Journey Journal – Chapter 2: A Second Chance for Healing and Restoration Sisters in yoga

A few months ago, when I joined the "Life Journey" program with "Sisters in Yoga", I couldn’t imagine the path I was about to walk. Each month felt like another step in an increasingly deepening inner journey, and eventually, the culminating retreat arrived. It was clear to me that this was not just another weekend of practice. It was so much more than that – it was a moment of reflection, connection, restoration, and new beginnings.

A Second Chance – Rediscovering Myself

The retreat, like the entire journey, was a second chance for me. A chance to return to myself, to reflect on my relationships with my body, my thoughts, my emotions – and also with others. I don’t know if everyone feels this way, but after two months of deep practice and yoga, I suddenly found space to develop a genuine connection with myself. A sense of inner freedom, which had been far from me before, became a significant part of the process.

Some of the experiences I had during the retreat were deeply intimate. I remember moments of silence when I paused and breathed, and suddenly felt how everything inside me began to shift – the tension dissipated, the physical pain faded, and the constant thoughts that were racing through my mind changed. I had space to release, to let my thoughts and emotions be what they were, and to simply allow them to flow, making room for something new.

Restoring Relationships – Not Only with Myself

Throughout the retreat, I discovered how much of my relationships with others, especially with people close to me, were affected by my relationship with myself. If I’m not at peace with myself, if I don’t accept myself as I am, it influences how I interact with others. The retreat acted like a mirror, through which I could see these patterns – patterns of tension, impatience, and judgment – and identify where I could release them. It wasn’t an easy process, but it was an important one. Suddenly, I found myself opening my heart again, not only to myself but also to those who, like me, are struggling and suffering. I learned how an internal healing process could help me improve the relationships I have with the world around me.

Learning and Practicing – How It Changes Everything

After four months of personal and in-depth work, the retreat felt like a summary of everything I had learned. It wasn’t just physical practice; it was also mental and spiritual practice. It was a time to look inward and take a real inventory of everything I had gone through. I could see how we had all developed, not just as a group, but each and every one of us as individuals.

Yoga had become more than just a physical activity. It had become a way of life. Every breath, every posture, every moment of relaxation – each one was a reminder to maintain balance, to live in the present, and to be fully present. That’s what the retreat did for me – it renewed my motivation to continue practicing and to stay connected with myself. It’s a process that takes time, but I know now that it’s part of my journey.

A New Beginning – It Doesn’t End Here

The retreat may have been the official conclusion of the process, but for me, it was also a new beginning. It was an opportunity to reconnect with my aspiration to be more aware, more compassionate toward myself, and more present in my life. The healing process didn’t end with the retreat. It’s just beginning, and I know I have the tools and the support to continue growing.

Passover is approaching, and it’s a perfect time for renewal and new beginnings. Just as the holiday symbolizes the journey from slavery to freedom, this retreat was for me a journey out of a place where I felt stuck – and a turning toward the new life I want to create.

A second chance, like the one I had on this journey, is a precious gift. Every day is a new opportunity to heal, to grow, and to evolve. I feel ready now, more than ever, to continue my journey – with the tools I’ve learned and the open heart the retreat has given me.