GAIA: Experience Earth An Immersive Retreat

How often have we heard it said that it is important for us to “connect with Nature?” How many studies and stories have we seen and heard that point to the benefits of doing so? The alleviation of stress, anxiety, and depression… the strengthening of the immune system… the heightening of creative inspiration… But let us explore a question: what if this belief is predicated on a deep misconception about ourselves? The premise of “the importance of connecting with Nature” implies that we ourselves are somehow separate from Nature, which is not only untrue, but it keeps us from tapping into the full potential of ourselves as human beings, our vitality, our wellbeing, and our experience of life here on Earth.

On this immersive retreat, we will together explore a deeper truth: we ARE nature. When we connect with the Earth, we are connecting with the deepest aspects of ourselves, and when we seek to make a positive, restorative impact on this planet, we are actually the Earth helping and healing herself.
Both the words ‘humble’ and ‘human’ come from the Latin root “humus,” which means “earth” or “dirt.” So to be humble, and to be human, literally means “to be of the earth.” During our time together, we will learn simple yet life-changing practices that allow us to cultivate a profound and living relationship with Earth as element, planet, being, and self. The forest will be our master teacher as well as our classroom, and her plants, animals, soils, and waters will be her emissaries.

We will learn how to listen and to hear in a new way, through the sounds of the Earth as well as the guidance of our intuition; how to really see and expand our abilities and capacities of perception; and how to reduce our stress and process our emotions. We will learn how to live in a more grounded and embodied way, and how to tend our bodies so there is less inflammation and stagnation and more vibrancy and health.
And of course, just as the Earth itself so clearly loves to play, create, and celebrate, so too will we!

Please join us for this special time together… you will never look at yourself, or this planet we call home, the same way again!

Schedule

Thursday, June 6th

• 3 – 8pm Check-in, welcome snack & elixir
• 6 – 7pm Dinner
• 7:30pm Opening Circle
• 9pm: Sound Bath

Friday, June 7th

• 6:30 – 8am Morning Movement & Meditation (Gentle blend of asana, qi gong, kundalini)
• 8 – 9am Breakfast
• 9:30am – 12pm Morning Program: Nature Immersion
  • Sounds of the Forest (Listening & Hearing), Doors of Perception (Looking/Seeing), and Biofeedback (Touching/Feeling)
• 12 – 1pm Lunch
• 1 – 3pm Free time (Spa time, rest, etc)
• 3 – 6pm Afternoon Program: Embodiment Workshop
  • Learn about the 5 Elemental Theory and Emotional Embodiment, and use these practices to cultivate health and well-being in the body and mind
• 6 – 7pm Dinner
• 7:30 – 9:30pm Community Wisdom Circle: Earth Activism, an exploration through the lenses of personal, local, and global participation

Saturday, June 8th

• 6:30 – 8am Morning Movement (Blend of asana, qi gong, kundalini)
• 8 – 9am Breakfast
• 9:30am – 12pm Morning Program: Nature Immersion
  • Elemental Connection (Fire, Air, Water, Earth)
• 12 – 1pm Lunch
• 1 – 3pm Free Time (Spa time, rest, etc)
• 3 – 6pm The Art of Creation
  • Exploring the creative impulse of life, impermanence, and the sacred through the creation of “Earth Art” and offerings
• 6-7pm Dinner
• 8-10pm Celebration of Life: DANCE!

Sunday, June 9th

• 6:30 – 8am Morning Movement (Blend of asana, qi gong, kundalini)
• 8 – 9am Breakfast
• 9:30 – 11am Closing Circle
• 11am-Checkout of Rooms
• 12 – 1pm Lunch and Departure