5 Seconds Deep Breathing With Nature At Nomia Garden Retreats

Have you ever sat in the middle of the office on a Thursday afternoon, staring at the computer screen with the dancing letters, and realized that your breathing was shallow and urgent? That was me last week. Between the back-to-back meetings, the endless notifications of a series of messages and calls, I felt my mind being compressed, longing for a moment of silence. I didn't need a long vacation with a tight schedule, I just needed a place to "hide", a place close enough to go right away and far enough to be able to take a deep, complete breath.

And that's when I came to Tri An Lake. Not a noisy Tri An with bustling camping groups, but a small quiet corner on the edge of the lake, a place described as a retreat space immersed in nature near Saigon. This trip was not to check-in, not to conquer, but to practice a simple thing: breathing. Here is a journey to find myself through 5 deep breaths at a place called Nomia Garden Retreat.

The First Deep Breath: When the Lake Wind Touches My Skin

The journey begins. The car rolls away from the congested city streets, heading towards Dong Nai. The scenery gradually changes. The high-rise buildings recede behind, giving way to the lush green patches of rubber forests and fruit-laden orchards. But the moment that truly begins is when I turn off the car and take my first steps into the resort grounds.

There is no honking, no hustle and bustle. There is only the sound of the wind. A breeze carrying cool water vapor from the vast lake, gently brushing my face, running through my hair. It is not just a physical wind, it seems to wash away the dust of the city and the invisible stress that is weighing on my shoulders.

I stand still, close my eyes and take a deep breath. That is the first deep breath. The fresh, pure air filled my chest, carrying the scent of grass, moist soil and water. That breath was like a greeting from nature, a gentle cleansing, helping me shed the rigid shell of work to prepare for a dialogue with my own soul.

Second Deep Breath: Quiet Under the Wooden Porch in the Morning

The night at Nomia Garden Retreats in July came quite late and was strangely peaceful. My sleep was not disturbed by any artificial sounds. And when dawn came, I was not awakened by the shrill alarm, but by the first golden rays of sunlight filtering through the leaves and the symphony of hundreds of birds.

I made a pot of hot lotus tea, brought it to the wooden chair on the veranda of the bungalow. In front of me was the sleepy Tri An lake, covered in a thin layer of magical mist. No phone, no email, no plans. Just me, a cup of tea and absolute silence. I sat there, observing each ripple, watching the small fishing boats in the distance, and listening. Listening to the silence.

And then I took a deep breath. That was the second deep breath. A slow, leisurely breath, feeling the stillness of all things and of myself. It did not bring the excitement of the first time, but brought calmness and contemplation. The rustic space of the bungalow, with wood and natural materials, seemed to be designed to encourage such slow-living moments. It helped me realize that happiness is sometimes simply sitting still and doing nothing.

Third Deep Breath: When the Paddle Gently Cuts the Water

The quietness in Tri An does not mean boring. It invites you to interact with nature in the gentlest way. That afternoon, I decided to kayak alone out to the middle of the lake.

The water surface was clear and calm like a mirror. Each stroke of my paddle created circular waves that spread out softly. With no destination, I just let the boat drift. When I reached the middle of the lake, I stopped paddling, leaned back and let the boat drift freely. Surrounded by a vast space, there is only the blue sky above and the vast water below. The feeling of being small before the greatness of nature makes all worries suddenly become trivial.

I closed my eyes, spread my arms wide and took a deep breath. That was the third deep breath. My chest was filled with fresh air and a feeling of absolute freedom. This breath was liberation. Liberation from the limits, the frameworks and the burdens that I had placed on myself. It was a form of dynamic meditation, where the movement of the body blends with the stillness of the mind, bringing a fresh and positive source of energy.

Fourth Deep Breath: Rustic Flavors on the Tip of the Tongue

The experience of a resort immersed in Dong Nai's nature would not be complete without cuisine. My dinner was not a sophisticated delicacy. It was a true "garden-to-table" meal. A catfish just caught from the lake, grilled over fragrant charcoal. A plate of green squash shoots stir-fried with garlic picked from the small garden of the friendly neighbors in Nomia. All of this creates a feeling of truly living in the homeland.

I don't eat in a hurry. I eat slowly, chewing carefully, to fully feel the original sweetness of each ingredient. The sweetness of the fish, the freshness of the vegetables, the richness of the spices. Everything is genuine, not overwhelmed by additives or complicated processing.

When enjoying the first piece of grilled fish, I stop and take a deep breath. It is the fourth deep breath. A breath of gratitude. Gratitude to the land that nurtures these products, gratitude to the person who prepared the dish, and gratitude to myself for allowing myself to have such moments of complete enjoyment. This breath connects me to my roots, to what is most basic and nourishing.

Fifth Deep Breath: Under the Starry Night Sky of Tri An

Night falls. The most magical thing about places far from the city is the sky. When the last lights of the resort are dimmed, millions, billions of stars begin to appear, sparkling like a giant diamond carpet. Without light pollution, the Milky Way appears clearly, a sight I had almost forgotten existed.

I lie down on a beanbag on the lawn, looking up at the endless sky. The overwhelming feeling of the vastness of the universe makes me realize how small I and my problems are. Everything will pass, only the eternity of the stars remains.

I take my last breath of the day, a long, deep breath. It is the fifth deep breath. The breath of acceptance and peace. It is no longer about getting rid of stress or finding freedom, but about feeling connected to something greater. It is the deepest silence in the soul.

Leaving to Return

Two days at Nomia Garden Retreat passed like a dream. Leaving, I felt my body and mind rejuvenated. This "retreat" to Nomia Garden Retreats - a retreat place in nature near Saigon - taught me that, sometimes, we don't need to go far or do something big. We just need to stop, find a quiet place, and allow ourselves to breathe. Just 5 seconds of deep breathing with nature here is enough to heal, enough to find the true beat of the soul.