Create a Retreat for Yourself

Create a Retreat for Yourself

Going on a retreat can do wonders for your spirit. There is something powerful about all that space and time dedicated to one’s practice that creates a depth to the work. When I think of retreating, I think of turning inwards, time for silence, simple food, flowing through postures, my breath moving in and out, sunlight, salt water, and lavender scented sheets. Retreat isn’t just one thing – it is a layering of many small things to create an environment infused with healing. Sadly, retreats are not cheap and while I understand the reason for it, it makes it awfully cost prohibitive for the typical yogi to experience. Although I have been lucky enough to go on several extended retreats – they are far and few between. About ten years ago I started creating retreat days for myself and now I do them monthly, usually over a weekend. On those days, I retreat from my typical activities of hustle and bustle and choose to immerse myself in my practice. I eat simply, I rest and I create an environment of healing in my own home. These days have become a touchstone and an important anchor to my practice. To prepare: Clear your calendar for the day/weekend/week that you choose to retreat. Clean Your House. Clean sheets. Clean Tub. Dishes done. Groceries (stock-up on simple and nutritious food) Create a schedule of several classes or workshops – building yourself a full day immersion (sometimes all at one studio, sometimes at several studios) Arrange flowers and create a space of healing for your beautiful self – even if it is just...

Singing in the Sunrise

I always loved singing but when I first started with yoga I hated chanting. HATED it.  In my world chanting was not singing – at that point in my practice my personal comfort zone was so narrow and tight that I am amazed I could breathe. Looking back I think it was the delivery of my first teachers that turned me off so much. In the classes I attended chanting seemed tortured, usually the teacher was loud and everyone else was whispering.  We were all uncomfortable and for years I thought it was the lamest most antiseptic thing ever. Sometimes I would get so frustrated by chanting in a class that I would simply roll up my mat and go. I was years into my practice before I attended my first Kirtan and my belief about chanting shifted. Kirtan is a beautiful practice of call and response chants.  I realized then that chanting is uplifting, it is freeing – my first Kirtan was absolutely opposite of every experience I had had with chanting until that moment.  I fell in love with the practice – in LOVE. Singing as healer is as old as human kind.  It is part of every tradition.  Like songs chants can be short and sweet or long and elaborate.  By nature chants are repetitive and repetition is a known doorway to the meditative mind. Chanting is an energetic expression and a powerful tool of healing.  Now, I use it daily and infuse it into my world by chanting while driving, or cooking, or showering. I interweave it into my classes and try to inspire my...

Healing House Retreat Schedule!

                                                                                  The Healing House is such a remarkable place for practice.  I so hope that you can join my parents and I for three days of contemplation, renewal and healing.  All practices at the Healing House will be held with this beautiful view in sight. Healing House Retreat Schedule Friday Evening (November 8, 2013): Meet and Greet / Agreements | 8:30 pm Fire and candlelight practice | 9:00pm – 10:00pm Saturday (November 9, 2013): Singing in the Sunrise |6:00am Morning Practice| 7:00am  – 9:00am Tea at the Healing House | 9am  – 9:30am Inn Breakfast/ Private Time | 10:00am  – 3:00pm Afternoon Practice | 3:00pm – 5:00pm Selfless service |5:30pm – 6:00pm Healing House Dinner | 6:00pm Fire and candlelight practice| 8:00pm – 9:00pm Sunday Morning (November 10, 2013): Meditation Walk | 6:00am Singing in the Sunrise|  6:30am  – 7:00am Morning Practice | 7am  – 9am Tea at the Healing House | 9am  – 9:30am Inn Breakfast/check out | 10am – 12pm Accommodations: Craignair Inn by the sea (originally owned by my beloved Godmother) is located less then a mile from the Healing House. Each room at the Inn is unique and therefore the pricing for the three-day retreat ranges from:  $405 – $505 (Single Occupancy) The fee includes the following: 2 nights accommodations All practices and classes Breakfast Saturday and Sunday Dinner Saturday night Taxes Please contact Craignair Inn to reserve your space! Payment and Cancellation Policy: A deposit of $300 is required to reserve your space. The balance of your room is due at check-in. Your deposit is refundable if the cancellation is made 14 days (October...

Announcing the Healing House Retreat: November 9th – 11th

Healing House Retreat (Spruce Head, Maine) My parents and I invite you to our seaside home for three days of practice, healing, contemplation, and renewal. The Healing House Retreat is based on the lifestyle that I adopted in order to heal myself from chronic fatigue. During that time of healing I interwove a number of practices together, including: nutrition, yoga, walking, meditation, and singing. Each in their own way helped me to find my way back to myself. I am excited to share my family’s remarkably healing space and these simple practices with you! Friday Evening (November 9, 2012): ·      Meet and Greet / Agreements          7pm ·      Fire and candlelight practice            8pm – 10pm Saturday (November 10, 2012): ·      Singing in the Sunrise:                      6am ·      Fruit and Tea                                     7am ·      Morning Practice:                              8am  – 10am ·      Inn Breakfast/ Private Time:             10am  – 2pm ·      Afternoon Walk and Practice:           2pm – 5pm (Brianna will meet you at the Inn) ·      Healing House Dinner:                      6pm ·      Fire and candlelight practice:            8pm – 9pm Sunday Morning (November, 11 2012): ·      Singing in the Sunrise                        6am ·      Fruit and Tea                                      7am ·      Morning Practice                                8am – 10am ·      Inn Breakfast/check out                     10am – 12pm Accommodations: Craignair Inn by the sea (originally owned by my beloved Godmother) is located less then a mile from the Healing House. Each room at the Inn is unique and therefore the pricing for the three-day retreat ranges from:  $380 – $480 (Single Occupancy) The fee includes the following: 2 nights accommodations...