Connection

What makes us happy and healthy?

According to the longest-running research on happiness (which took 75 years and is still running!), the most important contribution to our health and happiness is the quality of our connections to other people. Yoga is connection. And with it, we can deepen the relationship we have with the self—the most important connection we have. It forms the foundation for every other relationship in our lives, whether it be with family, friends, a partner, or co-workers.

Simply said: our connection to our sense of self determines the strength of our relationships with others. And how we relate to others determines our long-term health and happiness.

The essence of this retreat lies in our commitment to using yoga as a transformative tool, guiding you to explore your connection to both the self and the people closest to you. You will be supported to step out of your relationship patterns and learn how to approach those closest to you from a yogic perspective.

Nestled amidst the serene embrace of nature, we’ll gather each morning for joyful, energizing vinyasa practices where we will become more aware of ourselves. We will get to know our bodies better and explore both our boundaries and our possibilities. In the afternoons, we embark on a journey within. Through practices like yoga nidra, restorative yoga, storytelling with mantra, sound baths, and discussions of yoga philosophy, we’ll examine our mental stories, patterns, and tendencies with gentle curiosity. Over time, we may begin to drop some of our judgments, embracing instead a more spacious, compassionate point of view.

Beyond the yoga mat, this retreat offers opportunities for connection through group discussions, guided activities, and communal meals. As the sun sets each day, spontaneous small gatherings may arise with the opportunity for sharing circles. These collective exchanges will form a cornerstone of our week together, nurturing a sense of community that extends beyond the confines of a single practice. This retreat not only serves as a transformative space for personal growth but also as a testing ground for forging lasting connections, weaving a tapestry of shared experiences that linger long after the final shavasana.

I am teaching this retreat together with my dear friend and talented colleague, Fleur van Zonneveld!