Insightful weekend

Organizer calls first Northern Yoga and Women’s Wellness Retreat a success

Feb 20, 2019 | 1:32 PM

It was a memorable long-weekend in Otter Lake for those participating in the inaugural Northern Yoga and Women’s Wellness Retreat.

“Women coming together in an environment like that really creates a supportive and safe place for them to talk about their health, body and what they’re going through,” organizer Larissa Muirhead said. “It was nice to see women being able to come together and support each other.”

The four-day event began Feb. 15 and included many invited guests such as yoga facilitators Rachelle Lafferty and Lauren Scruton, women’s health specialist Carly Rae Beaudry, gong bath practitioner Lynne Harley and Naturally Amped founder Adrienne Michelle Percy. Muirhead, who prepared all the meals during the retreat, also shared some her knowledge about northern boreal plants and how they can be prepared for steaming and cleansers.

Muirhead stated she was happy to see the connections made during the weekend, adding new friendships were made and bonds were formed. Considering nearly all the participants came from the tri-communities, she noted participants were able to meet new people where they live.

“Sometimes if you’re not part of the right circle on Facebook or social media, it’s hard to find these connections and people who will help you access different forms of healing,” Muirhead said. “With how successful and the feedback I have received from this run, this is something we’re hoping to do every year.”

Mediation, relaxation and yoga were all aspects of the retreat. (submitted photo/Larissa Muirhead)

La Ronge’s Diane Robertson was one of the attendees at the retreat and she called the event an enjoyable experience. She’s been to several yoga retreats before, but said the one organized by Muirhead was much more in depth because of the invited speakers. Robertson believes going to such retreats are important because it brings people together.

One of her most memorable experiences from the retreat was the gong bath meditation where participants were asked to be relaxed in a laying down position. The practitioner then played a gong for about 40 minutes, which is meant to be a sound therapy technique.

“The vibration and the sounds were amazing,” Robertson said. “Some people fell asleep.”

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno

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