We left Havana very early on Friday, and we were all anxious. Seven months ago we started a Yoga teacher training course and the graduation closing is a silent retreat. The intention was to go last Monday, but... as a good tropical island in the middle of the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, a hurricane arrived and decided to pass through the west of the country, and our longed, for silent mountains are in that direction which delayed our plans. The uncertainty of not knowing if we would be able to go created a considerable shock within the group. Alternative solutions were sought, ideas were proposed and we even believed at some point that it would be impossible. Coordinating a group of more than ten people to spend three days together is usually very complicated, but the will to fulfill this silent stay to close our intense seven months, was the binding force that kept us firm in the decision that as soon as the hurricane passed - if the road conditions allowed it - we would go out in search of silence in the middle of the mountains, in the Sierra de los Órganos, in the beautiful province of Pinar del Río.
In Cuba, producing an event of this kind takes a lot of work; coordinating transportation -a very complicated issue due to the fuel crisis we constantly suffer-, getting healthy food and providing for a balanced vegetarian diet, arranging the details of accommodation and that the weather... does not play a dirty trick.
Finally, we were able to define our retreat for Friday, all in excitement mode, joy took over us and the bus that took us picked us up at 7:00 am and continued our journey to catch up with the rest of the companions. We are a heterogeneous group, diverse in age, interests, professions, studies and experiences, but something in common unites us; the passion for Yoga, the determination to teach a path of well-being that has given us the joy of living in peace despite the circumstances.
After two hours of travel, the mountains were there, waiting for us. That Tadasana that Pacha Mama gives us to remind us how much power of transformation we have, how much resilience and adaptation we are able to endure, how much life and joy we can carry on our shoulders. Leaving the highway and heading into the hills, we traveled through narrow roads, full of mud or sharp stones, and steep hills that under the tropical midday sun became more overwhelming for the small old bus that transported us. But the views of the landscape and the joy compensated for any discomfort. We had to walk a long way to reach our destination; the ecological conservation and permaculture project "Ramaviva".
We were welcomed with hugs and spring water to quench our thirst. In the middle of a coniferous forest and surrounded by lakes and rivers, Abel has his little paradise where he educates and promotes a culture of sustainability and respect for nature, a project in full development that gives happiness and teaches the community how to manage waste, how to create a garden in the middle of a rocky and hostile soil, to love the ecosystem that surrounds them and make efficient use of available resources. We were in love!
After listening to Abel and having something to eat, the waters of the river called us to wash away the dust of the road, massage our tired muscles and refresh the heat accumulated during the trip. It was a calming experience that allowed us to set up camp inside the rustic cabins, rest and prepare for dinner. At nightfall, the campfire awaited us with its transforming and purifying fire to initiate the noble silence we were looking for. The chanting of channeling and healing together with the mantras that we chanted began 48 hours without talking, in a vow of silence, with sitting to meditate and Asana practices in an attempt to observe our mind, to remain present, to be and to be here and now in a place without connection to communication networks, without screens or distractions. The sound of water running down the river, the singing of birds, frogs and crickets was the music that enlivened our weekend. As a screen we had the forest, the mountains and the sky full of stars at night.
Sunday; day to raise the silence. After meditating in the early morning, stretching and breakfast, the teachers led a very emotional practice that culminated in an expansion of love for all beings and our deep gratitude to all the people who have worked for our course to take place and culminate in a beautiful place. We can already talk, tears and hugs, the word "thank you" is the first word heard from our mouths. We are happy.
But...we are still waiting to meet and bathe in the waterfall! So we spend the rest of the morning exploring the forest. We leave without wasting time, in the afternoon it is already planned to return to Havana, to the noise and the internet, to the screens and the social upheaval. Entering the dense forest, climbing cliffs and crossing ravines were tests of will and solidarity. Each companion was attentive to the other and without losing the joy, so much genuine laughter had an origin; peace of mind and physical strength. Health as the beginning and the end.
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Participants in the retreat:
Teachers: Tamara Venereo and Mariela Gongora.
Students: Osvaldo Leonel, Yang Daniel Lopez, Sayli Sanchez, Adriana Arias, Melissa Betanzos, Daniela Ponjuan, Lisandra Bravo, Dailien Burguet, Omar and I.
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Owners of Ramaviva: Abel Duran Zaldivar and Jessica.
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Service: El Rubio, Vicente and Paula
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My deep gratitude to all Teachers of "Yoga Va 3" in Cuba:
Jorge Avila, Tamara Venereo, Mariela Monzon, Mariela Gongora, Vladimir Ferreiro, Junior Lugo, Maritza Navarro and Taquechel.
🧘🏼♀️❤️🧘🏼♀️
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
To teacher Mary Paffard all my heart. Creator of this teacher training in Cuba.
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All images are my property.
Collages made in Gridart
My native language is Spanish. This text was translated by Deepl.com.