Self-care for Sensitive Souls
Reconnect with your inner resources
You’d like to try out a meditation retreat, but you have some questions about the practicalities. Do I need to be an experienced meditator, can I get a lift with someone, do I have to bring anything, will I be ok if my body hurts … We've got you covered. Here are answers to the practical things people ask us about retreats. Do I need experience for a meditation retreat?
Our retreats are open to all, suitable for both beginners and those with more experience. We will guide you along, all through the day. If you’re open to a new experience and interested in learning, you’ll get a lot out of the retreat. I've tried meditating before, but couldn't stop thinking. Will this be different? A lot of people attending our retreats have tried to meditate on their own, and feel that they’ve failed, because they're constantly distracted by their thoughts. The good news is, you definitely don’t need to berate yourself for thinking! Meditation teaches us how to become gently present with our thinking. That way, we learn how to be relaxed and neutral within whatever experience we're having. With time and practice, we find that gradually our busy mind becomes still. And along the way we gain skills for life - we learn to be more accepting of ourselves, more emotionally resilient, and more open-hearted. Your retreat leaders - Kathryn and I - are experienced meditators who will readily tell you that meditation is life-changing. Even so, after decades of practice, we still have days where our minds are all over the place. The ups and downs are part of the path. The thing to know is that over time you learn to be kind and present with whatever is going on for you. I'm not very flexible. Do we have to sit cross-legged? Not unless you want to! We always have chairs at our retreats, but you’re welcome to meditate in a posture that suits you. Feel free to bring pillows, blankets, or cushions to make you feel more comfortable while you’re sitting or lying down. I'm sometimes in pain. Will I be okay? We know that not everyone is lucky enough to be pain-free, and so our retreats are body-friendly. If you feel that with cushions and blankets to support you, you’ll be able to sit or lie reasonably comfortably for 20 minutes or so, you’ll be fine. Meditation is recommended medically for pain relief, so it may well be that with time you find the practice helpful with your discomfort. What should I wear and bring? The best thing to wear is what you feel most comfortable being in all day. We do our best to keep the temperature in the meditation room just right, but it’s always good to bring layers. This allows you to be comfortable when you’re inside but also enjoy the beautiful sunshine that we almost always get (!) during our walking meditations and breaks. We do invite you to join us in walking meditation outside whatever the weather, so do bring outdoor clothes and suitable footwear. You may like to bring slippers or thick socks, as we change out of outdoor shoes in the meditation room. Mats, blankets and cushions are great for comfort, so please feel free to bring these. Do people come by themselves? Will I feel awkward? The majority of people come to our retreats by themselves. We certainly see friends and partners coming along together, but if you are attending by yourself, know that you won’t be out on a limb. This is one of the best places to just be, in the company of other like-minded people. Can I have a lift, or offer one? Sure! This is a wonderful way to connect with other people coming on the retreat, as well as a practical transport option. If you can offer a lift to or from the retreat centre, or you’d like a lift, please contact us, and we’ll do our best to match you up. I've got a different question ... We'll be glad to answer! Just contact us. For the latest news on upcoming retreats, click here Comments are closed.
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Claire Seabrook Body Mind practitioner Cheltenham |