Connection and authentic happiness - Yoga active vacation in Gerakini

There is a study at Harvard University that went on for over 80 years, where people were observed for this what makes them happy. We, fortunately, did not have to wait so many years, but in 7 days pro-actively, we discovered or remembered what it is that makes us truly happy, alive and joyful, normally practicing the activities and the yoga program that I led tirelessly for 7 days and nights 😊

But back to the Harvard project, which began in 1938 and followed 724 people from their teenage years (now about 60, all in their 90s, and still alive). Over the years, the researchers collected all kinds of health information and every two years asked the participants questions about their lives and about their mental and emotional well-being and happiness. Sometimes they even interviewed family members.

This research found two important factors that affect a person's authentic happiness.

And yes, it has nothing to do with success, material possessions or money!

The first factor is:  To know when to let things go

For me, this coincides with a prayer that I whisper in moments of crisis, "God, give me the strength to accept what cannot be changed" and continues, "God, give me the courage to be able to change what can be changed and God, give me wisdom to distinguish one from the other"! That is, in this study, as the participants grew older, they became aware of what was really meaningful and important to them in life, and they simply let go of everything else. Knowing when to let go of an old pain, an old behavior pattern, an old memory or a material good for a higher purpose or value is one of the key values that makes us humans truly and authentically happy.

If you want to research this field, go to my next workshop.

The second factor they concluded is: To stay connected

This study found that strong connectedness and closeness in close relationships such as between spouses, family, or friends affects feelings of happiness. For example, if we have a personal intimate or close relationship with someone, it creates mental and emotional stimulation in our mind, which in turn is an automatic booster of our mood and seratonin 😊 .

Unfortunately, modern society creates conditions for living with physical, mental and emotional stress, such as life in too many crowds, fast pace, pollution, radiation, junk food, chemical additives, anxiety, loneliness, poor body posture, or sudden and too much exercise. Separately or together, all these stresses produce tension and begin to block the free flow of energy in the body and thus the joy and happiness in us.

Having all these stresses in our head, we forget that true happiness lies in an authentic and true connection first with yourself and then with the people around you, and normally happiness is knowing how to let go of all emotions and thoughts or stresses, which we have consciously or unconsciously imposed on ourselves.

And that's exactly why I've been doing these active vacations or retreats for so many years.

The authentic contact and communication that develops gradually, day by day, between all the wonderful people who come to the active vacation from a different background, education, life experience or career, makes them become connected to themselves, to the group or to the new people they met, but and to get rid of any toxins, stresses or emotions that have overwhelmed them.

Yes, we did on this magical 7 day trip. We let go of the unimportant things. We got rid of the stress. We connected. We accepted and connected the "children" of each one of us. We were happy. We sang. We acted. We practiced yoga. We bathed and played in the water. We were breathing. And most of all we rejoiced and laughed.

In fact, it happens on all other active vacations that I take. Through a thematic program and yoga activities, the participants are encouraged to think about themselves, their emotions, their peace and restlessness, to connect with their true authentic goals and desires, and with all that, to get rid of the stress and traumas that they carry within themselves.

The next yoga active vacation is scheduled for the extended weekend for October 11 in Krushevo. Don't miss it because I have come up with many interesting and themed games apart from yoga activities.

Yoga active vacation, September 2022 Gerakini, Greece

 

Love and light

Biljana Pesheva ♥️