2012

2012 Retreats

February 4-11 – Laura Hansen – Soulcollage and Yoga Retreat

“If you’re ready for a creative journey that will alter your life for the better, there’s no better guide for that journey than Laura. It would be a gift to your soul to be in her  company.”    – Jan Phillips, Author of Marry Your Muse

Expand your creativity and nurture your artist’s soul in community with other women. Art making and creative expression are practices in listening deeply to ourselves and coming home to that which is most true and essential in us. On this retreat we will be nurtured by nature, yoga, and the creative process as we play and create using SoulCollage®.  SoulCollage® is a creative and intuitive process of creating a personal deck of unique, collaged cards that express various aspects of ourselves. SoulCollage® draws from both Jungian psychology and Native American shamanic wisdom andfosters creative renewal, self discovery and understanding, self acceptance, and soul-tending. SoulCollage® is both a fun form of creative play and a profound transformational process.

Daily yoga and expressive movement will open our bodies and support our creative unfolding. Meditation practices will encourage a deepening of mindfulness, lovingkindness, and peace, allowing the heart to open and providing a gentle arena for the transformative work and for cultivating wisdom. Absolutely no experience in art, or yoga is necessary! Although some participants may already have an established yoga practice and creative life, no previous experience in either is required. All levels of students are welcome, and all are made to feel comfortable in both the art making and the yoga. Outings and excursions will provide opportunities for participants to visit nearby Mayan pueblos and market towns and to soak in the riches of this beautiful and gentle culture.   *Access your deep wisdom and come home to yourself.    *Rediscover creativity as play.   *Experience Guatemala’s rich culture, learn about its history and sacred  traditions.

Laura Hansen, MSW, is an artist, Expressive Arts facilitator, and former business executive. Her creative life and meditation practices have provided her a way to navigate through life’s challenges and transitions. She now facilitates others in their creative and spiritual journeys and is especially interested in the intersection of art and spirituality. She creates safe and nurturing environments where people can learn to listen to their intuition and rediscover how nourishing it is to engage in creativity as play. Her background includes a Masters in Clinical Social Work,a degree in Studio Arts, fifteen years of yoga and vipassana meditation practices, and graduate studies in Expressive Arts.  For more information visit our website at www.artandsoul.us.com or to register email: laura@artandsoul.us.com

February 11 – 18, 2012 Opening to Presence – Yoga, Meditation and Self-Inquiry Retreat w/ Patricia Brown & Surya Chandra Das

This 8 day retreat is an opportunity to take your yoga practice to another level by inquiring into the essence of the yogic path. Who am I? What is life really about? Why am I here? Is Presence my true nature?  These are all questions which begin to arise from a deeply engaged life and practice, a yearning for true freedom and the desire to open to the depth of who and what we are.

The container of this retreat will provide the support for an embodied experience of this exploration.  Each day of the retreat we will engage the practices of:   Yoga asana, restorative and yin yoga and pranayama drawing attention toward noticing blocked energetic pathways while recognizing the peace and calm of a balanced state of being. Meditation to notice patterns of mind and inviting familiarity with stillness and silence.  Self-inquiry a process of becoming aware of the felt sense of Presence and noticing the conditioned patterns which keep us from the peace of simply being present with ourselves and the moment as it is.

The retreat schedule includes:  Pranayama and Meditation, Asana, Free Time for hiking, swimming, resting, visiting the local indigenous village, Restorative and yin yoga, and Self-inquiry.

Because of the inward nature of this retreat, there will be periods of group silence between sessions.  This retreat is for anyone wanting to become more conscious of deeper levels of awareness by using the yogic practices and personal life experience as portals for Opening to the Presence that we are.

For more information see www.rollingmeadowsretreat.com , e-mail info@rollingmeadowsretreat.com or call 1-888-666-6412

February 18-25 2012 -Carla  Stangenberg -Yoga Retreat

February 25-March 3 2012 -Cynthia Fuller-Kling-Yoga Retreat

Yoga. Meditation. Legendary views and the sacred waters of Lake Atitlan. Mayan culture in the Guatemalan highlands. The renowned hospitality and beauty of Villa Sumaya. The perfect way to begin 2012!!!

Join Tilak Pyle and artist and mystic Asha Greer for a week combining transformative spiritual practices, nature adventures, fun, relaxation, and meaningful inner and outer explorations in this Central American paradise. Days will include morning meditations, body and heart opening yoga classes, powerful self-discovery and healing exercises, scrumptious vegetarian meals, and time to take full advantage of the unique opportunities that Villa Sumaya and the surrounding area provide.

For more information, please visit www.tilakpyle.com.

