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Yoga Retreat and Teacher Training

When: January 17-February 13, 2010

Where: Hacienda del Sol, Costa Rica (www.becometocostarica.com)

The ancient tradition of yoga is a profound exploration of body, mind, and spirit. Our course honors this tradition by inviting yoga students to deepen their practice of yoga and integrate the principles of yoga into their lives. In this retreat we will explore yoga as a path of embodying spirit in a heartfelt and mindful way. This program is intended for yoga students of all levels of experience who wish to expand their understanding of yoga as a spiritual practice.

At this retreat you can receive a yoga teacher training certification, or simply have a deep experience of yoga and meditation within a loving and supportive community. The 200 hour certification course is offered through Heart Yoga Center, which is a Registered Yoga School with Yoga Alliance, the most highly respected yoga teacher organization in the world. Upon completion of of the course, students receive certification from Heart Yoga Center and become Registered Yoga Teachers with Yoga Alliance.

The Course:

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Through an in-depth experiential investigation of your connection with the sacred energy of yoga and meditation, you will expand your perspective of yourself and your yoga practice.  A wide range of topics will be explored, including:

  • physical postures (asana)

  • breath awareness (pranayama)

  • yoga philosophy, psychology, lifestyle, ethics, Yoga Sutras

  • seeing and understanding bodies

  • the body/mind connection

  • practicing and teaching asana

  • meditation

  • anatomy of yoga (including esoteric anatomy)

  • therapeutic yoga – yoga for injuries (back, knee, neck, shoulders, etc), yoga for healing medical conditions, yoga for psychological issues (anxiety, depression,etc)

  • yoga for women’s issues (menstrual cycle, prenatal, menopause)

  • teaching methodology (teaching and communication skills, sequencing practice and classes, assisting and adjusting, etc)

  • creating a daily practice

Each day we will practice insight and lovingkindness meditation. Insight meditation develops moment-to-moment awareness and mindfulness. Lovingkindness meditation uncovers the joyful radiant heart within us.

The Setting: 

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The Pacific Coast of Costa Rica is a tropical paradise with beautiful white and black sand beaches, astounding wildlife, and lush vegetation.  You will be staying at Hacienda del Sol, located on five naturally landscaped acres with fruit trees, exotic plants and beautiful flowers.

Accommodations:

Each cabina at the retreat is cool and comfortable. Relaxing on your veranda in your hammock, you may hear and see the howler monkeys, parrots, iguanas, armadillos, and other interesting creatures.  There are hot showers, clay baths, a dance space, and a sun-tanning deck.  You will be nourished with lovingly prepared meals using organic locally grown fruits and vegetables.

We will practice in the Buddha Hall, a large open-air space, designed in the indigenous style, as are all the other buildings. The high thatched palm roofs provide cool comfort in the pleasant climate of Costa Rica.

Please join us in this beautiful place as we explore together the heart and spirit of Yoga.

If you are unable to attend the entire retreat, we may be able to arrange a partial stay.

Travel Information:

Please see www.becometocostarica.com for detailed directions of how to get to Hacienda del Sol. We’ll meet you in Nosara on the day the course begins. Detailed information about pick-up, what to bring, etc. will be sent to you upon registration.

The Teachers:

Karuna Erickson has been practicing and teaching yoga for 40 years.  She has taught in Canada, the US, Mexico, Costa Rica and Hawaii, and has studied with many world-renowned teachers,  including BKS Iyengar, Rodney Yee, Baba Hari Dass, and Judith Lasater.  She assists Rodney Yee in his workshops and teacher trainings.  She is certified by Yoga Alliance at the advanced level.  Her 40 years of experience as a psychotherapist has created a compassionate sensitivity and attention to the process of each student’s practice.

She has written a book with Andrew Harvey (www.andrewharvey.net) called “Heart Yoga: The Sacred Marriage of Yoga and Mysticism” due to be published in 2010, and teaches workshops with him throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Paul Erickson has been practicing and studying meditation for 30 years He has studied with Sayadaw U Lakkana in Burma, and has participated in many silent retreats with senior western teacher including Joseph Goldstein, Steven and Michelle Smith, and Jack Kornfield.  He has taught Insight and Lovingkindness Meditation courses,and led sitting groups and retreats in the US and Canada.  Paul has been certified at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California to teach meditation classes, groups and retreats.  He is also a psychotherapist in private practice in Nelson, BC.

Testimonials:

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“We connected soul-to-soul, filled with compassion, free from judgement. How often do we take the time in today’s busy world to do this – to sit and really listen with an open heart and connect to another in a beautiful symphony of love? It was like living in a love bubble for 30 days with 30 other loving, open people. The innocence of the land, the rawness of the jungle, bathing in sunlight, breathing in the echoes of the birds, the cleansing power of the ocean. Stillness. Peace. Ease. Serenity. Love. Taking in the vibrancy of life all around me.” – Tara

“Thank-you so much for creating a space for personal & yoga/spiritual practice growth, health, learning & community. I left in a state of open-hearted bliss. This bliss-state was so present, compassionate & imbued with gratitude.” – Shawna

“This has been the greatest decision and adventure of my life. I feel so different inside and out…I am now positive that his was the right step for me in my life.” – Stephanie

“This course has given me the foundation for a lifetime of study.” – Tom

“During this retreat I feel that I have gained a real sense of the body as a temple and the asanas as prayers. Thank you for holding such a beautiful and sacred space for healing and centering. I’m so glad I came!” – Leah

“What a threshold moment Costa Rica was for so many of us! You both guided all of us through with such loving mastery that I shall never forget it and cease to be deeply inspired by it.” – Neil

The Cost:

$3495 USD

To Register:

Please download a questionnaire and send it to us. A $500 deposit will reserve your space. You can send a check or money order to:

Karuna Erickson

RR#3 S37 C8 Nelson, BC

V1L 5P6 Canada

For more information, please contact Karuna

Please also visit http://www.becometocostarica.com/ to learn more.

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