Articles by Kate Nirlipta:

Yoga in Every Day - Your Practice

Why do a Retreat?

Why do a Retreat?

An interview with Kate Nirlipta

Why should a yoga student undertake a retreat?

The philosophy of Yoga recommends that students take time out for retreat at least once a year, and more if possible. Participating in a Retreat allows the student to deepen their practice, it supports the experience of a continuation of immersion into their Yoga practice and philosophy, and it helps to ignite inspiration and passion for their journey. It also gives the student adequate time for reflection and contemplation, something students do not generally experience in a day to day busy life. Another good reason for students to attend Retreats is to meet other people on the Yoga journey, this gives one the sense of connectedness, co-operation and community.

A Retreat allows a student to acknowledge that there is something deeper within. A retreat is a time for introspection, meditation and spiritual refinement . The Spirit is nourished and replenished when going into retreat. It is an opportunity for students to get serious about their Yoga as a way of life and realize it is just not exercise for the body. We do this by withdrawing to seclusion and privacy into an atmosphere of consciousness, support, deep relaxation, peace, and generosity. This support's the student to : break patterns, old habits and to move towards one's own depth, stillness, peace, calmness, strength, and clarity. Attending a Retreat enhances the quality of one's life by moving towards wellness, returning to the source, to your true nature , to the truth of who you really are.

What have you seen your students get out of your retreats?

Students often come to the retreats stressed, tired and out of their bodies with their minds working over-time. I have observed that the measure of a students intention and willingness to attend a retreat result in an equal measure to their gains from a retreat, whether this be a weekend or a week long retreat. It is a joy to witness each Yoga retreat group take on an energy of its own that supports and nourishes the individual to blossom into themself. This allows the students to gently unfold and surrender into the meditation, pranayama and asana practices. Consequently students state (from an over-view of the evaluation form students fill out after each retreat) that it is a nourishing relaxing time that has connected them back to themself, they leave restored, refreshed and centred with increasing self worth. They love their time in nature, time for reflection, being pampered and nourished with wholesome soul foods (an important part of a retreat for many people). They also state that they gain an increased knowledge of Yogic practices and philosophy, and many comment that they learnt how to meditate on the retreat.

Five years ago, at a Yoga Retreat in the bush, I witnessed the joy and elation in a student's eyes after the first time he'd hugged a tree. His reason for attending Yoga was to help his Tai Chi practice, however, he soon found out that there was more to Yoga than meets the physical body. His journey has been a delight to watch as he has faced the peaks and troughs of lifes unending changes. Yoga practices became an essential part of life as did attending regular twice weekly classes. He has attended most of my retreats over the past 6 years and now has embarked on formal Yogic Studies at the age of 60 years young.

Can you remember the first retreat you participated in? And what you got out of it?

I first became aware of the value of Retreat as a 13 year old child (innocent, pure and naive) in boarding school. Practicing prayer or meditation for one day in an atmosphere of support and focus was my first experience of a Retreat. The Nun's regularly went on retreat, and as a young child I was impressed by how peaceful and serene they where. I used to think that they (the nuns) were going off to spend time with 'God' . As an adult this impression has stayed with me and now in Retreat I can immediately drop the external world with intention. Going into retreat regularly, no matter how small or large the time I spend in it, is a fundamental and important practice in my life, for this I am infinitely grateful.

Yoga retreats seem to becoming more popular. Is that your understanding? Any ideas why that might be?

Yes I agree, Yoga Retreats are becoming more popular as the need to release stress and anxiety increases. People are looking for something else in their life, to make a change and/or deepen their practice and knowledge of Yoga. Some students perceive a lack of time (or too tired) to attend a weekly Yoga class and will choose to attend a Retreat over the weekend or during their holidays. I see this with School Teachers.

People are now more aware of 'time restraints' in their life and hence want more conscious 'time out'. They 're realising that relaxation doesn't mean, watching tele, or socializing. Increasingly people are choosing to factor quality conscious 'time out' from their busy (or not so busy) life. Even corporate and business organisations are willing to give quality time out to their staff as they experience the benefits of conscious relaxation, meditation and other Yoga practices. The benefits aren't just personal, the organisation benefits by having relaxed centred staff that can work not only from their mind but also with balanced emotions from the heart. When mind and heart are balanced intelligent decision's are made from a place of knowledge, faith, generosity and compassion.