Awakening the Chakras – Chiang Mai yoga and meditation retreat
VENUE
Mala Dhara Yoga Retreats Chiang Mai Thailnd
TIME
Start: 2:00 pm - December 29, 2017
End: 12:00 pm - January 5, 2018
THE SEVENFOLD JOURNEY
The chakra system is the rainbow bridge that takes us on a journey through and to our selves. Each chakra is like a stepping stone, and with each step we gain a greater understanding of our bodies, health, psychology, relationships, personalities, emotions, past and connection to the divine. Though many study the chakras through a Kundalini lens, we will take a step back and look at the chakras through many lenses, steeped in science, psychology, tantra & hatha yoga, anatomy and philosophy.
Each day will lead us to a new chakra, and each day will look different. We’ll incorporate asanas, meditations, visualizations, psychology, philosophy, anatomy, mantras, mudras, stories and other activities to fully immerse ourselves and develop a deeper understanding of this ancient system.
We’ll also be looking at the “health” of each of your chakras – considering the physical attributes, qualities, imbalances and balances. We hope that by the end of the retreat, you’ll have a good idea of which chakras are balanced and imbalanced, and that will provide you with some invaluable insight into your own transformation.
The chakra system is one that I’ve personally used for my own healing, and it’s my favorite type of yoga to teach. I look forward to journeying through this rainbow bridge with you this New Years!
Ground into your body and explore your ancestral roots with a group sauna, fire and drum circle.Day 2: Sacral Chakra
Explore the water element while soaking in sacred hot springs. Celebrate the New Year with an ecstatic DJ dance party.Day 3: Solar Plexus Chakra
Invite transformation into your life as you welcome 2018 in with a sunrise yoga session & intention setting workshop.Day 4: Heart Chakra
Learn the art of love, gratitude and compassion through interacting with gentle giants at a sustainable Elephant Sanctuary. Day 5: Throat Chakra
Purify and open the throat center through song with a beautiful evening Kirtan & Cacao Ceremony.Day 6: Third Eye Chakra
Invoke ancient wisdom through exploring Chiang Mai’s beautiful temples & channel it with a group art collaboration.
Day 7: Crown Chakra
Come together and understand unity on a whole new level through a fun, connective partner yoga workshop.
SAY HELLO TO YOUR HOSTS
Krystal Penrose (yoga teacher, entrepreneur, healer)
Namaste, I am the founder of East West Retreats, a 200-hour yoga teacher, Reiki Healer, and ceremony space holder. I am currently residing in Chiang Mai, Thailand for 6 months out of the year, and spend the other 6 months traveling to the most sacred lands out there, learning the way healers, masters and yogis connect to the divine.
Yoga, for me, is a vehicle for clearing out what doesn’t serve you anymore – physically, spiritually and mentally – to make room for your true, authentic self. And that’s exactly what I hope to give to my students.
I began to immerse myself in the art of connecting yoga & meditation in my 200-hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, India (“The Land Of Sages”). This immersion developed into a huge passion for blending the ancient wisdom and traditions of the East with the fluid, ecletic elements of yoga from the West. Because of this, my teaching incorporates many styles, philosophies and traditions including Hinduism, Daoism, Buddhism, Tantra, Qi Gong, Ayurveda, dance and Reiki. My teachers and biggest inspirations include Pachamama, Yogananda Paramahansa, Anodea Judith, B.K.S. Iyengar, Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, Alan Watts, Paul Diamond and Leslie Kaminoff.
Follow Krystal on IG: @krystalpenrose
Tiffany Langdon (yoga teacher + retreat leader)
Currently residing in Louisville, I am completely dedicated to practicing, teaching and studying yoga and yoga philosophy. Therefore, the seat between teacher and student is always rotating. My interest in yoga was piqued in Louisville, Kentucky around 2003 when I began attending yoga classes out of curiosity. I deepened my practice when I moved to Chicago and started exploring other lineages of yoga. Once I arrived in Austin in 2011, I felt motivated and inspired by all my teachers to begin my journey in a yoga teacher training course and completed it in 2012.
I teach Hatha Flow classes that involve fluid movement and body alignment with carefully chosen postures to strengthen the body and to prepare the body for meditation. My classes are challenging but fun, safe, light-hearted and accessible to all levels. I invite every student to be satisfied with their yoga practice as it is today and to enjoy their own journey. I’m currently completing my 500-RYT studies with a concentration in Tantra Yoga and have found myself immersed in yoga philosophy and Hindu mythology teachings.
