Root to Rise Yoga Retreat 2022

Inspired by the mangroves of Mida creek, at our Creation Retreat last year, we choose to name our 2022 retreat ‘Root to Rise’. Drawing from how in unison, the mangroves spend half their time underwater send roots all around to support each other and thrive. Protecting and providing a safe haven for all the creatures that depend on them. Present-day life may feel like a relentless assault on us much like waves crashing into the beach. If we look keenly, can observe and respond to the tides and currents of life and what they bring and carry away.

Catherine and I have held retreats together for the last 3 years, and I could not ask for a more knowledgeable, supportive, authentic yogi than her. She is a leader, an inspiration and a mentor. Our retreat home is Watamu treehouse. Home being the operative term. Arriving to see staff who have become friends, constantly growing, beating our expectations and making us feel at ease.

Yoga retreats are not about scenic views and photos and pristine and unattainable yogaish poses. A yoga retreat is about yoga on and off the mat. To come as you are to a place free of distractions, commune with nature, self, and others. Maybe even take an adventure, learn something and be in an experience you can take with. Spoiler alert, this is what the Root to Rise retreat was.

Yoga
The practice of yoga is a gift that keeps on giving. Sitting in meditation together, moving through the sequence together, and finding out something about ourselves we hadn’t yet paid attention to was an energy of community. We were not looking for perfection, instead, we found presence and connection with each other as we laughed and struggled through the feelings that came up. Sharing and supporting the each other along the way.

Adventure
If we are ever stuck on a deserted island with coconuts, we can get to them! The experience of learning about the local community, the trees that support their livelihoods, and how practical and relevant they are for us to celebrate and protect. The Coconut, the Neem, the Baobab, and of course the Mangrove. are less than the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Experiencing being carried by the current during the float, and enjoying the flow while respecting its strength is a unique thing. I am failing horribly at describing it as it is just one of those things you must feel for yourself to understand. That and who can resist the fun to be had on a paddle board? #chefskiss

Service
Selfless service is at the heart of Yoga. We were honoured to spend a morning with the children of Bluebells school. Practicing yoga, Seeing the progress they have made with the classrooms, garden (growing food to help support the food they provide to the children) learning ways we can support them. They have a program for volunteers and well-wishers to support the education of children, so if you are interested please reach out to Catherine and I or treehouse to put you in contact.

Community
We took sunrise walks together, had moonlit conversations over tea, we saw how connected and similar we were, these strangers that found themselves at the Root to rise retreat. Bonding over gelato and playing like children in the mud. Putting our struggles and hopes to the pen and dreaming for ourselves and others.

Yes I am waxing romantic about it, because it was so impactful. Catherine and I may be the leads at the retreat, yet we are always left learning from the people and experiences. Every time we have a retreat we learn something more about ourselves, our work and how we want to show up for ourselves and others. That remains the best part. Anyhuuu, to address the sense of FOMO you are feeling right now, we are already cooking up our next retreat. Stay tuned for a new experience. Wink wink.

Sharing love and light,
Catherine and Julie.