How MTY Retreats Have Changed Me
– by Jessica Hartman, PT, PYT
Two weeks after leaving the big pink house at Emerald Isle, I find myself reflecting on my most recent TA experience at M15. The time in Emerald Isle has always been slightly magical… the ideal atmosphere for balancing education and self-care. It’s incredible to have the opportunity to wake up, enjoy nature at it’s finest, eat fresh and nutritious food, enjoy good company, and of course, absorb an amazing educational experience. As I return to real life, I start thinking about how sometimes it’s the simple things within these experiences that make the largest impact on everyday life.
I began my MTY journey ten years ago, and believe whole-heartedly in the success of the BPS model with my patients. When we as practitioners recognize the weight of each piece of the pentagon of wellness, I feel that the quality of care increases significantly. We are able to truly empower our patients, decrease our own practitioner burnout, and advocate true wellness. That being said, I can definitely admit that I can fall victim to the days of working too many long hours, spending too much of the week indoors, and maybe having one too many smoothies for lunch while sitting at my computer doing paperwork and returning phone calls. Sometimes all of the positive actions within a balanced lifestyle can be seemingly overshadowed by the areas that we find challenging.
This time I left the retreat setting determined to practice what I teach in a more authentic way and take charge of my self care routine. On a daily basis, I talk with my patients about “taking more time for themselves”, “taking care of themselves so they are better prepared to take care of others”, and “creating space in life for things they feel are important.” I had recently fallen back into the the routine of being on the go what seemed like 24/7. I was eating breakfast in my car, skipping lunch, and then coming home exhausted at the end of each work day. Since I’ve been home, I’ve been able to cook breakfast and enjoy some meditative quiet time in the mornings, even if it means getting up a little bit earlier or doing a little bit more preparation the night before for the upcoming day. I’m reserving my lunch break as a time to reset, even if it’s only 15 minutes. It’s now a time to enjoy my food and some quite time in between patients and lectures, preferably outside. If I schedule time in my planner to exercise or spend time in nature, I’m able to follow through as I would with any other scheduled appointment or commitment. I love the way I feel nourished on all levels when I take the time for self-care. As I remind myself of this each day, I feel inspired to stay committed to my practice.
Spending time with the cohort was definitely a highlight of the week. We had a small M15 group this time around, which made for great conversation. Many laughs and good conversation happened around our breakfast table. I left inspired to connect with friends on a social level as well as peers on an intellectual level. Self-reflection is a powerful tool, and I have realized that connecting with people around me that I love and respect truly feeds my soul.
As students step away from their experience at Emerald Isle, I encourage them to think about what made the most difference to them individually during the week. Was it the walks on the beach? Was it the educational experience? Was it the conversation with friends and colleagues? Or, maybe just the opportunity to go to bed early! If you were to sit down and think, “Wow! I really wish I could continue to (fill in the blank) once I get home.” What would that be and where can you find it? Even if we can’t completely recreate the experience we have on beautiful beach retreat, how can we take a little piece of that into our real life?
I look forward to new adventures that will surely come along the PYTI journey. My last experience involved some amazing brainstorming sessions with Ginger, and I look forward to seeing some of those ideas and plans come to fruition. One of the many ways that Ginger continues to inspire me is that she is a woman who knows how to get things done! Every idea that can lead to new and exciting opportunities results with a plan on the table. The principles that we find in the yamas and niyamas, tapas and aparigraha are always recognized. Big ideas take discipline to see through as well as the ability to let go of some expectations that we may have along the way. The PYTI community has grown in so many wonderful ways as we build bridges in healthcare, and there is surely much more to come!
