In solitude, we find ourselves; we find peace, clarity, and the voice of our own soul.
Stepping Into Silence
I saw a 7-day solo yoga retreat as an opportunity to reconnect with myself away from a world filled with distractions. Stepping away from the demands of work and society, and into silence, was a chance to explore my thoughts, emotions, and life-purpose without interruption.
While life went on all around me, among the quiet fields and farms of south Sweden, I existed in a private space of my own making. With an outwardly appearance of normality, this was anything but normal, it was a deeply spiritual moment. A time of clearing out and setting personal priorities, as well as an excuse to ignore everyone else and hang out at the beach hehe.
Solo Yoga Retreat Mode
On arrival at the solo yoga retreat, I found myself in a colorfully decorated caravan, that was simple and comfortable. The space was modest, with just the basics, but enough to ensure a peaceful retreat. The minimalist setting is designed to help focus on the inner journey without distractions.
As I sat down with my bags I felt a huge sigh of relief in my body. I had nothing to do. For the next 7 days I could forget about what time it was or what I needed to do next.
The unstructured nature of the solo yoga retreat meant I had the freedom to set my own schedule. There was an option to start the day with a yoga class from one of the Ashram teachers, or I could just do my own thing. I could go at my own pace. For the most part that meant extended periods of meditation, relaxed nature walks, or reading a favorite book (very slowly).
Meals were taken alone and in silence. The food provided was simple and vegetarian, and an opportunity to enjoy a quiet moment of reflection rather than engage in conversation or watching the news. I would look forward to the food box left on the garden table, and exploring the taste sensations that followed.
I spent a lot of time on the solo yoga retreat just observing the natural surroundings under a big blue sky, enjoying the peace of solitude.
Under A Big Sky
The Ashram is situated in Skåne County, southern Sweden, not far from the city of Malmö. The climate in the region is mild, influenced by its proximity to the Baltic Sea. You’ll find wildflowers blooming in the spring, and in the summer, the fields are often filled with vibrant colors from crops like rapeseed and wheat.
Skåne is known for its picturesque landscapes, and is picture postcard Swedish rural life. The countryside is dotted with charming small towns and villages, each with its own character. Old churches and medieval ruins add a sense of history. Villages such as Ystad and Simrishamn with their cobblestone streets and traditional architecture, have a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Solo Trips To The Beach
The region’s flat and open agricultural landscape, typical of Skåne, is serene and ideal for a personal retreat. It is made for easy exploration by bicycle, which I was able to borrow from the Ashram whenever I wanted.
The closest beach to the solo yoga retreat was Smygehuk, about 5 km away, which took me just over an hour to reach on foot, or about 20 minutes by bicycle. Though, I was never in a hurry to get there. The journey itself was along open country lanes, past farms and little pockets of houses. The road traffic was very light and it was rare to meet anyone. In fact, I would see more hares and horses than people.
The Baltic is not open ocean like the Atlantic, but brackish with small waves and little tidal flow. It’s very safe to swim as the beaches slope away gently. Here and there, you can find swimming platforms, or brygga in Swedish, built out into the sea. These can be quote long, up to 200m, to reach diving depth. They are (typical for Sweden) well-constructed with steps leading into the water, and sometimes benches. Cold-dipping is a part of Swedish culture and its nice to enjoy the water under a blue sky, as late as September. The Baltic can be quite cold, even in summer so, I never spent more than 10 minutes in the water.
The beaches I visited were almost empty of people during the week, and it was quite possible to meditate or lie undisturbed for hours. I know the Ashram teacher and volunteers like to do their morning yoga on the beach, though I prefer my alone-time.
On dead-calm days the sea was like glass and the rhythmic sloshing of the waves under the pier was quite hypnotic. As I sat watching and listening, my mind would fall into stillness. Hours could slip by and only the sun dipping towards the horizon reminded me it was time I headed back.
Whispers In The Wind
In the corner of the Ashram garden is a magnificent beech tree with a meditation platform some 3 meters from the ground. To sit among those soft-spoken branches overlooking the surrounding wheat fields was a remarkably soothing experience. It quickly became my favorite place to meditate.
