Why Retreat?  

by Erin Sweeney

Right away I found the idea of going on retreat easy to understand. Since the first time I heard about it, however, I've noticed that many don't fully realize the power of a personal retreat. When I go on vacation with my family it's about my family.  Not that I don't have fun, but my focus is on them, being with them, and caring for and loving them. I've joked for years about coming back from my family vacations needing a second vacation.  

Retreat is about loving yourself. Remember, you can't love anyone else if you don't first love yourself - fully, unconditionally, without judgement. It is possible to see and love even your flaws, to give to yourself whatever it is that you want, to listen to the voice of your needs and dreams. And it is much easier to do all this when you are on a retreat, after all those things are the focuses of retreat.  

I'm so blessed to have been able to go on an annual yoga retreat with Lara Heimann from yoga stream for the past three years.  These are the times I recharge and tap back into my personal goals but even more so right now, these are the times I get a break from caring for others and can care for myself.  Thank you Lara for making a special experience for me, yet again!