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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAfter\nbreakfast, more stretches, movement and asanas. Then Tomoko\u2019s partner exercises\nintroduced a sense of fun with challenges of mutual trust in our partner. We\nrang the changes, swapping partners until we\u2019d all worked with each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meals during the retreat are always carefully thought out by the rotating yoga\/cooks, and the nurturing qualities of each dish were much appreciated, especially the desserts! Our lunch was no exception and afterwards I sat, feeling content to be part of this group with its array of personalities, all enjoying being together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following\nlunch there was a little time for reflection before sharing a ginger compress.\nAs this was earlier in the day, I enjoyed the full benefit of the ginger;\nrelaxing and also, for me, stimulating. A period of silence followed, an aspect\nof the retreat that I find very important. This led brilliantly into Junko\u2019s\nsession of asanas (some challenging, many straightforward) and shared silent\nmeditation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A mystery\nevent followed supper. We sat for a while in contemplation\/meditation before\ntaking a large piece of art paper and re-creating our feeling of the weekend. Everyone\nworked quietly with focus, although silence had not been requested. Autumn\nleaves of all colours spiralled around in the wind outside; these came into my\npicture, carpeting a glimpsed forest floor on which sat \u201cfigures\u201d in\nmeditation. I also wrote a poem:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Glide, shuffle, lurch; Fragile, overworked ; Long to slouch; Breathe deep, feeling liverish; Hot, nauseous; Pain in back niggles; Chamomile soothes; Bowels don\u2019t move; Limbs do; body does; Brilliant new vibrant exercises; Bring to walking; In sunshine imagined; River swift, leaves fall; Wind, rain, autumn; Peace <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n It was change of the clocks weekend, so we achieved a \u201clie-in\u201d, getting up at 6am (7am in old time) for early exercises and then out for a walk in the crisp, frosty morning. Our early rise allowed us time to walk further and soak up the bright, sharp day; bliss. Even the horses in the nearby field stopped their grass-munching to face the pale sun as it lifted slowly over the hill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The sun graced us all day, lighting up the dining room and the grounds leading down to the river beyond. By the time the morning was over I felt stretched and open; relaxed, yet alert; ready, yet calm. We had time before lunch to wander and meditate a little in the grounds in which a magnificent old ash tree assumes command, the river on the boundary full and rushing over itself. Ah, here is Loudwater!<\/p>\n\n\n\n We lunched well. Our final class focused on breathing exercises, and Michael skillfully introduced the group to new yet ancient techniques to clear the head and focus the mind and body. Ready, finally to face the outside world, beyond Loudwater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What I love about Okido Yoga is that classes and retreats are never the same. There is always something new or fresh for me to learn. The Autumn Retreat at the end of October was no exception. I took the … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/okidoyoga.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/IMG_8395.jpg\")
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