Within this drowning hectic routine, the sensitive nature of a human being inevitably gets burnt out. Almost every third person suffers from a mild to dangerous form of depletion and exhaustion.

Burnout is a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion, caused by prolonged exposure to high pressure, and deadlines. Usually resulting from demanding work schedules, it has been defined by World Health Organization (WHO) as a work-related disturbance. However, anyone can experience its symptoms, regardless of their profession or personal circumstances.

Identify the roots of burnout

The first step in preventing burnout is to identify the risk. Burnout starts appearing as a tremendous sense of tiredness, lack of energy and inspiration. It can also be signaled as a depressed state, lack of clarity, feeling isolated, inability to be productive or creative, apathy, and even systemic health issues.

Connecting these symptoms to the root cause helps people get awareness of their disconnected state, so they can slowly build a ladder to begin their healing process.

Even though the ideal solution would be to take at least two weeks’ break and go on a retreat, it is not always possible to do so. To navigate this serious health issue, it is crucial to get support from therapists, or a wellness practitioner. As well as meditation teacher or energy healing practitioner, that can speed up the recovery.

Slower pace lifestyle

When on the verge of burnout, one must find ways to minimize stress and pressure. To create personal boundaries and take only as much as you can really handle can seem impossible but soon becomes not negotiable – consciously preventing a breakdown is more sustainable than actually rebuilding your life from a place of absolute depletion. Saying no is a powerful tool

Wellness hygiene is crucial, such as going to bed no later than 11 pm, intaking less caffeine and practising mindful eating. But one practice in particular has been emerging as a powerful tool against burnout: guided meditation.

At the core of losing touch with oneself and feeling turned apart lies destructed attention. In these overwhelming times, when one is constantly stimulated and demanded, the mind loses its centre and gets overwhelmed. We cannot talk about mental and emotional health when our attention is diffused and overstimulated.

As we navigate through high intensity states, giving your attention a break by closing one’s eyes for 5 minutes and letting the mind settle becomes another obvious healing tool.

Meditation heals the overwhelmed mind

People often experience life through the mental perception of things, and when the mind becomes heavy, life itself starts to feel unbearable. The Indian guru Ramana Maharshi once said: “Mediation applies the brakes to the mind”. And by doing so, we are letting ourselves to slow down.

Guided Meditation can become a ritual of conscious rest and self-nourishment. Scientifically speaking, it is proven to lower the levels of cortisol, a hormone that is released in response to stress. Also, it activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for deeply resting the body, reducing heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension.

From mild to severe burnt-out state, practice of Meditation will become an oasis of presence, allowing to continue the day at a slower pace and being aware of the level of energy available at a moment.

Integrate meditation into the routine

There is no independent area of life. Everything is interconnected, weaved together by an invisible thread that creates the unity of all. And to build a healthy life is to heal and enhance every single aspect of it.

Just like medicine, to truly feel the benefits of meditation, a regular practice is needed. Saving a few minutes every day is enough to reconnect with the ground that sometimes seems to be gone. Following the breath that leads to the present moment is a shield against overthinking, and frequent practice improves its capacity.

However, it is not always easy to create – nor to maintain – this habit. To set the foundations for burnout healing and adopting practice of mindfulness and meditation the best way is to take time and go on a retreat. In the space without destructions and stressors, designed for slowing down, one can truly heal the nervous system and recover higher levels of energy.

With that in mind, Bliss Body Journeys carefully designs programs to support those who wish to incorporate meditation into their daily lives. Anchored in the so-called grounded spirituality, they expose people to the balancing point between mundane experiences and spiritual fulfilment. Suitable for all levels, their meditation retreats and virtual programs provide tools to better navigate through difficult times, helping one to create a shelter within.

Click here to learn more about their sacred journeys.

The post How to prevent a burnout?<span> Conscious tools to take back your life</span> appeared first on Bliss Body Journeys.

We constantly receive feedback on how challenging it´s to create a self-care routine in the midst of time-consuming life demands. Here are some insights that can help you progress further in this intent:

What is a daily practice?

We tend to immediately associate it with a 90-minute hot yoga class or a 30-minute meditation practice. It can be, yes, but it can also be many other things.

A daily practice is a self-care ritual in which we choose to devote a part of our day – so in reality it can be anything if done consciously.

Which modalities can be included in a daily practice?

Yoga is connection, not a set of positions. Conscious belly breathing on waiting lines, detached observation of thoughts or embodied movement are all examples of daily practices.

For physical wellbeing, breathwork, cold exposure and running can provide precisely the release you need.

What is the right time and duration for the daily practice?

