What are the Benefits of a Retreat?
A retreat is an immersive experience that takes you into a deeper dive within yourself in a concentrated amount of time. Think of it as a sanctuary or haven away from home that is designed to be transformative.
The specific benefits of each will vary depending on the type you attend, the person(s) facilitating and the particular theme. These are all important things to consider when choosing a retreat that is aligned for you.
These transformative experiences are offered all over the world and include: healing, spirituality, yoga, meditation, wellness, fitness, nature and adventure.
As a spiritual healer, my specialty is HEALING RETREATS.
The primary benefit of this type is that it can facilitate what feels like many months, or even years, of healing and transformation in a short and concentrated amount of time. I like to think of it as the most efficient use of your energy.
Additionally, I believe it is important to choose venues surrounded by nature, because as Hippocrates teaches us, nature is the best medicine. In my opinion, nature is the best container to hold and support you in the transformative and vulnerable processes that happen during a retreat.
Imagine the peaceful haven that being in nature and out of your typical day to day life provides. Being free of distractions gives the opportunity to be more focused on yourself so that your healing and transformation goes deeper at a more accelerated pace.
For most people, healing happens in weekly, monthly or periodic healing sessions. The space in between these appointments can sometimes feel like you are resetting and starting from the beginning each time. Although there is still value in that, on a retreat you do not have that space in between, which allows for a deeper dive without feeling like you are starting over.
Without those gaps of time, your healing is able to be anchored more fully, allowing you to feel more solid in handling the world and the life you are going back to post retreat.
On a healing retreat with Dr. Matt, you will learn about metaphysical principles and philosophies and how to apply them in your life in the outside world, upon leaving. You will have the space to identify what in you and your life needs healing. You will also have the space to DO the healing work through the practices and exercises offered.
Having a teacher there to guide you through the healing work can feel more supportive than being at home and feeling like you are doing it on your own. Having this direct support of the facilitator is an instrumental piece in the effectiveness of a retreat and the work you do being integrated before going back home.
How often have you left an appointment with a healer, therapist or life coach with homework and end up with more questions when you are trying to do it on your own?
A facilitator is there to guide you through the healing work and be available to answer any questions that may arise. This creates less of a chance for roadblocks to pop up and remain unaddressed, which would typically slow you down outside of a retreat.
A good leader will create a schedule that provides a balance of healing workshops, play, connection and free time to yourself. This is always my goal.
A healing retreat should always balance the potential heaviness of the work you are doing with lightness. This gives the nervous system and brain space to integrate what is being learned and healed. Balance is instrumental for transformation.
This is why my retreats always offer excursions and adventures. Space to explore and play while checking out local sites reminds you that it is possible to have fun and enjoy life while pursuing healing.
In life, this work will always be more effective when we allow ourselves space to play and have fun along the way.
Having free time to yourself on a retreat is vital so that you can reflect on and process your sacred experience. Having this space in between the healing workshops is needed in order for you to integrate your experiences with full clarity.
One of the biggest benefits is the people. I truly believe that every group comes together for a reason. I have led too many retreats at this point to believe it any other way. I have witnessed people walk away from every retreat I have led with new friends and connections.
There is power in allowing yourself to be seen, authentically and vulnerably, with strangers. Experiencing that level of acceptance, empathy and compassion from strangers reminds your brain and nervous system that it is possible for you to feel safe in the world. That alone is profoundly healing.
Yes, it can also be terrifying. And, doing it anyways, strengthens your courage and self-confidence.
This gives your brain new evidence that it is possible to align with others who are safe for you.
Every retreat I lead is created inside the container of Divine Love, Divine Light and Divine Healing before everyone even arrives. This means that you not only have me as your facilitator but you also have Spirit, Divine Source, supporting you on your journey.
I pride myself in intentionally creating safe and inclusive containers of compassion, empathy and support. At our core, we all want the same thing–to feel Loved and accepted as we are.
We all need a little help along the way and that is okay.
I remember the first time I went on a retreat at the beginning of 2018 in Honduras. I’d already been leading them for about five years at that point. I figured it was time for me to finally experience one as a participant, instead of just as the facilitator. I experienced profound healing throughout that week. I know this was a huge part of what led me at the end of that year to align with the man that would later become my husband. If you want to read more about those details,check out this blog post that I wrote about it. (The juicy details are towards the end.)
