Two weeks ago, one of my dearest friends (for over 20 years) and I embarked on our very first yoga retreat.  This was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had.

Leading up to the weekend, I was equally anxious and excited! Will I be able to keep up to my own self-imposed expectations? “Oh yes. Of course I will because whom am I comparing myself to anyway? My ego?  Clearly.” Out of my useless ruminating thinking brain, into my feeling body, my ujayi breath.  Each breath I took, re-integrated my mind, my body, my self, my soul!

Let me just mention that I began yoga at the end of May. Let me also say that I have fallen so deeply in love with the practice of yoga.  The retreat brought up so much more of what I had already been feeling.  As a result, and with no exaggeration, my entire life is changing.  I am changing. I feel less anxious, less fearful. Less fearful, more powerful, more grateful, more present.  I am a better me, mom, wife, boss.  I feel much more centered and grounded.

We began our first practice after dinner (the food was delicious, hearty and healthy!)  We dove into our passion, our senses, and our practice.  We were in a beautiful round dome. Kim, Scott and Greg lead us into what felt like the beginning of a weekend of a soul orgasm! They met us where we were and needed to be.  One would have thought they had been doing this for years! They were so in sync!   Just when our senses were open and heightened, it started to pour and I mean POUR rain.  At this point, we, as an entire group were so very connected to self, other and nature.

After our evening practice, the rain stopped and we sat around a beautiful bonfire and roasted marshmallows.  Some laughed and told stories while others soaked up all of the love, bonding and connection.  This feeling replicated that of summer camp.  Delicious!

The next day, we opened up with another wonderful practice. So far, so present, so perfect!  After lunch, we went on a silent hike. It turns out this was just what I needed. I ended up letting my child-like self take over.  I had no intention of walking in the river with my yoga clothing on.  Before I knew it, I was floating up and down the river having the time of my life!!  I was laughing hysterically as I was so free and so happy. I had no agenda…present in every moment…soaked from head to toe.  I even did cobra on a rock! I let myself let go completely.  I went with the flow of the river and I absolutely loved every second of it.

Our late afternoon practice was acrobatic yoga.  Just when I thought I couldn’t be having anymore fun, I did and I was!  I started out the exercise with Samantha with what seemed like an “easy” exercise.  Within moments, I began tearing…this was all about trust. I had to decide if I was going to let go.  Sam was the perfect partner! Both with and without words, she assured me that I was completely safe! It was here that I let go and completely opened my heart.  We opened our hearts to one another.  We based…we flew.  In groups of 3 we traded off.  What an unbelievable experience.  I learned about conscious trust.  In the moment, eye-to-eye, face-to-face, I decided that I was safe and that I could trust my group and those around me.  I consciously choose to be there for others so they could feel safe and trust me. These conscious choices were magical and I could feel my heart and soul opening wider and wider, feeling freer and freer. I have since been doing this at home with my kids and our connection is deeper and more loving with greater laughter and more trust.

Saturday night we embodied various animals & birds. This was so freeing and liberating. I felt like I was completely one with nature.  From here, I thought I was going to sleep but there was a beautiful bonfire and I simply, could not miss this last night of love, laughter and connection!

The final DRUM ROLL…what we all had been waiting for…THE SWEAT LODGE!
I walked down to the pond where our gifted yogi’s and Darlene, (the sweat lodge leader) were preparing the fire pit as the stones heated up.     “Ok.” I said to myself anxiously. “Am I going in there? Am I really going in there? Of course I am. Yes, I am!”  The sweat lodge was life changing! A layer of my old self peeled off, allowing a new layer of my new self-ready to emerge.  This was the perfect ending to an extraordinary weekend.  Go experience this for yourself!  Connect to yourself and others in a whole new way as you allow your true authenticity to naturally emerge.  I highly recommend that you take the time to challenge yourself physically, grow as deep as you can go, and release as many layers within that you possibly can! 

This delicious yoga retreat was life changing!

Love you guys! Namaste.

Angela Segal Glazer, Ph.D.Psychologist, Author, lyricist Founder and creator of www.wholesoul.com