YOGA
“Yoga is balance—both inner and outer.”
Originally, yoga was purely meditation. The Tantrikas developed the physical postures and created a balance between the physical and the mental.
Present in the Moment
Yoga is about getting out of your head and into your body. Letting go of your thoughts and being present in the moment. You can use yoga as a form of meditation—and for many people, it’s much easier than mindfulness. No matter what you do, it’s all about engaging—being focused and present in your body.
Of course, it’s also about technique. You can’t learn the techniques and meditate at the same time. Getting there is a process that requires practice. Once you’ve learned and understood the yoga techniques and know the poses, the flow can begin. You’re actually in a meditative state throughout the entire yoga class—and it doesn’t take years of training. It’s more accessible than many people think.
For example, the next time you feel stressed, pressured, or frustrated about something, try standing on one leg and breathing. This will ground you in your body immediately, and the feeling that was in your head will dissipate. You can’t be frustrated in your head and focused in your body at the same time. It’s a very simple exercise that shows how little it often actually takes to shift your focus away from the drama and find peace. It’s all about awareness and practice.
Yoga in Everyday Life
There are many ways to incorporate yoga into your daily life. It can be a daily practice, such as doing 20 minutes of morning yoga. That’s actually all it takes to keep your body in shape.
Over time, you can let yoga become part of the way you carry yourself off the yoga mat. Open your chest. Pull your shoulders back. Stand up straight instead of slouching. And much more. It might feel a little awkward at first because you’re used to doing things differently, but we really recommend incorporating it into your everyday life. For your own sake. It strengthens your body and helps you stay healthy much longer throughout your life. Over time, it will become second nature and feel like the most natural thing in the world.
Yoga is about letting go of control and clearing your mind. It’s about being present in the moment and following your intuition.
Yoga Retreats
A retreat is a breath of fresh air, a chance to step back from the world and take a break from everyday life. In the hectic world we live in, it’s one of the most valuable things we can give ourselves.
In yoga, we create moments of respite within spaces that are closed off from the outside world. Whether it’s a retreat where you travel away from everyday life—or a week-long class where the sacred space is defined by the yoga mat—it is asceticism.
During a retreat, we also focus on stimulating the senses. This helps to nurture the sacred space we create together—through the surroundings of the venue, the food, the music, and the nature that surrounds us.
Love and presence are the keys to creating a sense of joy in yoga. They are just as important as the yoga instruction itself.
We host various yoga retreats at Adamas, led by different instructors. They’re suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners. You can find out more about them in the calendar.
Process
Yoga can also bring deep emotions to the surface. It’s very common for different reactions to manifest in various ways through yoga. If a participant breaks down, the instructor is, of course, there for that person. There is both space and tranquility to go through the process. Please note that as a yoga instructor, one is not necessarily also a trained therapist—yoga instructors are caregivers, and at a retreat, there is room to feel however you’re feeling.
The Cell Phone
We recommend leaving your cell phone at home (or simply turning it off completely) during a retreat—to create an undisturbed space where all participants can forget the outside world and be fully present in the moment. To share with one another, reflect, and be at one with themselves. It’s about creating a safe space together where everyone can feel welcome.
If an emergency arises in which family members need to contact you, they can always call Sukkerfabrikken directly and be transferred to you. There is also an emergency phone available on-site 24 hours a day.