March 10-17 – Douglas Ridings and Dawn Jensen, 8 Limbs Yoga Center – Yoga Retreat

Join 8 Limbs Yoga Centers (Seattle, WA) Instructors Douglas Ridings and Dawn Jansen for a week-long immersion into the various
gifts of the 8-limbed path of yoga. Douglas and Dawn bring more than 30 years of yoga and movement practice to offer daily practices in Asana, Pranayama, and Meditation. They will also offer several philosophy talks to share their breadth of knowledge in yoga and introduce those interested to the art form of Indian Odissi Dance. Practitioners are encouraged to enjoy the mornings in noble silence (silence will be broken after breakfast), immerse themselves in the natural surroundings, share time with other retreat participants, and enjoy the opportunity for solitude. There will also be time to explore the Mayan culture in Guatemala through excursions and lecture.

To learn more about this retreat and how to register please visit the 8 Limbs Yoga Center website at http://www.8limbsyoga.com or email ashley@8limbsyoga.com.

March 10-17  Cleansing with Caela, Yoga-Bodywork-Whole Foods

Join Caela in the Mayan Highlands on beautiful Lake Atitlan for a week of rejuvenation and relaxation.  Caela is one of our yoga instructors here at Villa Sumaya.  She is also a certified Community Herbalist.  We welcome you to attune yourself with what your body needs with 2 Herbal/Nutrition Consultations, 1 Energy Healing Session, 1 Bodywork Session, 2 Movement Classes daily and a Whole-foods Menu.  Notice the clarity this brings to the mind and deepen your practice through awareness.  Mayan Ceremony, afternoon hot tubs and sauna also included.  7 days/6 nights in double occupancy rooms $899 or $1199 in single rooms.  Contact: Lizzy@villasumaya.com for more info

March 10-17 – Saskia Schreiber and Sophie Ducharme – Retreat in the Heart of the Mayan Culture 

Cultivating Our Innate Vitality & Balance Through Movement & Nutrition

An Exploration through Yoga  ~  Dance  ~  Nature Rituals  ~  Shamanic Journeys  ~  Interactive Workshops.

2012 is the beginning of a new cycle. Let this retreat mark as well a new cycle in your life as you join us for an enlivening journey into your most authentic self, cradled in the heart of the Mayan culture and Guatemala’s timeless nature and history. Villa Sumaya is a retreat situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Atitlan, with an uninterrupted vista punctuated by a skyline of three perfect volcanoes, comet- countdowns, sunset spotting and meditative mornings. A chance to reconnect with the innate joy of each moment!

Sophie& Saskia are both dedicated and experienced wellness practitioners and are passionate about creating the most unique and customized retreat experience possible. They facilitate the valuable connection to nature and how to reconnect to our full potential.  The daily morning movement and yoga practice opens your muscles, rejuvenates the joints to support flexibility, free and unrestricted movement of the body. The practice is based on a mix of yin/yang yoga, thai chi and chi gong. The afternoon Flow Motion dance workshops are a free form movement exploration from your thinking mind into your creative being. The guidance through music allows you to flow in your most natural and honest way.  The two interactive workshops provide you with valuable knowledge about the energetic pathways in our body and how to eat in a way that keeps you balanced.

The goal of this unique retreat is to reconnect with the innate joy of each moment and to offer tangible guidelines and tools for both a healthy movement practice and a healing diet.  A journey into your soul supported by one of the most powerful cultures of the world!

Price:  All- inclusive pricing starts at US$1662 including tax. Prices do not include airfare.  Early bird: save US$150,00 when registering before December 15^th and when bringing a friend!

March 17-24 2012 Karen Keresturi and  Rebekka Valian -Yoga Retreat

When was the last time you allowed yourself the time to push the pause button in your life? Invite yourself to the quiet solitude and sacredness of Lake Atitlan.Rebekka and Karen encourage you to join them in a gentle exploration of yoga. Allow yourself the time and space to absorb your own truth that is gleaned from the ancient practices of contemplation, meditation, pranayama and asana. This place of peaceful gardens and vaulting volcanoes naturally draws you to the stillness and lightness within yourself. Allow your body to be nourished by whole food, your soul to be nurtured by your own inner voice!

All of the people of Villa Sumaya create this wonderful space of comfort and steadiness. The food is exquisite. The gardens are glorious and you can just wander and become aware of the bounty in nature but also be surprised by the whimsical touch of human adornment. Please come and share in the niyama of svadhyaya – self study and self reflection with Karen and Rebekka. They offer two complementary styles of yoga so that you can experience both karma and bhakti yoga. Come and enjoy a timeless week in retreat – to laugh, play and explore your own divinity.