A sanctuary within a sanctuary
It always brings out the child in me to discover a secret spot or hideaway, and that is what the treehouse platform felt like. Perched among the branches of the tree, the platform combines the mood of a forest with the privacy of seclusion, and just a touch of child-like playfulness.
The gentle sway of the branches was calming, feeling like I was breathing along with the tree. Views of the surrounding fields, although partially blocked by the branches, felt expansive and light.
The sound of birds chirping, wind whispering in the leaves, even the distant rumble of a tractor was a tonic for my sometimes dark moods, and provided plenty of audio tones to support a mindfulness practice with eyes closed.
The Joy Of Solitude
The solo yoga retreat was unstructured, so I could enjoy the solitude entirely on my own terms. If I needed anything (like chocolate haha) I could just leave a note on the table, which would be seen when my lunch was left outside the caravan door for me. The days were marked only with the sunrise, sunset and arrival of my warm food. Everthing else was silence and aloneness.
To have such a luxury of time freedom and time to myself is such an unusual experience. I could simply relax into every moment.
Life In The Woods
It’s hard to resist dipping into literature to try and describe the experience of a solo yoga retreat, which surely is unique for everyone. Henry David Thoreau, in his classic work Walden, expressed the joy of solitude with the words: “I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.” Thoreau’s experience in nature underscores the idea that being alone can be both deeply reflective, and enriching. There is something familiar about it, like an old friend.
Experiences of deep stillness and joy strongly affirm the writings not just of the 19th century transcendentalists but, the much more ancient and abstract philosophies of yoga. Yet, such experiences are profoundly real and tangible. Have we forgotten something truly significant in a mad rush to achieve, impress or avoid feeling alone? Forgotten perhaps, but not lost.
Working with shadow
There were times on the solo yoga retreat I felt I really needed a pizza, or to shout at the neighbour for mowing the lawn just when I wanted to meditate. Flies became an existental threat. There was no way I could sleep properly in that caravan. I turned over a lot of emotions around work, family and even things that happened when I was at school. I was going to kick butt when I got home.
None of this mattered. Except it did at the time.
I had been warned of the possibility of emotional detox during a solo yoga retreat but, had not expected it to be so precise. Against the backdrop of silence, thoughts were very loud and insistent. The received advice is simply to observe, and not get involved. Well, the very fact they were disturbing me meant I was already involved haha. However, I had time on my side.
By letting the stories spiral into insane outcomes, I gave my mind complete freedom to create whatever it needed. The emotional intensity would peak, followed sooner or later by a letting go. And then, a quiet acceptance.
No exceptional experience comes without some kind of sacrifice. To get anywhere we have to leave something behind. I believe I left a few stories behind. Stories about a me that no longer exists, about a life that may or may not have happened. Etched into the air and scattered by the wind.
Summary
One of the primary joys of being alone is the opportunity for self-reflection, without the distraction of other people’s opinions and demands. The 7-day solo yoga retreat at Yogi Living Ashram in Sweden, was an opportunity to reconnect with myself, and a much needed break.
The challenges of prolonged silence and solitude can push you beyond your comfort zone, but this in turn may lead to profound breakthroughs. If you’ve ever felt the need to break free from mental barriers or past traumas, this is the place for such a healing. Although at times on the solo yoga retreat I felt like my own worst enemy, it was not a lonely experience. In fact, the freedom to do as I wished seemed to fill the days with potential to be anything. There was no sense of time lost and yet, nothing was ever rushed.
In many ways the 7-day solo yoga retreat was a return to childhood, to endless summer days and the simple joy of living. You should try it.
2024
Solo Retreat
A solo retreat surrounded by the serene beauty of Skåne, in Sweden, is transformational, peaceful and rejuvenating. This is the perfect escape from busyness, a chance to connect with who you really are and rediscover your purpose.
References
- Thoreau, Henry David. Walden; or, Life in the Woods. Ticknor and Fields, 1854.
- Biking In Skane, from Visit Skåne [visitskane.com].
August 16, 2024 
