Are you suffering from lockdown anxiety, feeling restless within the four walls of your home or seeking to try something new? No matter who you are or how you feel, The Retreat Company has the perfect solution: an online retreat company.
While the prime minister has recently outlined his exit strategy, and so the end of the pandemic is officially in sight, there is still a long way to go. It is more important than ever that we continue to follow the rules, while also continuing to take care of ourselves. Restrictions are going to begin easing soon, however this doesn’t necessarily mean that we will have complete freedom to travel, or that people will feel comfortable venturing outside of their homes.
This is why we want to use this space to talk about online retreats, and show you why they are the best way to relax at home. We are passionate about helping people to strike a balance and develop a strong sense of self, and it is equally important to continue to do so at home. Online retreats are both accessible and suitable for all ages and abilities, which is why they are a great way to transition out of lockdown life and prepare yourself physically, mentally and spiritually for the 21st of June.
What Is An Online Retreat?
An online retreat is the opportunity to achieve alignment and peace in the comfort of your home. It offers the same advantages of a traditional retreat, without having to travel or stay overnight. This means that you can achieve the same sense of serenity and wellness within your room of choice, whether that be a living room, bedroom or conservatory.
They are a fantastic solution for people currently in lockdown, as well as those who will continue to isolate and socially distance once restrictions are lifted. This is because they enable you to access new and fun opportunities, with no risk to your health and safety. Whether you want to achieve a newfound sense of mental clarity or learn a new series of yoga poses, there is guaranteed to be an online retreat which suits all of your needs, and sets you up for the future.
Different Types Of Online Retreat
Online retreats are currently in high demand, because they are rife with potential and possibility. Some people are looking to de-stress, while others want to learn something new, and still others want to transport themselves to a better, happier place. No matter your motivation, we can promise that there is an online retreat for you. This is because there are so many different kinds to choose from, each with their own agenda and advantages. Some of our favourite kinds include: online meditation retreats, online mindfulness retreats, online healing retreats and online training retreats.
Online Meditation Retreat
An online meditation retreat allows you to look inside yourself, and begin a journey of exploration and understanding as you reach a kind of unity behind body, mind and spirit. This sense of alignment will help you to develop healthy coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety, as you begin to understand the kind of meditation that is best suited to you and your needs. Whether you’re interested in movement meditation, spiritual meditation, mantra meditation or transcendental meditation, an online retreat can be exactly what you need to unlock your inner zen.
Online Mindfulness Retreat
An online mindfulness retreat helps you to take a step back, and recognise your privilege. It can be difficult to remember how fortunate you are, and it is easy to take the small things for granted, such as having your health, your family or a roof over your head. Completing an online mindfulness retreat can help you to appreciate your everyday surroundings and interactions, with the guidance of an experienced mentor. Learning how to do so in the comfort of your home, in an environment that you have a strong connection with, can be immensely valuable, and offer a kind of heightened awareness and appreciation that a retreat in a strange location cannot.
Online Healing Retreat
An online healing retreat helps you to practice self love, and equips you with a newfound appreciation for the capabilities of your body and mind. Self-healing is hugely therapeutic, and the guiding presence of a virtual coach means that you are in safe hands, and don’t need to be concerned about misinformation or moving too quickly. A healing experience can often be overwhelming, and so an online retreat can make the process feel less intense or intimidating, as you are in an environment that your body recognises and feels safe within.
How To Relax With An Online Meditation Retreat
Booking an online retreat is only the first step. To get the most out of your retreat, and reap the long-term rewards, you need to know how to prepare yourself. An online retreat has so many benefits, which we’ll cover shortly, but to fully enjoy them, you need to know how to relax and open yourself up to their positive influence and instruction. Below are a few of our top tips for immersing yourself in your retreat, and making it a worthwhile investment in yourself rather than a passing phase.
Create A Safe Space
You should attend your online retreat in a safe space, which sets the appropriate mood and contributes to a positive mindset. If your retreat of choice involves movement, such as yoga, you should also make sure that you have enough space to move without restriction or risk of injury. To craft the perfect space, you should consider colour, comfort and ambience.
Certain colours can promote peace and tranquility, and so when choosing which room you want to be in, you may want to consider one with blue, white or yellow tones. Alternatively, choosing a room with a window, or being outdoors, are also great options, as nature is both calming and grounding.
Comfort is key for every single kind of online retreat. You should surround yourself with soft materials such as blankets and pillows, or comforting items such as pictures of family or artwork that brings you joy. It could also be worthwhile to invest in specific tools, such as a yoga mat, especially if your retreat is linked to a practice which you intend to continue.
The ambience of a room consists largely of light and sound. If you are outdoors or in a room with large windows, you may want to rely on daylight. Alternatively, you may want to light candles or use a series of lamps rather than use the harsh, overhead light. Finding a good soundtrack is also an essential, as this is a surefire way to put you in the right frame of mind. Platforms such as youtube and spotify have playlists that are fit for purpose, which can be listened to or downloaded for free, which means you don’t have to go through the extra effort of creating your own.
