Pure Nature Yoga & Sacred Sound Retreat

Relax  Awaken  Renew

Mala Dhara Yoga Retreat Center

Chiang Mai, Thailand

September 22 – 28  2018

 

 

E-RYT 500 Certified Yoga Teacher, IAYT Certified Yoga Therapist, YACEP, Visual Artist, Designer, Tibetan Buddhist Practitioner.

Dimitri Miteff

Harmonise Retreats Presents

A 2 Day Dance, Yoga, Art & Meditation

Women’s Retreat

November 17th & 18th 2018

Mala Dhara Yoga Retreat Center

Chiang Mai Thailand

creating alignment – inside & out

Come join us for a intimate healing weekend retreat especially designed for women!

The retreat is set among the gorgeous natural scenery of the Doi Saket rice fields at the luscious and magical Yoga Retreat Center & Eco Resort, Mala Dhara, just 30min away from Chiang Mai.

We will deeply tune into our feminine nature and intuitive wisdom through meditation, gentle yoga, healing sessions, dance and art.

All levels of experience are welcome!

♥ Give yourself the gift of deeply connecting with your true, authentic self.

♥ Slow down and tune in to your creative and sensual feminine energy through the expression of dance, art, yoga and meditation.

♥ Nourish the body and awaken the senses with delicious, fresh organic food, drinks and treats.

♥ Find clarity in what you are currently creating in your life and what you would like to create in the future.

♥ Enjoy plenty of free time to reflect, journal, refresh in the salt water pool, sweat it out in the herbal steam sauna and dive into the beautiful natural surrounding environment.

♥ Connect deeply with like-minded women in our sharing circles.

♥ Unwind with herbal tea, kombucha or wine in the evening around the bonfire with live music ~ welcome to bring your instruments and join the jam!

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Retreat Schedule:

Saturday

10:30am Meet & Greet at Good Souls in Chiang Mai, enjoy fruit, tea and coffee refreshments
11:15am Depart via minibus
12:00am Arrive at Mala Dhara
12:30-13:30 Light & nourishing lunch.
13:30-14:00 Opening Circle, Card Reading & Intention Setting
14:00-16:00 Room Check In, Free time, Swimming, Journaling
16:00-17:00 Inner Child Group Meditation & Sharing Circle
17:00 Bliss Balls & Chai
17:30-18:30 Yin Yoga
19:00 Dinner
20:00 Herbal steam, bonfire, live music & jam, herbal tea

Sunday

8:00-9:00 Morning Meditation ~ Begin the day with Yin Meditation
9:00-10:00 Breakfast
10:30-11:30 Gentle alignment yoga
12:00 Lunch
13:00-15:00 Room Check Out, Free time, swimming, journaling
15:00-17:00 Guided Dance Meditation to Awaken the divine feminine • Dancers are invited to wear flowing clothing to support feelings of sensuality, freedom, beauty
17:00 Green Smoothie & Dark Chocolates
17:30-18:30 Intuitive Art Expression
18:30 Dinner, Group Photo, Goodbyes
20:00 Back to Chiang Mai

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What’s Included in Your Retreat Package:

♥ Welcome Gift
♥ Transport to and from Doi Saket from Chiang Mai
♥ 1 night’s accommodation (Private or Shared Deluxe Villa/Adobe Bungalows)
♥ 6 yoga, meditation, art & dance sessions
♥ All meals and refreshments listed in the daily schedule
♥ Yoga mats and art supplies will be provided
♥ Herbal steam on Saturday night

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Pricing Details:

Private Deluxe Villa 10,200 THB (320 USD)
Private Adobe Bungalow 9,000 THB (280 USD)
Twin Share Deluxe Villa 9000 THB (280 USD)

*All booking require a 30% deposit, payable by cash dropoff (Chiang Mai only), or PayPal (there is a 5% surcharge for credit card payments).

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If you are looking to dive deep into your feminine energy, be part of a magnetic sisterhood, discover your truest being through yoga and meditation and express yourself through art and dance and move your way into alignment emotionally, spiritually and physically then this retreat is for you!

Sign up now via Facebook messenger or email at: [email protected]

**Spaces are limited to 15 women. Just send us a message and we will give you all the information and links you need to book in ~ looking forward to seeing you there!

