Retreat Where You Are
While the shift feels tangible for analogue spaces and activities, there’s still something beautiful about online offerings. How many of us have turned to YouTube for a yoga class or workout video, or have joined meetings with people in different places around the world on platforms like Zoom or Teams? How often has FaceTime or Marco Polo filled our hearts with an over flowing joy at seeing the faces of our loved ones right in front of us, even though they are miles away? While the desire for connection, creation, and contemplation stir within us, we can’t understate the profound impact technology has had in keeping us connected to the people and activities that matter to us. Even now, as you read this piece, you’re doing so over a phone, tablet, or computer— just one of the ways technology allows us to engage right where we’re at with the things that matter to us.
At Wild Sanctuary Retreats, we host Christ-centered, intentional retreats for women who are longing to slow down, listen deeply, and reconnect with what matters most— themselves, the earth, and God. What started as a full-day retreat in the late summer of August at St.Mary’s in Sewanee, Tennessee, surrounded by women of all ages and stages of life transitioned into Mini Retreats, Half-Day Retreats, and Overnight Retreats, all held in-person so we can step out of the humdrum or chaotic routines and find a little time away to center ourselves with God and each other.
But what if you could retreat right where you are? What if you could find a sacred moment in your own space that feels like a retreat in its own way? Can you imagine a retreat in your daily living that takes the space you already find yourself in and turn it into your moment of reprieve? This is what our first virtual mini retreat in all about— setting aside a little time and space right where you find yourself, and taking pause to retreat; no travel required.
1. What is an online retreat?
An online retreat is just that— a retreat held live, virtually over Zoom.An online retreat combines yoga and contemplation (what you’ve come to know and love about a retreat by Wild Sanctuary Retreats) in an online format so you can join us from anywhere you are. On the set date and time, you join us on Zoom and enjoy the practices being lovingly and intentionally shared with you.
2. What to expect during an online retreat?
Just like an in person retreat,we guide you through every experience laid out in the retreat itinerary with love and care.
When you join the Zoom room, your microphone will automatically be off and your camera will automatically be on. You can turn your camera off at anytime, but believe us when we say, we truly love seeing you! We’ll welcome you with joy and the same intentional time of prayer and grounding you’ve experienced at our in-person retreats.
During the yoga session that is offered, we’re moving on our mat so you can see the shapes, the variations, and so you know you’re not alone. This ensures you not only hear the verbal cues, but can visually see the shapes being offered as you listen to your body. During the contemplative practices, we guide you every step of the way through the practice.
We’ll close with a closing prayer to end our time together. When the retreat ends, you can either stay for a few minutes to chit chat, or you can leave the Zoom room. We know that sometimes being on Zoom can feel awkward when you don’t know everyone, so there’s no need to share or stick around if you’d rather do some additional reflecting (see below: What do I do once the retreat ends?). Once the retreat ends, we’ll send out an email with the replay (available for 30 days), and a few other helpful tips for continuing on your at-home retreat journey.
3. How do I get set up for a meaningful retreat experience?
Making your own space feel like a little retreat oasis is part of the fun of a virtual retreat experience! Maybe you already have a favourite nook in your home where you read or pray that has enough space to roll out your mat. Maybe the weather is beautiful and you want to join us from your garden or patio. No matter where you find yourself, there are a few little tips we can offer to set up your space with care and intention.
First, we encourage you to find a space where you won’t be interrupted (if possible)— if you can close a door, that’s helpful for keeping your space sacred. Ensure there’s enough room for your mat to roll out completely, and have space to reach your arms out to the sides and up to the sky. Then ask yourself this question: What would make this space feel nourishing? You could open a window to let the fresh air in and hear the birds sing, you might want to light a candle or incense, prepare a cup of tea to have with you in your favourite mug, or even gather a few things from your own altar space to have with you.
Be sure you can plug in your device, or have it fully charged before the retreat begins! And having a journal nearby is always helpful for writing down insights or shimmers you want to connect with God about later.
We recommend pre-scouting out the place you’d like to set up for your retreat in advance, then taking at least 15 minutes before the retreat begins to set up and settle in so that when you join on Zoom, you’re feeling comfortable and ready.
4. What do I do once the retreat ends?
After the closing prayer, our retreat officially ends! The recording will end and we’ll stay on Zoom for a few minutes if anyone wants to chat. If you have questions, or want to share anything about your experience, this is the optional time and place to do so. You are welcome to exit the Zoom room anytime you’d like.
Since you’re already in your retreat space, it’s a great time to journal, pray, or reflect on your experience. Even taking an extra 10 to 15 minutes after the retreat ends to linger in the experience will be such a gift for you. Think of this time as your ‘drive home’ from the retreat— it’s your time to reflect on your experience and gently transition back into the rest of your day.
We will also be sending out an email to everyone who registers that will include a replay of the retreat that can be enjoyed anytime over the 30 days post-retreat, a creative practice for you to enjoy, and a few reflection prompts for you to continue the journey. This email will be sent out to you as soon as the retreat is done processing over Zoom (usually within 1 hour of the retreat ending).
5. Do I need any special equipment to take part in the retreat online?
All you need is a free account with Zoom and a tablet or computer! If you’re tech savvy, you can stream the retreat from your device to a television for a larger screen view! Other than that, just roll out your workout mat, put on some comfortable clothing, and you’re set. The yoga portion is not designed to utilize props, although if you have props at home that you enjoy using in your practice, you are welcome to use them! We also recommend a journal for writing down anything you’d like to remember or reflect on later.
The beauty of an online retreat is in the design— a space for you to retreat in your daily life, right where you’re at. After an online retreat, you’ll realize that the very space you inhabit can be deemed sacred when the intention is there. Your living room or bedroom can become the place you find solace in a chaotic world. Your patio can be your retreat center. Your breath, your body, your every day moments become infused with retreat as you stay in your own space and realize the heart of retreat is something you carry with you everywhere you go.
Will you join us for Women as Witness, our very first online retreat? We would love to see your smiling face over Zoom and share in the celebration of the resurrection with you.
