There’s something special about a full day of yoga. I felt this last month at the Minnesota Arboretum Autumn Yoga Retreat. The air was crisp. The trees stood tall. Once again the Arb provided the perfect setting for reflection and peace. More than just practicing an hour of yoga, spending an entire day deepened my commitment to sadhana, the dedicated journey of yoga and self-discovery.
The Arboretum hosts day-long retreats throughout the year. On any given retreat day, I could be tackling some house cleaning project or other item on the TODO list. But on these days I choose to step away from the busyness. Retreat days provide a full day to focus on myself.
At this year’s Autumn Yoga Retreat, the Saturday morning began with breakfast. The smell of baked goods filled the air. Laughter and conversation created a sense of community. I joined classes throughout the day, moving from gentle sessions to more energetic flows. Each class offered something different. I connected with others and felt the joy of shared practice. It’s a privilege to witness this collective dedication to practice.
In my own class at the Red Barn, I guided “Slow Flow and Meditation.” We began by centering ourselves, then flowing gently to calm the mind. In this class, like most of my classes, I remind people that yoga is a journey, an ongoing exploration of self.
As the day went on, I could experience a wide variety of classes, such as Hatha Restorative, T’ai Chi Chih, or yin yoga. Each session allowed me to experience my body and mind in different ways. During lunch, I shared stories from my time at Kripalu with someone else who had spent time there. Those connections felt genuine and uplifting.
The day ended with a sound healing session. I let the vibrations wash over me. In those moments, surrounded by nature, I felt the essence of sadhana. It reminded me of the importance of nurturing my practice and honoring the journey.
If you seek a way to reconnect with yourself, consider dedicating a full day to yoga and mindfulness. You might join us in the future at the Arboretum. I sign up to teach as many retreats as they will let me. Or perhaps you have other ways that you like to embrace sadhana, share space with others, and find tranquility. Taking time for yourself is not a luxury; it is essential to living fully.
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