I have my treatments at the Clinic in Bad Trissl, which is a specialised oncology facility. My doctor Peter Holzhauer is specialised in complementary therapies to minimise side effects. The clinic is located about 100 kilometres from Munich and I usually travel there by train, which takes me about 90 minutes from door to door.
I had a Chemotherapy treatment on Wednesday and had my complimentary medication drips very early on Thursday morning so that I would get back to Munich on time. My plane to Genova was leaving at 4 pm. For the leg from Genova to Imperia, I travelled by train before changing to a Taxi for the last 15 minutes of the trip. I finally arrived in Dolcedo by 8 pm and Cath and Tiffany came to meet me at the parking lot. Dolcedo is a typically charming, small Italian village with really narrow streets.
The retreat had started in the afternoon the day before with a restorative class. For me, it would start on Thursday morning at 6.15 am with a Pranayama class.
As soon as I heard Pixie’s familiar voice it was like coming home, I nearly cried it was such an overwhelming feeling. It was so nice taking a class with her after half a year. I only did lying pranayama as I didn’t have the energy to do it sitting. The two-hour break that follows pranayama is usually quiet time so you don’t talk, which means you stay quiet until 11 am when the asana class is finished. I had brought my light on the yoga sutras book to work with some of the sutras during that time and I had a light breakfast before the asana class started at 9 am.
Everyone who has ever attended a medical class in Pune, or at any other Iyengar Yoga Studio around the world that offers those classes, knows how many props you use for this purpose. So luckily Anat’s yoga studio was very well equipped. During the asana class, I worked on my own sequence. I could easily work through a restorative practice plus work on my shoulder during the asana class. My apologies to all the other participants for the disturbance when shifting wooden props and chairs.
Lunch was served at 11.30 am, the food was catered by Diala who took a week’s annual leave to spoil us with wonderful creations. We cannot thank her enough. It was not an easy task especially the logistics of cooking in 3 different kitchens. I hope to see you next year again.
After sleeping and reading during the afternoon break I joined the others for the afternoon restorative practice with only a few asanas to modify, it felt so good to be part of a class again.
I started feeling stronger every day and towards the end, I even managed to do sitting pranayama with my back supported against the wall.
The effect the retreat had on my physical and mental state was amazing and I felt full of strength to face the future on my way home.
