2024 Retreat Classes Descriptions:
Ayurveda 101: What’s My Dosha - Sarasvati
The five elements congregate in a certain pattern in the body of every human being and are known as doshas. The three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha are referred to respectively as the air, fire and water principles and everyone has a unique combination of these elements decided during conception. The 24 hour cycle has a vata time, pitta time, kapha time. The seasons have a vata, pitta or kapha time. Ayurveda is one of the oldest healing systems that teach us to live within the rhythm of the earth as well as the seasons of our lives. Using diet, exercise, massage, meditation, teas and herbs among other things we learn to manage the ever changing nature of our minds and our bodies as we respond to life experiences. Learn what prakriti and vikriti mean and how our own unique mental and emotional make up responds to different situations. “Ultimately, Ayurveda is an art of living in harmony with the natural world, practiced moment to moment”.
Qigong – Michael
A gentle practice of aligning breath, movement, and awareness appropriate for all levels of ability. Qigong helps to calm the mind and to cultivate one’s chi (life energy). Qigong balances the five elements that are related to the organs and the hormones that they control.
Pranayama and Meditation, Doshic and Health Benefits - Sarasvati
Different practices are appropriate for different prakritis and vikritis. Hatha Yoga uses various practices to affect the doshas in certain ways as well as to calm the mind and enhance meditation. Learn how these practices help heal our whole being; physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. We will use these practices throughout the retreat.
All The Basics on Essentials – Hunter Margolf, MS
Unlock the healing power of plants with pure essential oils and discover the natural way to promote wellbeing, reduce stress and enhance your life. Imagine transforming your wellbeing with the power of plants. Inhale the soothing aroma of lavender or apply peppermint oil to invigorate your senses. Essential oils, that are sourced from organic farmers and distilled for purity, offer a natural solution for every wellbeing need. Learn ways to harness the healing power of plants to transform your wellness routine. Guided by Hunter’s expertise help expand your knowledge of the healing power of plants as he leads discussions on selected oils for their therapeutic properties. Hunter is dedicated to helping individuals harness the power of essential oils for holistic healing. Join the thousands who have discovered the natural way to promote wellbeing with pure essential oils, and begin your journey to holistic healing.
Digestion as the Root of our Health, Reading the Tongue/Self Assessment, Healing Properties of Culinary Herbs
In Ayurveda, digestion is considered the root of our health. This can include how we digest what we hear, see and experience as well as what we eat. The Universe’s rasa is expressed through the six tastes; sweet, salty, sour, astringent, bitter and pungent and Ayurveda encourages using the six tastes in various proportions in our meals depending on the current state of our dosha/prakriti and considers all food belonging to three categories; rajasic, tamasic and sattvic. Our tongue can reveal both mild and serious conditions of digestion, something you can monitor yourself by learning to read the tongue. Sarasvati will touch on these aspects of digestion, (which is a very big subject!) as well as speak to how simple culinary herbs and spices can be used to balance digestion. Bring a handheld mirror if you can!
Balancing Female Hormones in Times of Transition
Sarasvati will speak to this topic because of multiple requests. Living in accordance with your prakriti is first and foremost to helping balance female hormones as they change and fluctuate. Understanding more thoroughly what happens at this time of life and recognizing which dosha is out of balance will help you know how to maintain your equilibrium with diet, appropriate exercise, pranayama, meditation, teas and herbs.
What Is Yoga Really? - Sarasvati
Sarasvati will dive into some of the history and deeper aspects of Yoga. One of her favorite subjects!
Rituals for Your Health - Sarasvati
What do you do first upon awakening? Second? How do your structure your day, especially when working with not a lot of time for self care. What do you do when you prepare to end your day? From scraping and examining the tongue, to drinking warm water, to preparing your food for the day - how we approach these simple practices and what we choose to include can enhance our well being.
Japa is the repetition of a meaningful word or phrase. The Sanskrit word Japa means “that which puts an end to the cycle of births and deaths or the attainment of complete peace through silence.” Japa can be a purification. You can use a rosary or “japa mala” which usually has 108 beads on it. It involves turning one bead at a time while repeating a specific mantra (a Vedic phrase or verse each word charges with a spiritual quality) This repetition generates a deep vibration that is accord with the heart. “Being at peace with oneself is to be quiet. Peace is being able to quietly thin the mind of its erratic secretions.” – Maya Tawari. Bring your own beads or purchase rudraska mala beads at retreat.
Self Massage, Marma and Guasha – Cindy and Amanda
Ayurvedic massage is thought to have been developed to enhance the welfare of early warriors in India. This type of massage is based on knowledge of the body’s marma points, the anatomical sites where muscles, nerves, blood vessels, joints, ligaments and bone meet. It’s comparable to meridian points used in acupuncture. Cindy will teach some basic marma points you can use on yourself or loved one. Amanda will teach beginning practices of Guasha which is a traditional Chinese healing method in which you use a smooth edged tool to stroke your skin while gently pressing on the tool. Guasha is used to treat pain, improve circulation and relax muscles all over the body often alongside other treatments such as acupuncture and massage. Participants will learn a self massage practice they can do at home. Each retreatant will receive a Guasha tool as well as some massage oil and choose a safe for the skin aromatherapy oil to add to it to take home.
Pranayama and Herbal Friends for Times of Stress – Sarasvati
Yoga teaches us to be parasympathetic dominant and changes how we respond to stress. It’s a process of purification. “From a Yogic perspective, we begin to discover the part of us which is eternal and blissful, as opposed to that part which is changeable and mortal. We begin to realize there is a place of inner peace within which is always present and accessible regardless of what happens outside.” Sarasvati will teach breathing practices and share information about herbs and teas that are especially important when managing stress.
NOTE:
Ayurveda and Yoga are considered to be sister sciences and are thousands of years old. Cindy is committed to bringing traditional Yoga and Ayurvedic education to her community knowing that subtle practices can result in big changes by living more in tune with the earth and one’s unique constitution. She believes that changing our world starts with oneself.
Truly; Be The Change You Want to See!
** All Yoga and Qigong classes will be adapted to what is right for you during the retreat**