“Every day dip your soul into beauty. Meditation is the means to see beauty in the soul, which is the source of all beauty.” Hari Prasad Shastri  For more information: spiralyoga.ca

March 17-24 – Iyala Berley – Passage to Peace – Yoga Practices for Inner Alchemy

Come experience a week of blissful nourishment from the inside out. Iyala will guide you through 2 yoga classes a day (morning and evening), meditation, practices centered around awakening, restoring, and inspiring our true passions and purpose. The morning yoga class will enliven and awaken our body, mind, and spirit with a vinyasa practice and in the evening we will practice a flowing sequence with longer holds especially targeting the hips, spine and shoulders . Each day there will be a guided meditaion practice. We will explore one chakra each day as we use the 7 day retreat to balance the 7 major energy centers in the body and how they relate to our day to day life, integrating their influence to suffer less and live more. Drawing upon yoga philosophy, psychology,chanting, visualization, and astrology we will gain a deeper understanding of how these energy centers play into our well being, everyday life, and the choices we make.  Enjoy a 1 hr massage included in the retreat. Please bring a journal

Surrounded by one of the most magical places in the world it will be hard not to invoke the inner alchemy of transformation!   For pricing and registration please go to www.iyala.com

March 25-31 – Susan Colontuono – Leadership in Action

One of the best ways to test and strengthen your leadership skills is to apply them outside your current organization. Volunteer positions, board positions and leadership programs that employ simulations are among the options for doing this. Leading Women is offering another while also extending into an emerging market our mission to inspire and power women’s success. This unique program combines personal leadership development and a focus on strategy, strategy execution and change with the opportunity to apply leadership skills in support of women’s cooperatives and organizations that support women and families around the shores of beautiful Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. Email Susan at: scolantuon@aol.com

March 24-April 25 –  Jeanne Heileman of Yoga works – 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training Yoga Alliance Certification

This foundational (200–hour) program is ideal for serious students of yoga and aspiring teachers. It is recognized by Yoga Alliance and comprises three areas of study: The Theory and Practice of Yoga, Yoga Philosophy, and The Art of Teaching.

Teacher Bio: Jeanne Heileman has been practicing yoga in Los Angeles, Chicago, London and San Francisco since 1985 and is a Registered E-500 Hour Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance.  She did her first teacher training in 1996 at the Center for Yoga with Diana Beardsley.  At that time, she served as an Iyengar apprentice for one year and separately apprenticed with Judith Sekler for six months.  She completed her second teacher training in ParaYoga with Rod Stryker, with whom she continues to study as one of his senior teachers.  Her third training was with YogaWorks and Lisa Walford.  She has traveled in India studying Tantra with Pandit Rajmani Tigunait and with Shiva Rea studying Flow & Ayurveda.  Jeanne blends her teaching from all of her teachers, including Desiree Rumbaugh, John Friend, Erich Shiffman, Kofi Busia, Judith Lasater, Gary Kraftsow, and Chicago’s Suddah Wexler, creating a union of styles and philosophies.  Her classes are usually strong, with clear instruction, and set in a playful environment. The main intention in each class is to move a little bit closer to one’s truth, each time. Jeanne often includes the yogic practices of pranayama, mantra, and meditation within a flowing asana class.  She has been teaching at yoga studios, a drug & alcohol rehab center, and privately throughout Los Angeles since 1996.  She was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern California for three years.  Currently she serves on the YogaWorks Teacher Training Faculty, teaching trainings and workshops all around the globe.

For more information or to apply, contact: Alicia Cheung at: alicia.cheung@yogaworks.us   SEE MORE INFO ON OUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING PAGE

March 31-April 7 – Easter Week Retreat

Villa Sumaya has created this special week to celebrate Easter called, “Semana Santa” here in Guatemala.  Our package includes accommodations in our luxurious Lotus House, breakfast and dinner, 5 group sessions, 3 private yoga sessions, 2 one hour spa treatments, a tour to Santiago Atitlan and taxes for $1093 for singles and $753 for doubles.   We have two experienced, centered and wonderful yoga teachers, many talented and gifted healers and a staff that is ready to serve you.  We can customize a week that is perfect for you as well. Please contact: Lizzy@villasumaya.com for more information.

April 7 – 12 - Danielle Lee -Thawing into Spring:  A Spring Renewal Retreat

Join me on a transformative Spring renewal retreat designed to thaw open your body, mind and heart through detoxifying slow flows, releasing restoratives, nourishing yin, and guided meditations and reflections.  The long winter-into-spring transition is the perfect time to renew our intentions for the new year by bringing our attention to what deeply matters.

