I want to get away from the city for a bit. And preferably alone. Somewhere I can recharge, catch up on sleep (as far as possible), somewhere where extremely healthy food is cooked, where sports are also practiced, but where I mainly have a lot of free time and where nothing is required. It became a week of yoga/detox retreat in Ibiza. I've been back for a few days, but I'm still in a zen mode. That week. It did something to me and I'm going to tell you all about it.

Here we go

A few days before departure, the schedule popped up in my inbox and I mainly saw a lot of “you-time”. Ah, this is going in the right direction. At certain moments, you could also attend workshops on nutrition and behavior, but nothing was mandatory. That felt good too. I was looking for peace, like everyone else there. I mainly wanted to recharge for a busy time ahead and okay, I admit, I wasn't feeling great (I almost always feel that way at the beginning of the year), so that could also be worked on. But there are also other reasons why you might feel the need for a yoga retreat.

A few participants were going through a divorce, had just separated, or had been cruelly abandoned by a man. Another wanted to recover from a serious illness, a burnout, yet another wanted to process grief, and for yet another, it was just a gift to themselves. “After 30 years of being a mother of four children, it's about time I get pampered.”

Support group

If I wanted, I could just sit at the foot of someone's stretcher to vent my heart. Or someone would do that with me. There was also a psychologist with whom you could make an appointment.

“And then he ran off with my girlfriend.” Or: “I have to go back to work in a few months, but what if I still can't handle it?” I was by far the youngest there, with the least life experience and therefore perhaps not the most fantastic advisor, but a listening ear works wonders too.

“Are you also craving a glass of wine?”

“Tell me about it, with a freshly cut piece of Iberico ham.”

“Wow.”

“Ah, it's almost four o'clock, then we get another green juice.”

From the kitchen

I never really delved into or was interested in vegan food (food without meat, fish, gluten, and dairy. Yes, a lot), I mainly found it a hassle. You have to give up so much, and a fresh sea bass from the grill with a green salad seems perfectly fine to me. Now, that's certainly not the case, but I did see during that week how incredibly much you can do with just vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds. That's what it comes down to. I tasted chocolate cake, a thousand times better than that from the best pastry chef in town. I mean it. And made from dates, nuts, raw cocoa, and coconut oil. After a piece, you feel completely satisfied, while after a brownie from Starbucks, I would prefer to walk back to the display case.

It's incredible to notice what that super healthy food does to you. And a bite of green veggie curry with red quinoa, for example. All the products used to make the food were fresher than fresh. With every bite, you felt yourself getting better. That's seriously something different than: “Shall I quickly whip up a red curry from Conimex?”

From the kitchen came about 80% vegetables and a bit of fruit, nuts, and seeds. Now, that was also prepared by two amazing chefs (Edwin Sander, who has worked at various star restaurants, and Mayla Marianka, pro raw/vegan top chef).

Greener than green

For three days there was detoxing. At least, for those who felt like it (nothing is mandatory, remember?). That meant: A lot. Of. Green. Juices. The week was meant to “get close to yourself” and “cleanse yourself”. In your mind, but also in your body. And that works really well when you gulp down a few kilos of vegetables. I'm familiar with detoxing, so I knew what to expect, but in Amsterdam, I always kept working, and now I was lying by a pool every day. I can tell you: that's much nicer and has much more effect. Skin glowing, eyes looking great, flat stomach (that's what you wanted to know, of course), energy and peace in your mind. I was feeling really good very quickly (that's what they called it there). And that food, that food that comes back to the table after those few days: a divine meal. Still all vegan, of course.

Yoga it is

Two hours of yoga in the morning is quite a lot. I admit that I didn't always roll out my mat with the same enthusiasm, but when you notice that on day three you can easily get into the “warrior pose” and do that sun salutation from memory with the right breathing, it gives you a kick. We ended the day with a very calm yoga session that could even consist of lying on the ground for an hour and doing breathing exercises. You can bet that within five minutes, someone is snoring.

I'm not airy-fairy, but I'm not averse to it either. I do like to talk a bit about energies and forces. I always find that clear language.

“There’s such bad energy in that office, you feel it immediately when you walk in.” You understand me right away, don't you?

A week in a yoga retreat in Ibiza (they are quite into spirituality there) made me gladly get swept up in everything that was healing, empowering, and made you feel amazing. Even if just for a moment. I also understand that it's the environment, the warm sun on my face, and the phone that was still on my nightstand.

Back on track

I brought “the egg” back to the Netherlands. At least, that theory. And that is: being happy in my own skin is more important than whether your friend is. Because a happy person can help others much better, but also let it be with the other. And that's what we should all be able to do, I think. First love yourself and then love another is really not such a bad theory.

How, what, and where?

The yoga retreat I attended was organized by Heartsofliving.nl, two very nice young ladies from the Netherlands who give the best yoga classes and know everything about nutrition and mindfulness. They were with us day and night, and we could ask them any questions. They keep a close eye on everyone (especially during the detox), organize the best workshops, and hire the best chefs. I booked through www.happysoultravel.nl, where you can find various yoga retreats all over the world. I'm already planning a new trip. Because believe me, this is addictive.