24-Nov-2024, the fourth and last day, I wake up tired and I am sore throughout my entire body. But I am not here to be lazy, nor am I a quitter. We start the Mysore practice once again at six am. And to quote Zee; Don’t think, Just Do!

I remember about sixty percent of the sequence which is not too bad given the fact I only started a few days ago with learning the Ashtanga sequence. I am struggling today, yesterday evening was a very physical intense practice, my body is stiff and I am having difficulties finding my balance. But I think the biggest challenge this morning is coming from the brain, telling me this is not a good idea and that I should take a rest. I tell my brain to shut up as I move into the next pose. I will apply the teachings from the Vipassana practice (Meditation), by telling myself that all is impermanent and this feeling of resistance shall pass too.

I survive the two hour practice and my shirt is soaking wet from the exercises. At least I burned a lot of a calories and I am grateful for myself for not giving up. I completed another challenge and now I deserve a nice cup of coffee by the pool. This is so relaxing, I could be here all day! I am happy and sad at the same time that the morning practice was our last one. This is only a four day retreat and I had such a great time that I cannot believe that these four days are over in the blink of an eye. I wished it lasted longer!

As you might wonder, this is called a surf and yoga retreat, but I didn’t write anything about surfing and this is because we didn’t do any. Initially surfing is on the itinerary but nobody, including me, was really interested in the surfing part. So unanimously we decided not to go surfing but find other activities instead.

One last activity we have planned as a group is a pottery making class, here in Canggu. The workshop is called Mrs. Potter and it’s a very nice and spacious place to learn pottery. After a short instruction and demonstration it’s time to get our hands dirty with clay. In the one hour we are given, we can make as many items as we wish. This is fun and I enjoy working with my hands, but at the same time I think that making one cup and perfecting it, is enough for me. Another experience I can add to the list. The workshop will do the glazing for me after my cup has been in the oven, and I will need to wait a couple of days to have the cup ready for use.  

As for the retreat itself, there is not really any closing ceremony or official ending. Which I was hoping for, in order to get closure from such a beautiful event. Or maybe we could have made one last group photo and group hug? But this is just my personal preference, and I was probably the only one thinking this. This being said, and I have mentioned it before, it was a beautiful retreat and I had an absolute amazing time. I have grown as a person and I have deepened my yoga practice even more (thanks to the many challenges). The activities we did were a lot of fun and we amazing food. The dynamic and energy within the group was exceptional and very kind and warm, this is the benefit of such a small group and already being friends. And I would also like to give a big shoutout to the teacher; Zee. It was her first retreat to organize and she did an amazing job! I absolutely enjoyed her classes and I will definitely join another retreat of hers in the future.

I would not have wanted to miss this retreat for anything. And to think I almost couldn’t go because they asked me for a project in Singapore. I am glad I didn’t go and stayed for this retreat.

One last thing I want to say before closing.

THANK YOU; Zee, Anggina, Marina, Barbera and Bima for such a wonderful time together, it wouldn’t have been the same without you guys! Hope to do it again one day.

Of course also a big thank you to the photographer for making beautiful photos and compilation videos and to everybody else who made this possible!

Bye everybody and see you again soon!

~ THE END ~