Much Love Polly & Heidi xx

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Facilitators

♥ Pollyanna Rockliff

Polly is a trained life coach, an NLP & Time Line Therapist and a Yoga & Meditation teacher. She is passionate about personal growth and reflection, the spiritual path of tantra, working with the unconscious to reprogram and re-parent, yoga, meditation, dance and all things arty and creative. She has spent three years dedicated to her own growth and healing and she runs goddess circles, teaches meditation and yoga and offers private coaching and healing sessions for women. She is inspired to live life of authenticity and one that aligns with her highest values to grow spiritually, intellectually and emotionally. In the last year she has connected deeply with her feminine energy and she has found that the more she aligns with her heart and emotions the more she and the world opens up. Her main mission in life is to inspire and aid women to come into alignment with their feminine energy through art, meditation yoga, and coaching.

♥ Heidi Rae

Heidi has been practicing yoga and meditation for over 10 years and completed her YTT 200 hr training in alignment and hatha yoga in 2016 in Bali with Deep Yoga. She continued on to explore the more intuitive sides of yoga and meditation through the SHE dance and DANCE Mandala training’s at the Yoga Tree in Chiang Mai in 2017-18.  As a professional singer, she has found that the more that she connects with her intuition and authentic self, the more things flow in life, on stage and off. She’s passionate about sharing her experience and practice with others as these simple yet powerful practices have made such a monumental difference in her life and her ability to handle life’s challenges.

AWAKENING ANANDA II Yoga Retreat…..STILL
CHIANG MAI, THAILAND

Mala Dhara Eco Resort &  Yoga Retreat Center

7 DAYS in Northern THAILAND
November 18th, 2018 – November 25th, 2018

with Cole Chance & Echo Widmer

Last year was such a special time and place for the two of us that we are building on last years retreat and adding another retreat week for the 2018 calendar.
In yoga philosophy it is said that God is “sat chit ananda” (existence consciousness bliss). Paramhansa Yogananda adds that Ananda is different from temporary joy that comes from sense pleasures such as eating, listening to music, and seeing beautiful things. It is also not a monotonous joy that is always the same. Ananda refers to a joy that “changes and dances itself in many ways to enthrall your mind and keep your attention occupied and interested forever”. Let’s practice blissing out in Thailand.
This adventure retreat is meant to be a retreat from the daily grind. A retreat away from whatever it is that is keeping you from fully expressing yourself as the light that you are.

This is a time for conscious individuals to come together on a journey of truth, of compassion, of self inquiry and of selfless service.
We will spend much of our time together in commUNITY enjoying sunrise meditations, morning and evening asana practices, Thai Massage training, dharma talks, and various creative workshops.. Aside from our daily yoga schedules we will step outside our comfort zones, and take adventures into the beauty of Northern Thailand during the days.

We want more than anything, for our students to leave this retreat with open eyes, open hearts, and open minds. Life is much too short to spend any time in the dark.
We must awaken to all that is around us.
And it is up to us to choose what path we take.
We can either fear change, challenge, and risk or we can embrace them fully…. and at the same time fundamentally change our perspective of the world around us as well as our participation with and in it. 
Let’s play friends. 

Your Hosts

Cole Chance
Eight years ago, I took my very first yoga class at a drug and alcohol treatment center. I was painfully broken.  But this crack allowed the sweetness of the yoga practice a sliver of an opening to seep through.  Though I wasn’t ready to change my life at that point, a seed had been planted that there may, just possibly, be another way to live.  Eventually, through several more years of crazy and chaos, I realized the mat, the practice, was my only way to freedom and I’ve held on ever since.  What a ride! Yoga has supported me to reclaim my inner power, peel back the armor and layers I had been suffocating under, and begin the fascinating process of coming back to wholeness.
While our stories may look different on the outside, we are much more similar than we may appear, as everyone is recovering from something.  The common human thread is a disconnection from self; an isolation from who we are and the world around us. Yoga means to yoke, to connect, to create union.  It supports us to balance and harmonize our lives in an ever changing and challenging world.  We can ALL move closer to wholeness.  That thing that is holding you down can also be your ticket to breaking through to something amazing.
Whether through a vigorous asana, the stillness of meditation, or diving deep into the beautiful philosophy of yoga, I hope to support you to find your own unique dance towards freedom.  
As well as teaching yoga, I’m also an instructor in the beautiful practice of Thai Yoga Massage.  I’m so thrilled to also be sharing this bodywork with you in the land where it has flourished!  
I urge you to stay curious about you, always ask why, and never stop exploring the world around and the world inside. Which is exactly why I’m so excited to create this journey for you! This retreat allows the important space for play, adventure, as well as quiet and introspection.  All the things wrapped up in the stunning setting of Northern Thailand!
Please join the magnificent Echo and I on a sojourn to awaken Ananda! To awaken to BLISS! See you in Thailand loves!

