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Pure Retreat perspective
此部份的文章只提供英文版本
Like all things in life, the experience is everything. Coming up to our 2nd yoga retreat, we thought it would be interesting to view our 1st retreat this past April from the perspective of a participant. Roderick Kar had only practised yoga for four months and was already attracted by the soulful bonding that comes with a retreat - his first ever. Here, a sharing of his personal reflections…
The atmosphere throughout the retreat was full of positive energy in the sense that everyone not just worked hard on improving his or her own yoga but also tried to help others to improve as well. Patrick used to say at the beginning of each class that we should practice as if we were a tribe so that we could pull our spirits and energies together. The feeling of being a member of a tribe and that the benefit of practising together is greater than practising alone had grown only stronger as the retreat moved along. Too bad I didn't have the opportunity to stay for the whole 8-day retreat, I am sure the feeling had grown even stronger towards the end. Of course, Kamalaya, the resort itself is such a sanctuary and tranquil establishment that it had really helped us to focus on our yoga practice. The pavilion on the mountain where we practised daily offers a stunning view overlooking the beach in front of the resort. When we practised there, it really felt like we were being welcomed to nature and we could really be at peace with ourselves.
What really surprised me about the people or the activities during the retreat…
After I decided to go on the retreat, I told my friends that I would be going to take a sun and beach holiday because that's what I had thought it would be. It turned out to be so wrong. In terms of activities, I think the biggest surprise to me was that the schedule that we were told before the retreat about the marathon of yoga practice was for real. We arrived at the resort in the evening the first day and an impromptu practice was announced during dinner for the evening. I didn't go because I was very tired after a day of travelling. Then after the first official practice the next morning I thought to myself that I might not be able to complete the retreat because it was already very difficult for me. Luckily, with the great guidance of the teachers and the encouragement from my fellow classmates, I was able to complete the rest of the planned practices and got my money's worth out of the retreat. The truth is I think the long hours of practices and the intensity of each practice really help to push my ability to a higher level.
What I learned about other practising yogis…
As part of Patrick's teachings, he would divide us into small groups during practice and gave each of use a few minutes to speak about ourselves in front of our own group members so that we could really get to know each other. In a different session we would switch groups so that we could meet and know all the classmates. This is something which we don't have the luxury to have when we practise in Hong Kong. It is already difficult to fit a practice in our daily schedule not to mention spending time to know the person on the next mat. Yet getting to know the other classmates had really helped joining a bunch of total strangers into a tribe. I, in particular, had been inspired very much by learning the brief history and the future plan of one of the classmates. She had planned to leave Hong Kong for good and returning to her home country after completing a long journey exploring different parts of the world immediately after the retreat. So I guess Patrick's tribe teaching had worked really well as we really did get along very well not just during the practice but even when we were not practising. The collective energy was just awesome during each practice.
How the retreat has enhanced my yoga practice…
The teachers Patrick, Paige and Jon had been really great during the retreat. I was fortunate to have the honour to share this retreat with a group of truly wonderful and passionate classmates, but if it wasn't that we had those teachers to guide us, the retreat wouldn't be half as successful. I am really thankful to them for their great teachings, patience and guidance. They have not only opened up my body physically but also my mind to embrace the world of yoga. A lot of the moves were really difficult for me at the beginning of the retreat, but with the help from the teachers and other classmates, I was able to conquer a lot of them and even able to perform my first head stand. At the end of the retreat, I started to feel a connection between my mind and the body which has inspired me to continue practice diligently after returning home. So I guess the retreat has definitely enhanced my yoga practice and I would recommend it to anyone who is new to yoga.
The most unforgettable memory that I'll take away with me…
That my body and my mind could feel so good and refreshing after a long day of yoga practice. I try to remember that feeling whenever I have doubts in going into yet another class of yoga practice.
Roderick Kar
>> Visit the Pure Yoga Retreat website
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