Stressed out and self-care has gone out the window? This one-day mini retreat in the city is all about allowing yourself to reset and recharge…
Have you fallen into the busy trap? We’ve talked about this before: getting stuck into that mindset that you’ve got so much on, that while taking care of business you forget to look after yourself. One answer is to slow down to allow yourself to snap out of it. No time for even that, and the idea of escaping to an island for a wellness retreat is a faraway dream right now? Treat yourself to a little intervention, and join a mini retreat right here in the city.
I did just that, during a particularly full-on time, and full disclosure: the one-day Mini Me Retreat, hosted by local naturopath Tiffany Wee, was just the sanity-saving break I needed. And heads up: there’s another retreat coming up on Sunday, 25 March…
Can we just give ourselves a break already?
If you’re still baulking at the idea of setting aside a whole day to yourself (Shouldn’t I be trying to get ahead with work? Spending some time with my partner? Having an overdue coffee with the girlfriends? Hanging out with kids?), remind yourself that if you don’t look after yourself, you aren’t going to be capable of looking after anyone else either.
Whether you’re drowning or just waving, the retreats are designed to help participants back to a place where looking after oneself comes a bit more naturally and regularly, and to come away equipped with new skills and food for thought. Tiffany assembles amazing practitioners in different fields, from yoga to sound therapy, to make this happen.
The location and workshops change for each retreat – all the more reason to keep yourself in check when they pop up every three months. My sanctioned day of self-care was held at One Heart in Joo Chiat (which hosts great workshops, meditation and reiki classes, by the way). On the agenda? A mindfulness eating workshop with Tiffany, whose naturopathy practice is Mind Body Shine, and a crystal bath sound bath and reiki session with Elaine Yang of Reiki Glow.
The workshops
On to the mindful eating workshop – curious what it’s about? Tiffany’s session is all about slowing down, focusing on the sensory experience of eating, and the nourishing aspect of a meal – something a lot of us have forgotten about. If you’re guilty of inhaling your lunch at your desk or scrolling through your phone while you eat, this one’s for you.
During a break, we tried out some amazing handmade kefir cheese and fermented veggies by Jaslyn Ng, who teaches workshops at One Heart – and were having such a good time we all stayed for an impromptu lunch instead of heading out. Yi Ning Chang of Bakening had also popped in to treat us to her addictive gluten-free, paleo-inspired biscuits and amazing cashew and almond breads.
To wrap up the day? A sound healing session, courtesy of a divine crystal bowl sound bath. Elaine’s collection of crystal singing bowls is impressive – if you’ve seen Himalayan singing bowls, you get the idea: it’s much more than a performance of sound, thanks to the strong vibrations. It’s almost indescribable – I’d never experienced a sound bath before, but it’s beautiful, and a strong sensory experience. Elaine treated us to an introductory reiki session – and by the end of it all we were so relaxed and at ease that our group clearly wanted to melt into a nap. The whole experience left me feeling lighter and recharged. Amazing what you can achieve in one day.
Thinking you need this in your life too?
The next Mini Me Retreat is all about gratitude and nourishment, and will be held at Yoga Seeds, on Sunday 25 March. Expect a 60-minute Heart Flow Yoga session with Yoga Seeds, a mindful eating workshop with Tiffany, and a 45-minute sound therapy session with Wil Kolen, a certified sound healer, reiki master and shamanic practitioner. And the super lovely Yi Ning of Bakening will be back with her goodies for you to try.
When: Sunday 25 March 2018, 11am – 5.30pm
Where: Yoga Seeds, 1382 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, Bishan Park 2, Singapore, 569931
Cost: $130. Book your tickets to Mini ME Retreat.
Get the full program for the next Mini ME retreat, and follow Tiffany Wee at Mind Body Shine on Facebook for updates.
Like this story? Here’s more to check out:
How to listen to your inner compass
Are you getting in your own way? Get rid of self-limiting beliefs
Face your fears: What’s the worst that could happen?
Here’s how to finally switch off: the island retreat with no wifi
Living life more consciously: we talk to Stephanie Dickson of Green is the New Black