ECHO GIESEL WIDMER 

I started yoga about 12 years ago. I took my first class because I thought I needed something to calm my mind. I have always been a thrill seeker and sports enthusiast, and at the time I felt like I needed a shift of energy. Yoga at first was very difficult for me. Slow movements, and a focus on breath at the time did not sit well with me. I felt very unsettled on my mat in a room full of strangers, and the pace of the practice did not organically flow with me. Although I truly enjoyed powerful asana, it was very difficult for me to find peace with it because I was constantly looking for more challenge in my practice. I became a very power loving yogi, and was constantly looking to strengthen my practice physically.
Over the years my yang nature grew exponentially until I decided that I wanted to teach yoga. For many of those previous years, yoga was purely physical to me. I of course began to really connect to my breath practice because it helped me stay focused and strong in my asana practice….but meditation was always a struggle. The calmer ,more yin side of yoga, had not yet reached me. It was not until I was teaching for a couple of years that I found a softer more intimate side to yoga. I began to truly balance my yin and yang sides. I began to really appreciate stillness in my mind, breath and body. I began to notice the small subtleties in my practice, and I began to truly fall in love with the practice. I have spent the last couple of years sharing my practice around the world with students of all pedigrees and intentions. I think that there is a practice for all types of people, all types of learners, all types of energies. That is how I got to where I am today. My hope with leading YOGA+ADVENTURE Retreats, is to teach what I have learned along the way, and help to create a more open and playful community of conscious individuals and practitioners.

I have two 200 HR RYT training certifications with a total of 400 RYT training, and hundreds of hours of teaching under my belt. My background began with Hatha, vinyasa, and power yoga……evolving to yin, restorative, Sivananda and most recently training under Baron Baptiste mentors. Like progression my practice evolves as I do. But most of my teachings are quite fluid. I focus on alignment, breath and flow. I try my best to create organic movement in my individual practice as well as the practice I share with my community. I can only hope that is what my students experience.

​7 DAYS in Northern THAILAND
November 18th, 2018 – November 25th, 2018 

​Meditation + Elephant Sanctuary + Floating Yoga Shala + YOGA+ Hiking + Thai MAssage
Mopeding +
surprises…..shhhhh….

THAI MASSAGE

Thai Yoga Massage has its roots in the ancient systems of Yoga, Buddhism, and Ayurveda.   Called the “lazy man’s yoga”, this meditative flow weaves together energy, loving-kindness intention, and mindful techniques to dissolve blockages and alleviate stress.  It combines assisted stretching, acupressure, and compression to improve flexibility and balance the body’s energy.  A Thai treatment is fully clothed, uses no oil, and is done on a mat on the floor.  This bodywork is easily accessible and will make you even more popular with your friends;)

  MOPEDING

It is important to note that Thailand is most easily accessible by moped, so it is in our plans to have students rent mopeds on the days we adventure into the beautiful Thai mountains. Please contact me if you are uncomfortable driving a moped, do not have an international driver’s license, or want to learn to ride a moped but are nervous.
If you are interested in mopeding in Thailand make sure to go by your local AAA and pick up an International Driver’s License for $25. It is simple and all you need is a current driver’s license.  If you want to ride on a moped but do not want to drive, there will be many of us that can be the drivers, so those not so comfortable driving can be passengers on the back.  Make sure to contact me if you have any issues with this.

What the retreat includes:

Accommodation for 2 nights at the amazing Om Waters Floating Shala in Northern Thailand
5 nights at Luxury Eco  Resort Mala Dhara
Transportation to/from Chiang Mai, Thailand (we can help with flight arrangements and transport from Chiang Mai as well; just ask!)
3 vegan meals/day, prepared by and amazing local chef. (vegetarian options available). All food is sourced locally and most on premise as we are living on an organic farm!
Daily Yoga, Meditation, Thai Massage classes, and other workshops, as well as adventures guided by your hosts and local guides
A couple SURPRISES, not yet announced..
WI-FI access at public area

 Yoga mats and props provided

                                                        
What the retreat DOES NOT include:

Flight and transport to/from Chiang Mai, Thailand
Off-site food, souvenirs, bohemian clothes, massages, and water.  You’ll have to purchase your own water bottles, or even better, bring your own!
Any activities you choose to do on your own outside of the retreat schedule
Massages are available on premise for 400 baht an hour
Coconuts on premise
Moped rentals!!! You will want these!!!
Travel Insurance (highly recommended. No one plans on having to cancel an epic journey but life happens and insurance can help recoup cost for the retreat and your flight. Don’t always play it safe but in this case… do it.)

THE SPACE
​
ACCOMMODATION

Most rooms are shared occupancy. If you are traveling with a friend please let us know and we’ll get you connected in the same accommodation or else we’ll match you up with a new friend.  A few single occupancy rooms are available at additional prices, just ask! All packages are inclusive with food, activities, and all the other goodies listed above.

