Finding Our Inner Self: My Learnings and Experiences From My First-Ever Retreat Into The Wild

My musings from my first-ever retreat.
 

In our line of work, while we focus on nutrition, movement, and sleep, over the last 13 years, I began to realize, yes, each of these pillars plays a massive role in our health and lifestyle, yet emotional wellness is always at the top.
 
It may also explain why beyond our physiological needs of food, water, warmth, and safety, some of the most important things we require to thrive in life, according to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, are emotions like love, belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization.
 
If your emotional wellness is not in place, it can put you in a state of chronic stress. The higher your stress levels, the more your body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline and prepares it to be in a state of fight or flight. The longer you stay in the fight or flight mode or sympathetic nervous system, the higher your inflammation will be. We all know that chronic inflammation is the number one gateway and risk factor for developing most diseases and lifestyle conditions today.
 

It is one of the reasons when the opportunity to organize my first-ever retreat into the wild presented itself, I wanted it to focus purely on inner peace, emotional wellness, and self-discovery.

 
Held in the leap month of the year between February 26th and February 29th, 2024, Finding Our Inner Self: From Struggle to Strength, was an opportunity for us to escape our daily hustle for a short while and immerse ourselves in a unique 4-day journey. No talks about nutrition, exercise, sleep, or medical conditions; we dedicated all our energies to reconnecting with our inner selves.
 

 
We had participants from various walks of life flying in from different parts of the world for this. I had long visualized where it would happen. In the heart of the land where I experienced the power of nature in its wildest form myself. Ishara in Masai Mara, Kenya. The place that had encouraged me to follow my signs. I chose it because of the profound effect nature and the raw wilderness and animals had on me. This was the fourth time I was returning to the Mara.
 

 
The idea was to get people to follow their signs, find their journeys, and make their paths amidst nature. We had deep and reflective sessions on the untapped power of the subconscious mind and how to reprogram it from limiting beliefs to empowering beliefs. We spoke about acceptance and letting go, building emotional resilience, finding our perfect truths and lies, and more. Beyond our group activities, we spent one-on-one time having intimate conversations, laying our emotions bare, and releasing what did not serve us anymore.
 

 
We had delicious meals together with specially curated and creatively designed menus aimed at nurturing good health. We spent time meditating in the wild, doing head-to-toe yoga flows, practicing breathwork, going on game drives, enjoying sunrises and sunsets, deep conversations under starry skies, indulging in wellness massages, and so much more.
 

 

And it did not end there! Each of these participants is now on a personalized and holistic 3-month wellness journey with my team.

 

 
This experience continues to reiterate that your emotional health is your MVP (most valuable player). It’s fundamental. Without it, even the most perfect food plan or medication can’t work their magic. Our bodies need that rest and digest state or the parasympathetic mode, for all the healing mechanisms to kick in. Life can be tough at times. There are difficult situations, challenging emotions, hurtful experiences, relationship issues, and more. But how long will we avoid or resist it? Resistance only causes more suffering. What can we do about what’s in our control and what isn’t? How do we actively create relaxation in our bodies? This retreat was full of learning for all of us.
 
It was an experience that I will continue to cherish for years to come. New friendships, new bonds, new learnings, and above all a lifetime of memories, nestled in the arms of nature.
 

 

Here are some beautiful glimpses into the journeys:

“Dear Luke,
 
I hope this message finds you as well and uplifted as the retreat has left me. From the bottom of my heart, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible experience these past four days. Your retreat was more than a brief escape from the daily grind; it was an initiation to the journey toward enlightenment.
 
As you wisely mentioned, nature does indeed have a profound influence on us, and I can attest to this now more than ever. Your insights and talks have deeply impacted my thinking, allowing me to shed layers of emotional baggage that I’ve carried for too long. Today, I stand lighter, infused with a positive energy and a vibrant zest for life.
 
You have a gift, Luke, for creating a space where individuals can find tranquility and the opportunity for profound personal growth. It is an extraordinary talent and a generous undertaking.
 
I believe that experiences like these are invaluable and should be cherished and repeated. Holding such a retreat every three months would be great.
 
Once again, thank you for a life-altering experience. Your work truly makes a difference, and I look forward to the next retreat with great anticipation.”
 
– Sujay

“Dear Luke,
 
My words cannot express enough of what I’ve been through the past few days at the retreat. But I want to thank you for an immensely beautiful and deeply transformative experience.
 
The time spent in the wild was extraordinary and breathtaking. I felt so many beautiful emotions and feelings I’ve never experienced before. I’ve slept like I’ve never slept and realized how profound a good night’s sleep can have on you. From the food to the activities and adventures were magical.
 
Our days filled with deep intimate conversations and laughter are unforgettable. I left taking back with me an unforgettable adventure, beautiful connections, and so many invaluable life lessons.
 
I’m so lucky to have met you and have taken this journey filled with mind-blowing insights, adventures in the wild and out-of-the-world experiences, and priceless emotions. Looking forward to many more such experiences.”
 
 
A big thank you and lots of love to you,
Forever grateful
Bhargavi

“This past week, we were fortunate to embark on a transformative journey in the heart of the wilderness led by wellness expert and visionary, Luke Coutinho. Here, the noise of the city fades away and the masks we put on for the world come off. Amid nature, one’s authentic self is raw and vulnerable, free to heal and grow. The spirit is renewed and the scars are gently washed away, leaving a sense of inner peace and calm.
 
Luke’s remarkable ability to unlock human potential is both inspiring and admirable, and we feel grateful to have had him guide our guests and team towards a healthier and more fulfilling way of life. Thank you, Luke, for your unwavering dedication to promoting wellness, and for sharing your invaluable expertise with us all at Ishara. We eagerly await our next journey together.”
 
The Ishara family

“Dear Luke,
 
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible retreat you hosted at Ishara, Kenya. The experience was truly transformative and enlightening for me. The thoughtfulness and dedication you poured into every detail of this beautiful journey (retreat) did not go unnoticed from being with us on and off schedule with so much knowledge, humility, and a beautiful lifetime bond.
 
From the curated activities to the welcoming atmosphere you created. Every session, activity, having meals together our game drives in nature with you and the group were very impactful for me.
 
I wanted to acknowledge the immense effort and passion you put into making this retreat not just an event but a powerful journey for all participants. Your ability to foster a sense of community and connection among us was truly remarkable and a lifetime of true and raw friendship.
 
Please know that your hard work has made a significant difference, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity you have been a part of. I look forward to stay connected and hopefully participating in all events you organize with warm regards and immense gratitude.”
 
Taslim

My heart is full of warmth and gratitude for all the experiences we had. And I look forward to many more such retreats to come.

– Luke Coutinho

Wish to know more about our retreats for next year? Write to us at info@lukecoutinho.com.