‘22 Spring Equinox ~ Zion Yoga Retreat
At the turn of seasons this year, Winter to Spring, I journeyed from San Diego to southwestern Utah to lead a group of yogis on a “post-pandemic” retreat. The two years prior of global stress, lock-downs, mandates, and uncertainty certainly wore on the lot of us, and I felt strongly that it was time to gather for such an adventure, to heal and receive a new era. This region of the country had been calling me for quite some time; Zion National Park and its surroundings is an intriguing place full of natural beauty and wildness! I am so grateful to have been able to take my 9-month-old baby at the time (and my Mom to support) to an off-grid location, away from the tourist crowds, with a wonderful group of like-minded practitioners, open and ready to embrace the human resilience we all possess but sometimes forget when we are in the day to day hustle of our busy lives.
Our retreat location, Lazalu, is an artist residency located in Virgin, in the remote western region of Zion at a place called Kolob Terrace. On an open plain amidst red mountains and caves, littered with deer skeletal parts, this high desert zone has a climate in which anything goes, and so it did! The start of our retreat welcomed us with whipping winds and fierce cold, reminding us that Winter had only just turned. One unique aspect of our retreat was the way in which we stayed warm—by building fires. Humans have been doing so for millennia, but in our modern, urban lives, many of us have simply never practiced building a fire to warm a structure! I truly enjoyed learning this skill; the glow and crackling of a fire curated such an ambiance that enhanced the yoga retreat vibe. Not to say it was always easy, but such a lesson I learn time and time again—the best rewards in life normally follow great effort. Also, with repetition comes technique.
On the first full day of the retreat, with the weather still a bit loopy, we practiced yoga indoors, enjoyed an incredible brunch catered by a local chef and then ventured out for an afternoon hike. A short, walking distance from Lazalu is an incredible Yoni cave, surrounded by pine and juniper trees, wild sage and brush, cacti and succulents. Upon entering and marveling at the cave, carved out by the natural elements of wind and water over millions of years, safe harbor from the gusts, we chanted a few cycles of OM and that was the point at which I really felt our retreat was in full swing. Of course, the entire unfolding of this retreat was bumpy at the start, but simply magical from here on out. This taught me the importance of perseverance. Another yoga practice and a delicious Indian dinner capped off the day and we settled in for the night, ready for another full day ahead.
Lucky for us, in the early Spring, the warm desert sun came out in full force and the winds died down to reveal a completely serene and peaceful environment, so quiet that we could hear the birds chirping, a beautiful soundtrack for our morning practice outside! Vigorous and flowing, we happily moved energy, balanced, made contact, and connected with our souls and Mother Nature all around. It was glorious, indeed, and the perfect beginning to a day in which we drove down the mountain and went to Springdale, the cute and gorgeous town at the entrance of the well-known National Park.
Although our time there was sparse, (the retreat was definitely on “baby time;” mornings reserved for rest, yoga, and a nourishing breakfast—a slow rhythm to bring everyone together), the Park proved truly inspiring. Vast and unique with a color palette new to me, we hiked along the Virgin River and to the Emerald Pools. Such beauty and plenty of people! Imagining how crowded it must be during peak on-season made me glad that we were there at the end of March. Hence, there are gifts in braving the cold… although, this day felt practically like early Summer, very pleasant. It was an eventful day, followed by a delicious dinner in town. Friendships formed, bonds strengthened, coming together to mirror in relationships and practice in the community, reflecting a vital aspect of human existence and something we all truly missed during the global pandemic. I am fortunate to have been able to facilitate that for my students in a retreat format and it is one of the things I love most about it. Yoga has such a way of bridging independent entities with fascinating results.
Add this with the trip immediately following the Spring Equinox, symbolically the opening of the inhale, Yang energy, moving toward others, and outward expression, the timing felt just right for a profound experience, celebratory ritual, and important shake-up of the routine. On our final morning together, we again practiced outside but with a more gentle approach, to prepare for the road trip back home and restore all the exertion put forth in attending the retreat. We packed our things, said our goodbyes, and went back to our lives, but as different people. This is the nature of such things; it leaves one with unforgettable memories and personal growth that transfers back home and into daily life, invigorating what is important and how to nurture it moving forward. I humbly bow in deep respect to those who trust me to teach them Yoga on the mat and especially beyond. It is always a learning experience that impacts positively and poignantly.
So that is the recap of our Zion yoga retreat, the ninth of my professional career! I cannot wait for the 10th, and I am dreaming of going back to Italy, perhaps to roads less traveled there. To stay up to date, be sure to subscribe to my email list and you will be the first to receive the dates for Summer 2023. As always, it is a wonderful experience and well-deserved opportunity for self-reflection, taking care, having fun, and connecting with others. Put yourself in a new, stimulating environment and grow your brain (literally); shift stagnancy, open channels of curiosity and creativity, make a change, and strengthen yourself… possibilities are endless for a yoga retreat. I look forward to welcoming you into my circle soon.