The Luxury Villas (Shared)
$1550 early bird/ $1650 after May 1st
Beautiful villas each have a unique earthen adobe design with high domed ceilings, smooth  curves throughout. Villas have twin beds A/C, refrigerator, and wifi.

The Mala Villas  (Shared) 
$1400 USD early bird/ $1500 after May 31st
The Mala Villas are earthen structures mixed with brick work, large beds, cotton mosquito nets and tastefully chosen furniture. Each have their own air con, fridge, wifi and fans. There is a stunning spiral outdoor bathroom only steps away from the villa. While they are smaller than the luxury villas, they are no less amazing.

​SAMPLE ITINERARY

6:30am: Sunrise Meditation, and Yin/Yang Yoga Practice

7:30 am: Breakfast, tea, and community

9am: Thai Massage Partner Workshop

12:00 pm Lunch

1:00 pm: Activities off site…..adventure time

6:30 pm: We encourage everyone to take a 30 minute break before dinner to write and journal over the daily theme, or anything personal that they may want to reflect on.

7pm: Dinner at Mala Dhara

8:30: Restorative Yoga or Thai Massage/ sometimes both & Satsang

ABOUT CHIANG MAI

While we will be staying about 30 km outside of the hustle of the old city, we will journey into the cultural center of Thailand as well.
Nestled amongst forested foothills, Chiang Mai is much older than it first appears. During the city’s medieval heyday, almost everything was made of teak hauled by elephant from the surrounding rainforest, with the notable exception of its towering wát. The monasteries still remain, centred on ancient brick chedi (stupas) in a remarkable range of shapes and styles, but the gaps between them have been filled in with modern Thai houses and traveler hotels. Despite this, the historic centre of Chiang Mai still feels overwhelmingly residential, more like a sleepy country town than a bustling capital.

THOUGHTS ON WHAT TO PACK, AND WHAT NOT TO PACK

Don’t bring more than one bag. Trust me, you won’t want to lug it around with you. Ideally you should bring a backpack, and a small purse or day bag.

DON’T PACK TOO MUCH! I repeat, DON’T DO IT! Pack the basics. If worse comes to worse, you can buy whatever you need at your destination. Just remember that.

​Leave room for souvenirs in your bag! And that goes back to not packing too much…

CLOTHES
2-3 pairs of leggings/comfortable pants for adventures and yoga of course.
5-7 pairs of underwear – Make sure they’re comfortable and easy to air-dry. It is hot in Thailand, and most clothes are washed and then hung out to dry. So bring ones you do not mind hanging out for the world to see, haha.
Thongs, or flip flops and bring one pair of tennis shoes for hiking
1 fleece/cover up – This is ideal for your flight, chilly evenings or for covering your arms and upper body on long sunny moped rides.
Ladies maybe bring a few sun dresses, or plan on purchasing some at the markets. I promise you will not regret this decision.

TOILETRIES TIPS
Please use natural products.  We are staying at a eco resort that is very mindful of the effects of chemicals and we know you are too!
        Sunscreen (it’s more expensive here)
Ladies: Pads/Tampons/ or Diva Cup (this last one is a game changer) – Female products aren’t as common in some areas.

OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS
Very important….if you want to drive a moped in Indonesia head to your local AAA (US) AA ( outside the US) branch, and purchase a $25 International Drivers License. It will last you a year, and it is necessary for driving internationally although extremely easy to get.
A money belt or pouch to keep your important items such as passport, money and visa info in
A small shoulder purse, backpack or fanny pack is always nice to have, but can be purchased abroad for cheap!
1-2 empty plastic bags – for your dirty clothes and other unknown opportune times!

Sunglasses
Bug spray – Don’t risk getting covered in bug bites.
Camera (and maybe a memory stick)- An iPhone will do too.
A book or eReader – We will be doing a great deal of traveling, so bring something to read!
A journal and a pen – to track your journey!
Headphones and some sort of music to listen to during your travels
A couple of granola bars or snacks for when you’re on the go or traveling
All essential medicines, and prescriptions you may need. But remember that medicine abroad is reliable and CHEAP, so don’t bring your whole medicine cabinet. Just some essentials like allergy medicine, birth control, prescriptions, etc.

GETTING TO AND FROM MALA DHARA
You will fly into CHIANG MAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.  Very probably you may be coming up from Bangkok.  If you have extra time, it’s nice to stay a day or two in the capital and hop a cheap, short flight to CM.  There are also cheap trains from Bangkok if you want to squeeze in another adventure.
We will have detailed instructions for where to meet in Chiang Mai and we shall all ride out to our paradise together!

