As modern day life becomes increasingly stressful, more and more professionals are turning to yoga retreats as a pit stop on the corporate race track, as traditional vacations are simply not relaxing enough anymore. For those contemplating this new wave escape, we discuss the benefits with the co-founder of luxury yoga company Yogasphere, Leo Lourdes. Lourdes holds retreats worldwide including the Maldives and Thailand, and counts Elle Macpherson and Oprah Winfrey among his clientele.
“You develop a new relationship with body and mind. The principles shared on retreat, including the philosophy, can provide some great inspiration for challenges of modern life,” says Lourdes. The mind gains clarity, leaving behind a stillness from which new ideas can spring.
Good food is the foundation of good health and an important feature of yoga retreats, which guide participants towards fresh, healthy food. “On most of our retreats, the food is provided which takes out the stress of planning and preparing a balanced, nutritious meal each day, ” says Lourdes.
“Yoga tones the body and stretches the connective tissue leading to greater flexibility. The breath-work we do in yoga teaches participants to learn the best way to breathe and oxygenate their blood, thus benefitting organs not just the physical muscle groups, so you reap benefits both inside and out,” says Lourdes.
“Yoga retreats promote a break from daily life, especially the demands technology can have on our time. It can be quite a liberating feeling to turn it all off and just connect with yourself and other people physically instead,” says Lourdes.
“What better way to experience a place than by practising yoga on its secluded beach or on top of its finest mountain; soaking in beautiful views in your own time and feeling at peace?” Leo adds that a retreat also brings individuals together, “You can meet like-minded people and become close friends after your spiritual journeys.”
Rather than returning to work exhausted and depressed, walk in fresh and rejuvenated. “Yoga provides a fantastic modality in understanding the self that can lead to better decision making, more vitality and proactively in how we manoeuvre through work and life,” concludes Lourdes.
For more information on upcoming Yogasphere Retreats, visit www.yogasphere.eu.
This story first appeared on silverkris.com
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