Leap Year Retreat: Yin and Yang Weekend in Dumaguete

It was quite a big decision for me to book this 4D3N retreat last November 2019, having wanted to attend one (even considered a DIY in Bali) ever since I got deeper into my yoga practice. That was what, 3 years ago? Thankfully, @buhayretreats came along and organized this with my favorite duo, Rocket Yoga Philippines (IG: @rocketyogaphilippines), featuring two of my favorite practices, rocket and yin yoga! How could I resist?

I immediately secured my slot when they released the Black Friday promo!

Months passed and 2020 came. It was a heavy start for everyone globally, with the bushfires in Australia, the sad news about Kobe, and the Taal Volcano eruption in the Philippines, plus the (becoming) Coronavirus pandemic. I looked forward to this quick escape and beach getaway, to unwind from the stress and breathe in some fresh air!

Some retreat info

• Venue: Salaya Beach Houses, Dauin, Dumaguete
• Date: February 27-March 1 (Leap year weekend)
• Yoga Practice: Yin and Rocket
• Inclusive of healthy meals and lodging

Fast forward to Feb 27 and off we go to Dumaguete. It’s just a 1 hour plane ride from Manila, then a 30-minute land travel to Dauin to get to the resort. I honestly didn’t have a clue who else would be joining that retreat except for my beloved teachers. After all, I was doing this for myself! I just wished we’d all get along pretty well.

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Ta-da! This was what greeted us. A luscious green garden lined with luxury villas facing the pool and the sea, exclusive to just the 10 of us for that weekend!

Our days were filled with activities both uplifting and grounding, to find that inner balance and peace we all needed. We also had sharing sessions, inside or outside the shala, to openly talk about our emotions, our thoughts, and basically anything under the sun! Everyone easily connected to each other as if we were all friends from the very beginning. Within those 4 days I felt renewed and so alive! Like I can do anything (albeit being 3 months pregnant).

	Activities
Day 1 (Feb 27)	Quick Meditation Yin Yoga
Day 2 (Feb 28)	Ashtanga (Led Primary Series) Mandala Art Therapy Yin Yoga
Day 3 (Feb 29)	Rocket 1 Trip to Apo Island and Swim with turtles Yin Yoga and meditation
Day 4 (Mar 1)	Rocket 2 Time to go home 🙁

I was also so happy because my husband allowed me to participate and travel on my own. Personally, I wouldn’t want my pregnancy to hinder me from doing what I love, which include travel and yoga, but considering everything that’s happened in 2020, I’m one lucky girl! I just feel so so blessed to have this yoga community within reach and a very supportive family to let me do what makes me happiest. After all, a happy pregnancy = happy baby!

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Did I mention that we also did a bit of island hopping and swam with sea turtles? No trip to Dumaguete would be complete without visiting Apo Island. Fortunately, we didn’t have much company that time and we got to freely swim, chill on the boat, and snorkel.

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On our last day, the weather was perfect! The breeze lightly blew on our faces and the sun peeked through the trees as we practiced our last yoga session outdoors. We started with a led walking meditation on the grass for grounding, followed by warm-ups, then a modified Rocket 2 sequence full of arm balances, backbends, and playful inversions.

Amidst the continuous spread of Coronavirus in the Philippines and other countries, let us join hands and pray for the world to heal. I hope this inspires more people to invest in taking care of themselves so they too can take care of others. Namaste!

P.S. Sending love to everyone out there reading this post!