Flights
Arrival date: November 18th……anytime before 11 AM.
Departure date: November 25th  anytime after 2 PM.
We are both quite travel savvy so don’t hesitate to ask any and all questions!
Please note: Should you arrive or depart outside of these time slots, we are still happy to help but transport will not be included.

For more information or to sign up:   Contact the AWAKENING ANANDA TEAM

Thailand Mountain Yoga and Somatic Meditation Retreat

with Janet Farnsworth

Mala Dhara Eco Resort & Yoga Retreat Center Chiang Mai Thailand

NOVEMBER 25- December 1 2018

What sweeter way and place to explore feeling, being, and cultivating compassion through travel, community, and deep yoga and meditation.

Join Janet Farnsworth of SUKHA YOGA for 6 nights in the mountains of Chaing Mai Thailand

3 nourishing vegetarian meals/day prepared by our local chef and all food sourced locally, and most on premises
Daily:  Yoga, Meditation, and an evening Meditation in Motion.
Cooking Class
A day trip to bathe the Elephants!!!! (YESSSS!!!)
Sunrise Hike, Steam baths, saltwater pool….
Complimentary wireless internet access at public areas
Enjoyment of community areas meant for exploring and reflection
All yoga gear….

What the retreat DOES NOT include:

Flight and transport to/from Chiang Mai, Thailand
Off-site food, souvenirs, bohemian clothes, foot massages, and water. You’ll have to purchase your own water bottles, or even better, bring your own
Any activities you choose to do on your own outside of the retreat schedule
All the green juices you’re going to want to drink and coconuts too
Moped or bicycle rentals
Massages that are available on site for 400 baht an hour
Travel Insurance

Rooms:
Each Villa will be home for two, including two beds and all the western amenities.

Early Rate Registration  Through March 5, 2018(includes a $600 NON REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT)

$1950

Early Rate 2    Through March 6 – August 5 2018 (includes a $600 NON REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT)

$2050

Full Rate after August 5, 2018
(or if needing a payment plan)

$2350

Payment Plan option
$2350 broken in 5 payments
1. Non-refundable Deposit of $600
2. 4 payments of 437.50

Loves Notes about Janet….

“Janet is a teacher in the truest sense. Her life experience and wisdom is communicated through not only her instruction, but quite simply through her presence. She effortlessly weaves together unique and challenging physical sequences while supporting the energy of the class with clear and gentle attention. She guides a truly deep and sustainable yoga practice for any age or level.”

-Mary, Artist

About our Location:

We will be staying at the beautiful Mala Dhara Eco Resort & Yoga Retreat Center, nestled in the middle of majestic mountains and rice fields, just 30 minutes from the Chiang Mai, Thailand .

All villas are hand built, and take into account the natural beauty of the land we will be living on.

They are organically luxurious, with all modern western conveniences. Each villa comes equipped with fans, refrigerators and hot and cold running water. It may be hard to crawl out of your bed in the mornings!

For more information contact: SUKHA YOGA

Yoga for Radiant Wellbeing: A Transformative 5-Day Yoga Retreat

with Gernot Huber

December 1-5 2018

Mala Dhara Yoga Retreat Center & Eco Resort

Chiang Mai Thailand

Yoga Mind Yoga Body

Swara Yoga School

5 Elements Yoga Teacher Training

Mala Dhara Yoga Retreat Center

Chiang Mai Thailand

January 5th – 26th 2019

Facilitators

Hugo  Abecassis

Melissa Spamer & Zoreh Afsarzadeh

Lotus in the Flame Yoga Retreat

Mala Dhara Yoga Retreat Center, Chiang Mai Thailand

March 29th – April 5th 2019

Join Zoreh and Melissa for 8 days and 7 nights at a beautiful eco-resort& yoga retreat center in the hills of Northern Thailand. This custom built yoga retreat center is a quiet oasis forty five minutes outside of the bustling walled city of Chiang Mai, one of the most culturally rich cities in all of Thailand. Each day you will enjoy 2 Yoga classes, one with Melissa and one with Zoreh, alternating morning and afternoon classes.

Come and experience one of the most enchanting cultures in all of S.E. Asia.

Additionally, included in your retreat, are two day trips to Chiang Mai. One during the day to explore the city, its temples, spas, and shops – lunch on your own. And one towards the evening, so you can visit their infamous night market and shop until your heart is content – dinner on your own.

We will also visit the local hot springs very close to Mala Dhara and go on a hike through the nearby hills, forest, and caves.

A highlight of the retreat is visiting the Elephant Sanctuary. After your morning Yoga practice we will travel to the Elephant Sanctuary to learn about, bathe and feed the elephants. A Thai lunch will be provided there.

