2023 Retreat Reflections, Part I
This time of year, I find myself in both accidental and purposeful reflection. Personal, professional, family, travels, health, loss, challenges…. Unpacking it all is a process, and one I genuinely look forward to.
Duluth Author, Sarah Seidelmann prompted her audience on social media to think about this question; “if you could summarize your year in the form of an object, what would that object be?” Amanda, Stacy, and I all pondered and shared our 2023 objects. I said mine would be an electric bike.
When I think of an electric bike, I think about how they accelerate quickly with assistance! How they can be challenging and at the same time familiar and bring a sense of contentment if you stay in manual mode. One can hit the brakes hard when bumps and challenges present themselves, causing the need to reevaluate the path ahead and make changes. Maybe the electric bike is in need of a break or repair session in order to get back on track to the fun part of biking. After all, electric bikes are darn fun! With the wind whipping your hair, there are so many fun outdoor sights to behold. So 2023 to me, was a lot like an electric bike.
At retreats, we often talk about “front row moments”. Those memories and experiences that make you feel ALIVE. Like you are in the front row of the most incredible concert you’ve ever seen. You are so present, and IN THE MOMENT. That wonderful feeling that completely consumes you.
When I reflect on retreats in 2023 specifically, there are so many memories that bring me right back to that time and place and put a smile on my face. Maybe you have some of those too? I thought I’d share some of my 2023 retreat memories with you to see if it stirs any fond memories and connections.
January - Camp du Nord in Ely, MN
This retreat was a delightful surprise in the wake of a devastating fire, wiping out Maplelag Resort’s historical and beautiful main lodge. It was certainly an odd way to enter a retreat; both sad for the family-owned resort and memories shared there, and excited to have found a perfect alternate location.
My highlights in Ely involved a lot of cross country skiing. I was THRILLED to ski through the large campus on freshly groomed trails, across the lake at sunset, back across the lake under the light of a full moon, and then to ski through the BWCAW. A cross skiing dream!
I also loved the sauna + ice hole cold plunge experience at du Nord. They have saunas right on the water’s edge. They cut a hole for you, and create a beautiful light display with the ice, lantern, twinkling light strings, and sometimes even a tree. Running out from a hot sauna in your wool socks, into a lake on the edge of the Boundary Waters? Priceless.
I loved watching people do this activity too. The first time through running out in an excited panic. The second time through, pretty calm. The third time in - total serenity and calm.
February - Deep Portage in Hackensack, MN
February at DP will always have a special place in my heart. The month and location of our very first yoga retreat in 2017. Before the idea of a formal business; Boreal Bliss Yoga Retreats was even a thought in our minds.
The complete silliness of the theme “Radical Snow Gear” had me giddy before, during, and after. It proved to bring quite the spirit of laughter and fun that we were going for.
Having a ridiculous spontaneous outdoor fashion show in the snow and jamming to the tune of “I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred. Everyone from young to young-at-heart got in on the fun. It was 11am and we were having the time of our lives.
March - Deep Portage in Hackensack, MN
Returning to DP in the winter is always the right choice. March is the time when winter begins to take a toll on your Minnesotan spirit. A retreat with yoga, outdoor activities, sauna, great food, and cozy indoor fires is exactly what the winter blues doctor ordered.
March is when we really solidified that we NEED saunas in our lives at retreats! Lol! You see…we love to sauna ourselves. Anytime there is a sauna at a retreat location - we are getting in it. Deep Portage doesn’t have a sauna, but we were JAZZED when these mobile saunas started becoming a thing. And then Stacy went buckwild and her and her husband purchased a sauna kit and built their own mobile wood-fired sauna on a trailer!! You can rent it at Silver Creek Sauna Co. It’s beautiful and I’m so happy they did this!
March was also when we worked with two talented and hard-working ASL interpreters for the first time! Janine Schug and Karen Sheldon - rockstars for real. They partnered us with to create an accessible retreat for deaf and hard-of-hearing retreaters.
April - YTT Cohort 2 Graduation at Camp du Nord
I fell in love with my first experience at Camp du Nord in January. I couldn’t WAIT to return in the Spring to see what that would be like. I loved it, of course.
The little waterfall from Slim Lake to Burntside on the side of the road as you drove in was RAGING with Spring melt. I love the energy of a spring waterfall. And spring nature in general. It’s loud, energetic, and uplifting.
So many things will hold a special place in my memories about our time in April. To name four:
Yoga sessions on the Morning Glory Deck
There was snow on the ground, but when the sun hit the deck just right it was warm, inspiring and refreshing. Ahhhhhh I can put myself there, and feel it now.
2. Campfire singing and laughing until we cried
We were all slap happy at the experience of Daphne writing and performing an original song that brought about roaring laughter and jovial sing-a-longs.
3. Journaling and Meditation in the pines
One day we walked out to the waters edge. We all plopped down on an outdoor spot and took time to journal, meditate, and journal some more. It was beautiful.
4. Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls
As we were departing Camp du Nord after graduation, a group of us drove to a waterfall in Ely before heading to our respective homes. The problem? A snowstorm hit us that morning and was still raging as we were leaving camp. It was mid-April, and we were in denial. We met at the waterfall anyway, gobsmacked at the April weather upon us. We joyfully hiked through the fresh snow, and blowing snowflakes, to get to the wild waterfall. We danced, celebrated, and laughed, marveling at the raging waters.
Then we left the waterfall and again experienced major visibility issues. It was getting worse! We huddled in town and helped each other with broken windshield wipers, a car stuck on a curb, and wondering if we were going to make it home. Should we stay the night? What the heck! It’s April?!
We caravan-ed home, texted each other to let one another know we were all good. And whew! Hunkered down for a couple more weeks of snow… IN APRIL!
This was definitely one of those “Type B” adventures. Not at all as planned, but very memorable and story worthy.
Stay tuned for Part II next week!
Want to have your own 2023 reflection practice? Join us on January 1st live on zoom!
