“One who is able to withdraw his senses from sense objects, as the tortoise draws its limbs within the shell, is firmly fixed in perfect consciousness.” Bhagavad Gita An intention to draw one’s attention from the world, or at least preoccupation with experience. It is a necessary prerequisite to pursuing the profound goals of yoga. However, it seems this is not what you can do between 9 & 5 weekdays.

Don’t quit your job, become a monk, and move to the Himalayan mountains, however tempting with the events of the days to want to connect to the inner self.

When there is a sudden change, anyone can experience the benefits and the power of contemplation. Or inner self reflection. Retreats help to some degree to experience a departure from habitual life along with deep rest. Our roles give us the energy to preform our life, however, when it becomes a liability in the face of a disruptive life event, like the loss of a job, the ending of a marriage, the sickness of a child. Your comfort zone or role is deprived of the self and how it functions on a regular basis and your very sense of self can be challenged. We experience suffering when we are forced to preform unfamiliar roles.

A retreat helps you to overcome your rigid sense of identity that causes suffering. It creates resilience and healing that happens when you give up your grip of your identity. Yoga and mindfulness help shield you from the insults of the contexts and stimuli that reinforce your habits and patterns through your thoughts and actions.