There will also be plenty of time to rest and restore at the retreat center, to receive bodywork, lay by the pool, and relax in the many lounging areas at Mala Dhara.

Cost of Retreat and Registration

 

Rates are based on room selection. You may select from the options below.
Click on the links to submit your non-refundable deposit of $350 to reserve your space (or to pay in full) and note that your balance in full is due by January 30th, 2019. Once registered, Melissa will send you a link to pay your balance.
Please carefully review the Cancellation Policy and contact Melissa Spamer for more information.

Phone: 505-913-1835 // Email: [email protected]

 

 

Cancellation Policy

 

If you must cancel your retreat, the required deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable, unless we can fill your spot with another participant, given sufficient time.
Full refund, less deposit, will be given before 90 days notice of retreat start date.
Cancellations made within 90 days of your retreat: 50% of the total amount (less deposit) will be refunded.
Cancellations made within 60 days of your retreat: We apologize, but absolutely no refunds can be given, no exceptions.

 

About Melissa & Zoreh

 

Melissa has been teaching Yoga for 20 years, on five continents. She has led advanced teacher trainings, retreats, special workshops, and weekly classes. She has completed over six teacher trainings herself, and has specialized training in Yoga Therapy, Ayurveda, Vinyasa, and Alignment based asana practices. She has also studied extensively with Angela Farmer, Victor Van Kooten, and Rama Vernon – some of the first Western Yoga teachers, all of whom have inspired a rich tapestry of creative, highly energetic, and in depth knowledge of Yoga which she weaves throughout her classes. She has been traveling to S. E. Asia since 1995, and considers it to be a spiritual home. She has journeyed to Thailand many times, and is certified in Thai Massage.  Aside from teaching Yoga regularly, she is also a licensed bodyworker, licensed counselor and Ayurvedic practitioner, living happily in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

 

 

 

Zoreh is the founder of High Desert Yoga and has been teaching yoga since 1985. She is a faculty member of the High Desert Yoga Teacher Training Program since it origins 15 years ago. For the past twenty years she has been teaching classes for the general population and offering private yoga sessions to help many with back, neck, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle issues become pain free with proper alignment and mindfulness. Zoreh’s upbringing started her on the path of Sufism and she has studied numerous paths and methodologies including Iyengar, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, meditation, and the yoga methodology of the American Yoga College. Zoreh’s joyous personality and sense of humor endear her to her students with a teaching style that is both nurturing and fun. Her teaching combines a delicate knowledge of the body that allows a compassionate spiritual expression of the postures to emerge.

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Emptying Into Fullness Retreat

with Daphne Tse & Jade Wood

1-5 June 2019

Mala Dhara Yoga Retreat Center

Chiang Mai Thailand

Stillness & silence, somatic yin yoga, soul-songs & ecstatic dance ~ we welcome you on a retreat that fully embraces your full spectrum of being.

Each day will be an opportunity to go deeper into a felt sense of connection with yourself and each other. We will take time to settle our nervous systems through the slow practice of Somatic Yin Yoga and in reflective silence. Then awaken our creative energy with Soul Songs and Ecstatic Dance. This potent combination of Yin and Yang energies offers participants the opportunity to both rest and reflect inwards and also activate and celebrate through shared resonance of movement and song!

The sessions will be offered both morning and evening in the open air and poolside salas at the exquisite nature retreat of Mala Dhara in Northern Thailand and we will have essential time in-between to rest, swim, write, dream or explore the gorgeous surroundings of the rice fields, waterfalls and caves.

Sumptuous live vegetarian and vegan food will be provided by the vibrant Mala Dhara kitchen with innovative adaptations of local dishes from Thailand including fermented and probiotic foods, fresh juices and decadent raw desserts.

Following this we journey into the heart of the retreat to reclaim inner space though gentle embodiment practices including guided body scanning meditations and Yoga Nidra, following our sensations inwards before opening up to express the bright resonance of our shared voices and wild dances.

Reclaiming our power through movement, stillness and sound this retreat has something special for everyone. We each have a vibrant inner world, a voice, a body, a hidden truth, a yearning for quietness and an equal need to express ourselves and share the vibrancy of life.

Daphne and Jade bring their unique skills and years of experience in guiding transformational group experiences to help you embrace this beautiful duality.

If you are interested in joining us for this retreat, please send us an email at [email protected] and we can send you all details.

