I’m finally back from Greece! Despite 24 hours of flight cancellations, delays, security issues at the Charles de Gaulle airport, and too-long lines for luggage and customs, I prevailed and made it back in one piece. I wasn’t actually home until today but the fact that I’m not still in Athens (thank you, Air France) is somewhat of a miracle. I feel like I’ve been away for a month.
The yoga retreat was entirely different than anything I expected it to be. Greece is beautiful and I practiced with a group that has many more years of yoga experience than I do. Most of them are teachers so I was able to get to the edge of my practice every day. I did write in my notebook daily, though I have to admit I really didn’t enjoy the unplugging. I missed being on this blog every day and interacting with my on-line pals.
In Greece, I did learn quite a bit about myself, and for that I’m extraordinarily grateful. The retreat environment is interesting, though I have to admit that I am so happy to get back to my life. Here are the lessons I reflected on each day that lead me a bit closer to an extraordinary life:
Step 179 – June 28th:
Life is a balance of being and becoming. Too often I get hung up on where I am or where I’m trying to go. The key is to balance out the two on a daily basis.
Step 180 – June 29th:
If you let go, you will float. We had a boat and swimming trip in the Caldera just off the coast of Santorini. I was nervous about it because I only learned to swim a few years ago and feel very uncomfortable in the open water. No one in my family swims so the open water is not a natural medium for me, despite my love of being near the ocean. In Santorini, I put myself into the open water, trusted I could swim, and be okay. And I was. I trembled and released my grip on the shore and swam in those crystal blue waters. I let go of fear and disappointment and the need to know exactly what would happen. I learned that if I give myself the space, I will rise.
Step 181 – June 30th:
Knowing what not to do is helpful. There were some things that I loved about the retreat, and some things that I really didn’t like at all. At first, I grew very disappointed with some experiences on the retreat, and then I realized that these disappointments were tremendous opportunities for learning. They taught me how to be a better teacher, and ultimately if I end up ever organizing a retreat of some kind, I’ll keep this list of “do-not-do”s handy.
Step 182 – July 1st:
Take unexpected invitations. I met a fantastic group of women that I think I’ll be doing some traveling with in the future. I was loping home from practice one afternoon, exhausted, when I was greeted by one of my fellow yoginis on Santorini’s main drag. She was going to dinner with a few others and asked if I wanted to go, too. I was planning on just slinking back to my room, and instead took the kind offer for dinner. So glad I did. We ended up going on a fun road trip around the island, hanging out at the local beaches, and swimming in the ocean. Their presence made my retreat so much better!
Step 183 – July 2nd:
While I enjoy vacations, I love my life. After a few days, I grew tired of the oppressive afternoon heat and the split shift yoga sessions. Santorini is beautiful but it didn’t hold my attention for long. I found myself re-invigorated about living in NYC, something I very much needed. I met a woman from France who explained that she has 9 weeks of vacation and she spends all of the others weeks looking forward to and planning vacations. Sad. 80% of her life is lived for the other 20%. I never want to have that. If 80% of my life isn’t working for me, I need to change something in that 80%.
Step 184 – July 3rd:
I really am a city mouse now. I grew up in the country surrounded by trees and grass and squirrels. I loved it, though now I’m glad I live in a vibrant, dynamic city with loads of variety. The city is the place for me, and that was helpful to learn. Santorini was beautiful, but Athens made me feel alive.
Step 185 – July 4th:
Yoga is a path whose ultimate destination is a happy, fulfilling life. If I can use yoga to improve the lives of others, I’ll be thrilled. And if I find that someday yoga doesn’t make me happy, then I’ll stop doing it. On the retreat, I found that I have no interest in being the world’s most flexible, accomplished yoga superstar. I have no desire to devote my entire being to everything yoga and nothing else. Some people do, and I support them in that quest. For me, it’s a tool and a way to let the light into my life in great quantities, just like my writing and the people I Iove.
Step 186 – July 5th:
You don’t have to take what you’re given. The powers that be at Delta airlines told me I’d get home on Thursday, two days from now. I spent hours running back and forth between Delta and Air France trying to get a flight back to New York City yesterday. There were a lot of hurdles, starts, and stops. And for some reason, despite the long lines and constant stream of no’s, I kept persisting and it paid off. It took me over 24 hours to get from Athens to New York, but I made it. If we really want to get home, we can always find our way.
I hope you had a lovely week and holiday weekend. I’m back in full writing force, and so grateful to be here with you.
Christa Avampato 