Looking after our bodies with Yoga

Continental House, Hepburn Springs

Friday August 17, 6.30pm to Sunday August 19, 2pm

As part of our celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of Integral Yoga®, the Victorian Integral Yoga Association is delighted to be offering a mid-winter Yoga retreat.

Treat yourself to a wonderful weekend focussed on getting out of our heads and dedicating ourselves to honouring and taking care of our bodies—join us to share in a space where we can really enjoy living in our bodies, allowing the body to be the clear vessel through which we can serve in the world, and using our awareness of the body as our portal in to the ever deepening experience of our true nature—always peaceful, joyful and free.

When we spend a lot of our time in our heads—thinking, planning, worrying—we are usually occupied with the past or the future and we miss the bliss in present moment. During this retreat, we will dive into the bliss in the moment through asana (yoga postures), pranayama (breathing practices), yoga nidra (deep relaxation), meditation, delicious and nourishing food, time in nature, optional spa treatments and more.

Designed for all levels of experience with Yoga, from beginners to seasoned practitioners, the program will include:

• Daily Hatha Yoga, deep relaxation, breathing practices and meditation
• A Hatha Yoga workshop to help us refine our practices of asana and pranayama
• Q & A discussion on Yoga practices and philosophy, related to taking care of the body
• Optional spa treatments—massage, mineral baths, steam room etc*
• The opportunity to dive deep within through the (optional) practice of silence
• Exploring yogic diet through discussion and experience of delicious organic vegan meals and snacks (dinner on Friday, through to lunch on Sunday)
• Developing a realistic home practice to support un in integrating Yoga into daily life
• Free time to connect with nature and like-minded people, and have fun!

We really want this retreat to be exactly what you need—if there is a particular aspect of Yoga that you would like us to include, or a particular challenge you are facing and you’d like to explore how Yoga can help, please let us know. We will do our best to include all requests, either in scheduled group classes or private mentoring sessions.

*During our free time on Saturday afternoon, there will be the option of participating in a led DIY massage/spa treatment (individually and in pairs, clothes on).

Professional massage / spa treatments will also be available at an additional cost. We can arrange an on-site treatment for you, or you can visit one of the many nearly therapists (we can recommend some excellent practitioners, if you wish).

Depending on interests and weather, we may offer other activities during the free time—additional asana workshops, Yoga discussion groups, croquet, bushwalking, indoor games etc.

Cost, more info and booking:
Cost per person: Private room: $490 ($440 conc.)    Twin share room: $370 ($320 conc.)

Concession prices are available to full-time students and concession card holders. If you do not qualify for concession, but are in need of financial assistance, please contact Mitra.

For booking information, please contact Mitra on 0400 594 095 or sadema@netspace.com.au

For program details please contact Chitra on 5476 4350 or chitra108@bigpond.com

NB: There are only 12 rooms available so please book ASAP to ensure your place.

To book, please visit: www.trybooking/LTGS

Retreat Schedule (subject to change)

All aspects are optional—please create the weekend you need!

We have left the final session open at this stage so we can taylor it to the requests of participants—let us know before hand if you have a particular area of interest and we will aim to include it either during the final session or in an optional discussion/session during free time.

Friday

5.30—6.30pm: Arrive / registration (aim to arrive no later than 6.30, to be ready for a 7pm start)

6—7: Light dinner available (organic soup and locally baked organic sour dough bread)

7—7.15: Opening circle

7.15—9: Hatha Yoga with extended Yoga Nidra (deep relaxation)

9 onwards: Optional silence

Saturday

6.30—7am: Optional meditation

7.15—8.45: Hatha Yoga (multi-level class)

8.45—9.45: Breakfast

10:30—12: Morning session

12:15—12.45pm: Yoga Nidra

1—4: Lunch (with optional silent period) followed by

Free time—eg. games, bush walks, DIY spa treatments or you can arrange to receive a professional massage / spa treatment

4—5.30:    Afternoon session

5.45—6.15: Yoga nidra or meditation

6.30—8: Dinner

8.15—9.30: Evening program

9.30 onwards: Optional silence

Sunday

6.30—7am: Optional meditation

7.15—8.45: Hatha Yoga (multi-level class, including level 2/3 options)

8.45—9.45:  Breakfast

10.30am—12.30pm: Morning session, including closing circle

12.45—2pm: Lunch (with optional silent period)

The program is being offered and organised by the Victorian Integral Yoga Association Inc (VIYA). We are a small group of Integral Yogi volunteers focusing on sharing the teachings of Integral Yoga through regular, affordable Yoga programs and retreats. Deb Absler, the current VIYA president, is this program’s co-ordinator, and Yoga sessions will be presented by our local Integral Yoga teachers, including Chitra Stern, Mitra Dema, Simone O’Donnell, and Jivana Vains. 

Any profit generated by this program will be used in two ways: some will be held to cover costs of future programs (including Swami Ramananda’s visit in January 2017) and donations to charity.