Villa Sumaya, which means a “little piece of heaven”, will be our sanctuary for 5 nights and 6 days.  Villa Sumaya is located on the shores of Lake Atitlan, a natural wonder of blue waters contrasting against the backdrop of three majestic volcanoes 10,000 feet high dominating the skyline.  Considered one of the world’s energy vortexes, Lake Atitlan has been referred to as “the most beautiful in the world” and “too much of a good thing” by the late renowned writer Aldous Huxley.  Add to the magical natural beauty – yoga, meditation, delicious food and good company – it’s a perfect way to harness the consolidated energy of the winter to thaw and bloom open into spring.

We will begin every morning with a session of guided meditation, juicy slow flows, nourishing yin, and gentle restoratives, after which we will enjoy a well balanced, nutritious and hearty vegetarian lunch.  There will be plenty of free time in the afternoon for optional outings and excursions (at an additional cost) to visit nearby Mayan pueblos and market towns, and to take in the riches of this beautiful and gentle culture.  The mystical energy of the lake, the lovely grounds, and affordable bodywork from the spa, however, may keep you from stepping a foot outside the retreat center.

Pricing includes shared accommodations, daily yoga and meditation sessions, thai yoga massage workshop, three vegetarian meals per day and daily coffee/tea service, and taxes.

Early bird triple occupancy:  $850.  Early bird double occupancy:  $895.  Early bird pricing ends January 31, 2012.  $950 and $995 thereafter for triple and double occupancy, respectively.  Single occupancy $300 supplement.  $300 non-refundable deposit at the time of registration.  Register early as space is extremely limited and to secure affordable airfare during this busy Easter holiday season and spring break.

• Go to www.dlmoveablefeast.com for retreat details and itinerary.
• Email Danielle.lee.mf@gmail.com with inquiries and to register.

April  21-29 Will Duprey Advanced Teacher Training  - 300 hour RYT

NOW you are ready to immerse yourself in the practice of yoga and live in it. As we integrate into the philosophies that enrich our living we begin to observe directly through contact with like-minded practitioners. If one is born with all the tools to obtain a state of yoga then certainly being around others with the same goal allows for certain discovery of that spark within.

The Advanced Training will take you deeper into the integration of practice to enrich the living experience. Even though we commonly view Hatha Yoga as being a physical practice involving multiple styles it is a distinct science referred to as Shadanga Yoga. This distinct path focuses particularly on prana and awakening the divine energy.   Essentially we practice a way to develop that burn for living, teaching and creating.

Comprised of three distinct modules -

JOURNEY TO SELF, FIRE OF PURIFICATION, and SONG WITHIN - that fulfill 300 hours of Advanced Training and are a registered program with Yoga Alliance.  Fire of Purification or Journey to Self are required before attending Song Within.   Fire of Purification and Journey to Self can be taken in any order.

Completion of all three modules acts as a bridge program bringing a 200 RYT to a 500 RYT. Enrollment in each module is limited to offer a better student to teacher ratio and to keep the quality of the program at it’s highest standards. Certification for 500 RYT will be given upon completion of all course requirements.

All of Will Duprey Yoga training programs and retreats donate %3 for Change. That’s right! 3% of profits will be made toward efforts in directly helping the local community or a designated organization of change . . . So while you are working within you are financially and spiritually contributing in the world outside.

To learn more about this Advanced Teacher Training and William Duprey –www.willdupreyyoga.com  or email at: info@willdupreyyoga.com.  See Will’s Bio under the Yoga Teacher Training tab.

May 4- 12 – Sensei Doug Duncan – Silent Meditation Retreat

See Meditation Retreat Page for complete details or contact Lizzy@villasumaya.com

May 13-20 – Lisa Ruell – Yoga Retreat

A Blissful Journey to Guatemala

Treat yourself to this blissful and rejuvenating yoga retreat, as we venture to the picturesque resort of Villa Sumaya on the shores of Lake Atitilan, Guatemala. We’ll begin our days with a fun, invigorating morning yoga class, and finish the day with a meditative, relaxing evening practice. The rest of the day is limitless. Enjoy the wonders and beauty of Lake Atitilan, simply enjoying the stunning views on a kayak, hammock or in the lake itself. We’ll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the inspiring and illuminating indigenous way of Mayan life with in nearby villages.  Excursions include a scenic boat ride to the fascinating and pristine village of Santiago, visiting Thermal Vents in a Pristine Blue Lagoon, breathtaking hikes to the majestic peak of San Pedro Volcano, and climbing El Pico del Cielo, with spectacular views of the Atitilan basin below.