As explained, it can be a two-minute pause before stepping out of the bed or simply placing the hand on the belly for one minute, but when it comes to longer practices it´s important to define small achievable routines that can be built upon and be anchored on a strong commitment.

Experiment, take time to try different timeslots and durations and settle for the one that will be potent enough to remind you about the most important: you and your wellbeing.

Why should I do a daily practice?

Intention, attention follows intention. Unless there is a clear purpose it is challenging to sustain the commitment to show up every day. May it be to heal from trauma, liberate oneself from fears or simply be able to show up better for everyone around. Find your intention and let your practice guide you there.

Sabbath, or ongoing exploration

A sabbath is a day of observance and abstinence from work, a day beyond your current set of exercises – a day to explore or a day to group with other souls on their journey.

Circling and sharing your experience will help you on the way to recommit while feeling the growth into new plateaus of being

Pedro Rui Sousa is Bliss Body Journeys co-founder and an embodied example of devotion to his practice and the liberation path from a hectic coporate life to a more conscious way of being.

Vlada de Sosua works as a meditation teacher, energy healer, and spiritual mentor, helping people all over the world on their path to self-realization. You can find more about her 1:1 programs here and about her next retreats in the calendar page.

The post How to create a daily practice? <span>A concise guide to help you establish a personal wellness routine</span> appeared first on Bliss Body Journeys.

In this interview, Bliss Body Journeys’ Founder & Spiritual Teacher, Vlada de Sousa, presents the new version of her signature meditation retreat, “Divine Body”, which will be launched in Spring next year.

Tell me more about this new meditation retreat in Portugal. What is the intention behind it?

Well, the “Divine Body” program was the first program that I have created for Bliss, and in a way it is directly linked to the identity of the brand itself.

Basically, it is an integral holistic program designed for guests to come back to their complete sense of self. According to yoga tradition, we don’t have just this physical body, we have five different bodies (koshas). The physical, energetic, mental, the body of wisdom, and the bliss body.

These five bodies function like different layers, from the more dense one, the physical body, until the most subtle and spiritual one, the bliss body. Which was exactly my inspiration when I founded Bliss Body Journeys, in 2016.

The bliss body, that I also call Divine Body, is a state of pure light, a true experience of ourselves as infinite beings. When we access this very subtle layer, we remember our most blissful state. But to access it, we must heal all other layers, not just the physical and mental bodies.

So, the intention behind this meditation and yoga retreat is to hold space for healing but also to guide guest through practices capable of bringing all the five bodies into full alignment.

But how does it work?

There is, of course, a map that I have tailored. We begin by cleansing and purifying each one of these layers, releasing any buildup of old energies or energetic blocks through yoga, breathwork, yoga Nidra and meditation.

After this healing phase, we begin to recover ourselves, filling our being with vibrant clean energy, making us feel entirely renewed. That is why I call it integral holistic program, because it realigns every aspect of ourselves.

I’ve been teaching and developing this program for many years now, and it is a very beautiful process to witness. When I see the difference in the energy of our guests, from their arrival until the closing ceremony, it completely reaffirms my purpose in life.

And I feel it is so vitally important to go through this process. Because, in everyday life, we have so many things to do, that we don’t get to stop and really take care of all our bodies, not only physical. Maybe you get to find one hour to go to the gym, or to practice yoga and meditation, but it is not enough to access all the subtle layers that also need maintenance.

That is why many guests choose to repeat this experience. It becomes an annual ritual of renewal and replenishment, a week dedicated to profound self-care for our being.

As you said, this program was created right in the foundation of Bliss Body Journeys, still in Bali. How did it evolve during these last seven years?

Just like I evolved as a mentor and spiritual teacher, the signature programs have been evolving along with me. But, as always, they keep the transformational aspect at their core. The intention behind “Divine Body” experience keeps on being the same, what changed were the tools I use to guide people through the process.

I am constantly upgrading my skills, and bringing in more healing modalities, that naturally reflects on every program that I design. For example, nowadays, I work a lot more with breathwork and energy healing, which proved themselves to be powerful tools for multilevel harmonization.

The practices may also change according to the teacher that will facilitate Divine Body program. In Portugal, I will be the one holding the retreat but in Hong Kong, for example, where this program is currently running, we find ways to bring their tools and expertise to facilitate the same intention.

And I want to share how marvelous is it to be able to work with our so-talented Hong Kong team, but I am very excited to be back teaching the renewed “Divine Body” in Europe.

And now it is time for Portugal. So, what do you think this location will add up to the experience?

When it comes to Portugal, what speaks to me the most is the energy of the Atlantic Ocean. It is so healing and deep, very powerful and cleansing. Also, Portugal offers a sense of spaciousness. Nature here is still quite intact, and we get to explore the beach but also retreat amongst tall and green trees.

