My First Kundalini Yoga Retreat at Timberland Highlands Resort

Phone calls, emails, social media, blogging, except for a few chat messages to my husband, all the things that we do on a day to day basis – I skipped those things  during my weekend Kundalini Restorative Retreat in Timberland Highlands Resort. And when I came back on Sunday evening, I felt aligned, rejuvenated and happy.

I’ve attended a couple of yoga classes but it was only recently that I went to a yoga retreat. I was expecting a full packed weekend retreat but what I got was relaxing, reconnecting and a lot of ‘me time’ to rest and meditate. I must say, it was one of the unique ways to travel and to discover new places as well. Our weekend destination had everything we needed: a pool, an open-air and garden for yoga, a full-service restaurant offering healthy meals (also vegan food), indoor/outdoor activities and massage offerings.

Located in San Mateo Rizal, Timberland Hotel Resort offers a relaxing getaway away from the city. It’s a 677 hectare premiere township of Filinvest Land in San Mateo, just 40 minutes away from Quezon City.

My Cozy Room at Timberland

I arrived at the hotel around 10am, warmly welcomed by the friendly hotel staff and immediately ushered to my room located on 2nd floor just across the main building. The resort offers a variety of accommodation from deluxe, premiere to executive rooms. I rested for a while and changed into a yoga outfit. My husband was supposed to join me but due to work schedules, he had to cancel so the couple’s retreat turned to a solo “me-time’ weekend getaway. Actually, it wasn’t a solo retreat as I got to meet nine inspiring women.

The hotel room is very spacious. I stayed in a premier room with two double-size beds, a green sofa with center table, work station, mini bar, tea and coffee facility, and cable television. Moreover, my hotel room comes with television, internet access/WIFI, electronic key card system, safety deposit box and in-room dining service. There’s a small balcony, I enjoyed the morning sunlight and the cold breeze in the evening.

Kundalini Yoga

At 10am, we had our first Kundali Yoga session in one of the function rooms of Timberland Hotel. I like the schedule they made for this Weekend Restorative Yoga Retreat led by Rosan Cruz. In between classes, we have free time to go around the resort, swim, and try other indoor and outdoor activities in between yoga sessions.

“Yoga” means ‘union, the fusion of body, mind, and spirit to achieve inner peace & balance’.

First session was about introduction to Kundalini yoga, focusing on the proper breathing exercises. All women, a mix of first timers and regular kundalini participants.

The Healing Sound of Gong

There are a lot of therapeutic ways in doing meditation. One of which is ‘Gong Bath‘. It’s the use of gong, while playing a therapeutic sound that stimulates the glandular system. The sound helps in blood circulation and removing blockages, both physically and emotionally.

I almost fell asleep as teacher Rosan played the gong. The gong bath is usually the last portion of our every kundalini session. It feels relaxed and healed after Kundalini. We were advised to drink more fluids since gong bath may cause dehydration. Anyways, there’s unlimited hot herbal tea served during class. The ginger cinnamon tea was so delicious and aromatic.

Not Just Healthy but Great Tasting Food

After all the sweat and body aches post yoga, we were treated to a delightfully delicious Southeast Asian meal prepared by Chef Ranuka Hettiarachchi, the Executive Chef of Timberland Highlands Resort.

Our day 1 yoga retreat ended with a sunset meditation held at the garden pavilion, overlooking the city. But what I love the most is the “outdoor” smell – woody, earthy and mossy. I mean there’s something that you breathe just fresh air and it just feels good. An experience that I truly missed living in the city. At the end of the day, you will be treated with a beautiful sunset view.  I think Timberland Highlands offers a beautiful sunset view in the metro. Although we did not finish the session at the garden and had to move back to the function room because of the rain, it was still a wonderful experience.

At 9pm, we’re already in our hotel rooms. The resort treated me to a relaxing body massage. By 1030pm, I’ve fallen asleep and woke up at 5am, feeling the morning breeze from my veranda. It was time to get ready for our 6am Kundalini class followed by a hearty breakfast.

Communing with Nature

The idea of nature baths comes from a Japanese concept called shinrin-yoku , which means “forest bathing” or “relaxing in a forest atmosphere.” It was introduced to us when we visited Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Kyoto February of this year. I’m glad they were able to include this activity in this yoga retreat. It was a guided trek, and took us about an hour or so to finish the 6km leisure walk to the forest. It was an easy trek I must say, except to the muddy and slippery mountain.

Our last meal was served at the garden. A delicious and special A lunch set comprises of:

• Green Apple & Candid Walnuts salad
• Cauliflower and Coconut soup
• Salmon Steak with garbanzo, broccoli, couscous in caper garlic sauce
• Strawberry Key Lime Pie for dessert
• fresh fruit juice

Timberland Highlands Resort in San Mateo Rizal is part of Chroma Hospitality group of Crimson and Filinvest hotels fame. Discover your destination for adventure, a tranquil escape for leisure and your venue choice for celebrations or corporate events.

Timberland Highlands Resort
Timberland Heights, Barangay Guitnang Bayan II, San Mateo, Rizal 1850 Philippines
Email: Reservations@timberlandresort.com
Visit their website at https://www.timberlandresort.com/facilities
For Room Reservations between 9 am to 6 pm, please call +63 918 9799863, +632 8846 0278 local 8011 & 8019

I felt more relaxed and rejuvenated after the yoga class. At first, it was hard to follow the poses, but Rosan told us to just do what is comfortable for us. It also felt good whenever I was able to do the difficult poses. The sweat from my skin was like a toxin flushed out of my body.

Should you wish to join a Kundalini Yoga Class or Yoga Retreat, visit Rosan Cruz at Live, Heal, Bloom or visit her Facebook Page here.

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It was a rewarding experience – emotionally, physically and mentally. A break I plan to give myself at least once a year.