It's been almost three weeks since I returned from our second retreat in Morocco and I can honestly say I feel permanently changed. Last year was our first retreat in Morocco and it blew us away, the Atlas Mountains stole our hearts and brought us to tears just at the sight of their incredible ridges. This year we returned with a new flock of birds and it happened again.
Since 2018 we’ve been hosting retreats and we’ve been able to curate a retreat vibe which lays the foundations for a safe, vulnerable place where inner work can be done. Unless you've experienced this firsthand you might be thinking, 'er vom or cringe', however it couldn't be further from it. Our Opening and Closing Ceremony's are a place of connection and celebration. They are an opportunity to be like 'ok, this is where I'm at in my life and I'm going to acknowledge this'.
We've all created lives where we don't have silence or space to process the big things that are going on in our lives. Conversations with loved ones are very much transactional and functional, getting through the daily grind. Children interrupting our every conversation making it near impossible to finish a conversation let alone speak our truth. Evenings we turn into zombies and then when the opportunity arises we've almost been institutionalized, we've forgotten how to care, connect and converse with each other.
So I'm speaking my truth here - life and relationships can be tough. They need to be worked on, we need to be proactive in how we speak to ourselves and our loved ones. But it's bloody hard to do this alone, to know how to break the moulds of routine and bad habits. I feel beyond grateful to our flock and our retreats. Our retreats are a moment in time for me to reflect and to take action on my life. I often refer to our retreats as self-therapy, I seem to have organically joined the flock in sharing some of my own battles and also sharing how I intend on actioning these hardships. By doing this I've found accountability for myself and I've found support and wisdom in the birds.
This retreat Charlie and I also were the most relaxed we've ever been, and by that I mean we maxed out all the pool time, spa treatments and deep conversations. Most of this is down to the incredible team at Kasbah Bab Ourika who care for us like queens, in their words 'nothing is impossible'. I also know Charlie and I are getting pretty good at this retreat thing, we do so much work and planning in the build up to the retreat. Planning the themes to spark inspiration, planning the meditations, vinyasa, yin, signature classes, workshops. However, once the birds have arrived much of this planning settles and we allow the energy of the retreat to ride its own waves. Finally and perhaps the most powerful of the lot, is the mountains. The Atlas Mountains speak volumes and are responsible for so much of the magic that happens. It’s difficult to describe, but I really feel a spiritual connection to the Atlas Mountains.
As a I entered my 40th trip around the sun I wanted to celebrate it with something big, Mt Toubkal big, 4167 metres big. Julie, Anna, Annaliza, Niamh and Kate - thank you for sharing this epic and unforgettable experience with me. At the end of the retreat the six of us went deep into the High Atlas Mountains for a two day trekking journey which challenged us mentally, physically and opened our souls to the mountains. I’ve returned home feeling grounded, grateful and happy, the mountains truly spoke to me.
Spoke to me about the limitlessness of the universe and the insignificance of the self. The mountains spoke volumes of my character and reflected the boundless beauty of the world. Needless to say I’m going back and you’re welcome to join me next year.
This retreat was full of interesting conversations, rose in the pool, our Adore your Pelvic Floor workshop was even relocated to the pool. Siestas by the pool, toilet jokes and jaw dropping mountain hikes. Thank you to the fearless, open and warm birds who joined us for our Morocco Retreat 2024, this ones going into the books. Retreat info here.
Shani x
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