Here, we may get the feeling of breathing widely, expanding more and more. In such a modern and technological world, the possibility of simply enjoying space is really not easy to find. So I am quite curious to see how Portugal’s energy will enhance the retreat experience.

But I am also very happy about the venue we chose for it. It is a stunning place in South Alentejo, a region that has over 300 days of sun during the year. Fantastic. And the place has a lot of trees and open spaces, even for us to do our practices.

It is really an amazing retreat space. Very wide and secluded, with really gorgeous views. It is a place for reflection, perfect for healing and cocooning. Without ever having to abstain of comfort and privacy, of course. Especially if you choose to stay in the Bungalow, a separated cabana with breathtaking views.

I think Portugal will be a special location for our sacred journeys, and we cannot wait to host our treasured seekers in this part of the world.

Vlada de Sousa works as a meditation teacher, energy healer, and spiritual mentor, helping people all over the world on their path to self-realization. The new version of her signature program is being launched next April in Portugal. Learn more about it here.

The post A holistic experience of self: <span>Divine Body meditation retreat</span> appeared first on Bliss Body Journeys.

Vlada de Sousa is a meditation teacher, energy healer and the Founder of Bliss Body Journeys. In order to support people to find those so wanted answers, she has created a new program, a 6-day meditation retreat to dive within and to pull back the light of our soul.  

Following years of traveling to find the right location for your meditation and yoga retreats, what inspired you to create this program?   

I’ve been working 1:1 with people all over the world for many years now and what I sense is that people are unsatisfied, there is something lacking. Even those who have already accomplished a successful career or a loving family are still searching, but they don’t know what they are looking for. 

People come to me and say that, even though they have everything, they feel like something essential is missing. That is when the journey begins, when we accept the emptiness and decide to dive into it, so we can pull our soul back to fill in all the spaces in between. 

So I decided to curate an immersive experience for our guests just like I do with my private students remotely and across time. “Soul Revival” is a 6-day process of investigation and exploration. I want to help people remember that we are not just our bodies, minds, or the identity we’ve been reproducing ever since we were kids. We are a soul. And this meditation retreat was made specifically for those who I call soul seekers. 

So you think people are lacking a spiritual connection? 

Absolutely! I started to notice that on some level all of us are still trying to figure out who we are, what is life about, and what is really important. Whichever stage we are in life, this is still consistently experienced. 

Especially in this modern world, where there is a continuous need of chasing something, trying to get there, to do more, to be more, to see more, to experience more. This never-ending search leaves us with a sense of lack, which might make us a little bit depressed or unsettled with ourselves.  

It is time for people to turn inwards. We chase all those things, but in fact, what we are really looking for is ourselves. And sometimes we look inside and all we see is dry inhospitable land. It might not be an easy process but we must cross this desert until we find the oasis within.  

That is why I have made it my life-long purpose to support people in this self-discovery journey. Helping them understand their light, powers and gifts, but also helping them to create an intimate relationship with themselves, healing their inner dialogue and connecting with their intuition. Because truly we came into this life to discover who we are and to become more and more our own light. 

“Soul Revival” is about going deeper, overcoming social pressures and finding out that there is way more to this human experience.  

But how do people reach this state of connection?  

Well, first of all, people need to quit the action state. That is exactly what a meditation retreat is made for, to encourage guests to slow down. Only when we do that, do we start to connect with more subtle layers, feeling ourselves on an energetic and spiritual level.  

In the “Soul Revival” process, I will help people reestablish the interconnectedness between the human mind and the soul. So they begin to awaken to the experience of self, which is much broader than our usually limiting beliefs. When we get there, things become really clear and we get to see everything as it is. 

I want people to leave knowing how to find the answers inside of them. Because we all know the questions will never ever stop. What is important is that we understand where to look for the answers, and that is always inside of us. 

Our intuition is the most powerful guidance, we must allow it to guide us. And, of course, have the courage to trust and follow it. Reviving your soul means rediscovering this power.  

And which practices people can expect to do?  

My teaching style is very experiential. Instead of explaining something, so we rationalize it, I prefer to take guests on a journey, so they get to actually experience what we are talking about. This way, the mind plays a secondary role, and there is more space within for healing and connection. 

In the daily practices there is meditation, yoga and breathwork. As I said, I like to explore, so we will always be trying different approaches and practices. But since I am interested in encouraging people to clear space in order to connect with their inner self, I will be using a lot of breathwork, which helps us release unprocessed energies and feelings.  

There is a very special feature of this program, though. I decided to explore a bit more of Mauna, which is the ancient practice of keeping silence. Bliss Body Journeys has been holding very successful silent retreats in Hong Kong, and I wanted to bring a little bit of this energy to “Soul Revival”.  