Follow Tiffany on IG: @tiffanylangdon
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE TRIP?
– Daily vin/yin yoga and meditation classes tailored to each chakra
– All meals served at Mala Dhara (not including meals eaten out)
– Group transportation to/from Chiang Mai airport
– Transportation & entrance fees for all day trips & activities including the elephant sanctuary, temples & hot springs
– All group activities including the herbal steam, ecstatic dance party, cacao ceremony, intention setting workshop and art night
– 1 traditional Thai massage
– Unlimited pure drinking water at the center
– Use of the Himalayan salt pool, the fire pit, and musical instruments
– Complimentary wireless internet access at public areas
NOT INCLUDED
– Transportation to your designated U.S. airport
– Any transport to/from the airport outside of our scheduled transport times
– Additional activities or souvenir purchases
– Meals, snacks and water consumed outside of Mala Dhara
– Immunizations (Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended)
– Travel Insurance (highly recommended but not required)
– Tips/gratuities
RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
– 1-on-1 healing Cacao ceremony & guided meditation with Krystal ($25 for 1 hour)
– Additional Thai massage service (~$10) or oil massage (~$20)
– Rent a bicycle for 50 Thai Baht (~$1.50 USD) per day
– Rent a motorbike and explore surrounding areas for 150 Thai Baht (~$5 USD) per day
GETTING HERE & AWAY
Arrival time: Plan to land in Chiang Mai on Thursday, December 28th between 12 and 4pm
Departure time: Plan to fly out on Friday, January 5th anytime after 1pmThe recommended route to Chiang Mai
1) Fly from your designated US city to Bangkok (the cheapest route, although some may choose to fly direct to Chiang Mai)
2) From Bangkok, take a domestic flight (about 1 hour) to Chiang Mai via Air Asia, Thai Airways, Nok Air, Lion Air, Bangkok Airways or Thai Smile.
3) Once in Chiang Mai, you’ll find a driver with a sign that says “East West Retreats”. Group transportation will be provided to Mala Dhara (around 1 hour away).Ps. Don’t like planning travel? We can book your entire journey for you for a fee of $50 USD. Email us for further details.Transport to/from the airport
– Arrival: We will provide THREE shared cars from the Chiang Mai Airport to Mala Dhara. The first car will arrive at 12pm, and the last will arrive at 4pm. Please note that since transport is shared, this may mean a short wait time for you after your arrival, but no more than 2 hours.
– Departure: We will leave Mala Dhara as a group on Friday, January 5th at 11am. Please try and schedule your flights at least 2 hours after this time.*****Please note: Should you arrive or depart outside of these time slots, we are still happy to help but the cost of transport will not be included.*******
FAQ
In order to reserve your spot, you’ll need to pay a $250 non-refundable deposit. Your spot will not be officially confirmed until you pay your deposit, due within 7 days of your booking. Once you pay your deposit, you can choose to pay for the retreat in full, or consider a payment plan (see below). All payments for the retreat are due 30 days before departure.What payment plans are available?
Typically, we’ll split the cost of the retreat into 4 manageable payments for you. All payments will be due 30 days before your retreat departure.What date should I book my outbound flight for?
The retreat will officially begin on the evening of December 28th so plan to book your flight out of your home country into Bangkok or Chiang Mai for the evening of December 26th and then another flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on the morning of December 28th. This may mean spending an evening in Bangkok, but if you need help finding the right timings, let us know! Please plan to arrive in Chiang Mai no later than 4pm on December 28th. Please note that while all international flights fly into Suvarnabhumi Airport, some domestic flights to Chiang Mai may depart from another airport (Don Mueang International Airport). Please check your tickets to avoid any hiccups in your travel!What date should I book my return flight for?
The retreat will officially end the morning of January 5th at 11am, so please book your flight at least 2 hours ahead of that time. Be careful and make sure you leave enough time for yourself between your flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. Please note that while all international flights fly out of Suvarnabhumi Airport, some domestic flights from Chiang Mai may depart from another airport (Don Mueang International Airport). Please check your tickets to avoid any hiccups in your travel!What airport do I fly into?
To get to Chiang Mai, you can book a direct flight from your designated US city, or for a cheaper option, fly into Bangkok, and then book a domestic flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai via Air Asia, Thai Airways, Nok Air, Lion Air, Bangkok Airways or Thai Smile.How do I get to the retreat center?
