Written in Partnership with Amir BakianCelebrating a decade of leading life-changing retreats, Farah Nazarali continues to redefine the landscape of wellness, inviting participants on a journey of self-discovery and rejuvenation. With a holistic approach rooted in yoga, meditation, and healing centered in community, her retreats offer a sanctuary away from the distractions and stresses of modern life.
Farah’s journey into the world of yoga and meditation began at a young age and as an adult she discovered its profound ability to open doors to love, connection, and spirituality. Her upbringing in a spiritually rich environment infuses her retreats with a sense of reverence, connection to spirit and a celebration of the interconnectedness of all life. Farah’s retreats are organized in places with a deep connection to nature. The upcoming retreat ‘The Art of Resting Well’ in September at Hollyhock on Cortes Island exemplifies this tranquility. “There are no city sounds, no distractions pulling us outward, no cell phones,” Farah shares, “It’s a very different, physical environment. The retreat at Hollyhock is by the ocean, with the tranquility of ocean, forest, sky and all that a beautiful landscape offers for deep relaxation and inner exploration.”
The approach of Farah’s retreats strikes a delicate balance between structure and spontaneity. Participants engage in a schedule of yoga practices, relaxation sessions, and Wisdom Circles, providing ample opportunity for introspection, dialogue and meaningful connection. “We come together, contemplate a higher truth, practice yoga and connect deeply within ourselves. There’s free time to walk and be outside, to commune with nature and eat in a leisurely way. The relaxed schedule supports every aspect of your well-being and health,” states the yoga teacher.
With a focus on intimate gatherings of 12 to 18 individuals, Farah ensures that there is a personalized experience for each participant, to foster a sense of community and mutual support. In these communal gatherings, stories of heartbreak, triumph, and challenges are shared, leading to insightful moments of collective healing. “Participants begin to notice patterns in their relationships and where in their lives they have been feeling stuck. During the course of the retreat new perspectives arise and they learn new tools for ongoing growth,” says Farah. Through the power of collective intention and support, participants find solace and connection, fostering deep bonds that extend beyond the retreat setting.
From nourishing plant-based meals sourced from local farms to daily yoga practices, mindful forest walking, sunset gazing, storytelling and poetry, every aspect is carefully curated to promote optimal health and vitality. Through the collective experience of the retreat, participants emerge feeling unburdened, lighter, and equipped with new insights and tools for personal growth.
As Farah reflects on her journey of leading retreats, she emphasizes the importance of creating spaces for collective healing and growth. In a world often marked by individualism and disconnection, her retreats offer a sanctuary for reconnecting with oneself and others, paving the way for new possibilities, opportunities and ways of deepening our connection to the natural world. The best place for this experience according to Farah, is in the extraordinary, abundant, lush forests of Costa Rica. “I feel honored to lead retreats in a country that is at the forefront of environmental consciousness.”
These retreats provide an opportunity for groups of people to come together with the common goal of healing, growing and connecting to themselves, others and to mother nature. In a world filled with noise and distraction, Farah Nazarali’s retreats offer a sanctuary of silence and serenity, where the art of resting well becomes a transformative experience of body, mind, and spirit.
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