During the retreat, we will have one full day of Noble Silence, as it really opens the door towards hearing the voice of our soul. When we take a vow of Silence, our voice of wisdom begins to arise and communicate through us, and we start having great insights about life in general.  

Is it suitable for beginners, though?  

Well, I would say “Soul Revival” is a program for everyone who has a soul and with that I mean, all humans (laugh). But really, It is great when guests have already a little bit of experience with yoga, meditation, or even psychology. However, it is not necessary at all.  

To be honest, the depth of the practices depends a lot on the student. So, if you’re a very experienced practitioner, this can be a great opportunity to go even deeper into your practice and self-exploration. On the other hand, if you’re new to the world of spirituality, it will simply open the doors to a completely new dimension. 

As I always say, the important part is to be willing to go through the process. That is what changes everything. And it is really beautiful to see the transformation in peoples’ eyes. Because when we realize that we are not just a set of thoughts in our head, a big shift happens. We start engaging in life from a different perspective and the transformation is inevitable.  

I will be there every step of the way, supporting them and clarifying questions. I really love seeing people who come to the retreat with their preconceived ideas and leave in a way more expansive state. It brings me so much fulfillment! That is exactly why I do what I do.  

How about the location? Why did you choose Morocco?   

Morocco’s energy is very special. As you know, I work directly with the energy of the place in which we hold our sacred retreats. That is why one of Bliss Body Journeys’ pillars is our healing locations. Each place has a specific energy that elevates the experience, and Morocco’s is very particular.  

Truth is Morocco has been on my list for many years, but of course, things happen at the right time. And I must agree that there is no better time to go ahead and connect with the energy of the desert, which is a very strong energy of quietude and depth within. 

The desert withholds a lot of awakenings and spiritual insights, it is all about following through solitude in the direction of our soul. “Soul Revival” internal process is almost like crossing the desert within, and I really love that we will have this symbology available for us in Morocco.  

But also, we were able to find a stunning villa for the retreat. It is a design space where people get to have privacy, comfort, and still enjoy a beautiful and luxurious setting. It has magnificent views of the Atlas Mountains, being it from the rooms or the infinity pool. It is magical. As usual, Bliss Body Journeys hosts small groups of up to seven people, which also helps with the comfort and personalization of the journey.  

I am extremely excited about this experience in Morocco, it will be a rare mystical experience.  

Vlada de Sousa has been working as a meditation teacher, energy healer, and spiritual mentor, supporting people all over the world to transform their lives on all different levels. “Soul Revival” is the new program she designed for her brand Bliss Body Journeys. It will be launched this November in Marrakesh, Morocco. You may learn more about it here. 

The post In the quest of the soul: <span>an interview with Vlada de Sousa</span> appeared first on Bliss Body Journeys.

Hong Kong is a very intense city, whose hectic pace might be very overwhelming. How does it affect the citizens?

Hong Kong is a place where things need to happen really fast. In this high-speed rhythm, people feel like they are in a race where they must go faster and faster every time. We are kind of programmed to do always more, getting more and being more.

In the longer run, this becomes a costing experience, when you always need to be the best at everything, always striving and performing. We need to liberate ourselves, so we can really start to land in our bodies and reconnect with our inner selves.

Especially after going through this last challenging winter, with lockdowns and uncertainty, in which there was an experience of fear in the air. A lot of people were feeling suppressed and trapped in one place. So, now is the perfect time to expand and overcome this energy of stuckness.

But how can we do that, how can we liberate ourselves?

Everything we experience gets imprinted in the physical body, so, with time, it may become a posture, a repetitive movement, or chronic pain. We must observe how our body reacts and responds to these unnatural and unusual dynamics, such as a lockdown.

Practices like breathwork can start to liberate people from blocks in the depth of their being. Breath is the access to our soul, and we really need to breathe it out, moving the low energies out and letting it all go.

Only when we find our way back to our bodies we can begin the healing process, recovering our energy and regaining that sense of freedom. And we start reconnecting with the idea that our being is actually a free being. This is exactly what a healing retreat is about: creating the atmosphere and giving structure to this process to happen.

And how does a healing retreat work? Why is it different from other meditation and yoga retreats?

A retreat is in itself very healing. Because when you get into that safe space in which you don’t have to worry about anything or plan your day ahead, you start having extra time and space just for yourself.

When you do it for a few days in a row, that really allows the mind to rest. And for modern human beings, the notion of rest for the mind is extremely rare, I would even say it is a luxurious experience. Stillness and silence have become a relic.

But a true healing retreat must, first of all, be settled in an organic environment, allowing people to replenish amongst nature. And is not a one-day experience. It is a full program that, from the beginning to the end, consists of practices that continuously takes you further and further into your healing process.

