As students, we manage really tight schedules, with not much time left  to connect and develop our spiritual selves. We tend to live very stressed about school, about or social lives and about our popularity, we do not think lots  about being relaxed and connecting with our spirits. After going to a spiritual/yoga retreat with two professionals, my perspective about spirituality and about life changed.  A beautiful one day retreat located in a farm in el tablazo, were we got  to eat delicious food, connect with nature, enjoy soul- filling conversations, share with strangers, exercise with two exceptional yoga classes, got special gifts from different sponsors, and enjoyed the sounds and vibrations from sonatheraphy.

In the first place, food was exquisite, it was completely vegetarian and organic. It was recommended to have been fasting for  8 hours, so the retreat was more meaningful. You were received with a wheatgrass shot , a pure green juice extract , and nuts. Brunch was exceptional, there was overnight oatmeal with almond milk topped with  different fruits, and multi-grain and carrot arepas. As sides, you could top the arepas with hummus and guacamole.

For lunch we had bowls with  many veggies and options , like: quinoa, wildrice, lentils, beans and much more. As dessert and as beverages:  vegan chocolate mousse, apple cake, peanut butter pie, chai tea, infusions and pineapple water. Differently, at restaurants such as  Mundo Verde, food is supposed to be completely healthy, saturated fats and oils are put into the foods, ingredients are not organic since they are more expensive, and the menus are boring. We knew all about ingredients since recipes were given to us, the food matched the purpose of the event, and the menu can be compared mostly to Shanti cocina vital or to Justo.

The place was overwhelming,  a huge farm called Montañas de la Esperanza, the event was not improvised, since the place is exclusively rented for retreats,  specially yoga. There was a shed near the farm were yoga classes were held, you could even place your mat outside and do headstands in the grass. It was an enormous farm were we had the opportunity to gather in a living room, the  eating place was very big as well. Comparatively, other yoga classes that are really long it is a room that is very boring because the place is completely closed and it  is not that spacious.

The yoga classes were done by Ana Isabel Santamaria and Marcela Ramirez , both did their studies of nutrition and yoga abroad. Classes were Dharma and yin yoga, which is more stretching.  After breakfast we had a two hour conversation about one’s purpose in life, were each had to fill charts and take notes. Finalizing, we also had sonotherapy with special quartz basins that produce  vibrations which stimulate chakras and emotions. All were meant to create a pause in your life and dedicate some time to yourself and your own happiness. The combination of all of the activities, are not found in the same place. The classes were multi- level, so it did not matter if it was your first time doing yoga, or if you had been practicing for years. The teachers are the best you can find in Medellin, they are always willing to help you and encourage you not to compare to others, it is your own progress.

Furthermore, the event had sponsors which gifted the attendees which were about 40 with many things. Sponsors from corona vajillas, punto blanco athletic, mil amores infusions, and malai, were interested in a “real” event. There were only two organizers, which were the teachers  that made the retreat with the purpose of union, and coming back together since they worked many years together. It was  a real event, not like many that happen today in Medellin, were photos are the most important. The gifts were really relevant;  the mug from corona, was meant for your drinks, punto blanco athletic gave a yoga mat and a water bottle, mil amores gave infusions, and malai gave  kerchiefs to use for meditation.

Lastly, the price was of 380 thousand pesos, it  included the food, rental of place, gifts from a sponsors, yoga lessons and  spiritual conversations. The price sounds really high for it to last a day, since many retreats cost the same and  last for the whole weekend. For me, the price was completely worth it because the conversations come from experience, the lessons and  food from professionals. An investment in yourself, to understand your spirit better.

All things considered, attending a yoga/spiritual spirit is a unique experience that is great for your well-being. “Since serotonin and dopamine are part of the reward and emotional systems of the brain, it helps us understand why these practices result in powerful, positive emotional experiences,” Dr Andrew Newberg, of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, said.