The day started with a 7:30am coastal walk, short permaculture talk and group check-in and share of how we were feeling and our intentions for the retreat. After a stunning walk led by Lucy we headed back to the Shala for our first yoga session which was a beautiful grounding modified ashtanga class with Emily. Feeling stretched, grounded and centred we headed in to the kitchen for breakfast where we were greeted with porridge, plum compote with fresh plums from the garden, more freshly baked bread for toast and tea and coffee. Over breakfast we gave a bit more explanation about the retreat and the timetable. The morning was then free for people to do as they pleased, it was another gloriously sunny day so some people headed in to Polperro for a boat trip, others sat in the sunshine reading by the pool and I had my first massage client of the retreat and then had time to sit and paint in the sunshine. We re-grouped for a delicious and heart warming homemade lunch of vegetarian quiche, coleslaw and potato salad. Lucy introduced the practice of pausing before the meal to generate a feeling of gratitude for the food in front of us and for the people and the environment involved in bringing this meal together. I really enjoyed this mindfulness practice and realised how strong a habit I have of taking things for granted.
We then had our Reconnection group session. This was our first permaculture session with Lucy where she introduced us to the three main ethics - Self Care, Fair Share/People Care and Earth Care and the 12 main principles. I found this talk incredibly inspiring and am hoping to learn more about permaculture when I get back, it seems to link really beautifully with the ethics and practice of yoga and also my Buddhist faith. We then headed in to our Yin Yoga session which was led by me. I guided the group through a small set of poses that we held for longer periods of time than we're used to, using blankets, blocks and straps to support the body and then focusing the mind on the breath and the art of letting go. We then finished the session with a mindful awareness meditation where we witnessed the various sounds taking place around us, the waves, the seagulls, the noise of the town, our own breath. It was particularly special to do this meditation in this seaside setting with so many of the sounds we associate with being happy and feeling relaxed. We then floated in to dinner which was soup, homemade bread and leftovers from lunch. I enjoyed taking my yoga mat outside and doing some of my own practice under the moonlight. I then went to bed feeling inspired, relaxed, and so so grateful that my job enables me to be part of something like this.
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Urban PriestessWelcome to my Urban Priestess blog, here I share my tips and tricks for seasonal and lunar living. Archives
December 2019
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