** packages available starting at US$895 per person! **

On the first night of the retreat we will begin with a sacred sweat – an open community celebration where we will raise our voices in song and Bhakti and then go to prepare our own special scrub mix made from locally sourced organic ingredients – coffee, rice grains, coconut, Thai herbs and oils – and then sit in the wood-fired sweat lodge to ritually release and prepare for our journey into the retreat. Inside the steam-dome the sound tones we share resonate deep into our bodies and when the need to rest and cool off comes there is the rice paddy terrace with a view of the stars.

Jade  Wood shares her love of embodiment through Somatic Yin and Body Awareness Meditation, a combination she has developed of Yin Yoga blended with Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement practice and Yoga Nidra. She brings her extensive knowledge of anatomy and energetics as a Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist, Yoga teacher trainer and internationally recognised bodyworker. Jade studied with the School of Sacred Arts, Paul Grilley and Angel Farmer and is continually adding to her learning library with ongoing postraduate trainings with Franklyn Sills, Paul Newton and teaching with the Body Intelligence Institute.

Daphne Tse is a spirited, soulful artist and teacher. Her passion for music started from a young age. Since her initial yoga class in 1994, she has explored merging her spiritual practice with her contemporary folk singer/songwriter style. She studied music at The University of Texas at Austin, The Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago and kirtan with Jai Uttal and travels extensively sharing her music around the globe. She has been featured on yoga music compilations and has released 5 albums.

Daphne has been teaching yoga since 2004 after completing a foundational teacher training in Venice, California. She is inspired by her friend and co-creator, Ellen Watson, with whom she has birthed Vibrance, a combination of ecstatic dance, sound, singing, and touch. She embraces the teachings of Shiva Rea, Erich Schiffman, Mark Whitwell, O.P. Tiwari and Ammachi in her daily practice. Daphne brings her soulful teachings and music to Mala Dhara and joy for living life fully.

[email protected]

An Embodied Awakening

with Urban Yogis

Kathy Gabriel 

& Samanta Duggal

June  9-13  2019

Mala Dhara Yoga Retreat Center

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Spend 5 days in a beautiful sanctuary in the middle of majestic mountains and rice fields of Chiang Mai, Thailand.

This retreat is an embodied journey through a variety of modalities from Yoga, Meditation, Holistic Health, Energetic Healing, Sound Therapy and Thai Massage.

Deepen your mind-body connection by looking at health from a broader perspective that goes beyond our flesh, bones, and what our bodies look like.  Awaken your internal senses and uncover your own physical and subtle mind body mapping to come back into alignment with your highest self.

Indulge in delicious farm to table plant based meals and strengthen your practice of self care and reflection to make space in your heart to explore all that you are and all that you can be.

Amidst it all, find time to lounge by the pool, enjoy an herbal steam, dance barefoot under the moonlight, take a dip in nearby hot springs and discover the local area.

This retreat is designed to be accessible to anyone of any age, body size, physical fitness level and experience.

Restart Your Body

Empower Your Mind

Come Experience Your Own Embodies Awakening

For More Info. Please Contact:    URBAN YOGIS

Stoking the Flame

A deep immersion Igniting your innate capacity to feel purposeful, connected, loved and  whole through traditional and contemporary yogic practices.    

Friday 14  th   – Sunday 30  th   June 2019 

Mala Dhara Yoga Retreat Center, Eco Resort

& Organic Farm 

Chiang Mai, Thailand   

Sometimes in life, we reach an intersection. Our world may be full and busy ­ satisfying even, and yet there is a yearning for something quieter, deeper, richer. The ancient tradition of retreat provides an opportunity to step away from the rhythm and pace of daily life, in order to see things as they are – and to see ourselves as we truly are.

Stoking the Flame is an immersive and intentional yoga retreat experience held deep in the beautiful landscape of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Spread out over two weeks, this yoga retreat is designed to ‘stoke the flame’ of intention and purpose for those who are interested in diving deeper into their yoga practice, without the formalities of a yoga teacher training program.

Who is this immersion for?

Stoking the Flame is open to all who feel the calling to immerse deeply in this offering. Alice and Jo have trained over many years to facilitate and hold space for diverse groups of yoga practitioners with unique needs and intentions. They both believe wholeheartedly that yoga is a personal practice that starts from where we are at and are committed to facilitating experiences that are both inclusive and accessible.

For many people, retreat is a time of deep unfolding, self­ discovery, break­through and metamorphosis. Stoking the Flame is an opportunity to step away from the noise and information overload of daily life, and to reconnect with one’s breath, body and essential nature. To ‘stoke the flame’ is to ignite your innate capacity to feel purposeful, connected, loved and whole, just as you are.

This offering is for everyone. Our retreats are inclusive of all people, all bodies and all ages. We are proudly LGBTQIA+ friendly and welcoming of all.

Why is it important to practice together? 

