The first Yoga retreat for the year 2012 was attended by nine enthusiastic yogis. A great time was had by all, and it can be said without hesitation that pain is only a sensation.

The retreat commenced late Friday afternoon. Usha and Cellist took the scenic route to get to the retreat. It took them well over hour to get to the farm house. However, with the humour and enthusiasm both of them could not stop laughing at the number of wrong turns that they took. Everybody, introduced themselves to each other and the retreat duly commenced.

I started my usual goading that a woman’s place, is in the kitchen. However he was far outnumbered and debate took place regarding this and he duly put into its place duly. It was really interesting to see the debates that took place during the retreat.

The first, yoga class were scheduled for 6.30 early in the morning. For some of us, it was an unearthly hour of the morning. However everybody duly got up and practised with the dawn chorus of birds singing away. The weather was fantastic, the yoga class stretched all of us beyond our limitations. After the yoga class finished, 40 min of meditation was undertaken. This produced, interesting sensations for all the students. It was fascinating to hear the sensations experienced by all the students. Going inwards, instead of the constant chatter that we are involved in in our daily lives was fascinating. Everybody, commented how refreshed and strange they felt after the 40 min meditation session. A singing bowl was also played and a universal sound of the bowl fascinated all the students. The resonance that a singing bowl achieved lead to immense fascination for the students. This in turn was replicated later during the day when Richard arrived with his soundbaths.

Sarah, brought along a DVD of a Frenchman who was a tightrope walker, who planned the most daring and audacious tightrope exercise across the twin powers in America. My God, when people let go of the fears and conditioning that they are accustomed to what can be achieved. The DVD was so fascinating, that it taught us the lesson if you truly believe in something and are prepared to burn all the way you can achieve anything. This DVD called xxxxx is a must see.

The walks around tiddly manor were brilliant. This gave an opportunity for all the Yogi students to interact with each other on a lovely sunny day, and in anticipation for the next yoga class in the afternoon. Each yoga class had something different. Time has no meaning in the classes led by Meeta.

Lunch was duly served and cooked by Meeta. Not only, what she taking all the yoga classes, but she was also preparing all the delicious food that was served up during the retreat. Meeta’s passion for yoga and serving students was exemplary for all of us to learn from. The retreat was organised wonderfully and the food that was prepared by Meeta was faultless.

In the evening, we had drumming lessons from Richard. His ability to teach all varying students the art of speaking with drums was second to none. A lot was learnt during the drumming sessions, particularly the art of interacting with your fellow students. It was not all about who could play the loudest drum, but it was about trying to fit in the melody of life with all the other students.

The drumming session, was undertaken by all the Yogi students with great enthusiasm. Some of the students thought that they were rock stars and were well and truly away beating the drums. After the drumming session, a sound bath with various percussion instruments was undertaken by Richard. This produced the most remarkable relaxation exercise after a hard day’s yoga. For more info click this: Drumming in Hampshire

Overall, the yoga retreat was absolutely fantastic. Conversations, food, yoga classes interaction with fellow students, debates produced interesting sensations. The next yoga retreat is anticipated with eagerness given the success of this retreat.

Daleep Pandey