Many people are prepping for a smaller Thanksgiving than usual this year and I’m hearing from lots of clients that they are feeling disappointed and sad as they anticipate missing family and friends. Me too. I love to spend hours cooking huge Thanksgiving and gathering around the table to feast. And for those of you who love the thrill of the deal after Thanksgiving, well, I’m hoping there will be no lines and tightly packed stores this year.

I have also been seeing many clients desperate for a break. From work, loved-ones, the pandemic, the news, and just a break from 2020. Some of you will try to find this break by numbing or checking out. Eating a little extra food, drinking the extra glass of wine, and watching a few too many shows or movies.

This isn’t wrong, but I want to offer you another option, because in my experience those numbing versions of “taking a break” are fleeting and don’t leave us feeling restored in the way we crave. 

So here is my alternative idea — What if instead of a Thanksgiving weekend spent exclusively missing family and friends and the external fun we are used to creating on this holiday while cramming stimulants (sugar, alcohol, food, tv, etc) you took a little time for active relaxation and creating deep rest in an at-home retreat? 

The beauty of the at-home retreat is you can make it as short or long as you want. From 1 hour up to a full day. Your first time practicing alone at home can be intimidating so I’ve made a simple guide for you to follow. Please enjoy and reach out with questions!

Creating An At-Home Mini-Retreat

1. One day before your mini retreat pend 15 minutes planning. Gather your yoga mat, journal, and props. Skim your books or the internet for your favorite yoga and meditation practices. You can find lots of vinyasa flow and restful yoga practices for free on YouTube. I love the Insight Timer app and they recently added some live yoga and meditation as well as the huge selection of recorded practices. Bookmark or save your practices for tomorrow. Finding the practices you want to use ahead of time means that you can stay in the moment and not get distracted by scrolling while practicing.
   

2. Set aside the time to practice and enlist help as needed. This might mean letting your friends know your phone will be off for the duration of your retreat or enlisting your partner to take the kids out on an adventure for a few hours so that you can have the house to yourself. (Or for a mini-retreat: just use nap time!)
   

3. 10 minutes before your practice take care of final details. Grab a cup of tea or water, any technology (and cords) you need to follow along with online practices, and head to the space you set up for your retreat. Set an intention for your time and write it on a piece of paper in the space to remind you why you are here. Consider putting a Do Not Disturb sign on your door and lighting a candle to mark the retreat time.
   

4. Retreat! Follow through and start your practice! Know that things will come up that seem more important. Nothing is more important than you taking care of yourself.
   

Need more guidance? Try this rhythm for the retreat time:

• Welcome Yourself and Set and Intention

• Meditate

• Flow Yoga (15 - 90 minutes) ending in Savasana

• Journal - free write for 3 pages or answer questions about what you feel grateful for this year

• Slow Yoga (15 - 90 minutes) ending in Savasana

• Meditate

• Rest with a nap/nature walk/ or simply stare out window

• Close with gratitude to yourself for taking this time and by dedicating the merit of your practice to all beings. 

• Breathe and enjoy!

Don’t want to look for yoga practices online? If you still feel lost for a practice, email me and you can “register” for one of the recent flow and rest evening yoga classes I’ve taught ($15) and I can send you a recording of the 60-75 minute practice to use for your retreat.