Join Lisa Rueff, a vibrant and enthusiastic Bay Area yoga teacher popular for her ability to bring practitioners together for fun and flowing yoga classes with groovy music.  Lisa is passionate about inspiring, enriching, and nurturing others, and is known for infusing her classes with humor .  Lisa wholeheartedly believes yoga can be an amazing addition to anyones life and does not need to be achieved or attained, just enjoyed and explored. She is a Lululemon Ambassador and Zobha Circle of Grace Leader, and has been published in Yoga Journal for her Humanitarian Work.

Leading international yoga and service trips abroad, she encourages her students to discover the joys of philanthropy and volunteer work. During the trip, Lisa will provide you with an opportunity to get involved in a local volunteer project in a neighboring village, so that we can practice yoga on and off our mats. She combines her love of international travel and yoga with short-term humanitarian trips, having a profound and sustainable impact on the global community.  Contact Lisa at: Lisa@yogaadventures.org

May 24-June 18 – Akasha Ellis 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training

This is an incredible opportunity for those who join us to truly immerse ourselves into a daily Yoga practice. In our training we will create a safe and sacred space to learn, grow and experience our own divinity. Our intention is to share and support one another in a daily practice and return home to our loved ones inspired, happy and radiant with the strength and projection to uplift those around us. This training will offer you experiences that will serve you throughout your life. Once this foundation is laid and healthy habits take root one can begin to truly reap the benefits and wisdom of yoga. Daily we will practice asana, pranayama, chanting, and meditation as given to Akasha by his teachers.

We will encourage self-inquiry–svadhyaya— and discuss our experiences drawing on the yoga sutras and philosphy. Each day we will sweat, play and challenge one another working towards a balance of effort and ease.

Akasha’s style of Yoga is a blend of Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Vinyasa Krama and Kundalini Yoga.  These styles offer students a strong foundation for personal growth and a proven method for teaching.

To contact Askasha for more information: akasha@eastwindenterprise.com.  See Akasha’s bio on our Yoga Teacher Training Page.

July 13-22 -Laurie Ellis Young & Kathy Flaminio -Educators & Lovers of Yoga, Cutlural $ Peace Building 

Yoga is all about balance and connection as is this unique retreat We will balance time for being and doing, accomplishing and allowing, communing with ourselves and bonding with others, exploring native culture and investigative self-inquiry. We begin and end in the exciting charm of the colonial city of Antigua, juxtaposed with the enchanting beauty and peace of Lake Atitlan. 

July 21 – August 11  - Ashley Ludman 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training (see more under Yoga Teacher Training page)

July 27-August 5 –  Danielle Gentilcore,  E‐RYT  200 & Chantelle Cooper RYT 500

Journey  Into The  Mayan  World & Discover A Deeper Connection To Your  Purpose

Join Danielle Gentilcore and Chantelle Cooper for an adventure. As we journey into the Mayan world we will start the process of exploration and look deeper on the inside. Each day will be filled with yoga, adventure and relaxation in a small-personalized group with like-minded individuals. The pristine scenery is a truly magical place, which allows for personal growth.

The adventure begins in the stunning countryside of Copan Ruins, Honduras where we will stay for four nights and travel overland to Guatemala for the remainder five nights. The peaceful setting of the lake will help find balance in your life through self-inquiry and strengthen your passion for living. You will have a few days of free time for indulging in the wellness treatments, quiet time in a hammock or whatever it is your soul is calling for.

Our daily yoga practices will have a theme each day, which will assist you in connecting to or deeper to your purpose in life and assist you in living a powerful yogic life. The practices will be located in an outdoor, open-aired facility in Honduras and under a gorgeous thatched roof, which is enclosed and has a full panoramic lake/volcanic view with hard wood floors in Guatemala. Practice is not mandatory but suggested for you to get the most out of this journey. No experience necessary, beginners welcome, but we suggest that you have a basic foundation. The classes will be a combination of vinyasa alignment flow, partner, restorative, pranayama (breathing) and meditation. A.M. & P.M. practices.

Part of this adventure is giving back to the local communities through seva or “selfless service” (service performed without any thought of reward or personal gain). We will be visiting and working with local communities. This will include bringing items for donation and one day of service in each country.

For more information visit http://www.gentilcoreyoga.com or email: dl.gentilcore@gmail.com  to Register & Reserve Now

November 3- 17, -Danielle Gentilcore -Marianne Wells’s Foundational Lineage ® ~ The Power of Yoga’s Purpose 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Immersion

The 200 RYT Yoga Teacher Training gives you the proper foundation for teaching yoga. This professional certification training prepares you to teach safely, teach confidently and teach knowledgeably. You’ll learn the basic principles, essential elements and inner awareness to grow your understanding and your practice of yoga. Uncover how to embody what you teach through an integrated, hands-on approach.

Upon completion of this training, you will earn a 200 RYT certificate and be eligible to continue your education with the Marianne Wells’s Advanced Yoga Teacher Training programs.

