A typical day on retreat...
WE WAKE UP EARLY (it’s easier to do that here – something about the air, the ocean, the sun and the surroundings that makes you want to “begin your day!”). We wake up with some medicinal tea or hot water and lemon and then head out for a walk along the white sand beaches of the Caribbean.
(here's a nice sunrise picture from our beach in Tulum; credit: Michael Venditto)
(a nice way to begin the day; credit: Kelly Davidson)
OUR WALK IS FOLLOWED BY A MORNING MEDITATION (it’s easier to do that here, as well). Whether you feel like a novice or have an established “sitting practice,” we will guide you through the experience so that your day begins with a clear head, an open heart and an optimistic feeling of “possibility!” These meditation sessions will progressively build in length during the course of the week, as we expand our abilities and our practice.
(nice picture of the singing bowl that we use during the meditations;
credit: Kelly Davidson)
A LIGHT MORNING SNACK OF FRESH JUICE AND LOCAL FRUIT will energize us for a nice, long yoga practice. Each day our yoga practice will have elements that are familiar, elements that are different, but the setting is outrageously beautiful and the practice will feel amazing. Your Warrior Two's and Headstands will be 20 feet in the air, up in the prongs of the palm trees, gazing at the emerald ocean down below – the cool ocean breeze, the sound of the waves – this is a very special place.
(we will do PLENTY of yoga during the retreat; credit: Kelly Davidson)
(it's not yoga ALL DAY LONG, but yoga is definitely the platform;
credit: Kelly Davidson)
(our practice will be the "touch stone" we keep checking-in with;
credit: Kelly Davidson)
(Dozens of Mayan craftsmen hard at work for months creating our yoga room; photo: Michael Venditto)
(The view from the yoga room is going to be “inspiring,” to say the least; photo: Michael )
(The view to the West is dramatic, as well; photo: Michael Venditto)
SO THIS IS NOT LIKE DOING YOGA ON VACATION AT A HOTEL. Everything about this land, about this room, about this place has been geared towards the purpose and the intention of creating these retreats for our community – this is a unique experience amongst yoga retreats that we are offering. We don’t want the distraction of a hotel while we’re down here, we don’t want the “busyness” of touristy locations while we’re in our experience, we’re not bringing down 50 or 100 people at a time so you feel more like a “number” than a person – we want to have the feeling that “this is our place” (which it is), that this is personal, this is intimate, that we can really settle in, peel off the layers that have built up over the previous weeks and months, and reconnection to our “self.” With this in mind, the food that we eat, the yoga room itself, the bodyworkers and shamans we select, the native people we introduce you to, the places we’ll take you to visit – everything is tailored to be “out of the ordinary.” Even for the well-traveled tourist, even for the well-seasoned yoga "retreater" the places that you will go and the things that you will do on our retreat will be extra-ordinary.
(the yoga practices will really be something special; credit: Kelly Davidson)
(you'll work with the most gifted bodyworkers and shamans in the area;
credit: Kelly Davidson)
(Temascal (sweat lodge) - Pedro's singing voice is AMAZING;
credit: Kelly Davidson)
(music and ceremony infuse the retreat with culture and tradition;
credit: Kelly Davidson)
(there will be plenty of time to WORK; credit: Kelly Davidson)
(plenty of time to REST; credit: Kelly Davidson)
(time to EXPLORE; credit: Kelly Davidson)
(time to PLAY; credit: Kelly Davidson)
(time to RECONNECT; credit: Kelly Davidson)
WE BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND. With all that this beautiful setting has to offer, with all of the time that you will put into your yoga practice, with all of the amazing people that you'll meet, places that you'll go and things that you'll do - ALL OF IT will be geared towards sending you back home with a feeling of renewed purpose. That you're returning with a sense of having built some positive momentum in the direction you are intending to head at this moment in your life. After all, this is what these retreats are all about. Taking some time out from our "getting things done" frame of mind, and our busy-minded state of body. "Getting outta Dodge" for a while to gain a renewed perspective of "how things are." And to return home feeling healthy, clear-headed, open-hearted and with some real “wind in your sails” to create a shift towards living in the direction of your “dharma” – your life’s purpose. Everything we do on this retreat will help guide you through this very important process of remembering, reconnecting and recommiting.
Namaste,
Sadhana Yoga |
