At the end of September, it was my birthday treat (planned well in advance) to spend time in a beautiful hot, sunny place, with an idyllic beach, and to share time with a group of likeminded women - doing yoga. Of course, this opportunity fell right into my lap being made aware of the unfolding details of the first yoga retreat in Ibiza, by the Grounded Living Retreats Director herself, Jasmin Chew. For me, this would be my first ever all Female yoga retreat, and there is definitely something to be said about that.
Prior to booking this, I knew I was looking for natural ways to connect with other women, to learn about them, and to learn and share more about myself. I have often felt like an outsider most of my life, but lately for being a married woman who runs a yoga studio, not primed for child rearing, and more of a lifelong interest in self-realisation. At times, it feels like I can’t quite find the balance with others who may be too ‘superficially minded’ or not as depressingly existential as I can be much of the time. After all, a bit of both is just fine.
As in all reflective exercises and community building scenarios, going on a yoga retreat was to put me in the position to be with those who may feel similarly. This was ideal. All the things I love: sunshine, beach, yoga, reading, writing, vegan food, a no emphasis on booze kind of getaway, all shared with a group who probably enjoy and value the same things I do. Well, I’m glad I penciled it in the diary because it was just what I needed, at the perfect time.
At the start of the trip, I was already excited as there were a few people I knew from working here at the studio. This would be a great way to let loose and relax to get to know each other better - which, believe it or not, is difficult in the yoga teaching world as everyone is so busy teaching at the same times! Go figure, my roomie for the week is my soul sister, Alena, who I have been working with closely over the past few years developing the therapy space upstairs that she officially inhabits here with Hands & Heart Therapy. Despite this fact, it turns out we have so much more in common than we expected. It was refreshing to find that many of the people I naturally gravitate towards often have life stories and lessons from experience that are akin to my own.
The daily routines were simple: Morning Vinyasa Yoga at 7:30, followed by breakfast (always a fabulous array of fruit, seeds, smoothie bowls, overnight oats - total raw goodness for my liking) time to lounge around the poolside, to head down to the beach for some personal reflection time, or getting together for one of our group excursions (hello, paddle boarding!). While we normally had light snacks for lunch, and a piece of fruit on our adventures, this left us perfectly set up for our Evening Yoga later in the day around 5pm. This evening session was usually more Restorative and still (if there were no flies - deep breathing - go beyond the body - gah!). Despite the energy we usually gathered throughout the day, it helped transition us easily into the evening vibes of the Island.
Over the course of the week, I noticed a sense of spaciousness and peace within myself. I came prepared with some introspective questions I planned to journal about, and took the time to really review my year and life course in a way that appeals to me. With just one casual reading book (The Handmaid’s Tale - introducing the feminist vibe of my intentions here), I fell into my retreat routines very easily - keeping things simple. Jasmin gave us materials for personal reflection for writing, and the presence of some Goddess cards at timely moments usually gave insights for us to look into.
I was able to observe presence in the daily routines of our new environment, as well as have time and space for others there. While I didn’t find myself endlessly chatting, it was certainly all-inclusive. All of our individual and small group experiences were melding into a whole. This created an unspoken connection, an appreciation and a value in one another and our thoughts, opinions, and beliefs - just by being with each other for this experience. These were women who understood me, who supported me on the path they learned I was on, and likewise, I could be there for them, to support and encourage. This is priceless, and is so often missing from our lives.
What I returned home to was a new sense of community that I had been yearning for. I was looking for my audience, but also my tribe, where we are free to discuss pertinent issues we face as women - right here, right now - women who care for others, women who have career responsibilities, women without children, women with children, even women who adopt children from relationships. These, and all of the topics in between, are inherent in our lives.
Why are these conversations so powerful, yet still so elusive? Is social media making us feel more distant, or more connected? How do we find the strength to stand up for what we want for our own lives, without cultural/societal backlash - even from other women? Why is it that in a group, it becomes more apparent what our individual roles are?
What I have found is that I just needed a bit of encouragement and feedback into what I’m like, what my strengths are, and how best I can serve others with these personal qualities. From this experience, I have begun to reach out and organise a new Empowering Women’s group that will be held on select Sundays (to begin) with brunch, and consciousness raising discussions. When we share our voices together, and feel heard, we enable each other to move forward and influence our spheres in more positive and productive ways.
I know that what I was looking for through this retreat was to feel understood, appreciated, and received. Now, what I can do is bring together women with that same yearning together, so we can become so much more of ourselves.
Thank you Jasmin, for helping us to achieve more Grounded Living in our lives. For setting up the foundations for what will become our bright future together in sisterhood. Thank you to the beautiful women who met me where I was, and showed me that we are one and the same, no matter what our paths may look like.
If Female and Feminist community is something you are looking for in your life, please find us on Facebook for the new Empowering Women - Sheffield group. All are welcome.
If you are interested in joining any of the next editions of Grounded Living Retreats, please follow: @groundedlivinguk on social media, or email groundedlivinguk@gmail.com
