What is a Mindfulness Retreat you ask?

As I plan the upcoming Spring Renewal Mindfulness Retreat in May, I started to wonder how many know the definition of Mindfulness. I could easily bill my events as wellness retreats but I never want to lose the concept of mindfulness which is very simply awareness and being in the present moment.

Why is mindfulness so important? Let me give you a quick example. I was at the retina specialist a few weeks ago. They were taking the required eye pressure test. The tech read the results in one eye then simply say Breathe. I instantly became aware I was holding my breath. He retook the reading and the pressure in my eye dropped by a lot of points - from a bad result to a positive result. In that moment, I took back the attention to my breath and improved my health.

In my retreats, I attempt to bring you examples of how to apply this simple concept of awareness to every aspect of your life to improve your overall wellness. Yoga and meditation are a large element of mindfulness and offer many benefits but you can use mindful awareness in every moment of your day and life outside of this.  When you are brushing your teeth at night, are you on auto pilot and just brush to get it done or do you pay attention to how you are reaching each of your teeth and working to protect each one from disease?  When you wash the dishes, are you thinking about what lunch you are going to pack for Johnny  tomorrow or are you feeling the sensation of the warm water on your hands or the smooth surface of the plate?  Did you catch that bubble from the dish soap rise up to the window with a sparkle from the sun? 

Medical studies have proven that a practice of mindfulness decreases stress and anxiety, reduces blood pressure and heart rate, increases immune function, allows for better sleep, improves clarity in thinking and perception.  I have personally witnessed many of these benefits and why I like to share the concept with others.

So what does a mindfulness retreat look like?  My current venue is on a working sustainable farm so you get to wake up to see beautiful land and farm animals, hear the stillness of life, eat fresh farm-to-table meals and learn how to be kinder to mother earth.   Mornings begin with a beautiful sunrise yoga session to get your body and mind open to the day.  Day time sessions include meditation practice, restorative yoga and reiki, a mindful cooking class, hay ride tour of the farm, a mindful body discussion, journaling, a hike through the beautiful farm property running alongside the Vermillion River and a creative workshop.  One evening will be a mid-spring celebration with spiritual guide Dana Chaisson and the other will be star gazing fireside.  No session is mandatory to attend.  You always have the option to opt out and do something else that your body and spirit is asking for.   Oh and I always forget to say out loud that men and women are invited to attend.

At the end of the day, I think my favorite part of a mindfulness retreat is the wrap up when we see how the days have brought a community together to share our stories and support each other in finding more peace and good health for our lives. 

Will you join me this year? 

With love,

Mindful Road Warrior