Holistic Holidays

By Julia Szvath

Have you ever had the feeling that something is missing from your life? Something important is lingering at the edge of your consciousness but you just can’t grab it? Feeling so confused, nobody really understands what you need and want, not even yourself. And day by day this unsettling feeling grows stronger and stronger until you want to scream, ENOUGH! But, deep inside, you know you have to find the answers yourself. It is challenging, sometimes, to listen to our inner truth and see the bigger picture without being engaged in the everyday drama of our lives. We are caught up in the necessities we have to do to keep our lives on track, even if that track is no longer the right one for us.

So, what should we do? I wasn’t sure, but I knew that getting some distance away from everything might be a useful way of finding out. A retreat from our busy self, a retreat from our confusion, a retreat to silence, to nature, back to our physical bodies and to that inner wisdom that is always with us.

So, I hopped on a plane to Hawaii (Maui), something I wanted to do for a long time but never had the courage to make happen. But this time I trusted and knew, without understanding, that it was the right thing to do. Not only for myself but for others I love. I booked a healing retreat because I felt that some help might be handy after all, while I was out searching for that ‘something.’ I asked for guidance and it arrived in the form of a great woman who gently navigated me through my first days wandering in the unknown.

As soon as I arrive, the land welcomes me home and I know that I have come to the right place. The warmth of the sun and the nurturing ocean slowly opens my rigid and cold body after a long Winter. With gentle movement, yoga and dance, I slowly awaken the cells of my physical body and start to feel again with all of my senses. The fresh food of the land nourishes and cleanses me; the silent walks to the sacred sites quiet my mind enough for me to begin to hear my inner voice again.  And healing comes in many different shapes and forms, always guiding me as I stay and drop deeper into the present moment. Slowly, my spirit starts to remember what I had forgotten so long ago.

No distractions allow me to take a step closer to myself. I slowly feel connected again to the earth and all living beings, but mostly to myself. I am starting to feel whole again. The past and future seem so distant as I surrender to the now and let myself be carried. Without the everyday struggle, I feel so light, like a feather carried by the wind.

And, as I give myself permission to open even more, to go deeper inside, I find clarity and understanding. Slowly, I find my strength again and start to remember my purpose, my vision and my dreams. How could I have forgotten? The fear and doubt inside slowly shrinks away and I am expanding in all directions as I embrace the long forgotten parts of myself. On the way, miracles just keep happening all the time and it feels like living a dream. Or maybe I was dreaming before and now I am awake. I don’t know, but I feel so good, so full of joy and aliveness that I overflow. I can’t contain it anymore. Finally, it pours out of me onto others. So, I return and share everything that’s in me to anyone who needs it. And because we are all one, I am really giving back to myself.

“And you? When will you begin that long journey into yourself?” ~ Rumi

www.ma-uri.ie

By Fiona Doyle

I was amazed when Paul from Positive Life rang me and told me I had won a free detox weekend at Cloona Health Retreat.  The centre is situated in a former woollen mill which was initially restored to act as a Buddhist retreat.  It is certainly a very calm place.

Dhara, the owner and manger, welcomed us all and invited us to drink a glass of soft water from Cloona’s own spring.  He emphasised to us how we should drink water at room temperature, about six tall glasses a day, and never with food (the extra liquid dilutes the digestive juices) – the programme had begun!

Our first meal that evening was a plate full of various types of fruit.  Fruit is the easiest type of food for our systems to cope with as it only needs half an hour to be digested.  Vegetables take an hour and a half, while many foods can take much longer.  All our activities at Cloona had to take place at least half an hour after we had eaten so our energy could be concentrated on digesting the meal before we undertook anything else.

On the Friday and Saturday, the morning started with a shot of freshly juiced wheatgrass (definitely an acquired taste!) and then we had a good detoxing breakfast.

Catríona then lead a two hour yoga class.  I’ve taken some yoga classes in the past that twisted my body into all sorts of contortions, but this was a milder form of yoga, the Satyananda tradition, which is a balance of breath awareness, movement and deep relaxation.

Lunch was a delicious root vegetable soup and two very large plates of salad for us to share.  After lunch, Dhara assembled us for the first of his guided walks.  That first day he encouraged us to think about our shoulders and hips.  Then we set off, at our own pace, on an hour’s circuit through some of the beautiful country roads in the area.  Dhara preferred us to walk on our own so we could focus on the walking process itself, but I must admit I dawdled at the back, chatting to Lesley that afternoon.

Back at the centre, we could avail of one of the optional therapy sessions with visiting practitioners.  I took reflexology the first day and had a facial the second.  There was also deep tissue massage and shiatsu.  Everyone related tales of good experiences and friendly therapists.

The evening meal again consisted of a large plate of mixed, uncut fruit.  Then a sauna was followed by a massage with Anne.

On day two, at his briefing before our walk, Dhara had us focus on our feet, ankles and knees.  Again there were lots of lovely vistas, including several glimpses of the sea and the bay.  On day three, he drew our attention to the movement of our backs.

I must admit, I didn’t feel at all well on day one – Dhara said it was the detoxing process at work.  Several strong cups of coffee daily were being badly missed by my system.  By day two, however, I was starting to feel much better, while by the third and final day, I was on great form and felt like a new woman.

The others in my group claimed they never felt ill at all.  On closer questioning I discovered they had all made an effort to drop coffee, tea, alcohol, sugar, salt and meat for the four days or so before they had arrived at Cloona – as advised in the leaflet – so the detoxing process was much less of a shock for their bodies.

The final meal was another delicious soup.  This was followed by two more fantastic salads.  During the meal, Dhara explained how he tried to source not just organic but biodynamic food for the centre – food grown by organic principals but also according to phases of the moon and other earth forces.  Bizarrely, I never felt hungry all the time I was at Cloona, despite the fact I appeared to be eating much less food than usual.

I thoroughly enjoyed the three days.  The amazing location surrounded by lovely countryside with supportive and fun company made it very easy to relax.  I felt so far away from manic living.  I would definitely come back for the same again.  I feel so much healthier.  I left with my indigestion all gone and not feeling bloated at all.  I only smoked 5 cigarettes a day while I was there, as opposed to the usual 20 a day.  I didn’t feel an urge to smoke more.

The whole experience made me aware that what I am doing at home is not right for me.  I have learned how important it is to take time for yourself, i.e. yoga, walking.  My time at Cloona was all so beneficial.  In all I lost 5 lbs and I am now smoking outside my own house; something I have never committed myself to before.  I am a reformed character!

For more info on Cloona, visit www.cloona.ie