How to Bring Back the Magic of the Portugal Yoga Retreat Back Home
How to Bring Back the Magic of the Portugal Yoga Retreat Back Home
If you have just come home from an energetic, entertaining, relaxing surf, hiking and yoga week in Portugal, chances are, you have rediscovered how important it is to connect both with your inner world, and with the majesty of nature. Writers like Richard Louv lament that human beings are struggling against a phenomenon called “nature deficit disorder” – an abrupt disconnection from the beautiful world outdoors, but also from our inner selves and our spiritual needs.
Yoga, meditation and hiking amidst stunning scenery all have one thing in common: they lower levels of stress hormone, cortisol, instil a more peaceful and mindful state, and allow us to be grateful for all the good things in our lives. They also enable us to better comprehend the intricate connection between body, mind, and spirit.
There is no reason why you can’t continue to practise the techniques you have learned with the Pure Flow Motion team in your very own home yoga and meditation space; follow these tips and create a heavenly place in which to unwind and de-stress after a hard day at work.
Positioning Your Home Yoga Area
If possible, your home yoga space should be located in your garden, or by a ceiling-to-floor window, which you can open to contemplate the sun (for your daily sun salutations), and view natural landscapes that symbolise the perfection of the universal life energy that flows through all sentient things.
If you don’t have a garden or suitable space with a view, decorate your interiors with plants and images of Nature. Did you know that offices that are filled with plants promote improved performance in employees, or that simply contemplating images of Nature can help soothe stress? The key is to do as much as you can with the space you have. Don’t aim for perfection; aim to take small steps that can make all the difference in terms of setting up the right ambience.
The Tiny Details Count
Small, inexpensive details can remind you of your stay in Portugal. Perhaps a friend gave you a beautiful seashell during the retreat; perhaps you took a little sand from the beach and placed it in a bottle to remind you of this magical time. Many people who meditate or practise yoga at home daily like to have a little ‘shrine’ with souvenirs that transport them mentally to a place in which they enjoyed great peace.
Recreate any aromas you may have smelled. Burn candles, for instance, which smell of the sea, or of flowers you enjoyed smelling on your hikes. Avoid paraffin candles, which emit toxins, and enjoy the benefits of soy candles, which fill rooms with a lovely fragrance without harming one’s respiratory health.
Try to make your space as earthy as possible; statues, flowers, and other decor items, as well as incense and essential oils can calm or energise you as you wish. If budgeting isn’t a problem, what about building a thatched roof outdoor yoga deck, complete with wooden floorboards and high ceilings? Outdoor fountains also work well, since the sound of flowing water has a unique calming ability.
The Essentials
Of course, it is vital to remember the essentials. Make sure you have a place to store away your mat, pillows, and any other equipment you use regularly. Your space will need to have a power socket, to connect any music or oil diffusers required for your session. If others will be joining you in yoga or meditation practice, make sure there are enough mats and pillows to go round.
If you enjoyed your yoga retreat in Portugal, bring a little of the earthy wildness back home with you by recreating the look and feel of the places that most inspired you. Something as simple as a picture and a fragrant candle can transport your mind and spirit to this magical place, which you can always visit again when you need to recharge your batteries and reconnect with the vastness of nature.
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