This teacher training will give yoga students the confidence necessary to teach a safe, remarkable and successful class. It is open to all students; dedicated practitioners and aspiring teachers seeking to deepen their understanding of themselves and a yogic lifestyle, developing the skills in becoming an exceptional yoga teacher.

The program will consist of pranayama, mantras, the yoga sutras of Patanjali, physical body systems, energy body layers, asanas, how to live a yogic lifestyle, traditional styles and modern day teachings.  As you begin to explore all these components your teaching style will arise.

About Danielle- With my strong dedication to work, I became stressed out and my yoga journey began in 2007.  I felt an instant connection with yoga, which allowed me to quiet my mind and release tension.  Over time I began to slow down, turn inward and find the important things in life.  Breathe, Live Discover!  I experienced the powers of yoga and began to transform, something I had never found in any other physical activities.  When I reflect back on my first yoga class, gazing out at the endless horizon on the waters of the Caribbean Sea, I see the beginning of my journey as a yogini.  On this journey I have been filled with compassion and excitement and each day brings a renewed passion for life.

In 2009 I received my 200-hour yoga teacher certification with Marianne Wells and I am currently a Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-200 RYT) with the Yoga Alliance.   I have over 1000 hours of teaching yoga, a combination of group and private lessons. .  Practicing yoga to me is in everything I do, not just part of my daily asana practice.  Continuing education is a large part of my dedication to yoga, which allows me to continue to grow.   I teach Hatha yoga; a combination of meditation, pranayama, alignment, and vinyasa.

Yoga had such a positive impact on Danielle’s life that she wanted to help others find the same path to an extraordinary life. Please read more about Danielle.

Sign Up Today: http://gentilcoreyoga.com/yoga/200-ryt-yoga-teacher-training/

Or dl.gentilcore@gmail.com

November 10-17 – Eliot Acuna – Yoga Retreat

December 9-15 Skanda Yoga, The Art of Transcendence

Are you looking to purify your mind and Spirit in Mayan country for the Galactic Alignment of 12-2012? Deepen your yoga asana practice and enhance your meditation skills? Utilize the Mayan calendar as a daily oracle to align with the Universal energy? Practice the art of Dream yoga and develop techniques for lucidity? Participate in shamanic ceremonies in the power place of Lake Atitlan?

Join us for 7 days of Transformation at the Villa Sumaya at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. Each day Skanda Yoga teachers Ken von Roenn III (ERYT 500) and Lina Vallejo will lead an inspiring, challenging, and informative asana classes. There will be meditation sessions and ceremonies to prepare for the most pivotal time in the history of humanity. You will leave feeling renewed and empowered with new skills to take your life and your community to the next level of possibility.

Skanda Yoga is the integration of many spiritual traditions. It is the co-creation of Lina and Ken after many years of exploration and navigation. Synchronicity revealed itself and they aligned with the guiding power of Grace. Lake Atitlan is the epicenter for 2012 and the Mirror of the Gods. It is the perfect setting to dive deep into yoga, Mayan calendar, and the spirit of rebirth. Trip cost: $1875.00-$2165.00 USD per person triple-single occupancy, all meals included.
Details here! http://www.journeysofthespirit.com/trips/villa-sumaya-yoga-retreat/

December 14 – 27, Ernesto Ortiz -Shamanic Psychospiritual Integration Adventure & Alignment with the Energies of 2012 

Come join us for a Pyschospiritual Integration adventure in the sacred land of the Mayas. 2012 is a step away and there is no better way to prepare for this cosmic shift than to be in the land that gave us the Prophesy, here you will have the opportunity to see an ancient and colorful culture, in many ways the most colorful culture in America, the ones that have kept their tradition and beliefs. 

December 27- 2012- January 3 2013- Akasha Ellis-Yoga Retreat

Celebrate the ending of 2012 and your “new beginning” of 2013 with the adventure of a lifetime …

This winter journey with us to the highlands of Guatemala and let the long winter months of darkness drift away as you play along the shores of Lake Atitlan, “the most beautiful lake in the world” , as quoted by novelist Aldous Huxley when he visited Guatemala. The climate is fantastic. Warm during the day and cool at night. It’s the “closest thing to Eden on Earth” (Lonely Planet).  The Mayan’s, the original inhabitants of this area, marked 2012 as a year of transformation and Villa Sumaya at Lake Atitilan is an ideal setting to reflect, heal, rejuvenate and welcome in this New Year together.

