Slowing Down

The theme of slowing down has been presenting itself to me in all areas of my life - a conversation with friends, theming for my classes and even as a topic in one of my favourite podcasts!  It seems everywhere I turn, I am hearing about people who need to slow down, want to slow down or love the idea of slowing down.

What is slowing down?  Taking time out from your day-to-day tasks to do less. Being present for a single task, instead of having multiple things on the go at once.  Sound familiar? 

Slowing down is hard.  Why? As a society, it seems we are addicted to being busy.  Have you ever asked someone how they are, and they answer, “Good, but busy!”  This is so common.  Sometimes I hear myself say it and I cringe.  Why do we do it? Does being busy somehow make us feel important? Successful? More fulfilled?  

What’s wrong with being still, stopping to have a nap, laying down to read a book, watching your favourite TV show? Does doing these things make us less important?  Less successful?  Less fulfilled?  Our minds may tell us, perhaps, yes. 

Being busy provides us with just enough noise and distraction that we don’t need to pay attention to what might really be going on for us.  Because when we slow down, we find a silence that can be uncomfortable. People tell me ALL the time, the reason they haven’t come to my yoga classes yet, is because they can’t switch off.  I often wonder, in that silence, what are they afraid they might hear?  

I haven’t been able to shake the signs I have been getting from the universe about this topic.  The fact that it is the focus of my Winter Yoga retreat, makes me feel like I am well and truly on the right track. 

At the “Me Time” Winter Yoga retreat, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• explore this concept of slowing down and how to manage your discomfort in doing nothing.
• realise what your boundaries are when prioritising your self care. Are you a - if it happens, it happens - person.  Or a-get out of my way, I am going to Yoga- person. 
• discover what your self care is and give yourself permission to do you, despite what others think.  No self care shaming here! (Yes, it is a thing!

How are we going to do this on retreat?

• powerful Yoga classes, with themes that are relatable and meaningful
• meditations that to bring you into the present moment and allow you to feel, knowing it is ok!
• reflections on your self care rituals, with the chance to create or recreate them
• practise SLOWING DOWN with guided relaxations and slow, restorative yoga
• not to mention the delicious food, walks in nature, free time to use as you wish and beautiful connections with other people attending. 

Honestly, what could be better!  If you are a student of mine, imagine taking that gorgeous feeling you experience at the end of class, and making it last for days! 

I would love you to join me on retreat in June.  Click on the retreat tab and find out more info. 

With Yoga love :)