“Resource” which is the new program I designed for Bliss Body Journeys is a deep healing retreat. Packed with breathwork, yoga nidra, and vibrational therapy, focusing a lot in changing people’s energy.

So a healing retreat is one that is specially planned to recover people’s vibration, helping guests to gently seed new energy into their life. In “Resource”, each day carries an energetic shift, and by the fourth day, you can actually feel the difference.

Bliss Body Journeys has been setting the bar high when it comes to meditation and yoga retreats in Hong Kong. We could say this new program follows this rule, then?

“Resource” is a beautiful journey into a renewal of energy, it has a whole spiritual aspect to it and is very well thought through. Everything has an intention behind it. I think this is the perfect time to release this new program because we know how much healing is needed now.

There´s a new and fresh feeling coming into our lives. We want to experience life again. We want to be free again. No better time to start peeling off the old and embracing the new possibilities ahead.

When you really get in tune with yourself and you balance your energy, the answers to all the questions that bother you will simply pop up. “Resource” helps you with that, making you experience clarity in a whole new way.

By immersing yourself in nature and being open to the idea of nothingness, everything starts to flow naturally and you will be able to go through life in a beautiful and organic way.

We must consciously choose to take care of ourselves, and healing our energy is the ultimate self-care.

What would you say makes this program so different from others?

What I find very unique about “Resource” is actually the middays wellness and spiritual lectures. In these sessions, we explore a little bit of Yoga theory and bring up the why of everything.

Why do we have this kind of experiences? Why do we get anxious? Or why do we close up and are not able to be vulnerable again? How do we maintain sanity when the world is really going a little bit insane?

In these deep conversations, we provide our guests with tools so they can remain in their inner freedom and own bliss and joy. This coaching part is a very big additional aspect of the program. Because then you don’t simply do your practice, you get into the roots of it, and that is what makes the difference afterward.

When we understand things and how we feel, and how to work from the body-mind energy perspective, that is when we get the tools to go through everything more empowered.

Any final words to our readers?

At Bliss Body Journeys, we plan and schedule our programs in a meticulously thought way. So for those who wish to experience a deep and transformational journey, my advice is that they need to let themselves be held, trusting that the process itself will take them to where they want to be.

As we said, Hong Kong is an action-oriented city but true healing often happens when you don’t do anything. Literally. It happens in between practices when you stop awhile and your system gets to digest and integrate the healing inside of you.

But you must be willing to go through it. We take the immersive aspect very seriously, so we don’t use digital devices and expect everyone to be fully present, only then you can actually feel the impact.

We can see people really rested, restored, rejuvenated, empowered, and full of joy. That can only happen when we let go of our phones and deeply enjoy the process and the container.

Vlada de Sousa has been working as a meditation teacher, energy healer, and spiritual mentor, supporting people all over the world to transform their lives on all different levels. The new program she designed for her brand Bliss Body Journeys is being launched this May in Hong Kong. You may learn more about it here.

The post Coming back into the body: <span>an interview with Vlada de Sousa</span> appeared first on Bliss Body Journeys.

Even though I practice yoga and meditation regularly, I assumed the experience of the retreat would be absolutely different, and I was quite curious to see how it would impact me. As we drove to the Tuscan farm where the retreat took place, I felt like I was transitioning into a new and undiscovered dimension.   

In the seven days that we stayed there, I was able to explore multiple parts of myself, understanding a bit better how I exist in relation to others and in relation to existence itself.

The path within

Our deepest feelings tend to slip through our fingers, and the best way to access them is to simply let them surface. During the days of the retreat, I noticed that things started to show themselves to me, surfacing so I could acknowledge, cleanse, and finally release them.   

A retreat is a profound dive inwards, not only through the spiritual practices, such as meditations, yoga Nidra, or breathwork, but also through journaling or even listening to other guests. Everything turns into a mirror, and we start to see ourselves in everything that surrounds us.   

However, this self-expedition must always happen with a good dose of self-love. Spiritual work can be quite challenging, but healing is a true sense of freedom, and life gets so much lighter when we stop carrying the weight on our shoulders.  

I sometimes tend to push myself to the edge, expecting too much of myself. By sharing my thoughts and fears with the group, I remembered to love myself along the way. Being grateful for every step I take and accepting the time of each process.  

Instant healing

In the day to day life, we unlearned how to stay quiet. Our overwhelming routines and the constant presence of our devices make quietude a stranger.  

However, when you go to a meditation retreat, you are taken into a nourishing flow of emptiness. Everything is carefully orchestrated, and all we have to do is to focus on ourselves and our spiritual journey. It is surreal, to put it bluntly.   

