Yoga Attic
Every so often, an opportunity comes along to take some time for myself, to escape the city, to be among other people (all women in this case) wanting to refocus on themselves. It’s about putting aside the role of partner, mother, caregiver, and talking about powerful topics like personal growth, wellness, nutrition and just learning to breathe. I just came back from a full day spring rejuvenation retreat at a peaceful little home in the middle of Greely. The moment I arrived, I was greeted by a hug from Tina, a yoga instructor who had started this company (Yoga Attic) with the purpose of bringing people together with a similar goal of practicing yoga and having a social escape. Surrounded by ten other women from all ages and walks of life, we went through some introductions and then our other host Amy, a holistic nutritionist and plant-based chef, gave a talk on digestion and detoxification, as we gently sipped on a shot glass of miso soup broth with little green onions she had prepared for us.
Afterwards, Tina brought us to the yoga studio, probably the most beautiful yoga space I’ve ever seen, that looks like an attic, just above the garage, with an outdoor wooden staircase to make your way up. When you walk in, you smell eucalyptus oil (later in the day, it would be cedar), and you see six yoga mats perfectly laid out on either side, with an assortment of rectangular-shaped pillows meant to be used as bolsters (mine had a pink flowery pattern and the words “Love you” on it in white capital letters). The floorboards were finished, sanded wood in shades of beige, light blue and yellow. Everything about this space was so positive and calming. I didn’t know walking into it that this would be one of the most fun and amazing yoga classes I’ve ever experienced. Just as we went into Shavasana, Tina invited us to focus on the word Joy, and as she did, as if perfectly timed, we could hear the birds chirping and the sound of trees moving in the wind.
We joined in on a cooking class afterwards with Amy in the kitchen, making rice paper spring rolls with a carrot ginger dipping sauce, and a raw pad thai with spirilized zucchini, carrot and sweet potatoes. On top of the pad thai we could add ingredients like peppers, edamame beans, sesame seeds and the best almond butter sauce ever. The meal was not only amazing, but the conversation and the atmosphere made it a real experience of human connection and nourishment. For dessert she served raw healthy brownie bites. We then enjoyed some free time, either retreating outside to read a good book, checking out the painting station upstairs where we could paint our own birdhouse, or writing in our own Yoga Attic journals that Tina provided us with. Afterwards we went on a great little nature walk through the forest, which led to a little waterfall.
The day didn’t need anything else, it could have ended there and I would have walked away feeling so refreshed, positive and complete. But on our way back we enjoyed some strawberries, blueberries and blood oranges, before going to our final yoga class, this one was a yin practice, by candlelight, and extremely relaxing. My biggest take away from the day came when Tina began the yin yoga class, as we were lying down, eyes closed, focusing on our breath, she explained that this practice was about releasing that it’s about the idea that growth is not so much about becoming something else, than about releasing what we don’t need. To find out more about these amazing retreats, check out https://www.yogaattic.ca/
What’s your favorite type of escape?