Feel Comfortable
The clothes you wear will greatly impact how much you enjoy your online retreat, and how interactive you are during the sessions. This is because your clothes can have a serious impact on your confidence and your capability. While there is no set dress code, there are clothes that may be more suitable. For example, a pair of leggings would be a good choice for an online meditation retreat, as they offer flexibility and manoeuvrability for when you need to adopt and change poses.
Remove Distractions
Relaxing at home can be incredibly difficult, especially if you live with other people, have children, are currently working from home or struggle to disconnect from your phone. It can be hard to take that step back, and take time to switch off, but it is also something that is vital to both your physical and mental health.
An effective method of carving out time for yourself resides in planning and communication. Find a time when the people you live with are at work, or have other engagements, or choose a time when your children are either at school or in bed. This may mean that you are participating at an unconventional time, but this does not detract from the experience in any way. Ensure that you are maintaining a good work-life balance by keeping a clear division between the two.
Pace Yourself
An online meditation retreat should be both beneficial and enjoyable. The great thing about it being online is that you can participate at your own pace, taking part when it suits you. This applies to both the retreat itself, and any practices which you choose to continue in the aftermath. A good retreat will equip you with everything that you need for both the duration of the course and for the future. To avoid burnout, or turning your new meditation practices into a chore, it is important to be flexible and to be kind to yourself: after all, this is something that you are choosing to do.
We are all spending more time at home, and so it is really easy to fall into unhealthy habits and mindsets. This is your reminder that you don’t need to dedicate your whole life to the things you learn in your retreat, and that you don’t need to be the absolute best. It is important that you are having fun and enjoying yourself, without pressure.
What Are The Benefits Of An Online Retreat
There are huge benefits to completing a meditation retreat, and so as you can imagine, there are even more benefits to completing an online meditation retreat.
Benefits Of A Meditation Retreat
- Learn something new
- Change your perspective
- Improve your mental health
- Improve your physical health
- Get in touch with your spirituality
- Feel closer to nature and the natural world
- Gain insight from an experienced specialist
- And so much more!
Benefits Of An Online Meditation Retreat
- Save money: an online retreat is often cheaper than its traditional counterpart as there are no travel or accommodation costs.
- Save time: since you are relaxing at home, there is no need to book time off work or rearrange your schedule- everything can happen in your free time.
- New connections: the pandemic has made it incredibly difficult to meet new people in a safe, legal way; an online retreat connects you with like-minded individuals, and gives you the opportunity to contact them virtually.
- Stay safe: comply with lockdown restrictions and social distancing guidelines, while still trying new things and doing what you enjoy.
- Changing it up: if you’re doing the same thing every day, life can begin to feel pretty monotonous. An online retreat is something that stands out, and gives you plenty of things to do in the following days, weeks and months.
- Future planning: an online retreat can help you to discover what you enjoy, which you can use in the future to plan an in-person retreat, either in the UK or abroad!
Our Favourite Online Meditation Retreats
At The Retreat Company, we are proud to showcase some of the best retreats available across the globe. As online retreats become increasingly popular, it only makes sense that we would share our favourite online retreats, with an even wider selection available on our website for those seeking a retreat at home.
Online Mindfulness Meditation Course Retreat
Nouki are offering an 8 week mindfulness meditation course that is entirely online. It is designed to help reduce stress and anxiety, while boosting restful sleep, self love, self-confidence and happiness.
Once you have enrolled on the course, you will receive weekly live zoom calls with a specialist mindfulness instructor, who will provide guided meditation lessons and techniques. You will also receive e-books and recordings containing course material, which will also be a useful source of information when you are finished.
WisdomTrees Virtual Retreats
WisdomTrees are offering two online retreats: the Chakra Healing Virtual Workshop and the Shamanic Healing Cleanse And Protect Virtual Retreat. Both are centred around providing you with the self-healing tools and techniques to empower yourself at home.
The live classes are conducted on zoom, while also being recorded, which means that you can participate at a time that best suits you. They also offer flexible support, and can provide it via zoom or on the phone, according to your preference
Should I Attend An Online Meditation Retreat?
If you’ve made it this far, we’re confident that you already know the answer!
An online retreat is the perfect opportunity to relax at home. It is essential that we all take time for ourselves, and prioritise our mental and physical health during these difficult times. An online retreat makes this so incredibly easy, by placing you in the safe, experienced hands of a professional without ever requiring you to leave the house.
People are always wondering how to relax at home, and an online retreat is the best answer. While they have dramatically increased in popularity since the beginning of the pandemic, we predict that they are firmly here to stay. After all, there is no better way to put yourself first.
Book An Online Retreat With The Retreat Company
The Retreat Company are proud to offer a comprehensive directory of retreats across the globe. We make it easier than ever before to promote and access retreats, coaching, workshops, mentoring and more.
Our mission is to remind people that they are human beings, rather than human doings. You need to take time to find a balance and develop a sense of inner peace, which is exactly what an online meditation retreat can do. It means that understanding yourself and your needs has never been easier, and the different types of retreat and different pricing options available means that relaxing at home has never been more easy or more simple.
If you are interested in booking an online meditation retreat, or have any questions about what we do, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Contact us today using our online form, or by phoning 0116 259 9211. A member of our friendly team will be happy to speak with you.