I finally understood why Bliss Body Journeys states that their retreats work as a container. It is a perfect setting, amongst peaceful and healing nature, and a program that is delivered so that it can progress along with the guests. It felt magical as if everything was set and prepared for me to grow and expand.

We are not alone

One thing that always struck me in my spiritual path is how lonely growth can be. During that seven days, I learned the power of expanding in togetherness. It was beautiful to see such a supportive and friendly environment.     

If, in the beginning, we were strangers to one another, as the days passed by, we began to grow in each other. I was more and more secure to share my problems and the challenges I was facing during the sessions.   

Listening to other peoples’ experiences and hearing what they had to say about my own was enriching. They always helped me see things from a different perspective, which was a great support in my personal process.   

Just in one week, I developed care and love for each soul that shared the experience with me. And I will take them forever in my heart.

The ease that comes with spirituality

With the daily spiritual practices, I started to feel like something was happening behind the curtains. I am a very mind-oriented person, and especially after some years of therapy, I sometimes find myself overanalyzing the situations I am in. Spirituality presented me with the simplicity of not having to circle around things, dealing with them directly, without needing a rational process.   

During one of the breathwork practices, for example, I was able to access some stored feelings that I was not aware of. There were tears, there was love, and there was a relief. It was a beautiful and liberating moment for me.   

But healing may also be extremally joyful. I will forever remember us dancing like kids, reviving our purest expressions, running with each other, and laughing from our hearts. I will forever remember the sound of the bees pollinating the lavender fields, as we sat there recognizing we are part of the balance of all. 

Transformation may come slowly 

When I look back at the time I had in Bliss Body Journeys’ meditation retreat, I realize how subtle transformation can be.   

When we hear about life-changing experiences, we automatically think about how dramatic they must be. However, I can honestly say that those seven days made a big difference in my life, as I now feel more equipped to deal with issues that may appear in my way.   

The key aspect of a meditation retreat is that it lightens the way into a higher state of consciousness, our inner home to which we can go back anytime we need. Vlada de Sousa, the spiritual teacher, pointed the direction and each practice or talk simply exposed the floor beneath so that I could take one step at a time. Her mastery and the insights that inevitably came are now mantras I walk with.   

Inspired by the purpose of supporting modern seekers who wish to ignite the sparkle of change, Bliss Body Journeys offer spiritual retreats in healing locations around the globe. Visit our website to learn more about our upcoming meditation retreats. 

The post My first meditation retreat: <span>a doorway to self-discovery</span> appeared first on Bliss Body Journeys.

Vlada de Sousa, Bliss Body Journeys’ Founder & Spiritual Teacher, is guiding people all over the world to discover how the Divine can support and be a guiding force into a more meaningful life. 

After spending one year in Hong Kong, you are now launching a new program in Europe. What is the intention behind it? 

“Heart of The Divine” is a 7-day meditation retreat in Tuscany that was designed by me with the purpose of taking people out of their mundane routines, and exposing them to all the beauty life can offer. 

Every day we miss seeing the mysteries around us because we are too busy looking at our phones, watching TV, or burning at work. I want people to remember that we actually live in a world that is absolutely magical.  

Helping our guests observe the sacredness in every small thing around, and remind them that life is much more than a set of never-ending tasks.  

And how do we get to this place of receptivity?  

For us to be able to see Divinity, we must first get out of our headspace. The reality is that we usually interact with the world through our two eyes, through the things we see and the subsequent mind chatter. 

But if we approach life only through our rational mind, we will not be able to perceive and sense what our brain cannot reach, we will not be able to process what exists beyond the material world.  

The rational mind is a very dry place, where everything feels like black and white. So my intention is to help people disengage from their minds, so they can rediscover a new color palette that life and spirituality can provide. 

At the retreat, I aim to bring guests into a heightened state of consciousness, through practices like breathwork and meditation that can open the gates to our subconscious parts in need of healing or liberation. 

So breathwork, energy healing, meditation, yoga, vibrational therapy, and many other practices will serve as tools for this expansion of consciousness. 

Every day will be an exciting journey of reconnection through various spiritual practices. Every day will feel like an expedition to find the Divine in all places: within ourselves; within other people; within all the living beings and nature elements. And by day seven, it will feel like we are not living in the grey area anymore.  

You’ve been offering retreats all around the world ever since 2016. How do you choose the destinations for these journeys?  

I pick the locations for Bliss Body Journeys’ retreats in a very intuitive way. It might be the best property in the world, the most beautiful, convenient, or luxurious, but if it doesn’t feel right, I won’t take it. Our journeys are sacred, so they must take place in special locations. 

