This weekend I am co-teaching a yoga workshop with Jean Koerner at the renowned Omega center in Rhinebeck, NY. During the summer and for that matter during all seasons, health and wellness destinations like Omega allow us step out of our routines and unwind. Climbing out of the box enables us to see things from a different perspective, meet new people, share and form new ideas, and ultimately make sure that our lives are on the right track. So often we get stuck with the status quo, running on our treadmills, maybe happy but maybe discontent. Change is never easy but can be necessary. Life is now not later.
Allowing yourself time and space to do something simple and different at a beautiful spiritual center like Omega is invaluable. At Omega you can study a gamut of teachings from yoga to the arts to cooking. You can do a Mother-Daughter retreat and learn about Cellular Wisdom for relationships with Joan C. Kin, PhD. Ekhart Tolle (author of The Power of Now and A New Earth) is here for an entire week! The place is abuzz.
Experience a context in which you can not only learn many new things about yourself and your life/lifestyle, but also in which you can relax, a difficult thing to do when working like a dog and spending your free time in crowded social places or even at home. You can come with your entire family (the kids program is amazing) or by yourself. I highly recommend the solo route so that you can self-reflect.
Omega Institute is a stunning campus landscaped with gorgeous gardens frequently shrouded in golden light. The vegetarian and vegan food is outstanding. Last night the navy beans prepared with cooked down tomatoes, quinoa salad with lemon and cranberries, Spanakopita, and homemade cinnamon raisin bread, truly impressed me. After I taught my evening session the cafe was still cooking! Bakers brought out fresh chocolate chip cookies from the ovens while people chatted about the evening’s courses and a whole lot more.
Today I am teaching two sessions and will take advantage of the lake and the spa. The spa has a full menu of treatments including massages and facials of all kinds. The wonderfully trained spa professionals really care about you and actually “treating you.” The entire staff here is wonderful. Each member greets you with eye contact and a friendly smile as do the like-minded folks who have come here to enjoy the serenity of this incredible destination.
As I sit here and write at 6:30am, I hear a myriad of sounds; birds chirping, water running, frogs croaking, and silence in between. I recall my friend who came here for my workshop saying that she came because she just needs time for herself. Don’t forget about yourself. You can only make others happy if you are calm and content, which sometimes requires getting away from it all and embracing solitude.
On behalf of the staff here at Omega (if it’s not too presumptuous of me), thank you for your kind words! Your presence here was lively and colorful and much appreciated!
Thank you Hasan and everyone there at Omega for all of your hard work. I hope to come back soon to teach you all!
Best,
Julie