As the retreat designer and planner, I had the privilege of chatting with Sharon, a dedicated yoga teacher whose insights beautifully capture the essence of this transformative journey.
Here is a heartfelt reflection on her experiences and philosophies, woven with my own thoughts and final reflections.

Elena: Can you share in more detail a moment or an experience during a retreat that has left a deep mark on your heart?

Sharon: This is difficult to choose, given all the intense moments, but definitely the closing circle of the practice when students shared their feelings and joy for the experience. An immense gratitude filled that space - a moment of authentic connection, where vulnerability and relief intertwined.

That final sharing creates a sacred space, a collective embrace of transformation, reminding us how powerful genuine connection is in our growth.

Elena: How do you see the role of yoga evolving in supporting people through the delicate processes of introspection and change?

Sharon: It’s a very delicate question. More and more people turn to yoga for evolution and living better with themselves. The teachers’ role is crucial, they must remember that yoga isn’t merely about personal wellness, but a discipline that awakens collective consciousness. True wellness is shared; it develops empathy for everything around us. I hope that in our Western practice, what we do with this privilege benefits those who most lack it.

This perspective invites us to view yoga not just as self-care but as a catalyst for societal awakening.

Elena: What practices or spiritual teachings do you believe are essential for creating an environment of support and growth?

Sharon: More than specific practices, I think authentic presence from the teacher is fundamental. Showing fragility and sharing one’s personal journey without superiority or absolute truths fosters true connection. Sincere listening, support, and humility help create safe spaces where people feel free to discover themselves.

Authenticity and humility seem to be the quiet yet profound foundations for nurturing growth.

Elena: How do you handle the challenges or resistance from participants on their transformational paths?

Sharon: With kindness. I often see in them reflections of my own struggles. If judgment arises, I pause and ask myself what their behaviour is teaching me, perhaps it’s as much about me as it is about them.

This approach transforms resistance into an opportunity for mutual understanding and compassion.

Elena: In your opinion, what is the greatest benefit a person can gain from participating in a retreat?

Sharon: Time. Time for real life living fully, and then when you return, you begin to shed the superfluous. Time to pause and realise that the world continues to turn regardless. It’s a chance to observe others living differently, to see oneself in new roles, whether at home, work, or family, and to rediscover who we truly are beyond our labels.

Retreats become moments of renaissance, calling us back to ourselves amid a busy world.

Elena: Can you share a difficult moment or personal challenge that led you to deepen your yoga and spiritual practice?

Sharon: A profound sense of confusion, lack of direction, emptiness from a hectic and superficial life. It made me question the value I wanted to give my existence.

Sometimes, our darkest moments birth the most genuine insight into what truly matters.

Elena: How did you start your journey as a yoga teacher, and what motivated you to dedicate yourself to this path?

Sharon: I quit a stable job, sold my house and car, bought a one-way ticket to Sri Lanka. Once there, I stopped and truly saw myself. Yoga made everything possible. It was in Sri Lanka that I realised yoga was not just a tool but the path itself. I made a decision from within, I was going to India for my first training course, without hesitation or doubt.

Sometimes, the leap into the unknown is what truly awakens our purpose.

Elena: What sacrifices or compromises have you had to make in order to share this passion with others?

Sharon: I’m still navigating it. Turning yoga into a career, especially in Italy, isn’t easy for those lacking financial stability. I love teaching, but it’s often demanding, an effort to go beyond my energy to sustain myself.

Passion often comes with the challenge of balancing livelihood and integrity, a testament to dedication.

Elena: How have your life experiences influenced your teaching and retreat facilitation?

Sharon: Entirely. I teach what I’ve experienced myself and what I know. Personal growth deeply colours my approach, allowing genuine empathy and understanding to shine through.

Authentic experience becomes the most powerful teacher.

Elena: Finally, what is the most important advice you would give yourself during uncertain or difficult moments?

Sharon: To accept difficulties. They are pauses, opportunities to look around, perhaps take the same path with even greater strength, or realise it’s time to let go altogether.

Reading Sharon’s heartfelt insights paints a vivid picture of yoga as a profound journey of self-discovery, compassion, and collective awakening. Her honesty about challenges and evolution reminds us that authentic practice is rooted in vulnerability and shared human experience.

Through her story, we are inspired to embrace both our struggles and moments of joy, recognising that true growth arises from embracing life’s uncertainties with humility and openness. In a world that often moves too quickly, Sharon’s words encourage us to pause, reflect, and reconnect with our deeper selves, reminding us of the transformative power within each of us.

Reflection from a Retreat: An Intimate Conversation with Yoga Teacher @sharonpedretti

A Journey of Heart, Spirit, and Transformation: An Interview with a Dedicated Yoga Teacher @yoga_bibi