My combination of training as a golf instructor and a mindfulness-based counselor allows me to work with people on multiple levels. The golf retreat offers the opportunity for someone to come and work on their golf game and/or themselves more generally.
Just taking up the game? The retreat is a perfect way to learn all aspects of the game of golf in a week-long period of time.
Dealing with a major transition in your life? Come and work with me to clear the clutter in your mind and get centered around what is really important in your life.
Need to heal your body/mind/spirit? Check out the Suggested Daily Routine below. I have been following this routine since my return to the desert....and I feel great.
"The Golf Retreat"
Suggested Daily Routine
6:30am - Wake up
The loud ringing or music that is the usual way that most of us wake up is such a rude awakening. Find a gentle way to wake yourself up. I have a gong alarm clock from "Now & Zen" that chimes on the Fibonacci sequence to naturally, slowly and gently wake me up.
Of course, you may choose to start your day later than 6:30am. After all, you are on vacation/retreat.
6:30-6:50am - Meditation/Prayer & Stretching/Yoga
This is the important book-end of the day. It is an opportunity to center the mind and gently wake up the body. The muscles are going to be pretty stiff and tight first thing in the morning. It is important to slowly and gently stretch out at first.
6:50-7:30am - Breakfast (Oatmeal, Fruit and Yerba Matte)
To start the day, I go with a bowl of oatmeal or granola cereal, topped with a banana and some fresh fruit. For my beverage, I pass on the intense caffeine in coffee and go with the more gentle "brain food" of Yerba Matte. Matte is a drink that is very popular in South America, specifically in Argentina. Yerba Matte is traditionally drunk out of a gord and through a metal straw. I learned in graduate school at Naropa University that Yerba Matte has the complete chain of amino acids that act as a superfood for the mind. In South America, people drink Matte in a social setting. They drink, get a surge of natural energy and talk about life. It's a great way to start the day.
7:30-8:30am - Sauna/Hot Springs
One of the greatest benefits to staying at Caliente Springs and Sky Valley Resorts is the natural mineral hot springs at both facilities. Recent studies have shown that spending time soaking in these hot springs helps with a number of physical issues including, back/muscle pain, heart issues, weight loss, insomnia, etc. I follow the following regimine:
15 min - Sauna
Cool off in the pool
15 min - Sauna
Cool off in the pool
15 min - Hot Springs
8:30-9 - Prepare for the Day
Get dressed, fill your water bottles and slowly and with mindfulness, make your way to your activity for the day.
9am-12pm Activity
The act of meditation is the practice of noticing when "monkey mind' kicks in. Monkey mind is that repetitive chatter of the mind that is focused on the past and the future. When you become aware that "monkey mind" is happening, the job is to return to the present moment. Focusing on the breath is a helpful tool to reconnect to the present moment.
When I get into the "work" of the day, I focus on moving slowly and with awareness in everything I do. The ability to bring myself back to the present is a key to having a great day and being present with those I come in contact with throughout the day.
One reason that I love teaching and counseling is that it is all about the present. Being there and connecting with those you are working with is a key to teaching and counseling well. If I'm not in the present moment with my students, things will feel "off". Because I love the connection with and being helpful to people, this "off" sensation is sure to motivate me to get back to being in the moment, where all the magic of life happens.
12-2pm Lunch Break
It is so easy to get caught up in the activity of the day and lunch becomes simply a rush to cram food down your throat while you hurry to get back to all the "stuff" you have to do.
Taking a "siesta" is a natural part of a healthy day. For me, this includes a healthy lunch (usually a salad). Ideally, I would then either head over to the hot springs for a quick soak and a rest. When I come back to activity after this rest, I feel more energized and fresh. Exhaustion and stress is definitely something that makes being present much more challenging.
The modern lifestyle is crammed with opportunity to fit more and more things into the time available. Texting and driving is a dangerous and apropos example of this. I personally choose to simplify and put my focus on taking care of my body, mind and soul. With all the chaos in the world today with its 24 hour news cycle, filled with intensity and fear (which is good for ratings), I believe that it is a full-time job to stay present.
In my opinion, the siesta is one of the most civilized parts of the world's societies. A general cultural understanding that embraces the need for rest and the slow and steady pace required to be productive while still being able to stay in the moment, response-able to that which arises during the day.
2-5pm Activity
Breathe, Smile and Be There
5-7pm Dinner Break
I prepare a usual meal of meat, potatoes/rice and a vegetable. This is the time when I relax and unwind. It is a time of mindful activity and relaxation.
7-10pm Unwinding from the Day
I will usually head down to the hot springs for an hour or so.
I end the day with some more yoga/stretching.
I wrap things up with some reading (my strategy for falling asleep) I find that after the hot springs and some yoga, my body and mind are very relaxed and ready for bed.
If I ever have difficulties in falling asleep, I have a series of stretches focused mostly on my hamstrings (where I tend to hold the bulk of my stress). If I have all distractions removed and focus on stretching and breathing, I usually fall asleep soon after starting these stretches.
The above suggested schedule is simply that. I think it highlights an emphasis on eating well, sleeping well and managing stress. I find that if I am disciplined with a schedule such as this, I put myself in a better position to handle the ups and downs of life and to spend more of my life in the Present Moment.
If a Present Moment Golf Retreat sounds like something that would be of benefit to you and where you are at in your life at this time, please email me at presentmomentgolf@gmail.com to discuss the details of creating your personalized retreat.
Be Here Now
Steve
