A Grounding Retreat

‘The leaves were becoming only what they had to be—
Calm, yellow, things in themselves & nothing
[…]
Nothing except their little reassurance
Of persisting for a few more days, or returning
The year after, & the year after that, & every
Year following’
From ‘The Widening Spell of the Leaves’

– Larry Levis

October signals that autumn is definitely upon us.  The air is flush with falling leaves, the wind is crisper, and mornings often arrive bathed in mist. It is a magical time that manifests great beauty – most stunningly in the fiery colours of the trees, the soft quality of light, and the unmistakable scentscape – yet it can also be a challenging transition to adjust to, causing us to feel a little unsettled, restless, or fatigued. Of all the seasons, autumn is perhaps the one that most requires us to take time to pause, re-balance, and make subtle shifts in the inner realm so that we can allow space for new growth.
The central theme of this weekend will be about slowing down, re-connecting with the body and breath, so that we can embrace the seasonal shift with a sense of ease and balance. Taking inspiration from the wisdom of trees – which let go of their leaves to bring nourishment back within – we will practice the sweet art of deliberate, yet natural unwinding. As we contemplate the cycle of letting go, rest, and rejuvenation – through yoga, meditation, and spending time in nature – we can begin to take stock of what is most important in our lives, and clear ground for practices that are true to our needs and the values we hold dear.

The morning yoga sessions will be a combination of slow flow Hatha and Vinyasa sequences, centred on standing and balancing postures, seated twists, and forward folds – to encourage a sense of grounding and connection with the earth element- as well as more uplifting postures like backbends and sun salutations – to boost the mood and open the heart into greater self-acceptance and compassion.  The focus will be on moving slowly, flowing with the rhythm of the natural breath so that we can be more mindful of our relationship with gravity, the space around us, and our bodies’ needs. Overall we will strive to cultivate a practice that is not about attaining the perfect shape but is rooted in authenticity, openness, and care for ourselves and the world we live in.

The evening sessions will be an invitation to move farther into the inner landscape of the body, through yin and restorative poses mostly done while lying down on the ground. Here we will refine our ability to be at rest, listen, and stay with whatever sensations and emotions may arise so that we can begin to let go of reactive patterns and instead nurture our inner reservoirs of strength and resilience.

The morning walks and meditations will offer another opportunity to tap into the grounding energy of slowing down as we turn simple activities, like paying attention to the movements of the breath or the sound of crunching leaves under our feet, into a practice of ‘living presence’.  And of course there will be plenty of time to just rest and relax, curling up in front of the fire with a good book and a cup of tea; enjoy the indulgence of an open-air hot tub or afternoon nap; and re-enchant ourselves with the wilderness of the elements and the beauty of the landscape.