Retreats

Yoga East Retreats and Yoga Nidra Classes
The teachers of our tradition and the texts of yoga tells us that the purpose of human birth is to enjoy life, family and work, and to have spiritual fulfillment. We explore these teachings in our retreats and yoga nidra classes.
The word "ashram" means "without fatigue". Spending time in a yoga ashram is a way of removing the fatigue of worldly existence. Retreats are a wonderful way to refresh and renew your spirit and spiritual aspirations.Our Retreats create the serene and refreshing atmosphere of a yoga ashram - a sanctuary in which we can focus on the refreshing and spiritually-reviving practices of yoga .
What to Bring Meditation cushion, a shawl or sweater, notebook and pen, a bed pillow and eyebag for Yoga Nidra. Wear exercise clothes for asana practice. What to Wear Our retreats usually combine asana practice as well as seated meditation and lying-down relaxation. Wear comfortable clothes. You may want to bring a shawl or sweater and a pair of socks.
Yoga Nidra Deep Relaxation The Profound Inner Journey
July 26, 2008 September 27, 2008 December 27, 2008 January 31, 2009 $20
The Profound Inner Journey As is your deepest driving desire, so are your thoughts. As are your thoughts, so are your words. As are your words, so are your deeds. As are your deeds, so is your destiny. ---Upanishads
What is Yoga Nidra? The word "nidra" means sleep, but this is not ordinary sleep. This is yogic sleep, entering a profound state of relaxation in which you are able to descend into deep levels of consciousness and unlock your inner strengths. Learn how to transform your life. Change negative habits and thoughts into positive, life-affirming behaviors. Tap into your own creative potential. Re-discover how to meet life's challenges with enthusiasm and courage. Yoga Nidra holds the key. Yoga Nidra is based upon the ancient tantra techniques of nyasa, bhuta shuddhi, and meditation using dharanas. Laura Spaulding has studied these teachings both in ashrams in India and in the U.S., and studied Yoga Nidra with Maja Trigg (founder of Yoga East) and Di Kendall (past president of The British Wheel of Yoga). What to Expect This class is like a one-hour guided relaxation. No yoga experience is needed. Participants must be able to lie quietly on the floor, listening to the teacher's instructions. The class begins with a soothing series of easy yoga postures that prepare the body for deep relaxation. What to Bring Bring a regular bed pillow and something to lie upon such as a comforter, quilt or sleeping bag. You can also bring a blanket for covering and an eyebag. Wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothing. Who Can Practice Yoga Nidra? You must be able to lie quietly on the floor for an hour, listening to the teacher's instructions. Yoga Nidra is not appropriate for children under 12, individuals who cannot lie still on the floor, who have a seizure disorder, restless leg syndrome, active lower back discomfort, or are beyond the first trimester of pregnancy. Do not attend if you have a cold or sinus problems that cause coughing, sniffling, sneezing or sinus drainage. Yoga Nidra Class Etiquette Arrive early for class to register and set up your space. Latecomers will not be admitted. If you are hard-of-hearing you should position yourself near the front of the room. Turn off cell phones, watch alarms and pagers.
Autumn Retreat - Mantra Yoga
Mantra Yoga November 22, 2008 2:00-5:30 pm Kentucky Street Studio $60 (Workshop fee includes a copy of the Mantram Handbook by Eknath Easwaran) Secure online registration with Paypal. Mantras are sound formulas that have been used by yogis for thousands of years to quiet and purify the restless mind. In this workshop we will study mantras from different cultures and the importance of sound in yoga, viewing the beautiful and inspiring video, Beads of Faith: The Sacred Name and the Heart's Celestial Garden. Laura will show how to choose a mantra, how to practice mantra repetition with prayer beads and finger counting, and how to use mantra for yoga practice, meditation and in many daily life situations to help quiet and focus the mind.
Study Materials Available for Purchase at the Retreat
Video/DVD		Beads of Faith Gray Henry and Susannah Marriott Fons Vitae $29.95
Book		The Mantram Handbook Eknath Easwaran Nilgiri Press $13.95
Book		Beads of Faith: The Sacred Name and the Heart's Celestial Garden. Gray Henry & Susannah Marriott Fons Vitae $29.95