I recently returned from my very first trip to Roatán, Honduras, an island that, just two months ago, I didn’t even know existed. It's wild how quickly things can change, especially when everything falls into place. I have wanted to host a yoga retreat for years but had yet to find the right location at the right time. When the opportunity arose to host a retreat in Roatán, everything felt right. After spending five days exploring local sites, savoring local cuisine, and immersing myself in the culture, all my initial feelings were confirmed. The experience surpassed all my expectations.
During my stay, I enjoyed a variety of island activities including scuba diving, touring the mangroves, interacting with sloths, driving around the island, paddleboarding, and snorkeling. Each experience was spectacular.
However, what truly made the trip special was connecting with the local people. I had the opportunity to chat with our boat captain about his family, experiences, and life on the island. During our boat ride back, he even showed us his house, where he has lived for decades. The retreat center managers and cooks are also locals whose families have been on the island for generations. They are now raising their own families not far from where they grew up. We had the privilege of learning how to cook some local dishes, meeting local families, hearing personal stories, and learning about the island's history. These moments of personal connection were the actual highlights of the trip for me.
Traveling is known to be an expansive experience, and for me, this trip was exactly that. Seeing a different part of the world and a distinct way of living opened my eyes and deepened my compassion for humanity. I left with an expanded understanding of our deep interconnectedness. This concept is a fundamental tenet of yoga philosophy and a core value at our studio. Yet, personally experiencing it halfway across the world left a profound impact on me.
I feel honored to be returning to Roatán soon and hope to make it a place I visit regularly. On our upcoming retreat, we will definitely snorkel, enjoy great food, and even hold sloths, but more importantly, we will be connecting with and contributing to the local community that has so warmly welcomed us. I dream of making this an annual retreat, giving students the chance to broaden their horizons by experiencing a different country, culture, and perspective on life.
If this sounds like your cup of tea, we’d love to have you join us. I promise it will be an unforgettable and transformative experience.
See you next month, Roatán!
