Who goes on yoga retreats and what do we do on them?
If you've heard any of the misinformed yoga retreat rumors, let me first reassure you that you do not have to be a super fit, vegan, yoga rock star to attend, and we eat much more than a raw food detox diet and papaya smoothies while on retreat. There are no age, fashionable yoga clothing, or fitness requirements, and attending solo is absolutely okay (and often times encouraged)!
It is true that we do lots of yoga on a yoga retreat. However, not all yoga is sweaty flow classes. You'll find that on retreat, there is more time to explore a broader range of yoga, including: pranayama, meditation, chanting, restorative and gentle hatha yoga, etc. The best part is, you get to participate as much or little as YOU want. One purpose of retreat is to completely rejuvenate. If that means sleeping in and skipping morning yoga, by all means, take care of yourself!
As I was reminiscing through last year's retreat photos, I thought they might help to paint a more accurate image of a typical day on retreat:
Early Morning
Mornings are magical at Xinalani. Catch up on sleep as the sun rises and the jungle comes to life, or wander down to the beach for an early morning walk or to ground and meditate in the cool sand. At 7:00 AM light snacks and coffee are available if you want to fuel up before yoga.
Morning Yoga and Meditation
Every day we meet at 8:00 - 9:30 AM for morning yoga and meditation. This is usually the more active yoga class of the day, alternating between slower, strengthening hatha classes and invigorating flow classes. After we've worked the physical body, we turn deeper into our hearts and minds and practice various pranayama (breathwork) and meditation techniques. After, you'll feel calm and ready to take on your day with an open heart, whether that be napping on a hammock or hiking to a waterfall!
Breakfast
10:00 - 11:00 AM breakfast is served with a Mexican flare! Think eggs, beans, tortillas, salsas, chilaquiles, pancakes with tropical fruit syrups, freshly baked muffins and cookies, tropical fruit, yoghurt, Mexican coffee, fresh squeezed juices, and more! I promise, there's more than celery juice (unless that's all you want) and it's delicious!
Mid-Day
After breakfast, the world is your oyster! This is a great time to enjoy the spa or bathe in nature with a book or journal. If you're feeling active, join one of the many activities and excursions the resort offers, or take a jungle hike up the coast to neighboring beaches. The charming town of Quimixto is a 10 minute stroll away and feels like a dip back in time. There are no cars in Quimixto, but the locals on horses are full of smiles and happy to point out the beloved town iguanas.
Activities and Excursions include:
Ice bath therapy
Temazcal
Cacao Ceremony
Surf and SUP
Scuba Diving
Snorkeling
Kayaking
Whale Watching
Swim with Dolphins
Excursion to Majahuitas and Yelapa
Zip Lining Tour
Guided Wilderness Treks
2:30 - 3:30 PM: Lunch is locally sourced, fresh and cooked with love!
Afternoon Class or Workshop
Around 5:30 PM we meet in the yoga shalas again. Depending on the day, this time may be spent in workshop to deepen the foundations of your yoga practice or to play. On other days, we deeply nurture our bodies with restorative/YIN yoga and take time to close the day with meditation as the sun sets.
Dinner and Beyond
At 7:30 PM we gather together one more time to nourish our bodies with good food and connect with fellow retreaters. Additional (optional) entertainment or activities are scheduled for some evenings, or retire early and let the sounds of the sea lull you to deep sleep.
Rinse and Repeat
In the best possible way, we do it all over again for 7 days so that our minds and bodies have the time and space to disconnect from stress and drop into deep healing and restoration. At Xinalani, we have the added benefit of living outside, in nature (especially if you stay in an open air room), and if you choose to take a break from technology during your retreat week, you may be amazed at the transformation that is possible!
Who's ready for a retreat?!
Join us in November, 2023 when we head back to Xinalani, or stay tuned at rasvida.com for future retreats and excursions.
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