What happens when you put 15 women together, allow them to rest, suggest gentle movements, feed them nourishing food, offer the opportunity for deep conversation and reflective thinking, and provide challenges and activities that are safe yet require trust and leaning into the support of others?
Magic. Magic happens.
We moved seamlessly from one part of the day into the next with openness and curiosity. Externally, there was much laughter, tears, hugging, dancing, and sharing. Internally there was a whole lot more going on. I felt filled to the brim with love and a deep contentment that I could sense in every pore. It was like I was immersed in myself while still holding space for the group. It was only 3 days, but we savoured it all, which made each moment rich and expansive.
I left a book out for yogis to write their favorite moments in. Here are a few:
'Tight rope walk with Amanda, Nellie and Elaine. The 'Ice Bath Doulas' for the support given during our sauna and icebath sessions. So many moments and memories, if I could do this every weekend with the same people ... I would.'
'Connecting with people. Sharing space and stories. Re-connecting with myself and the stillness within. Grateful for the program, place and nourishment. Loved the laughter, the horses dressed as sheep, people's inner beauty, the wildlings.'
'Learning to be in the moment. To be present ... now. Relax and enjoy the now. Smiling strangers, laughing and sharing ... wonderful moments. Gives strength to the self.'
'How do I choose a favourite memory? Beautiful women. Delicious food. Depth of emotions. Freedom of self-consciousness. Laughter, singing, dancing, friendship. I am safe here. I am loved here. I belong here.'
'Sitting on the balcony at 6am drinking tea, listening to the crash of the ocean and looking at the stars.'
'Letting go. Dancing and singing by the fire. Laughing. Crying. Not caring how I look. Positive messages. Loved it all.'
'The beautiful food. Lazing in the sun. Resting. Sleeping. Stretching and breathing. Laughing. Dancing and singing. Drawing for the first time. Ice bath for the first time. Being hot and being cold. Just a fab time.'
'That yoga is not a competitive sport. Listen to what your body needs. That I am safe, that I am loved and that I belong - How beautiful to finish each session with those words!'
For me, seeing women supporting other women, allowing themselves to be vulnerable and authentic, shedding inhibitions and making new plans - this is why I love what I do. I don't think there are enough places in our lives where we can come together and be like this. Be our imperfect selves, without apology or justification.
Another question I asked was 'what do you wish you had known when you were younger?' and one of the answers is so beautiful it made me cry:
'Life is full of 'breaking down', disassembling. But the real beauty of life - the thing that makes it 'living' - is the constant reassembling. The continuous rebuild. One brick at a time. One emotion at a time. To be broken is not bad, it is just an opportunity to build again in a new and different way ❤️'
Wise, beautiful, funny, kind, thoughtful women. All imperfectly perfect. Thankyou, let's do it again soon.
With love,
Amanda xx
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