“I felt so connected to the world” - Pip Mecallef’s Experience on Retreat in Nepal
About this time last year, I saw a promo for Yoga for the Soul Retreats’ Nepal retreat. I had been attending yoga classes for my mental health whist in a challenging time of my life. I had brought up a beautiful family but had lost myself on the way; and was suffering from anxiety caused by burnout from work and family life. And BING! — the pamphlet for the Nepal and Bali retreat landed on the yoga class table.
Nepal called to me; the mountains, the prayer flags, the space and vastness. I looked at it each week in class, then took it home and looked at it every day. It called to me so strongly that I couldn’t not sign up — I just had to convince my husband and gain the courage to do it. This was BIG, as I was someone who had trouble going to a social gathering with friends.
I knew it was what I needed and with my family’s blessing, I signed up. I haven’t looked back. It was everything promised and more for me. The world opened up. I felt the buzz of life as soon as I landed in Katmandu, and I couldn’t help but smile as I came alive with the energy, sounds, sights, smells, realness of life. I felt so alive and free — even when I was sitting in a taxi driving scarily erratically through the potholed streets of a chaotic Katmandu. I saw life in the moment and felt so connected to the world.
I had been jumpstarted; awakened.
Arriving at the Hotel Vajra was like arriving at an oasis. Quiet and beautiful, infused with culture and the calm of the Nepalese people. I was soothed by the soft warm breeze and scent of the blossoms in the garden. The rooftop welcoming dinner was a great way to meet my fellow travellers — all of us on our own personal journeys.
This set the mood for the rest of the retreat. Chetana has a wonderful way of making you feel safe and looked after. I trust her wholeheartedly in knowing her way around the country and looking after her little tribe of Chetnicks!
The twice daily yoga gave structure and meaning to each day. I learnt so much as a beginner yoga student and felt supported in my beginner-ness!
Our days were filled with immersion in the culture of wherever we were. Chetana arranged guides who were so lovely and knowledgable and passionate about their city or subject that it was a pleasure to be taken around and shown things from their perspective. We were not insular in our retreat but enlivened by the discovery of many varied places and ways of life. But each day, we came back to ourselves in yoga, chanting and meditation.
Our accommodation was wonderful, with some real highlights. And the food was a real treat too. We had free time to explore for ourselves if we wished but always reconnected for Yoga Nidra in the afternoon, which was just wonderful after a day of exploration.
For me this trip was one of rebirth. A jumpstart into seeing the joy that living in this world can bring — once we pay attention to the wonders each moment holds. I rediscovered the joy of travel, the joy of being part of a bigger world, and of meeting the other people in it. I was reminded of the privileged life I lead in Australia and how lucky I am to be able to do this. The Nepalese people were kind and generous, with a spirituality and gentleness that we could all learn from.
As my Vedic reading professed, I came back home a new person with a new more positive outlook, a new understanding of my place in the world, a spiritual path to follow and a profound message to embrace the joy of life for the benefit of myself and others.
I can’t thank Chetana enough for the opportunity to go on this amazing retreat and for her care and kindness in looking after all her retreaters so kindly and competently. The quality of her teachings was so valuable to the success of the retreat — making it more than just a travel experience. It was a journey of our outer and inner worlds.
Having said all this, it’ll come as no surprise that I totally encourage anyone looking to find their purpose in life, searching for some excitement, craving connection to the world and to the self they lost — to sign up!
Feel secure in the fact that you will be looked after, nurtured when needed, and learn so much from a wonderful teacher and the country she so obviously loves.
Read about the retreat by clicking here.
Aum Shanti
PS: Yes I’m joining Chetana on her Bali Retreat… 😌
Pip Micallef
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