Hundred Hours of Stillness

When you are living in a chaotic city like Dhaka and working in a high-stakes job, stillness, more often than not, seems like the most precious commodity.

By stillness, I do not just mean the absence of noise and movement around you; it also means a pause in your thoughts and inner dialogue. The body benefits from movement, but the mind benefits from stillness.

So, every year, in pursuit of stillness, in pursuit of clarity, in pursuit of balance, in pursuit of tranquillity, I take off for Nepal for at least a fortnight.

My sanctuary of choice this year was Atmashree Yoga Retreat in Pokhara.

Being a yoga practitioner for more than a decade, I felt the need to level my understanding of the discipline that has captivated hundreds and thousands worldwide. So, I decided to do a 100-hour yoga course, which involved a yoga trek and intensive Asana sessions.

I am so glad that I made this choice as I returned with a deeper appreciation for self-care -- body, mind and spirit — in a safe, nurturing environment and a need to make space for stillness in my day-to-day life.

When I arrived at Atmashree Yoga Retreat on a hilltop on a balmy April evening, I immediately felt tranquil.

Flickering candle flames were punctuating the darkness, and the chirping of crickets, the soft rustling of leaves and the whoosh of the cool breeze provided the soundtrack. It felt so far removed from my bustling life in Dhaka. What was even better is that I did not need to step out of my spacious room to take in the sights, sounds and smells as my room had a big window.

Dinner was a completely vegetarian fare cooked with little oil and spice, setting us up for the fortnight of resetting our minds, bodies and souls. After a breezy walk around the retreat, I was in bed by 9 pm, excited to start my intensive asana course.

The course started at 6AM, with a 30-minute silent walk to a nearby hill. Silent walking is a morning meditation through which you can connect with your mind. You just need to follow your breath while walking silently.

Once we got to the top of the hill, we sat in silence for 15 minutes, completely at one with nature and the surroundings. And just like that, all my stress, self-doubts and restlessness disappeared. This is the stillness that I was seeking.

After a refreshment pitstop at the retreat, our morning yoga session started at 7:45AM. During this session, the instructor demonstrated various asanas and sun salutations and taught us the benefits of each posture. It was an intensive session that lasted until 9:30AM when breakfast was served. Breakfast was fruits and vegetable khichdi with organic ghee.  

The next class was from 11AM to 12PM. It was by Hardik Mehta, a yoga trainer from India. He not only taught me yoga postures but also the psychology and benefits behind each asana.

From 12PM to 1PM, we practised Yoga Nidra, a technique for connecting with our subconscious mind and inner selves. This practice can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, increase self-awareness and enhance creativity.

Additionally, Yoga Nidra has healing benefits, and research indicates that just 30 minutes of this yoga practice can be equivalent to four hours of sleep. It was so relaxing that I fell asleep during the practice.

After lunch, the next class started at 6PM, where the instructor taught us intense postures to improve our flexibility. This session lasted for an hour, after which we had a one-hour break to sit out in the open field and chat with our fellow yogis.

At 6PM, I attended another yoga class focused on balancing movements, which was designed to develop strength. Overall, the yoga classes were a great way to spend my day.

We had dinner from 7PM to 8PM. From 8PM to 9PM, we participated in an evening meditation session that focused on increasing concentration, also known as Focused Attention Meditation (FAM). This meditation style involves focusing your attention on an object, sound or sensation, instead of trying to achieve a clear mind without a specific focal point.

We often used a candle flame as our focal point, and sometimes we played instruments or local songs to enhance the experience. The whole atmosphere was magical and left us feeling rejuvenated.

After the evening meditation, we went to bed at 9PM. This was my routine for the 10 days at Atmashree Yoga Retreat.

On the 11th day, we went on a trek to Poon Hill, popularly known as Annapurna Sunrise Trekking or Annapurna Panorama Trekking. Anyone who loves yoga, meditation, nature and beautiful landscape will never forget this astounding experience.

It was bright and sunny when we set out, meandering through the beautiful ethnic villages of the Annapurna region and rhododendron forests.

The weather was great until lunchtime the next day when it started pouring. I did not have a raincoat with me, but my fellow trekkers improvised and managed a makeshift raincoat to shield me from the rain and catch a cold. I felt so grateful to be surrounded by such resourceful and caring people.

We stayed at a cosy rest house for the night. The next morning, we started our trek with walking sticks in tow, as the ascent from here onwards would be steeper. It was a physically exhausting climb, more so for those with not the best fitness.

But all of our sufferings were forgotten when we reached the peak, which was 3,210 meters above sea level. We were greeted with snowfall. It was an awe-inspiring, divine sight, and we took the time to meditate and soak it all in. The whole experience was unforgettable.

However, as we began our descent, we realised that coming down from the hill was even more difficult than climbing up. Our muscles began to ache, and we were reminded of the true physical challenge of our trek. We eventually made it back to Atmashree Yoga Retreat in one piece.

I woke up early the next day to take in the magnetic surroundings of the Atmashree Yoga Retreat for one last time before my departure. I sat down in the open field, closed my eyes, listened to the soft rustling of leaves and the whoosh of the breeze, and went into a trance. When I opened my eyes, the morning light was shining bright. What a restorative experience this place provided.

Saying goodbye to all the amazing fellow yogis, teachers and friends at Atmashree the next morning was certainly tough. The memories and lessons of this yoga retreat will stay with me for a lifetime, one I will try to practice every day.

Jane Alam Romel

Corporate Professional

Cofounder, Prana Wellness