Yoga retreats are becoming increasingly popular, with between 20,000 and 30,000 yoga classes being taught in the UK each week (finder.com), and practitioners choosing yoga retreats and holidays over traditional sun, sea and sand getaways. Yoga is not just a practice for the mat – embracing the spirit of yoga is to examine all areas of our lives. This blog explores eco yoga retreats and why it’s an important consideration for someone embracing the practice.
Ahimsa
Ahimsa in yoga translates to ‘non injury and non killing’ and includes not only not harming ourselves and others, but also our beautiful mother earth. We are becoming more aware each day of our impact on the earth and we can all make little differences on an individual level for the greater good. Eco yoga retreats are usually based in nature, such as Forest Retreats based at Hill Farm in Tintern, which is nested in the Barbadoes (yes, pronounced like the country) woods and overlooking the beautiful Wye Valley.
Eco yoga retreats should have a big emphasis on protecting the environment
At Forest Retreats, we believe that we are all part of nature. As well as regular yin and yang yoga practice, we take our guests on a meditative slow walk in the woodland on a practice called Shinrin Yoku – otherwise known as Forest Bathing. This ancient practice was first documented in Japan in 800BC by the Shinto religion, who believed that everything in nature has a kami (spirit or qi). Benefits of this practice include boosting the immune system, cancer fighting cells and improved sleep, amongst many others. Our ethos is that as we are part of nature, it’s our duty to protect and promote environmental protection.
Recycle and upcycle
Landfill is a massive problem, and we need to reduce the amount of waste we produce. At Forest Retreats, based at Hill Farm, Tintern we upcycle, recycle and compost. Recycling is easily marked, and if naughty guests put recycling in the black bins – we fish them out! We compost organic waste and everything – from the shower and toilet block, to the yurts and even the catering truck – is second hand and upcycled! We also have some compost toilets dotted around the site, which reduces water use and eventually makes great compost too!
Yoga asks us to delve deep
Do we feel connected to nature? What do we spend our money on, and through our spending, what companies do we support? Do we take a bag and pick up rubbish on a walk? How can we influence the world to be more sustainable and equal? At Forest Retreats, we are not afraid of challenging our thoughts and behaviours – in a safe and open hearted way!
Eco doesn’t mean it’s not a retreat!
Being eco doesn’t mean you miss out on the full yoga and wellbeing retreat experience at Forest Retreats. As well as twice daily yoga and meditation, our retreat programme includes Shinrin Yoku (forest bathing), delicious homemade vegetarian food (with all dietary requirements catered for), a wood-fired eco-spa overlooking the Wye Valley and optional holistic treatments (our idea of bliss, and our guests tell us that too!) Enjoy time to reconnect with yourself and let the soul sing, knowing that you are supporting the environment.
So as you can see – an eco retreat at Hill Farm, Tintern not only supports the ethics of yoga, but helps you to feel the healing benefits of nature – without compromising that sense of ‘retreating’ by resting and rejuvenating.
Retreat to forest and nurture your wellbeing. Click here for all we have to offer this year.
