Back to Nature Experiential Retreat – Bloom, 5th run, in Sakleshpur at the beautiful Savera Naturals Farm – that’s where we were on 13th April 2023. Fourteen participants and we reached a day early as the program began at 6 AM the next day.
Here’s a sneak peek of the event.
On the 13th, we enjoyed a sumptuous dinner prepared by Regina, the owner of Savera Naturals Farm. She and her husband Merwin have spent the last few years turning their farm into a natural self-sustaining fruit forest. We (Saee, Deepali, and I) have been coming here for the last 2 years and we have seen the farm grow more lush, tall and vibrant before our eyes.
On the 14th, the day began with a nature walk, a deep sensory experience in the fruit forest. This was followed by breaking the night fast gently with alkaline juice. Then followed the sun and water therapies in the open air, under the blue sky, amidst chirping birds, rustling trees, and the constant background of insects.
After freshening up and having a luxurious fruit breakfast, we convened in the community hall for some fun, introspection, and an interactive session on our perception of health. Then the participants received a cooking demo from Deepali, followed by lunch and 2 hours of time for themselves.
In the evening, the group discussed and understood the role of earth food in health. This was followed by a beautiful garden tour where the participants experienced the taste of “miracle fruit,” star-fruits, mulberries, and strawberry guavas, and expanded their knowledge of farming, native versus exotic plants, and lots more with Regina.
Then came the salad preparation. Preparing salads from scratch, under Deepali’s guidance, was a big learning experience for the participants. Many were amazed at the versatility of raw food.
The day ended with fun and melodic moments around a bonfire.
The second day continued with creative movement, this time, blindfold yoga; a novel experience again that got the participants in a deep connection with their body and non-visual sensations.
Being a cloudy day, the therapies could not happen. Instead, we went inward and explored the psyche with a psychodrama practice of mapping our inner mind on a stage. This activity led to openness, clarity, revelation, comfort, and other realisations for participants.
The lunch was prepared by the participants, with Deepali’s meticulous recipes and guidance. Many practical aspects of cooking without oil, dairy, sugar and refined ingredients were understood and experienced. These sessions gave participants confidence in their cooking skills, especially when they tasted the food, which, as a participant shared, “could not get better than this.”
Post the lunch and rest, we convened again to understand subtle food through drama. This was educational and hilarious. We discovered some alternative careers here. 🙂
Then followed a walk through the fruit forest, where we learned much about the flora and fauna, as well as farming challenges. We also received life lessons from the oldest and youngest members of the crew – 7 and 80 years. Neither of them missed a single session or activity! Age truly is just a number.
After another beautiful preparation by the group, dinner was served and consumed mindfully. The day ended with another cosy bonfire gathering.
The third day began with creative movement. Music, movement, dance, randomness, flow, structure, and design – all gelled into this hour of connection with self and each other.
After breakfast, we shared gratitude through a song of peace, gifts, messages, and words of appreciation and acknowledgement.
Finally, we headed home, with full hearts, rested bodies, peaceful minds, and memories of joy, connection, and clarity.
That’s how we bloom at Bloom. 🙂