What Does This Participant Say About The Retreat?

Minori Hanashima, who joined the second Sasuga You! Self-Discovery Weekend, gives us her impressions in this 5-minute video in Japanese.

What does “retreat” mean to you?

Retreats are quite normal in the West, but the concept is still new to Japan. Minori initially explained it to her friends as “something like a gasshuku (Japanese-style training camp).” But after actually participating, she discovered that it was quite different.

“It was three days of looking inside and changing the way you see yourself,” says Minori about the Sasuga You! Self-Discovery Weekend. “We were guided through a series of discussions with the facilitators and other participants in relaxing surroundings.”

Why did you participate?

“I didn’t have a lot of confidence in myself and that was causing me stress,” Minori says. She took part in the retreat hoping to find a way to break free from that.

Minori’s four worries before the retreat

Minori took action by signing up for the retreat, but she had four concerns.

1. Cost

When Minori first heard about the retreat, she thought it was expensive for her. She wasn’t sure it would be worth the money.

2. English level

All the sessions at the retreat are in English. Minori was worried whether she would be able to understand the facilitators’ English and express herself clearly.

3. The full schedule

With a full schedule across three days, Minori was worried whether her health would hold up.

4. Sharing a room

It would be two people per room at the ryokan (Japanese inn). Minori was concerned that sharing with someone she’d just met might be stressful for them both.

But in the end Minori found that none of these things was a problem. “It was much easier than I’d imagined,” she says.

First-time retreat participants and people not familiar with retreats tend to look at the cost as a new type of expense. But many of our past participants are participating again this time. They know now just how good the retreat is. Take a look at everything that’s included in the price on our website.

English ability is something that nearly all of our participants have been worried about. Perhaps because of the complex that many Japanese people have about their English.

Helen notes, “We’ve never once had difficulty communicating with a participant during a session.” Past participants have been women who were interested in English or who use English in their job. They looked at the retreat as a chance to improve their English and participated proactively.

There’s absolutely no need to worry. Even during a session, if you feel it would be easier to explain something in Japanese, you can! If you’re still worried, feel free to contact us to discuss it with Helen in a 15-minute online session.

The schedule? There was no need to worry about that either. With dips in the onsen (hot spring baths), yoga and fun mealtimes together, there was plenty of time to refresh. In fact, the three days of the retreat were power packed. Minori was full of energy the entire time.

And sharing a room? The roommates were there for the same reason and it seems they opened up to each other right away.

What was the biggest change you experienced after the retreat?

Minori says the biggest takeaway from the retreat was realizing things about herself she’d never noticed before.

At work and in her private life, she had a habit of thinking that she “had to” do something. This was causing her stress.

Even after the retreat, Minori has experienced thoughts like this from time to time. But thanks to the retreat, she is now able to stop and ask herself if she really has to do it. She can also change the way she thinks about it by saying “I choose to do it” instead.

The most enjoyable thing was meeting the amazing facilitators and participants. Minori felt stimulated by her interactions with them.

What kinds of women would you recommend the retreat to?

“I’d really recommend it to women who have low self-confidence or want to change themselves, regardless of their job or title. And also women who are interested in brushing up their English skills.”

Minori says the greatest benefit of the retreat was discovering a brand new side of herself.

The third Sasuga You! Self-Discovery Weekend is Saturday to Monday, November 10 to 12, 2018.

Have you felt refreshed lately? Have you been trying new challenges? Why not reward yourself with the gift of getting away from your everyday life and rediscovering your strengths?

We have just 7 places left.

Everyone who signs up in May will receive a bonus self-care gift. We look forward to welcoming you.

Reflect, connect, and refresh: The Sasuga You! Self-Discovery Weekend