When I talk with people over 50 about attending yoga retreats, they often seem to categorize them as a vacation for those in their 20's, 30's and 40's. But I think this is a huge misnomer and leaves an older (and wiser) group of yogis sitting on the sidelines.
Though it's true, we may not be as "bendy" or as "strong" as we once were, those of us over 50 are still active and healthy and ready to explore the world. And sometimes I like to do it while travelling with my yoga mat.
I've attended yoga retreats and have felt the long-lasting benefits from them. From the mindfulness and movement, to the friends I've made along the way. There are a host of benefits from attending and these are just a few:
Transformation:
Immersing yourself in a new location with a focus on your personal health and well-being can create dynamic changes. Yoga retreats are the perfect place to find quiet and stillness, while you tap into your inner strength and cultivate a more close-knit body, mind and spirit connection. I find them to be a transformational experience, finding small shifts, new patterns, or a deeper practice to calm my soul. The benefits far surpass just the physical practice of yoga. As they are often set in peaceful locations, it's the additional opportunity to slow down and read, meditate, pray, and connect with nature. Conversations with the other yogis, the host, and the retreat leader can be more authentic and in-depth when the rest of the hustle and bustle of the outside world drifts further away.
Holistic Wellness:
With the focus on the movement of your body and the stillness in your mind, a yoga retreat is a perfect place to focus on your personal health. Through mindfulness and meditation, through food and drink, and through movement and wellness treatments, you can find a detoxification or a release you otherwise may not be inclined to do at home. Many retreat centers offer farm to table food, massages and facials, and detox through a variety of modalities such as herbs, chakra balancing, saunas, and cold plunges to allow your body to function more efficiently. When we are over 50 and systems are changing as we age, it's a wonderful time to adjust your wellness practices. What worked before may not work now. Adding (or subtracting) pieces that are no effective can benefit your aging, healthy body. And this is an optimal time to explore with experts to guide you.
Rejuvenation:
There is a change in energy and stamina that can occur after 50. Your body and hormones are changing and those can create fatigue. Attending a yoga retreat for a few days, a week or more can help you rest and rebalance, leaving you feeling rejuvenated. Often a vacation in general can be a boon to your system, but time spent with the specific focus on your health and well-being allows for even more. When you attend a retreat plan to do less. Plan fewer activities and requirements on your time. Allow yourself to deepen into the restorative qualities.
Physical and Mental Health:
It is no question that yoga has a positive impact on your physical and mental health. Experts agree that you can change your inner and outer health through the healing powers of yoga and meditation. The practice of yoga, even the most gentle practice, can help increase flexibility and strength. As we age, we typically become less limber and less muscular. This is important as we grow older, since falls are a high risk factor leading to fractures, surgeries, and lack of independence. Keeping a fit body helps reduce those risks and keep you healthy and independent longer.
Yoga not only strengthens the body, it strengthens the mind. Personally, I love the clarity I feel when I've been on a retreat and had the time to close all of the tabs in my mind, like closing the tabs on the top of my laptop. I am more efficient and effective. I find myself remembering more, not just randomly going into the kitchen for no reason.
And lastly, I find my stress is significantly less. My shoulders aren't as tight and drawn up under my ears. My hips are more pliable and hold less tightness. We weren't meant to carry the worries of the world. We were meant to live purposeful and fulfilling lives without all of the extraneous add-ons. By reducing the external "noise" and finding more simplicity, we can reduce our stress, which impacts our overall health.
Destination -- Serenity:
Yes, the locations of most yoga retreats are in serene and peaceful locations that allow you to embrace the nature and world around you. You can close your laptop, shut off your phone and rest in the sound of natural silence. Maybe it's the lapping waves, the jungle birds, or the sway of trees and leaves in the forest. Whatever the location, revel in the natural environment around you. Use all of your senses to absorb the new destination, and let it imprint on your heart before returning home to the cacophony of the engineered society.
Attending a yoga retreat can have a life-altering impact on your health and well-being. It can provide you the necessary respite from a hurried life and give you the release from stress and overwhelm you so deeply need. It's not a "vacation for the young", it's a "journey for everyone". Embrace the journey, book the trip and find your peace.
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