When you arrive at the Chiang Mai airport, our staff will be waiting with a sign that has “East West Retreats” on it and we’ll make our way to the retreat center together. The Chiang Mai airport is around 1 hour from the retreat center, so only a short drive away via taxi or shuttle.How much will the flight cost me?
It isn’t required by law to enter Thailand, but we highly recommend playing it safe when traveling. The Center for Disease Control recommends all travelers get Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations. My personal opinion is to only get Hep A, as Typhoid is a bacterial infection and can be treated with antibiotics.Most insurance agencies won’t cover them, but here are some affordable options:
- Google “cheap hepatitis a vaccine” and see if any government agencies in your state offer free or affordable Hep A. For example, this Austin-based website has tons of clinics listed, so check them out. I paid around $30 for mine.
- Walgreens does Typhoid vaccinations for only $90 with no appointment required.
PLEASE NOTE that most clinics the CDC lists on their website will charge you an outrageous amount of money for these vaccines. You CAN find them much cheaper by using the resources listed above or finding them on your own.
What’s the weather like in Chiang Mai in December?
The cool season lasts from early December to February and is the most popular time to visit Chiang Mai, weather-wise. During the day the temperatures max out at a pleasant 30°C (86°F) but bring a jacket or sweatshirt because the temperature drops rapidly after sunset, sometimes to as low as 10°C (50°F).
What kind of yoga will we be practicing?
We’ll be mainly practicing a Vin/Yin flow, which tends to be a slower, more mindful pace. Almost like yin and yang, Yin/Vin is a 50/50 combination of vinyasa and restorative yin yoga. Half the class will be active and energetic, focusing on sun salutations and strengthening poses, while the other half will be done primarily on the floor with the use of props and blankets. The joined practice of Vinyasa and Yin yoga invites students to restore their energy, strengthen the body and immune system, nourish the fluids in the joints, encourage organ health, promote deeper sleep, and calm the mind. The yin and yang qualities of the classes will help students find a healthy balance in their fast paced, busy lives. Please note, if you are looking for a power yoga retreat where you’ll be sweating bullets after doing 15 sun salutations, this is not the retreat for you.
How long will we be doing yoga and meditating, anyways?
Because we are combining yoga and adventure in our retreat, we will be containing our yoga practice into one solid 2-hour practice first thing in the morning, along with a 15-30 minute meditation practice. Our evenings will be spent doing group discussions, activities, connective exercises and simply relaxing, so please be prepared to connect with those around you in a deep and authentic way.
What if I’m new to yoga?
New to yoga? This is the perfect place to start your practice! We’d be delighted to have you, and will take care and make sure your alignment is creating a safe practice for you. And don’t worry if you’ve never heard of a chakra before, because we’ll be learning about them from a beginner’s lens!
I’m an introvert and don’t like group exercises. Is this retreat for me?
If you’re an introvert, this may not be the right space for you. Our retreats are very community-oriented, and we’ll be spending a lot of time together. In every single retreat we’ve ever hosted, we often leave feeling like family.
What happens if something emotional comes up for me on the retreat?
Our number one concern for all retreats we hold is to offer a safe space for you to be completely vulnerable and 100% authentically you. We invite you to embrace the shadows and discomfort that might come up, and will be there with you through the journey to hold loving space for you. Remember, the more you put into this retreat, the more you’ll get out.
What if I want to travel after the retreat?
This is a great idea! Glad you asked – because traveling in Thailand is very cheap and easy! We recommend checking out Chiang Mai close by, or maybe heading to the islands for some fun in the sun! If you’re interested in traveling but don’t want to plan, we offer trip planning starting at $100 USD, where we’ll book your accommodations, transportation, activities, and give you places of interest to check out!
What kind of vibe should I expect on this retreat?
This retreat is going to be holding space for some deep inner work, so come prepared to be vulnerable and do some serious connecting with those around you. To balance the depth, you’ll also find yourself feeling light and giddy on our daily adventures, checking out the local culture around us. Generally those who do best at our retreats aren’t afraid to go deep, love mindful movement, want to connect with others around them, don’t mind a surprise adventure, are flexible, and love the idea of community.
Is the deposit for this retreat refundable?
At this time, all deposits paid towards our retreats are non-refundable. However, we will gladly transfer the credit to you or a guest for a future retreat.
What is your refund policy?
Please see our full Policies page here for complete details on our refund policy. Generally, any cancellations made 60 days or more before a retreat are 100% refundable, and any cancellations made less than 30 days before are not eligible for any refund.