This weekend, I did probably the most cliché’d thing that a work-life balance blogger and podcaster could do: I went on a yoga retreat.
The place I retreated to, set in the Cambridgeshire countryside, is called Paus, and its concept is to do just that:
Pause.
And find your balance.
To focus on “being” instead of “doing”.
The day began with a two hour yoga class expertly guided by Aline (www.yogawithaline.co.uk), whose yogic teachings and poetic references were as invigorating as the practice itself.
We then took a barefoot walk in the meadows followed by a delicious and nutritious lunch in the bistro. For the rest of the afternoon, we were left to indulge ourselves rotating between hot tubs, cold tubs, and a sauna, all outdoors in the beautiful countryside setting.
I used the time there to reflect, relax, catch up with my friend, and connect with others on the retreat.
I left feeling rested, stretched, my skin tingling and my mind both calm and excited to return home to the usual chaos of a Sunday evening with my husband and three children.
So, what’s the conclusion? Is retreating to a calm place effective in the pursuit of balance?
I’d say for me it was. The pure act of stepping away from the everyday bustle of life, intentionally taking time to tend to my thoughts and body and be with my friend, surrounded by nature, felt rejuvenating.
The location of Paus is spectacular, the yoga instruction and guidance brilliant, and the customer service throughout flawless. Everyone there is out for the same thing so I found the people to be friendly, yet respectful of the silence.
I would definitely recommend Paus as a place to retreat to. The set up was perfectly aligned with supporting people in finding their balance. And in that moment, it worked for me. The effects weren’t long-lasting, but it made a difference.
It was notable how few men there were at the retreat. Does this indicate that men find their balance in other ways? Or that they are less intentional about seeking it out? I wonder whether yoga retreats generally attract more women than men and why that is. Something to explore through my podcast conversations I think.
If Paus isn’t accessible to you, I’d just as much recommend finding a similar alternative elsewhere that suits your location and budget. Or if yoga isn’t your thing, or you don’t have a full day to play with, I would still recommend the princple of simply pausing and taking yourself off to a place that brings you calm, in good company.
In fact, this was something recommended back in Season 1 of the podcast when I interviewed Annabel Jeffocate, a work-life balance expert and founder of the consultancy Balance for Teachers: “Five Steps to Improve Your Work-Life Balance – with Annabel Jeffcoate“.
The commitment it took to sign up and pay for the retreat, not to mention the diary compromises and childcare arrangements involved, enhanced my resolve to make the most of the opportunity. And I certainly feel that I got a fair return on my investment.