Returning to the Mat, Returning to Ourselves: Why Every Yogi Needs a Retreat

Welcome to "The Path," a blog where we delve into ancient wisdom teachings and explore their relevance in our modern lives. At the core of this journey is the transformative practice of yoga, as Yoga is a liberation teaching, given to us to help free us from the dramas and emotions of our daily lives.  In embarking on this path, two essential qualities must be present: desire and a steadfast commitment to practice. Our ultimate aim is to attain self-knowledge and awareness, not to dazzle others with our achievements, but to harmonize our spirit with our thoughts and actions, leading to a more fulfilling existence.

When I first began my yoga journey, retreats were a regular part of my life. Year after year, I would step away from daily routines and immerse myself in practice, study, nature, and community. Those early retreats with Rod Stryker, Todd Norian, Erich Schiffmann, Rodney Yee, Anna Forest, Baron Baptiste and others, mostly at Kripalu and Omega Institute, shaped me deeply—Travel to India, Bhutan, and South America, added to the expansion of my understanding of yoga beyond the mat and rooted me in a sense of belonging. Then life unfolded, as it does, and for eight years I didn’t attend a single yoga retreat.

Something shifted recently. A quiet but persistent knowing arose: it was time. Time to return, to deepen, to listen again. So I signed up for a week-long yoga retreat in Costa Rica, and from the moment I arrived, it was clear just how essential this experience was—not only for my personal practice, but for my spirit.

Being in Costa Rica, surrounded by lush jungle, ocean air, and the natural rhythms of the earth, stripped away distractions. The physical practice felt richer, the teachings landed more deeply, and the wisdom shared—by teachers and fellow yogis alike—settled into the deepest parts of me. Yoga was no longer something I did; it was something I lived all day long.

But perhaps the greatest gift of the retreat was connection. Connecting with others on their own journeys—each unique, each courageous—reminded me of something we often forget: we are not meant to walk this path alone. The value of connection cannot be overstated. We all need it. We all thrive on it. It nourishes us, supports us, and gives us a sacred outlet to share and to receive.

A yoga retreat creates space for this kind of connection—authentic, heart-centered, and deeply human. Conversations unfold naturally. Silence is shared without discomfort. Stories are exchanged, and in them, we recognize ourselves. This is where growth accelerates, where healing softens, and where inspiration is reborn.

Returning to a retreat after so many years felt like coming home—not to a place, but to a part of myself that had been waiting patiently. For any yogi feeling called to deepen their practice, expand their understanding, or simply reconnect—with themselves and others—I can say this with certainty: a retreat is not a luxury. It is a vital nourishment for the soul.

Sometimes, stepping away is exactly what allows us to move forward—more grounded, more open, and more connected than ever before. A heartfelt thank you, to the beautiful group of yogi's in Costa Rica who inspired me to write this message!

Namaste