We will fill our days with Yoga and fun activities like hiking, swimming, kayaking and massage. And we will set our intention to heal ourselves, those around us and mother earth. Love to all, Light to all and peace to all.  So come Open your heart and expand your confidence for the New Year with yoga for your body, mind, and soul as Akasha Ellis, and friends present a wonderful Bhakti experience you’ll never forget. Strengthen your body & mind practicing Ashtanga and Kundalini yoga and Open your heart and rejuvenate your soul through beautiful chants.

Mornings will begin with a group sadhana (kirtan/mediation and kundalini yoga set) followed later by a led ashtanga/Vinyasa flow session that will leave you feeling enriched and re-energized.  During the day we will explore and enjoy the amenities of Villa Sumaya and local Mayan villages.  A few late afternoonswe will meet once again to practice a restorative asana and or kundalini set and guided meditation that will leave our muscles relaxed, our hearts open and our minds and bodies ready for a restful night.

This retreat is open to all levels.  Akasha became a student of the renowned master teacher of Kundalini yoga, Yogi Bhajan, at the age of 11. In his twenties, while living and working in India, Akasha began studying Ashtanga yoga with Pattabhi Joi’s nephew, Vishwanath. Akasha currently offers classes, workshops, retreats, and teacher training. He is co-owner of Birmingham Yoga studio. As Akasha believes “a teacher must teach what they know”, this retreat will reflect his personal approach and will include the traditions of Kundalini and classical Ashtanga for a heart-centered class that will leave the student toned, stretched, centered and open, from the inside out. To learn more about this retreat email akasha@eastwindenterprise.com.

December 28, 2012-January 4, 2013 -Elizabeth Neuse- Yoga Retreat

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
- Anaïs Nin

Join me for a profoundly transformative retreat to welcome the New Year. This year of 2012 as the Mayan’s, the original inhabitants of Central America, saw it, will be a year of intense transformation. Their spirit will be with us as we explore the hidden blockages and wounds within our chakra systems that keep us bound to habitual patterns and addictive behaviors.  By working with each chakra through yoga postures, pranayama, visualization, meditation and more we will heal these wounds and release these blockages so that we may fully experience the true freedom that is available to us.  Each day of this seven-day retreat we will explore the individual chakras, the related aspects of body, mind and spirit. We will look at how certain habitual patterns and addictive behaviors manifest in these centers and we will practice in a way to release them and create new more beneficial and ultimately freeing patterns.  We all hold on to patterns of behavior that keep us from reaching our true potential and living life to the fullest. The work we will do will help us understand ourselves and others on a deeper level and expand our capacity for compassion, joy and freedom. During the retreat we will also have plenty of time to relax, process and enjoy the magical surroundings of Lake Atilian.

Pricing for seven nights includes three vegetarian meals, and coffee/tea service per day. Non-veg meals can be made available at an additional cost upon request. Single Occupancy: $1525 per person, Double Occupancy: $1280 per person, Couples Sharing One Queen Bed: $1240 per person

For more information contact Elizabeth Neuse at ej_neuse@yahoo.com or info@villasumaya.com or www.ejneuse.com

2013 Retreats

January 5-12 – River Cummings-Yoga Retreat

January 12-19 – Sharon Hills-Broncyzk – Creative Arts

January 19-26 – Mala Yoga Annual Retreat

March 7-16,  Jen Brooke & Harriet Alterowitz -Back to Bliss Yoga Retreat

Stress slips away & your true nature returns, bringing you…Back to peace, Back to nature, Back to Bliss!

Join Jennifer Brooke & Harriet Alterowitz for a fun winter getaway at Villa Sumaya,  There is also plenty of time for reflection, rest & relaxation. This romantic retreat center offers elegantly decorated private rooms, spacious grounds, hot tub, sauna, pool, & yoga studio with incredible views of the lake & volcanoes.  Yoga classes are optional & open to all levels of experience.  Non-yoga spouses, partners & friends are welcome to join us!

Deluxe Package:  Spend 2 nights in Antigua, the showcase city of Guatemala which is a place of rare beauty, major historical significance, & vibrant culture.  It is a must see destination!  Our hotel is close to the city center to allow for leisurely walking, visiting museums, & familiarizing yourself with Mayan culture prior to our departure to Lake Atitlan.

Deluxe Retreat Package: March 7-16 includes:

• 2 nights lodging in Antigua with 2 breakfasts at our delightful downtown hotel.
• 7 nights at Villa Sumaya in a luxury room with private bath & gorgeous views.
• 3 delicious vegetarian meals daily at Villa Sumaya with optional chicken or fish available at an additional charge
• 2 yoga classes daily with Harriet & Jen including active asana, restorative yoga, pranayama, & meditation.
• Traditional Mayan Protection Ceremony plus additional group activity.
• Ground & water transport on March 7^th from GUA airport to Antigua hotel, from Antigua to Villa Sumaya, & from Villa Sumaya to GUA airport on March 16^th.

