Thank you Spring Day Retreat '23

 

29/04/'23

It was my first Day retreat which I held locally in Suffolk where I live. 

All I wanted to say was Thank you to people who supported me since my cancer diagnosis also coming to my zoom classes since the first lockdown a few years ago. 

I feel so lucky to have those people in my life, they are so supportive, kind, generous and warm. I just wanted to do something for them... something nurturing.... I don't have a lot, all I have is myself and yoga. So I organised a day retreat. And all they needed to bring was themselves..

Day started with gentle movements and Yin yoga, then meditation, Qi Gong with my partner Marcus, finished the day with restorative yoga and yoga nidra. 

Day went on a bit longer than how I planned, so some of them needed to leave early. 

I was so grateful for their time being there, practicing yoga and qigong together. Some asked for money to pay, a few of people gave me a gift, but I didn't want anything. For being there was enough. That was the gift for me. Exchange was already done... I didn't want them to pay for the day. 

I also felt quite emotional during the morning, I thought of a friend who passed away from cancer recently. Her death reminded me how precious life was. She wanted to see her daughter graduate ..... I often think of her. She is here all around us, in the sea, mountain, sky, air, flowers.... she is everywhere. 

Anyway, it was long time since we were together practicing in person. Before I got really ill in 2019.  then pandemic hit... lockdown.... what a few years we all had. It was sooooo lovely to see them in person. 

My zoom classes are run by donation, I do upgrade cameras and mic etc to make zoom experience enjoyable, of course, we love chatting too. We have small but lovely zoom community now, and these zoom classes kept me going when I was feeling ill from treatment, side effects, and feeling down.... Every zoom class I have done, I feel always good afterwards. Even we meet up virtually, there's something there... something magic... 

I am currently waiting for a date for my surgery ( third time). Everyday, for me, it's precious. Moment like this retreat day is precious... Make the most of what I have each day, each moment. 

Yoga props ideas....

Not everyone has luxury of having yoga props. They are costly if you want to get the whole set; for example, 2 blocks, 2 bricks, yoga belt, sand bags, a bolster and 2 yoga blanket...

We can find house hold items as yoga props; 

Blocks and bricks; Klinex tissue boxes, foot containers, stuck of DVD cases, books....or rolls of kitchen papers.

Yoga blanket: any blanket you have in the house or big bath towels

yoga belt: belt, dressing gown strap/belt, scarf or even ties. i have seen someone using a tie as a strap. 

Bolster: rolled single duvet, cushions and pillows, or combination of pillows and flat blocks. 

Yoga chair: In yoga class/ studios often have backless Iyenger chair, however arm-rest-less chair will do. 

sandbags: bag of rice, lentils or beans in home made bags/ tube

I have made a video, please check it out! Link below 👇.

It will open up a new window for my youtube video. 

yoga props ideas/ suggestions

What do you use house hold items to support your practice? I think we can be very creative about yoga props! 🤩 Let me now in a comment.