For the “Heart of The Divine” meditation retreat, I chose Tuscany, in Italy, also in an intuitive way. Later on, I discovered that the space was built on top of a volcano crater, carrying potent energy that is exactly what we need to boost our spiritual growth and endure transformation. 

Also, this venue offers a nature immersion: there are animals all around, you will see donkeys, dogs, and horses, and they are all free. I really like to have breakfast while watching the animals running around. It feels like we are in the Garden of Eden.  

There is just something magical that happens in that place. So it becomes the perfect container for our sacred retreat. I’m very looking forward to enjoying the beginning of Summer there. 

You call this meditation retreat a heart-awakening experience. What exactly does this mean?  

I really like to use that expression but I understand sometimes it might sound a bit vague. Truth is when you have a heart-awakening experience, you cannot confuse it with anything else. It is really something to experience for yourself. 

But what I can say is that heart awakening is when we truly go from head to heart, and start perceiving reality in a different way, bringing more attention, focus, and energy into our spiritual center, which is our heart. 

When we do that, we stop being limited by rational thinking and start expanding our perception, so we open ourselves to experience the energies of the Divine  

So heart awakening is the moment when something opens inside of us, and we don’t feel contracted anymore. We start feeling a sense of spaciousness that brings a deep understanding that we are free and unlimited. That we are not only the body and that there is way more to this life experience than what we can see through our two eyes. 

With meditation and other spiritual practices, we can tap in, again, and again, into this heart center. That is what I will be doing in the “Heart of The Divine” meditation retreat. 

It is not easy to open ourselves, that is why the environment of the retreat is so important. At Bliss Body Journeys, we carefully design programs that can gently take guests through this path, holding space and creating a container where it is safe to explore and go beyond the known.  

It sounds beautiful and transforming. Would you say this meditation retreat is suitable for first-stage meditators?  

In reality, I mostly work with people who have zero or very little experience in meditation and spirituality. And I love being able to introduce people to this different perspective on life. That is my biggest passion.  

So these practices are not just for beginners or just for advanced practitioners. They are simply invitations, and the only thing that person needs to have is curiosity and willingness. That is more than enough.  

To have beautiful spiritual realizations, you don’t have to have any other experience, you just need this openness to find something you haven’t found before. 

Vlada de Sousa works as a meditation teacher, energy healer, and spiritual mentor, helping people all over the world on their path to self-realization. The new program she designed for her brand Bliss Body Journeys is being launched this June in Italy. Learn more about it here.

The post Opening the heart to the Divine: <span>an interview with Vlada de Sousa</span> appeared first on Bliss Body Journeys.

We sense an urgency to change – some numb it, some try to, and others act. These modern day’s heroes seek real-life experiences and want to stop losing themselves in torrents of information, they are looking to rediscover purpose through transformation.  Virtual reality loses its appeal once we awaken to our essence, to a state of creative awareness that no filter nor app can simulate. This requires consciously choosing to set time aside, this more than ever precious resource.

Life-changing experiences

Change is an all-embracing event that shakes the ground we live in, it’s not a palliative to be used in specific parts of our life or body. It is not about the stillness of the mind, nor detoxing the physical form, or even connecting with the spirit. It is not about improving the relationships we have, or the way we relate to stress, or to consciously work on our self-esteem. It is about working holistically in all aspects at a foundational level. It is about everything.

The main wellness trend for 2022 is for the industry to raise the bar and offer real life-changing experiences, that go beyond the superficial and work on healing the roots of people’s wounds and grievances, exposing guests to new possibilities.

Ultra-High-End Retreats – #coretrend

Economical and mid-level retreats are extensively available. However, if you want to go through your process without having to worry about the temperature of the water or the quality of your linens – let alone if you can rest all night with no noise – there are not so many options out there.

Being amongst beautiful locations with breath-taking landscapes while enjoying comfort in refined accommodations is a powerful tool to create the setting for the magic to happen. Silent and fasting days, wellness rituals and treatments as well as signature holistic dining can frame the tranquillity needed to let go of defences so that the healer and teacher can touch the hearts of these modern seekers. Isolation is important: only in a slow-paced environment, with total digital freedom, guests can open themselves to transformation.

Deep work must be individual

Medicine is becoming more and more customisable, supermarkets offer dozens of milk typologies, and we are getting used to personalized services on demand. In transformational work, people no longer want generic advice with trendy keywords. They long for services that can offer them a more personal experience, through which they can learn more about themselves and find their own healing path. An experienced healer will hold a mirror so that the guests can see the steps to be taken.

