Deepening Our Relationship to Practice: An exploration of Ashtanga, Yin & Chanting

Join Bibi Lorenzetti and Alex Tse for a 4-day practice retreat, pulling from the lineages of Ashtanga and Yin Yoga, along with Vedic and devotional chanting, in the magical land of Menla. We will spend our days immersed in the study and practice of yoga, rest, reflection and chanting.

This retreat will focus the attention towards a deeper understanding of practice and our relationship with personal practices and care. We’ll explore topics that are not regularly discussed in a daily context of group class, sharing theory, techniques and practical application for spiritual growth and longevity. Topics to be included:

• Yin Yoga: A compassionate approach to asana as a means of releasing deeply-rooted habitual patterns of the body and mind
• Vedic chanting: Learning the Gayatri Mantra, Japa, and how to sustain these powerful practices
• Pranayama: Gayatri Upasana and other advanced techniques of breath regulation
• Meditation: Exploring our relationship to Self and the contemplative nature of sadhana practices 
• Bhakti or devotional chanting: Befriending the Hanuman Chalisa as well as other divine mantras to tune into the heart connection

There will be two daily opportunities to practice asana: early morning Mysore-style Ashtanga yoga and mid-morning Vinyasa yoga. The Vinyasa class is structured to feel like a moving meditation: asanas mindfully threaded together by breath. Each class will include a gentle warm up, sun salutations, standing & seated postures, inversions, backbends, final relaxation and guided meditation. You can expect a balanced, rigorous, and clearly delivered experience. The asana classes will leave you feeling rejuvenated, spacious and grounded. All levels welcome!

Our afternoons will be spent in workshop and in nature. You can view our workshop curriculum here. We will conclude each day by chanting the Hanuman Chalisa.

Schedule

Friday, October 4

• 3 – 6 pm Arrival and Check-in
• 4 – 5:30 pm Welcome & Arrival Practice
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner
• 7:30 pm Hanuman Chalisa: Workshop & Practice

Saturday, October 5

• 7 – 8:15 am  Early Practice – Mysore
• 8 – 9 am Breakfast
• 11 – 12 pm Vinyasa Practice
• 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
• 1:30 – 3:30 pm Nature Break
• 3:30 – 5:30 pm Yin Practice & Immersion Workshop
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner
• 7:30 pm Hanuman Chalisa & Meditation

Sunday, October 6

• 6:30 am Gayatri Upasana, Japa & Mysore Practice
• 8 – 9 am Breakfast
• 11 am – 12 pm Vinyasa Practice
• 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
• 1:30 – 3:30 pm Nature Break
• 3:30 – 5:30 pm Yin Practice & Immersion Workshop
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner
• 7:30 pm Hanuman Chalisa & Meditation

Monday, October 7

• 7 – 11 am Check-out of Rooms
• 7 – 8 am Morning practice
• 8 – 9 am Breakfast
• 10 am Walking meditation and Gayatri Upasana, Japa
• 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch & Departure

* Please note that the schedule is subject to change at any time.