In the serene surroundings of West Lexham surrounded by lush nature and tranquil waters, our mindfulness hour was a true retreat from the chaos of daily life.
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of hosting my 3rd consecutive year retreat at the magical location in Norfolk, West Lexham where on Saturday afternoon we dedicated an hour to the practice of mindfulness. This special mindfulness hour brought us closer to understanding the profound impact mindfulness has on our overall health and longevity.
We united together sharing experiences that each had to practice, bringing the awareness to a mindful activity few times during the day. From mindful listening, mindful hand awareness exercise, the good posture challenge, mindful appreciation, practice mindful gratitude, to mindful breathing and mindful brushing.
Uniting in Mindfulness: Retreat Moments of Shared Presence and Reflection
We began a day with a mindful 2-hour yoga practice focusing on awareness to our own breath with number of breathing techniques, mindful movements and sharing together the presence and reflection in a delicious peaceful long Savasana. After long morning walk and, afternoon rest, we gathered in the cosy settings of the Barn to share experiences of mindfulness activity.
Uniting in Mindfulness sparked more awareness into those simple mindful activities, everyone listed intently, learning from each other. The mindfulness hour showed us and let us understand how to pause and appreciate life’s simple moments, which helps reducing everyday stress significantly. Because the life is not slowing down, a quite opposite. We possess a power to slow down, to engage with our senses, to bring more awareness, mindfulness into our daily lives. A power of mindfulness that can transform our lives.
The benefits of mindfulness are backed by science. Studies have shown that regular mindfulness practice can decrease stress and anxiety, improve attention and memory, and even promote a healthier immune system.
For longevity, mindfulness has been linked to reduced rates of age-related diseases and improved emotional regulation, helping us lead longer and healthier lives.
Join Us in Ikaria in September 2024
If you missed the retreat at West Lexham in April, don’t worry! I am pleased to share with you an upcoming retreat in the idyllic setting of Ikaria, Greece this September. Known for its laid-back lifestyle and one of the world’s Blue Zones, Ikaria is the perfect place to deepen your mindfulness practice and learn more about longevity practices. We’ll explore local traditions, enjoy nature-based activities, and, of course, continue our practice of mindfulness. For more details and to reserve your spot, click here.
Mindfulness isn’t just a practice but a way of living.
It’s about tuning in to the rhythm of our own lives and recognizing the beauty of the moment. Whether you’re a new to mindfulness activity , I encourage you to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine. Because we can be mindful in every minute our our lives. Engage each of your senses, paying close attention to what you can see, hear, feel, smell, and taste. Try “single-tasking,” bringing your attention as fully as possible to what you’re doing. That’s mindfulness.
Join us in Ikaria to discover how mindfulness can enrich your life and health, and, join my Slow Sunday Newsletter for more insights and updates on living a healthy lifestyle.
Remember, the path to longevity starts with a single breath.
Here, a picture from the wonderful, unforgettable last weekend Retreat.
Hope to see you on my next Retreat!
With mindful thought,
Julia