I recently had the pleasure of answering questions from journalist Théo Dupuis-Carbonneau for VÉRO magazine. Here is the full interview, where I reveal the genesis of MIRACLES, as well as my vision of this event that I want to be transformative and beneficial.
Happy reading!
Madeleine
The idea of MIRACLES, the Great Retreat was born from a deep and sincere desire to help people feel better in their daily lives.
I had already been offering small meditation retreats for a few years and each time, I saw the transformations happening before my eyes and the testimonials confirmed that the participants left my weekends with tools to improve their state of mind and therefore their reality. I then felt the need to create a much bigger retreat (the biggest in Quebec!) in order to help more people at the same time. To do this, I called on all the hottest wellness speakers of the moment, in all the subjects that affect us: psychology, mental health, yoga, intuitive eating, meditation, couple relationships, ayruveda, sexuality, conscious breathing, reiki, self-hypnosis and much more. The BIG retreat was then born. This year, we are back with a 2nd edition that is even stronger and more beneficial.
Yoga obviously plays a big part in the retreat, but so do the introspection/well-being workshops. What place do these two worlds occupy in your life?
I'm like everyone else: I do my best in this "slightly crazy" world! Mother of 4 children, author and entrepreneur (among other things, I co-founded Rose Buddha in 2016), I too have a lot of money and I'm looking for ways to "get better" and live my life fully - and joyfully. Over the past 15 years, I have discovered and added to my lifestyle certain practices including yoga (twice a week, non-negotiable) and mindfulness meditation that I practice daily, because I have seen the positive transformations that this practice has brought into my life. This is why I guide retreats and online courses and write books on the subject of happiness and well-being: I am convinced of the benefits of the teachings that I have received and that I offer in turn.
What can retreat participants expect at the event?
MIRACLES is 3 days of workshops and conferences, guided by the most inspiring speakers in Quebec to, I would say, adjust the shot. During this totally transformative weekend, you are invited to create the retreat "of which you are the heroine", by choosing for each block of hours, the subject that touches you the most at the moment. You leave with tools, an action plan on how to continue the rest of your life. What you will want to integrate into your daily life, what you no longer want to do, or experience. You will have the opportunity to disconnect (it's a retreat, so we "withdraw" from circulation!) and connect deeply with yourself and other people who have the same interests as you. As a result, you leave with a direction to follow, based on your deepest desires. It is truly the first day of the rest of your life.
How did you determine the activities and speakers for the retreat?
I start with what inspires me. What moves me, what capsizes me. Because I realized that we are all in the same big beautiful boat! Then, I make sure to cover all the physical and mental aspects of our realities: how we think, how we would like to feel on a daily basis, how we could move, what we would need to reduce our anxiety and touch more joy, what could make us feel good. Then, I invite the most knowledgeable expert to come and inspire us. I really want to do a 360 degree on all aspects of our life. We touch on everything at MIRACLES!
Retreat highlights its power of connection, whether with oneself or with other participants. Can we prepare ourselves to get the most out of it?
My advice: arrive with total openness and presence. You should know that MIRACLES is a retreat, not a festival. You can't come for just one workshop. You have to live the whole process. And that's where the magic happens. With time, introspection, connection to yourself and others, and the retreat is designed with a crescendo to take you even deeper into yourself. Be careful, this retreat could really cause miracles...!
In what frame of mind do you want the participants to leave the retreat?
It's so beautiful! It's so powerful, because we NEVER take the time to stop..! So when we do it, small and big miracles happen. People leave with their hearts both light and full of love, from the teachings they received and the encounters they made. We feel ready to return to our daily lives and make these many small changes that make all the difference. We have a plan, we know where we want to go and especially how we want to feel all along the way.
Can someone who is completely new to yoga benefit from the MIRACLES retreat?
Absolutely! Yoga is 5% MIRACLES and there are options for all levels. I would even say that if you are a beginner in yoga, MIRCLES is the perfect place to get started! Indeed, this Great Retreat is a "safe space", where everyone finds what they are looking for. Guaranteed or your money back!