gone is the congestion of city life and noise; rather replaced with tranquil sounds of the dawn chorus and the awakening of the bushveld. Fresh air meets the engulf your body from the moment you awaken to the time your body comes to rest at day end.

3. DISCOVER ROUTINE THAT WORKS FOR YOU

Any routine in the standard sense can be utterly tiring... eat, sleep, work, repeat. On a retreat, you can create a routine for health. A place to break habits, find yourself and start anew. Learn to appreciate an early rise, and all that awakes with you. Appreciate the silence, that we so often try to avoid. Create habits in a routine that allow you to feel rejuvenated.

4. THE POWER OF POSITIVE AFFIRMATION

Often as people we forget to remind not only others but ourselves of all the incredible things we are made of as well as destined for. In most case for the human heart, it's easier to give than receive, especially when it comes to words of affirmation. We ended off the weekend with a beautiful exercise, with Leanne Glanville, who struck me as a specialist in all things Yin and Restorative. A valued part of winding down and appreciating life as we know it. We sat in a circle, coffee’s in hand and one by one we shared a number of attributes about someone across from us.

Now here is a group of people, who have never met, but through a weekend of great company, are highlighting the greatest attribute, seldom accepted by the one receiving them. How awesome is that?

A hushed question to myself; funny how we have so many beautiful things to say about the people we have just met, but those we know a lifetime, or even ourselves, we forget to highlight this greatness. Why? How deep do our insecurities lie, lack of self-esteem, built up trauma, that we drag around with us. Isn’t this the perfect place to let that all go? In the middle of the natural world where absolutely everything sings songs of perfection.

5. PERSONAL GROWTH

Nothing spurs on a growth spurt like spending time focusing on yourself. Personal growth requires motivation. It's the desire to change what needs to be changed and the willingness to strive to make changes.

It’s the shift from “fixed mind set” to “growth mind set” and embodying the learning curve that accompanies it. It’s stepping out of your comfort zone and doing things that at first may be uncomfortable but are certainly needed.

We can see our personal growth in our understanding of our natural environment. Adaptability is one of the many lessons we can learn from nature. And probably the most important.

A word from instructor and Yogi Friend, Charisse Struwig

The Benefits of Yoga Retreats

Why do we Retreat: To Retreat is a wonderful opportunity to step back from our daily lives, to find a moment of rest, to get in touch with yourself, to reflect, to re-group and reconnect with yourself, to rediscover how to be independently happy by deciding what you do or do not need to feel fulfilled? Our Retreat of 21-23 May 2021 at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge was focused on just that... RE-Treat yourself: a Journey of Self-love.

Retreating is a way of taking time out and assessing our life decisions, helping us to bring clarity to challenges ahead. When Retreats are curated thoughtfully, they provide a completely different travel/vacation experience. It is an opportunity to gain a new perspective from people you would perhaps not otherwise have met. It is an opportunity to explore. To learn something new. Surround yourself with positive energy. Improve your overall health. “Sometimes the only way forward is to Retreat” – Unknown

A little bit about me: Charisse Struwig aka Breathe Feel Movement

I am as passionate about my own self-care as I am of those I teach. I combine mindfulness, Yoga, Pilates, corrective exercises, mobility work and self-massage to help you navigate your day - breathing better, moving with ease, and feeling confident in your ability to take care of your own needs. My Passion is teaching Pilates and Yoga, encouraging my clients to move with purpose and understanding. Engaging with my clients in not just their physical capacity but also having deep connections and open-heart “safe space” interactions about life and its meaning, leading to very deep philosophical conversations. The greatest reward in this is when my clients step off their mats or class is over the energy I know that the energy in their bodies has shifted... in their mental and physical bodies. And their expression, feeling and voicing it is the most rewarding part of teaching for me. When they leave my space feeling different (better mostly) than before.

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou