Yoga practices From Our wellness Retreat centre on Bowen Island, BC
At Nectar Yoga Retreats, we often hear guests say that what nourishes them most isn’t only the wellness practice they engage in, but the sense of belonging they feel when in such practices. When people gather to breathe, move, and rest together, something shifts, whether they be bonds deepening, hearts softening, and community taking root. In October, as the air turns crisp and the last of the warm weather fades, connection becomes both balm and anchor.
Nectar Retreat Centre is situated on Bowen Island, just a short 20 minute ferry ride from Vancouver, BC. Our space is a New York Times and Condé Nast Traveler trusted destination for those seeking yoga retreats and other wellness retreats in British Columbia, drawing leaders and wellness practitioners to lead transformative yoga, movement, consciousness, and spiritual programs. We host metaphysical, yoga, and meditation retreats and community offerings, reminding ourselves we are part of something larger, woven together by presence and care.
October as the Heart of Connection
Autumn here is a season of reciprocity. The forests shed their leaves to enrich the soil, salmon return to nourish rivers and birds, and people lean on one another as the days contract. These cycles remind us that connection is not just comfort; it is survival. Neuroscience research shows that belonging reduces stress responses and strengthens resilience. In yoga, this translates to practices that open the heart, invite deep honesty and vulnerability, and help us meet others with more steadiness.
This month, we invite you to explore a few intentional practices that support both inner and outer bonds. Set this Nectar playlist as the soundtrack that holds you as you step into these practices for connection…
Practices for Connection
Metta Meditation (Loving Kindness)
Why It Matters:
Studies demonstrate that loving-kindness meditation increases positive emotions and expands social connection, even beyond immediate relationships (Fredrickson et al., 2008). This practice helps us soften defensiveness and offer goodwill across the many circles of our lives.
How to Practise:
Sit comfortably, and close your eyes.
Then begin by directing simple wishes of safety, vitality, ease toward someone who feels easy to love.
Then, slowly widen the circle to include casual acquaintances, and eventually those who stir tension. The point is not sentimentality but the training of compassion as a muscle.
Camel Pose (Ustrasana)
Why It Matters:
Camel Pose asks us to open the chest and expose the tender heart. Physically, it stretches the hip flexors and spine; energetically, it models the risk of vulnerability. A Frontiers in Psychology article edited by cognitive science researcher, Alessandro Grecucci, shows in somatic psychology notes that postures expanding the chest can enhance feelings of openness and trust.
How to Practise:
Kneel on the mat with knees hip-width apart.
Place hands on the lower back or heels.
Inhale to lift the sternum, exhale into a gentle backbend, keeping the neck long.
Bound Side Angle Pose (Baddha Parsvakonasana)
Why It Matters:
This pose symbolizes interconnection through strength in grounded legs, extended torso, and arms that bind behind the back. It reminds us that connection is both effortful and expansive, requiring proactivity and openness in equal measure.
How to Practise:
From Warrior II, bring the front elbow to the thigh or hand to the floor.
Reach the top arm overhead and, if available, clasp hands behind the back.
Keep chest open and gaze upward.
Rabbit Pose (Sasangasana)
Why It Matters:
Connection also requires coming inwards and solitude. Curling into Rabbit Pose provides spinal release and stimulates the nervous system’s calming response. Inward reflection replenishes our social battery, so our capacity to re-enter community feels renewed and without depletion.
How to Practise:
Kneel and place the crown of your head on the mat close to the knees.
Hold the heels, lift hips, and round the back deeply.
Connection as Daily Ritual
Connection thrives not only in wellness retreats or other gathering settings but in daily gestures: an unhurried conversation, friendly eye contact at the checkout counter, a pause before responding. In both neuroscience and contemplative traditions, consistent micro-practices of attention and compassion are shown to strengthen long-term well-being.
This October, let your practice be an offering to your body, to those you love, and to the wider community that holds us all.
About Nectar Yoga Retreat
Tucked beneath tall conifers and surrounded by the rich undergrowth of Bowen Island, Nectar Yoga Retreat offers modern yet soulful accommodations, nourishing vegetarian meals, and carefully designed yoga and meditation programs. Together with our sister space, Mist Thermal, we’ve become a trusted West Coast destination for those seeking rest, renewal, and a deeper relationship with their own practice. And if you’re simply on a day trip from Vancouver, check out this list of Bowen Island recommendations and even view two sample itineraries visiting.
Works Cited
https://compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/spc3.12087
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18954193/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/yoga-for-better-mood-and-memory
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/yoga-what-you-need-to-know
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01451/full
https://www.nature.com/articles/nn.3093
Disclaimer: The practices shared in this blog are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare provider before beginning any new wellness routine, especially if you are pregnant, have health concerns, or physical limitations. Participation is voluntary and at your own risk.
