why going on a yoga retreat can change your life

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By: Silvia Mordini

TABLE OF CONTENTS

learning enthusiasm

Remembering it is not how or when we accomplish something, it is that sense of enthusiasm during the process that demonstrates our quality of life.  And that works on and off the mat since yoga is transportable, just like a suitcase or backpack.

Happiness itself is a direct experience of enthusiasm.  It is what we show on the outside to the world about how we feel inside. This speaks directly to a favorite quote from Paulo Coehlo, in his famous book The Alchemist, “There was a language in the world that everyone understood. It was the language of enthusiasm, of things accomplished with love. We are riding the wave when what we think and what we do are done from love with great enthusiasm and vigor.” 

So today what are you enthusiastic about? And as simple as a question that may seem, if you are having difficulty answering or just can’t answer, then there is learning here: this means it is an excellent time to go on a yoga retreat.

Bestselling Novelist Walter Mosley writes, “Every day we wake up is a good day. Every breath that we take is filled with hope for a better day, Every word that we speak is a chance to change what is bad into something good.”  
If you are waking up dreading the day, worried about the hours ahead of you and already wishing you could be done with it and back in bed, well, that’s a problem.  The first thing we grasp upon awakening shouldn’t be our blackberry or i-device, it should be the most positive thought that guides our dharma. This singular thought, since our conscious brain can only hold one at a time, inspires the quality of the rest of our day through sheer enthusiasm.  And yoga teaches us that what you spend the energy of your thoughts focused upon grows bigger.

Going on a yoga retreat gives you the chance to change your happiness set point. Some key ways that contribute to this include:

1. You’ll get a lot of sleep, the sleep you really need.

2. You’ll eat live, organic, healthy food 3 times per day.

3. You’ll exercise through yoga and other activities depending on which retreat you choose.

4. You’ll laugh a lot with new friends.

5. You’ll greatly reduce the amount of time you’re plugged into technology.

6. You’ll remember what’s important in your life.

From the support you receive on retreat you will get back to the ritual of celebration. Your everyday practice of looking for the good, being with great people, facilitated by gentle guides will restore your sense of internal happiness and external enthusiasm.

And in the words of Robin Sharma, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari“You will wake up every morning with a limitless reservoir of energy and enthusiasm. All your thoughts will be focused on your definite objective. You won’t have time to waste time. Valuable mental power will, therefore, not be wasted on trifling thoughts. You will automatically erase the worry habit and become far more effective and productive. Interestingly, you will also have a deep sense of inner harmony, as if you are somehow being guided to realize your mission. It is a wonderful feeling.”  

The most important thing you will learn on a yoga retreat is enthusiasm.  Book yourself into a retreat as a way of celebrating your life and go home and never again wake-up with anything less than excitement to live the best day ever.  Love yourself, love your day, love your life!  

Silvia leads retreat at alchemytours.com