The amount of people participating in a retreat is crucial. If the group is too big, the individual work cannot be truly explored, and the number of distractions increases dramatically. “During the retreats, I offer a 1:1 session to all guests, and it normally ends up being the most important moment of the experience for them. The opportunity to have a deeper connection and being able to support them in their specific issues is what is truly transformative”, says Vlada de Sousa, Founder and Spiritual Teacher at Bliss Body Journeys.

Ultra-high-end retreats for deep individual work promising life-changing experiences is not just a trend, it is our commitment for 2022, and we´ve been working with the best experts in each area to be able to ignite a ripple effect that can turn the future into a utopian kind of world.

The post Ultra-High-End Retreats: <span>the luxury of igniting the fire within</span> appeared first on Bliss Body Journeys.

When people are surrounded by an overwhelming environment, the hectic mind gets even more alert and reactive, making it more difficult to slow down.  

Going on a silent meditation retreat is a powerful opportunity to dive into the inner self, a place in which one can finally disconnect from the thinking mind, and listen to their core essence.  

Where to find Silence in Hong Kong

To escape the intense pace of the city, the best solution is to go on an immersive journey. Silent meditation retreat is carefully designed to support you in finding tranquility and peace.  

“When you are living in the constant buzz with time it blends into the background noise, that exact noise that causes people chronic anxiety. And only when you find yourself in the silent retreat, surrounded by tranquility, you finally realize how loud that noise was. And you can not believe how you managed to get used to it. That is the beginning of mental health.” , says Vlada de Sousa, meditation teacher and the creator of Bliss Body Journeys’ Silent Retreat in Hong Kong.  

Benefits of a silent meditation retreat 

There are plenty of beneficial aspects when it comes to silence and silent meditation retreats. Our experts in meditation and spirituality collected a few of them: 

Find peace through digital detox 

We live in the era of digital connection. With a mobile in hand, one gets intensely attached to the outside world, and this overstimulation brings up constant worry and anxiety.  

When the focus is turned to what’s happening on the outside, it is not possible to go inside.  

“When I speak to our guests before their silent retreat, they express that the biggest concern is to let go the phone. And when I speak to them after the retreat they are amazed how profound and impactful it was for them to live a few days without their digital devices. I can confidently state that digital detox is a powerful medicine for modern society.”, says Vlada de Sousa. 

Recover from stress and burnout 

The mind is designed to protect us. It keeps itself alert and wired to think about the worst possible scenarios. But when one realizes there is no possible control over our thoughts, the only way out is to disengage from them.  

When people are immersed in the space of silence, they begin to let go of their thoughts and start focusing on the present moment, which immediately brings the body and mind to relaxation.  

It is not always possible to change the circumstances around us, however a conscious decision to go on a meditation retreat will grant you the shelter for deep rest and healing. 

Practice of being in the here and now

As Vlada de Sousa constantly points out, undigested and unprocessed traumatic experience take us out of the body into the state of dissociation. “The first step to get out of mind spinning and disconnection from the present  is to ground back again into our physical bodies. I teach embodiment practices during the retreats to support people finding their way back again into themselves. With safety.”, she says. 

Participants will be going through the steps like: breathwork, energy release practices and conscious bodywork to feel ready to sit down and meditate.

“The mind will settle and ground in the present, once we do the work of detaching our attention from the past, and from the stories we are re-telling to ourselves. As you get into the body, you will get out of the mind.”, she adds.  

In a silent meditation retreat, the facilitator presents guests with these tools to better manage the never-ending mind chatter, while guiding them through yogic and meditative practices, so they can experience what it is to be in the here and now.  

Gain clarity 

However, a silent retreat must be closely planned in a way that takes guests further and further away from their mundane problems.

Once people are given the opportunity to experience emptiness and total care freedom, they begin to shift inside. They are able to connect their thoughts with their emotions, and their emotions with their body.  

After accessing this sense of clarity, the answers to the big questions in life start simply to appear. 

Discover how to better navigate through life 

True transformation cannot happen just in a few days, let alone in one afternoon. Going on a retreat is an invitation to change, however, maintaining the peace achieved during the retreat can be challenging. 

That is why Bliss Body Journeys focuses on providing guests with tools that can be used daily as a lifelong support. 

“Liberation is the freedom from the prison of the roundabouts of the mind. And every silent retreat is a tremendous gift, tremendous opportunity to get closer to this liberation.”, says Vlada de Sousa. 

Bliss Body Journeys has been offering full immersive experiences in Hong Kong since 2020, creating a true healing centre amongst the nature environment of New Territories. Their signature silent retreat in Hong Kong, designed by Vlada de Sousa in collaboration with Ryan Grimes, has been supporting residents to recover and replenish ever since. Click here to learn more.

The post Hong Kong: why you should go <span> on a silent meditation retreat </span> appeared first on Bliss Body Journeys.