Basic Retreat Package:  March 9-16; does not include Antigua or transports.

Not included in either package:  air fare, spa services, alcoholic beverages, tips, extra excursions.

Contact information:  Visit our website:  www.backtobliss.com    Jen Brooke: 406 721 3905;  jbrookemt@aol.com    Harriet Alterowitz: 406 370 6464;  hattieyoga@gmail.com                                                                                       

 Jennifer Brooke, PT, E-RYT 500 & Harriet Alterowitz, E-RYT 500 have been teaching yoga since 1998 locally in Montana as well as teaching weekend retreats & yoga vacations around the world.  They are both certified with Integrative Yoga Therapy & continue their studies with a variety of teachers including Tias Little, Judith Lasater, Erich Schiffmann, & others. They combine their strengths of precise alignment, creativity, and compassionate teaching to bring all eight limbs of yoga into their classes in an experiential way.  Jen encourages and empowers her students to tap into their inner source of wisdom and strength in order to make the practice their own.  Harriet is known for sharing a fun, heart-felt practice both to groups and individuals and believes that the benefits derived from yoga practice expand to all beings, everywhere.  Adventure, travel, world culture, and yoga are shared with yoga enthusiasts and non-yogis alike.  Everyone is welcome to attend a Back to Bliss event, at any level of yoga experience.

Past Retreats

Jai Uttal- Kirtan Camp and Yoga

Janet Stone -Yoga Retreat

Maile Sivert- Yoga Retreat

Mark Coleman – Meditation Retreat

Jacqueline Heisel and Jenny Yarro – Yoga Teacher Training

Chandra Surya Das -Yoga and Meditation

Bhakti Foster – Yoga Retreat

Priti Robyn Ross – Yoga Reteat

Stacey Brass and Bryn – Yoga Retreat

Jenny Hayo – Yoga Retreat

Elizabeth Neuse – Yoga Retreat

Kelly Golden – Yoga Retreat

Will Duprey – Yoga and Teacher Training

Ernesto Ortiz – Trance Dance

Rex Stromness – Yoga Retreat

Akasha – Yoga Retreat

Ashley Ludman – Yoga Teacher Training and Retreats

Mari-Pierre Germain – Yoga Retreat (Lynne St. Roche Studio)

Karen Keresturi and Rebekka Valian -Yoga Retreat

Sandi Angotti and Brent Cesare – Yoga Retreat

Carla Stangenberg- Yoga Retreat

Douglas Ridings – Yoga Retreat

Stephanie Jolluck – Yoga Retreat

Adbhuta Rasa – Yoga and Ayurveda Retreat

Marisa Bonfanti -Yoga Retreat

Deb Burkman -Yoga Retreat

Ilana Smith- Yoga Retreat

Sri Ram Kaa

Sharon Hills Broncyzk – Creative Arts

Chicago Women’s Circle – Wendy Kopald and Kay Gardner

Sensei Doug Duncan – Meditation Retreat

Rae Ishee – Yoga Retreat

Laura Hansen – Soul and Creativity and Yoga Retreat for Women

Lara Brunn – Iyengar Yoga Retreat

Laurie Ellis Young and Kirsten Mynster – Breathe The Change

Patricia Lee Lewis and Charles MacInerney – Creative Writing and Yoga Retreat

Mary Hart -Iron Crow Yoga, Pilates, Chinese Medicine and Holistic Nutrition

Julie Giordano – Yoga Retreat

Leigh Evans – Yoga Retreat

Carla Strangenberg and Sarah Selig – Yoga Retreat

Ashanna Solaris and Adya Conte- Woman on Fire! Reclaiming our Passion, Power and Purpose

Iyala Berley – Yoga

Kent Lindemer – Yoga Retreat

Christy Brown- Yoga Retreat

Leigh Threlkel – Yoga Retreat

Vinnie Stanzione – Authentic Day of the Dead Retreat

Chapette Hetas – Transform your Life Forever and Become Your Inner Truth

Gabriela Toriello – Power Vinyasa Yoga Retreat

John Merideth -Yoga Retreat

Suzie Hurley – Anusara Yoga Retreat

Contact Dance Retreat

Qi Yoga Retreat, Zen Shiatsu Course

Enchanted Guatemalan Highlands: Photography, Yoga and Service

The Art Of Tuning In: A Yoga Retreat

Paula Tursi -Reflections Yoga and Thai Massage Teacher’s Training

Denise Kirpal Kaur Lapides – Yoga Retreat

Eve Tai – Yoga Retreat

John Meredith – Yoga Retreat

Jane Beltz – Yoga Retreat