To come together on retreat creates special opportunities for connection and attunement both with others and with the natural environment. The experiences of community and support that arise via retreat represent an opportunity for growth and development, as we are always operating in relationship with the world and others. The process of learning in community is so revered, that it is described as a ‘kula’ or ‘community of the heart’ in Sanskrit and as similarly as a ‘sangha’ in Buddhism. Retreat represents a rare opportunity to spend time with like­-minded individuals who share common interests, values and practices.

What does it mean to develop a self­ practice?

Whilst practicing together represents a vital component of retreat, an emphasis on Stoking the Flame is the development of a self-­practice , complete with tools, resources and techniques that you can take with you anywhere that you go.

All yoga is designed to be modified and adapted for the individual, and an important part of this retreat is developing a self-­practice that feels appropriate, useful and exciting for you. For some this may be a predominantly physical practice, whilst for others it may be more focused on practices that soothe the mind or for work with the breath. Whatever your intention and yoga practice, Alice and Jo are present to support and guide you as required.

About Mala Dhara Yoga Retreat Center, Eco Resort & Organic Farm

Mala Dhara is a beautiful yoga­ retreat centre, eco resort and organic farm located 40 minutes outside of the Old  City of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Surrounded by rice paddies, the environment is one of peace and restoration.

Nourishing mostly organic meals are provided onsite by vegan Kin Dee Restaurant, with all dietary requirements  catered for.

For further information and images:  Mala Dhara Yoga Retreat Center.

About Thailand in June 

Stoking the Flame is held in the monsoon season of June, a time when the ground is soft, the rain is warm, and the air is gentle. In Ayurveda, this is understood as Kaphic season ­ characterized by great fertility, new beginnings and a sense of connectedness. This is an incredibly potent time for introspection and realignment. For these reasons, our retreat schedule includes spaciousness for private processing, reading, meditating and resting.

About Your Facilitators

Alice and Jo have been collaborating, learning and working together for many years, united by their  love for community, nature and inclusive practices.

To learn more about Alice, head to  www.alicehobday.net   / @alice.hobday.yoga

To learn more about Jo, head to  www.jobuick.com   / @jo.buick

To learn more about their shared venture, State of Being, head to  www.stateofbeing.org.au   /  @state.of.being

RETREAT SCHEDULE

On retreat, six out of seven days follow a schedule of:

• Mindful and considered physical practice (contemporary hatha and restorative yoga);  ­
• Experiential immersions into the philosophies and teachings of yoga (including  Ayurveda, Tantra and the Sutras);  ­
• Guided and self­ guided meditation practices;   ­
• Asana and pranayama workshops;
• ­ One ­on ­one mentoring with retreat facilitators;  ­ Time for introspection and private processing; and  ­
• Opportunities to participate in scheduled activities including mountain hikes, hot  springs, walking tours of the Old City, Thai massage and cooking classes.

Investment  

Investment in  Stoking the Flame  is inclusive of:    ­

• 16 nights of accommodation at Maladhara;  ­
• All meals and refreshments for six days of the week (option for the 7th day if desired);  ­
• Daily led yoga asana practices;  ­
• Daily led meditation and pranayama practices;  ­ Asana, meditation and yogic philosophy workshops;  ­
• Individual mentoring to support personal practice and growth;  ­
• Holistic activities to choose from including:
• Thai cooking class, Guided Sippa Hot  Springs day­trip, Guided local caves and ridge top hike;  ­
• Private Herbal Steam; and  ­ Fire Body Scrub Night

Exact pricing varies depending on the accommodation option selected. Please refer to the below  section for variations.

Accommodation Options:

CONCESSION PRICES

Concession prices are available, please contact us to discuss.

CONDITIONS

$1000 AUD Deposit is due seven days within booking. The deposit is non­refundable, non­transferable and is part of the overall tuition. For the standard rate, full payment is due 6 weeks prior to the training commencement. After this date, full payment for new registration is due immediately. Check­in is June 14 th and check­out June 30 th . Please note: Your booking is not secured until your deposit is paid. Also, your registration is not final until full payment is received.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Refunds are available, less the $1000 deposit before end of 31st April, 2019. No refunds are available  after that date, unless we are able to fill your place from the wait list.

ROOM SHARE POLICY

When booking a twin share room while traveling alone, we will do our best to place you in a room with another same sex participant who is also traveling solo. In instances where this is not possible, you may be required to upgrade to a single room. Participants are placed in shared rooms based on gender and the order in which they book. However, if there is somebody specific that you would like to share a room with, please let us know via email and we will ensure that you are accommodated accordingly.

For more information or to register, Please Contact:    www.alicehobday.net

[email protected] or  www.jobuick.com      [email protected]