I just returned from hosting a 7 day yoga retreat in one of my favorite places in the world. It was an honor to travel with 13 other Yogis to Troncones, Mexico, where we awoke daily to the soothing sounds of the waves crashing against the beach.
Each morning we would quietly walk to the yoga platform, find our place on our mats and begin doing the work of reconnecting with ourselves. Throughout the days we journeyed through the layers of the self to be reacquainted with who we truly are at our core.
In yogic philosophy these layers are referred to as the koshas. It is my belief that we hold our suffering and constructs (ideas about who we are) in these layers of ourselves. They are sometimes referred to as the path or gateway to the soul.
There are five layers, or sheaths, that cover our authentic self like a weighted blanket. In order to come home to our fully enlightened selves and our blissful birthright, we must first acknowledge and then process our suffering in each layer. In doing this work each day we began to befriend what had been getting in our way to connecting authentically with our true self.
We began with the physical layer, which holds discomfort within the body. By accessing and releasing held tension and body armoring we were able to let go of stored stress hormones. We befriended our body and learned to be compassionate and caring instead of critical and unaccepting of our physical form.
Moving on to our next sheath, we worked to become more aware of our thoughts and our chitta vritta (fluctuations of the mind). With curiosity and a beginner’s mind, the Yogis paid attention to their thoughts and beliefs. We created space for reflection and then choice in which thoughts they wanted to hold on to. Asking themselves if what their mind is serving up is kind, true and necessary to assist in their discernment process.
Following their connection to body and mind, we moved on to the more spiritual layers of their energetic and heart bodies. As we attuned to our breath, we became more intimately aware of our energetic and vibrational body, as well as how we have the capacity to shift how we feel by accessing this part of ourselves.
Before moving into our fully integrated and whole self, we worked with the heart, emotions and intuition. As other parts of the self and sheaths quieted down, we were able to connect more deeply with this subtle layer. While working with the heart we asked ourselves what it is that we needed to hear and allowed our intuition to share healing and helpful information.
Moving through the layers of self allowed us to access our highest self, our bliss, our Samadhi. The open heartedness and shared love connected us in a beautifully profound way. The felt experience of full acceptance of all that makes us who we are was a beautiful thing to behold. As I type this my heart still feels so full, open and grateful to the amazing group that came together in this special time and space.
It takes both courage and willingness to peel back the layers, explore yourself as you unfold, and to recognize that you were always perfect and whole to begin with.
Join me on retreat next year!
January 17-24, 2026 in Troncones, Mexico
Learn more here: https://www.nicolelovald.com/mexico
In gratitude,
Nicole
Comments