What is a Retreat?

What is A Retreat?
Sunita Bhatia, B.Comm, CPT


We live in a fast-paced competitive society where we suffer from lack of sleep, become overworked and tense full of anxiety and stress which seem to be addressed as the norm. In today’s world, we are influenced by other people’s thoughts and perceptions, which provoke thoughts of anxiety, worry, apathy, irritability, helplessness, hopelessness and fear…so to ask yourself…How healthy is it to have your energy consumed by so many different negative states of being and thoughts simultaneously?” It is simply not right to let these things dominate our mind and body. What is the answer to overcome these everyday pressures from our society? The answer is to reduce tension, quiet our active minds by letting go; otherwise known as Relaxation.

Around the globe, various forms of relaxation have been practiced which include an expression of arts, exercise and mind/body movement. One example of relaxation is the practice of Yoga which was introduced over four thousand years ago. In India, Yoga is a way of life and practiced daily to improve the body’s physical health and clear the mind in preparation for meditation in the pursuit of enlightenment. One of the most important elements of yoga is the breathing which is the breath control; called “pranayama.” “Pranayama” in yoga terms, let’s you enter into an environment that will allow you to just “BE” connecting your mind and body to support you on your path to holistic wellness.

Let’s try practicing this simple breathing exercise together…Stop what you are doing…

Slowly begin to inhale deeply from the diaphragm and letting the breath move slowly through the body to reach above the crown of your head.

Pause…

Hold this breath for 10 seconds.

Exhale slowly letting the air and expelling it out all the way through your body to the very tips of your toes.


We all have to breathe whether we think about it or not, as it’s necessary for our being. The meaning of Pranayama in Sanskrit can be separated as such; Prana=lifeforce and yama=control. Therefore, pranayama is the art of mastering the lifeforce within your being and body. In addition, specific breathing exercises are useful to release your body from muscular tension and free your body of any active thoughts. Synonymously, relaxation appears to be the correct way to recover from our active lives and means to letting go and improving our holistic selves.

Annually, we spend numerous amounts of time, energy and money investing into our future in order to increase our education, better our careers and enhance our knowledge. However, we have neglected ourselves, and in order to maintain the energy to complete all of these things we need to have the right combination of exercise, sleep, nutrition and stamina to maintain a balanced healthy mind and body. Our goal is to align our priorities and put ourselves first. Some of the most popular ways to enjoying life are by getting involved in leisure activities, participating in organized events or going on vacation. Therefore, with that being said as our response to addressing the everyday stressors that dominate our society it is necessary to incorporate a form of relaxation which leads me to the introduction of the buzzword “RETREATS.”

You may ask yourself some of the following questions; what is a retreat and what does it consist of? The answers are simple; retreats focus on activities that will provide rest and relaxation for your mind, body & soul giving you the opportunity to discover your unlimited energy and potential within. A retreat can consist of a visit to a local spa, a fitness class, a mind/body class, meditation, spiritual activities, experiencing an alternative therapy, receiving a massage, traveling to a retreat centre and other simple activities that allow you to enjoy yourself without having any judgments or perceptions in your mind.

There are plenty of organized retreat getaways all over the world. They usually have a daily routine with morning and evening mind/body exercise, lectures, workshops, activities mixed throughout the day, spa therapies, alternative healing sessions and healthy meals. These retreats often have several adventure activities packed into their schedule depending on the location. There are retreats that will cater to specific interests and needs some examples include; Spiritual, Raw Foods, Detox, Couples, Creative Writing, Meditation, Yoga, Pilates, Surfing, Women/Men only and Adventure Retreats.

Retreats may also offer a variety of destinations making it more of a journey and sense of accomplishment when completed. Four years ago, I went on a wonderful Spiritual Journey visiting Monasteries, learning about Buddhism and experienced adventurous travels through India which included the achievement of reaching the peak of the Himalayan Mountain during our three day trek. This trip was organized by a non-profit organization and allowed participants to interact with the local people and immerse ourselves in their culture and way of life.

In addition, some of the larger retreat centers, such as Rancho La Puerta and Canyon Ranch offer theme weeks. You can also find local hotels with spas and day spas that will offer a menu for a half or full day treatment. There are also wellness companies that offer Mini Retreats locally which will provide you with a half or full day or weekend itinerary. Moreover, you can search the internet for the location and activities that you are looking for and are guaranteed to find one that fits your interests and needs. Therefore, retreats are becoming one of the most popular ways to enjoy your vacation and use your spare time efficiently. Therefore, consider taking the time to RELAX and do something for yourself and your body will thank you for letting it recuperate, refresh and rejuvenate.

Sunita Bhatia, B.Comm, CPT is the owner of Wellness Hideaways. W.H. offers tropical retreats that “Relax, Refresh & Rejuvenate your SOUL!” Sunita is a dedicated Certified Fitness & Wellness Professional with over 12 years of experience who brings change in the lives of others with her wellness and spa retreats locally in Miami and abroad. She provides these Wellness “Hideaways” for individuals, groups, and corporations.

For more information on joining one of her upcoming retreats in July in Costa Rica, please visit www.wellnesshideaways.blogspot.com or email her at wellnesshideaway@gmail.com.