For the kinkeepers
Women are often the kinkeepers. Kinkeeping describes those of us that do the invisible labor of creating and maintaining family bonds. We do this by creating “magical moments”, planning holidays, providing emotional care, coordinating medical care, and more. Kinkeepers care for the elders in our life, the littles in our life, and tend to births and deaths with care. All this heart work is the work of life. It’s beautiful and meaningful, and sometimes, it’s important to take a break.
I understand wanting 48 hours with no one physically needing me.
In my house, my 2 year old and 4 year old are constantly battling about who can take up more physical real estate on my person. Then even our dog will get jealous, and I’ll have three critters battling on my lap. As much as I love the snuggles, the jostling, jumping, bickering, and negotiating for space, all while on my person, can get to me at times.
Just like you, I too need time to escape and just breathe for a few days.
On the flipside, I also crave social interaction. I need time spent in solidarity with other women. Time to hear stories, giggle, and make new memories.
I think this is part of the miracle of yoga retreats. They provide an opportunity to escape your to-do list for a few days. You can get a massage, eat nutritious meals that you don’t have to prepare, and attend fun yoga classes and workshops.
Let me share a bit about some of our upcoming retreats. Perhaps one of these weekends will be an opportunity for you to rest, relax, reset, and allow SOMEONE ELSE to create the magic. Let us do the work, all you have to do is enjoy.
If you’ve been following our blog and adventures for a while, and have yet to join us, this is your permission slip. Give yourself full permission to take a weekend for yourself, guilt-free. You deserve it.
Schedule a weekend reset for yourself. It’s all planned for you!
FRILUFTSLIV
The Friluftsliv retreat at Camp du Nord is one of my absolute favorite experiences. Right after the chaos of the holiday season, I’m able to escape to a cozy log cabin straight out of a Thomas Kinkade painting. I’m able to drink coffee by a fire and gaze out at the deep snow. The last time I went to du Nord I was very sick, but managed to kicksled 10 miles on the frozen lake before I went home early. Skiing, or kicksledding, on a frozen lake under a sky full of stars and a full moon simply cannot be beat. (Our retreat at du Nord this year is January 9-12, just before the full moon on January 13!)
RADICAL
The Radical Retreat is another of my favorite experiences. We gather at our home stomping grounds, Deep Portage Learning Center, and we celebrate the silliness and joy that comes with a gathering of 60 women. Every year the retreat takes on a life of its own because everyone comes with radical snow gear, radical yoga wear, and a great attitude. You just never know what will ensue… Jack Black songs by the fire, a Barbie dance scene in the snow, a catwalk in our snow gear… it borders on the bizarre in the very best way. Our Radical Retreat is January 31-February 2 this year, ideal timing for a reset in winter.
REST
The Rest Retreat hits in late winter, when we’re all beginning to feel the malaise of a long Minnesota winter. The Rest retreat is geared toward relaxation and a deep reset. Yoga nidra, sound healing, restorative yoga, sauna + cold plunge, and mindfulness in nature cannot be beat. Our Rest Retreat is February 28-March 2.
Just like going to the dentist, or finding time for a mammogram, retreats are time for a mental, emotional, and physical tune-up. I often feel stressed and harried while packing and getting myself physically to the retreat, but by the time I leave for home, I feel a sense of groundedness and calm.
When we went to Alaska, my mom and I agreed to leave our worries at home. We agreed not to discuss any of the myriad issues that take root in families. We had such a nice time genuinely connecting. We laughed, we painted, we observed the wildlife.
For me, summers are a whirlwind. I’ve learned that summer is not an ideal time for me to go on a retreat. I prefer a retreat in the midst of a Minnesota winter. I prefer to snuggle up in a cozy blanket by the fire.
I hope to see you there.
Amanda
