Little Island, Big Hearts
All photography via Katya Joseph and Nivea Castro.
I didn’t know Little Corn Island existed before Sacred Self Global Retreats. When I heard the name, I didn’t look it up or research it either. The moment I heard yoga retreat, I didn’t ask questions. I had practiced yoga prior to the trip, although never consistently, but I still had a love for the practice. I also knew the women hosting the trip and so that was enough for me. Little did I know that this trip, this excursion, this adventure if you will, would change my life!
Here’s what I remember: I boarded my flight from New York to Nicaragua. I remember landing in Nicaragua and being directed to get on a small plane to Big Corn Island. Once we arrived on Big Corn, I then mounted a small boat to Little Corn Island. Wait, where am I going? Clearly, that question didn’t truly matter to me considering I thought of it as I mounted the small boat in large water with no site of land around.
We (myself, my sister and all of the folks on the retreat) rode, and rode, and rode until finally, LAND!! We arrived to a tiny island of beautiful people who seemed like an anomaly. They had brown faces, what sounded like Guyanese accents but spoke English and Spanish. Where am I? From the moment we stepped onto the island it felt like joy, inclusion and magic. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, welcomed us with open arms. I was home. Honestly, I don’t know if I have the words to fully express the emotions I experienced during the retreat but I’ll try.
Every day I enjoyed amazing yoga classes and the serene beauty of the island. Limited wifi and limited electricity allowed me to reconnect to myself and to nature. I experienced peace.
The natives embraced me like family and shared their land without reservations. They greeted me with kindness daily, told their stories and poured out encouragement. I experienced love.
The gorgeous Garifuna people sang and drummed rhythms that my spirit once knew. The fresh food nourished my body and fed my soul. I experienced culture!
The small island was full of options and excursions. I enjoyed different restaurants, snorkeling and visiting the lighthouse. It was the perfect balance between beach parties and star gazing. I experienced adventure.
Not only was Little Corn’s Emancipation Festival warm and vibrant but they invited my sister and I to perform during their sacred celebration. I experienced unity.
Little Corn Island changed my life. Sacred Self Global Retreats changed my life. Not only did I eat, laugh, dance, kiss, and tan. I grew, journaled, prayed and meditated. Currently, I am in Yoga Teacher Training harnessing the skills that Micole implemented during that retreat. I’m forever grateful that God saw it fit to align me up with Sacred Self. I’m better now and therefore the world is better!
Thank you Sacred Self!!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Katya Joseph is a creative who uses her passions and positivity to empower not only herself, but the people around her. Katya has tied her love for God, for people and for the arts under one platform, K4Kreative.
K4Kreative drives to build a space where love is always right. Ultimately she is driven by the belief that people’s passions and purposes should align with their actions and together, by uplifting each other, we can all rise.