The only noise I’ve heard in the last half hour is the soft breaths of my fellow retreaters. We’re sitting in silence, led by our guides Cole  Schlam and Heather Lindemann. It’s fitting that I find myself here, alone but strangely not lonely, on this weekend yoga retreat at Drala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. The focus of our time together is maitri, or embracing unconditional friendliness towards oneself. My attention remains centered on my heart.

With 600 acres of native forests, meadows and rocky peaks, Drala Mountain Center is the ideal setting for such an inquiry, as it was founded upon the Buddhist principles of personal well-being and societal transformation. Tibetan meditation master Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche established the center in 1971 (and later founded Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado in 1974). Drala is home to the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya, known as one of the most significant examples of sacred Buddhist architecture in North America. Inside, a 20-foot golden Buddha sits in the assembly hall.

Photos Courtesy of Drala Mountain Center

The rich history of the land only further informs the sacred practices taking place year-round on the property. Schlam and Lindemann’s retreat was just one of many taking place on this warm October weekend. It’s clear everyone at Drala is present for a unique purpose; mine was to slow down, and slow down we did.

Each day of the retreat was bookended with mindfulness practices. We’d start the morning with a loving kindness meditation — tapping into techniques like visualization, mantras and chanting — and close out the day with a yin or restorative yoga class supported by an abundance of props. Dietary-conscious meals were served three times a day in the communal dining hall with ample time to digest between activities. Whether guests choose to visit the expansive gift/book store or explore the winding trails leading to overlooks of Roosevelt National Forest, anytime at Drala is time well spent.

The lodging options are simple but comfortable, with meals included in the price. Attendees can choose between lodge rooms, dorms or tents depending on the season. Drala is also open to day visitors looking to experience the land.

Schlam and Lindemann are an iconic duo hailing from the Denver, Colorado area, and their teachings offer profound insight on the mind, body and spirit. For this retreat, self-care was the name of the game. We’d slow flow, practice yoga nidra, journal and share our reflections with the group. I’ve been to a handful of yoga retreats throughout my career as a writer, and few have compared to the depth of knowledge shared in this space. The writings of Pema Chödrön and Brené Brown made their way into workshops, as well as the influences of Ayurvedic medicine and its five elements theory, which focuses on harmonizing the ether, air, fire, water and earth within oneself.

The result? An evolved state of being.