Winter Afternoon Retreat - Turn Inward

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WINTER AFTERNOON RETREAT - ‘TURN INWARD’

Soothing and grounding Yin yoga, calming breathing exercises, Ayurveda, Winter reflections based on nature’s wisdom and symbolism of the season, and cozy guitar tunes: welcome to our winter sanctuary!

Treat yourself to this nourishing afternoon retreat, dedicated to your well-being this season. A half day just for you, so that you can return home grounded, recharged and with new insight.


TURN INWARD
Winter is the ultimate season to slow down, cocoon and turn inward. All of nature takes a pause and comes to a place of stillness. And although on the surface it might seem like nothing is happening, underneath the soil - right in the dark - seeds have been planted and are preparing to blossom in spring time. We can embrace this wisdom of nature and make the most of winter season by dropping into our own inner place of stillness. To take care of our own soil. By resting, recharging, reflecting and consciously nourishing the seeds we want to sprout in spring time. Ready to turn inward?


PROGRAM
The day will include the following elements:

YIN YOGA SESSION
Winter invites us to slow down, so that we can recharge our battery and allow ourselves to blossom again in spring. In this calming Yin Yoga session we'll be doing exactly that! We’ll align with the spirit of winter: a time of stillness and introspection. Together we explore long-held postures (supported by soft pillows & other props) that help release tension, rigidity and stagnation in our body and mind. Through slow, deep stretches, targeting the connective tissues of our body, you’ll experience a deep softening in your body and mind. We’ll be working especially with the kidneys, since this organ resembles our inner life-energy battery. Expect a peaceful practice that connects you to the stillness within and leaves you feeling grounded, refreshed, and connected to yourself ánd the natural rhythm of winter season.

CALMING BREATHING EXERCISES
Guided breathing exercises to help you slow down and deeply soothe & nourish your nervous system.

SYMBOLISM OF AUTUMN SEASON & REFLECTIVE JOURNALING
Nature - and each of the seasons - holds so much wisdom. How can we use the symbolism of winter (and what is happening in nature during this season) to reflect on our own lives? With the practice of journaling. A great way to deepen self-awareness and gain insight into your inner world. We will share reflective questions, related to the spirit of winter, that will inspire you to let your thoughts flow freely onto the page. Journaling creates a space for honest exploration, helping you let go of mental clutter and play with new perspectives.

SHORT INTRODUCTION TO AYURVEDA & NUTRITION THIS SEASON
Ayurveda, the ancient practice of holistic healing from India, helps us to balance our body & mind through nutrition and lifestyle. It is closely connected to nature, and moves with the rhythms of the seasons. In Ayurveda, winter is considered a season dominated by the Kapha dosha (a combination of the earth & water element), which brings a sense of cold, slowness and heavyness. To balance this, Ayurvedic nutrition emphasizes warm, light foods & herbs during autumn season. In our afternoon retreat, we will share a super short & practical introduction on how to use the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda to keep yourself balanced, grounded and energized in the winter season.


PRACTICALITIES
Location: The Attic - Yoga & Ayurveda, The Hague
Date: Saturday 25 January 2025, 14.00-18.00

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This retreat is carefully crafted and hosted by Livia Benders & Melanie Fissendjidis. Both are certified yoga guides and holistic breathwork facilitators. If there are any medical conditions, injuries, use of medicines, or anything else we should be aware of, please let us know. Also feel free to reach out to us if we can support you with a question or concern you may have!