BLOG 341: THE SURPRISING LIFE LESSONS I LEARNT ON MY YOGA RETREAT IN TURKEY

A few weeks ago, I spent seven days on a yoga retreat in beautiful Turkey and I can honestly say it was one of the most powerful and transformative weeks of my life. As someone who has been teaching Yoga and Face Yoga for over 20 years, I went expecting to deepen my practice, rest, and recharge.

What I didn’t expect was how many profound life lessons I would take home with me, lessons that reminded me that self-care, mindset, and presence should be at the heart of everything I do.

So, in today’s blog, I wanted to share my reflections with you not just as a Yoga teacher, but as a woman, mother, and entrepreneur who’s always learning, evolving, and finding balance in the everyday.

Here are the biggest lessons I learnt….

1. The way I care for myself in the next six years will determine the next fifty.

This was my biggest realisation of the week. Every choice I make, from what I eat, how I move, how I rest, and how I think is shaping the decades ahead.

I want to live to 100, and not just live, but thrive. That means being intentional about my habits now. It means prioritising strength training, nourishing foods, high-quality sleep, and moments of stillness.

So the conclusion of this lesson: self-care isn’t indulgent, it is my long-term vitality plan.

2. I have a choice in how I see every situation.

On retreat, small things could easily have felt frustrating, a change in schedule, two days of rain and storms, a moment of discomfort in a pose. But I realised that I always have a choice.I can choose to see things as negative or positive. And whichever I choose will completely shape my experience.

So my goal from now on, when something feels “off,” is to take a deep breath and ask myself, “What’s another way I could see this?” That one question can shift everything.

3. Strength training will serve me well in my 40’s and beyond.

Yoga, walking and Face Yoga have always been my foundation, but I had a deep realisation that adding strength work is essential as we age, especially for women.

Lifting weights or using resistance bands isn’t just about muscles; it supports hormones, metabolism, bone density, and posture. It also boosts confidence and energy.

I have been doing gentle strength for a while now but I really feel that now is the perfect time to put more energy and time into building my strength, physically (and mentally too).

4. I am more resilient than I think.

There were moments on retreat that pushed me, emotionally, physically, and mentally. But each time, I reminded myself: “I’ve got this.”

I noticed that resilience isn’t about never feeling challenged; it’s about trusting that I can handle whatever comes.

5. Surrender brings peace.

This might sound simple, but for me, it’s not always easy. When I try to control everything, outcomes, people, timing, all I do is create resistance.

When I surrender to the flow of each day, each feeling, I feel such peace.

So next time life feels chaotic, I am am going to (try!) to place a hand on my heart, take a deep breath, and say, “I surrender.”

My aim is to let go of what I can’t control and trust that things are unfolding exactly as they should.

6. Sit with uncomfortable feelings, then move through them.

I had moments where emotions came up unexpectedly, tears during meditation, restlessness during stillness. My old pattern would be to distract myself or even feel the urge to run away.

But this time, I sat with it for a few minutes. I breathed. I acknowledged the feeling. Then, when I was ready, I changed my environment, went for a walk, journaled, or moved my body.

I know that I had more time and space on retreat than I normally do but even in my usual busy life, next time I feel discomfort, I am going to try to sit with it, not suppress it, then take a small action to shift my energy.

7. Be a student as well as a teacher.

Even after 20 years of teaching, I love being a student. Listening to other teachers, learning new philosophies, and seeing familiar practices in fresh ways inspires me endlessly.

I can definitely benefit from staying curious and open to learning, no matter how experienced I am at things.

8. Treat people how you want to be treated.

Simple but powerful. Whether it’s my family, my friends, or a stranger I meet, my energy has a ripple effect.
Kindness, respect, and compassion always come back to me in some form.

9. Eat food as close to nature as possible.

The food on retreat was fresh, simple, and nourishing, straight from the earth. And I could feel the difference in my body and mind.

The closer food is to its natural state, the more life force it carries. Think fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and pure water.

This isn’t about restriction, it’s about eating in a way that supports my energy, glow, and longevity.

10. When reality doesn’t match expectations, change your expectations.

Not everything in life will unfold how I imagine. But that doesn’t mean it’s wrong.

When I shifted from “this isn’t what I expected” to “this is what’s meant for me,” I instantly felt lighter.

I learnt that joy often comes when I stop resisting reality and start embracing what is.

11. Positive people attract positive people.

The retreat reminded me that energy is magnetic. The more positivity I cultivate, the more uplifting people and experiences I attract.

I really came away from the retreat which was full of such positive people and felt that in my daily life, wherever possible, I want to surround myself with people who inspire me, support me, and remind me that positivity is a choice.

12. To find creativity, create space.

I had so many creative ideas flow through me during quiet moments, simply because I allowed space for them.

My best ideas often come when Islow down, not when I am pushing. Whether it’s through meditation, a walk in nature, or five minutes of stillness, I now have the goal to find space to receive inspiration.

13. Nothing stays the same forever, and that’s okay.

Change is the only constant, and that’s something to be grateful for. Without change, there’s no growth.

Whether it’s in business, relationships, or personal evolution, I can find peace in trusting that life always moves us forward in the right direction.

In Summary

This retreat reminded me that life isn’t about perfection, it’s about awareness, balance, and compassion. It’s about caring for ourselves in ways that will carry us through the next chapter with strength, peace, and joy.

And you don’t need a retreat to embody these lessons. You can start right now, with one deep breath, one nourishing meal, one moment of gratitude.

Because the truth is: the more you care for your body, your mind, and your spirit, the more radiant, resilient, and fulfilled you become from the inside out.

A wonderful way to have a retreat experience in your own home is with the Face Yoga Retreat Bundle which you can find out more about here.