Retreat to Release | April 25-28, 2019
Last weekend, four women with different backgrounds, personalities, and life experiences all came together for a life-changing yoga adventure retreat. We laughed like crazy, shedded some tears with support around us, and cheered each other on as we tackled the challenges of canyoneering (hello 80ft waterfall)! Best of all, we showed each other full acceptance and with that, strong bonds formed and we created this phenomenal sisterhood of support.
After spending four amazing days together, we all left feeling grounded and uplifted at the same time. It’s as if we floated home from the retreat, glowing from a natural high.
So what the hell happened in those four days that led us to this bliss?
Well, it first started with the opening ceremony where we immediately felt comfortable enough in this small group to expose our vulnerabilities and start sharing our stories. The energy was supportive and positive from the beginning. We practiced yoga and meditation together in a green meadow next to a running creek, which added to our bank of bliss. Imagine laying on your mat, looking up at the blue sky through branches of sprouting leaves as you listen to birds singing and water moving across rocks. Or sitting on boulders next to cascading waterfalls and meditating together. Aaaaaaaahhhh….take me back!
The theme of this retreat was Retreat to Release…so we had time to reflect on what we each needed to release in order to allow space for more positive energy to come into our lives. Afterwards we had a release ceremony by the creek and said Bye Felicia to the negative energy that no longer served us. We all had been dealing with different struggles for awhile, and it was so liberating to “let that sh*t go”!
Speaking of letting go…we had to practice letting go in order to canyoneer down five sets of waterfalls in Parker Canyon. Imagine standing on top of an 80ft waterfall and there’s only one way down. You can either conquer your fear, trust, and let go OR you can head back the way you came. Even if they may freeze or cry a bit at the top, everyone chose Door #1, because when you overcome your fears, you grow and become a stronger person than you were before. So we cheered each other on and had an amazing guide David Klingbeil of Phoenix Wildnerness Adventures, who not only made us feel safe the entire time, but was also the Wikipedia of plants, geology and history of the area.
Descending down an 80ft waterfall makes you feel like a badass, like you can do anything! I just remember the ladies being in awe when they got down to the bottom saying, “I can’t believe I did that!!!”
We all loved staying at the ranch in the moutains with its rustic cabins, menagerie of animals (dogs, horses, ducks, goats, a lamb, and if you’re lucky a macaw!) and our incredible hosts, David and Jessie who are the cherries on top of this whole blissful experience. They not only made sure we were happy, well fed and warm at night, but took the time to share so many fascinating stories with us over meals and campfires. Jessie taught us how to make dreamcatchers one afternoon and even had yoga related pieces for us to weave into them. I think dreamcatcher making is going to stay for future retreats!
This is just a glimpse into this April’s Women’s Yoga & Canyoneering Retreat. Guiding these yoga retreats always leaves me feeling grateful for the people I get to meet and the path I’m on, which is why I can’t wait to host the next one in October! Join the email list or follow @ecstasisretreats on Instagram to be updated on future retreat dates.
Testimonial
“Thank you for the most magical and transformational 3 days EVER…it was a Game Changer. I am so proud of how we all pushed past barriers, fears, comfort zones, and released sh*t that no longer serve our highest or greatest good. Thank you sisters for being so vulnerable, supportive, and badass rock stars…I so appreciate each and every one of you and am grateful for our new found sisterhood.” -Lisa Boyle
