The first Retreat I joined was on New Years Eve, I didn’t have ‘New Year, new me’ in mind but I did want to do something different to a traditional New Year, when I would feel like I had to do something fun with friends which would probably involve drinks, traffic, chaos, spending. I wanted to feel zen, calm and connected.
This led me to booking a Retreat in Harrogate. Everything about the 3 day Retreat was incredible, from the location, accommodation, connecting to the other guests from various backgrounds, the wonderful hosts, the food, the activities and all the workshops I learnt from.
A New Year's Yoga Retreat isn’t a random date or great idea but an idea of sentimental value.
This Retreat opened up a new world. At this time in my life I lived in London, working in the corporate world and didn’t know anyone that was also into Yoga or the more spiritual side of life. It was so refreshing to be around like-minded people, chat for hours about the various elements of Yoga and have real conversations with people I connected with. Being on a Yoga Retreat submerges you in a community, gives you a sense of belonging and allows you to open up and be yourself.
After the Retreat, on the train back to London, I journalled for hours and cried happy tears. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and something special was out there, waiting for me.
That year, I couldn’t get enough of Yoga Retreats, I was booking one after the other. I took away so much from each Retreat, I learnt so much and kept growing mentally and spiritually. So much so that I even quit my job and London life to go to India and study Yoga Teacher Training... Even though, at that time becoming a Yoga Instructor wasn't in mind, I just wanted to be on a full-time Yoga Retreat!
Yoga & Friends started with Yoga Classes but building a community and creating Retreats is my purpose, passion and my main focus of my future vision.
