Retreats

~~~~~~~~~~YOGA Rejuvenation Retreats in Costa Rica~~~~~~~~~~

*These retreats are open to all levels regardless of prior experience in Yoga*

Kundalini, Yogic Cleansing Retreat!
A 7 day immersion in the Five Pathways to Conscious Living
in Pacha Mama, Costa Rica
February 25th- March 3rd, 2007

with Shanti Devi, Mitra and Adya

This 7 day transformative journey is an opportunity to re-boot our 'hard drive',
heal the past, present and future,
and cultivate lifestyle habits
in alignment with our essence of
consciousness, life force and peace.

Synergistically combining a myriad of time tested, ancient healing pathways,
we will Rewire, Re inspire and Revitalize
our state of health and well being on all levels;
physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

Each day will focus on a different part of the body and it's corresponding
mental, emotional and spiritual attributes.
READ ON FOR TESTIMONIALS OF February's K.Y.C. Retreat.
Click Here TO VIEW PHOTOS FROM February's K.Y.C. Retreat!

We will be working with the following healing modalities:
*Yogic sciences including Kundalini Yoga, Anusara, Yin Yoga* and Naad Yoga (the yoga of sound)
*Raw and Lifefoods Vital Nutrition Science
*Movement and Dance
*Chinese Five Element Theory and Macriobiotic Principles
*Healing Bodywork and Energy work** including: Massage, Shiatsu, Acupuncture***, Reiki and Sat Nam Rasayan
*Sound Healing and Mantra Meditations
*Creative Arts Therapy****
*Gentle Liquid Fasting

The Retreat Includes:
*Three lovely Raw and Living Food and Superfood meals a day.
*A three day Liquid fast on Fresh Juices and Superfood Elixirs.
*Three Yoga Classes each day.
*Two Raw and Lifefoods preparation classes.
*Daily Acupuncture treatments.
*Daily lectures.
*A Private Healing Session of your choice (see above list).
*A Private Health Consultation.
*A personalized Daily Yoga Practice to take home with you.
*Charming accommodations in wooden casitas, private, or semi-private.
*Transportation to and from San Jose airport including one night's stay in Villa Floresta; Pacha Mama's welcome center in San Jose, on day of arrival.
*Round Trip Transportation from San Jose to Pacha Mama

A typical daily schedule is as follows:
6am- Dance warm up and Anusara based Flow Yoga
7:30am- Breakfast
9am- Five element theory exploration of the Organ of the Day
10am- Kundalini Yoga
12noon- Lunch
2pm- Vital Nutrition Conversation or Raw and Lifefoods Preparation class
3pm- Healing Bodywork or energy work group Sessions
4:30pm- Kundalini Naad Yoga (Kundalini Mantra Meditation)
5:30pm- Dinner
7pm- Silent Sitting
8pm- Creative Arts Activities, Dancing, Drumming, Painting, Voice and many more surprises!

Some Testimonials from the February 2006 Retreat:
“The Kundalini Yogic Cleansing Retreat: Wow! I am just so grateful for this amazing life altering experience. I will cherish it forever! With the love and support of the facilitators I was able to reach deep down into some places of my soul that I was unaware even existed and was even afraid to conquer and I am so glad I felt loved enough to do so. I feel like a new person. I am grateful for having identified what is holding me back in my personal and spiritual life and for having been given the tools to do so.” Heather Kipp, NYC

”This has been a magical adventure into feeling human and connected to this world through nature, healing and compassion without judgment and stress. I feel alive and feel that I have gained clarity and purpose and am able to feel safe inside and trust this world.” Leora Newman, London

”My experience was very cleansing on many levels. I’m feeling grounded and clear about my intentions for living. I can’t say enough about the staff. Too good to be true! The loving energy is such a big part of the healing and cleansing process. I felt truly safe and supported. The gentle guidance and space for sharing was greatly appreciated. I liked that this cleanse was deep on many levels; physical, emotional and spiritual.” Linda Principato, NYC

“I felt an awakening, both spiritual and mental. I was able to answer many of the questions and release and face many of the issues that have been plaguing me. I enjoyed getting to know myself again as I had truly lost touch. I have gained a greater awareness of my body and spirit. I can trust my intuition and myself. Pacha Mama has to be the most “alive” place I have ever seen. The energy there was amazing and the people so beautiful and full of life. I loved to see the faces of the childen that grow up there, they are so full of spirit. The food was amazing and I will definitely repeat this experience!” Gelena, NYC

“My experience at the retreat was a very fantastic one. I did so many things I did not think I could do. It was a much more uplifting experience than I thought possible. The staff and leaders of the retreat could not have been more kind and supportive. For me it was the best time of my life that I can remember. I am very grateful for the guidance and support I received from Shanti Devi especially as it was my first experience with Kundalini and Mantra Yoga. Pacha Mama is like paradise. The number one place I know of for restoring health and energy. It was beyond my expectations and the price can’t be beat. Love and beauty are everywhere!” Betty Marco, NYC

*Yin Yoga- A taoist form of yoga, this work is a floor based practice where passive asanas are held for extended periods of time to stimulate the connective tissues, thereby increasing the flow of life force to the whole body. The energy meridians pass through and meet at the joints awakening deep layers of the energetic system. An incredible preparation for seated meditation.

**Energy work- We will explore energy through specific practices and partner work awakening different parts of the body. Each area of the body contains different aspects of the personality some of which are not being expressed or are expressed excessively in our life. This work creates a flow of energy and healing to this imbalance and invites us into a different dimension of reality. The moment the attention goes into this energetic layer, we go deeper into ourselves and the awareness of our surroundings expand. We will use this work to enhance the sensitivity within the structure of the yoga asana, so that deeper healing can happen.

***Acupuncture- Acupuncture is an ancient healing technique that works with the flow of energy and the abilities that lie dormant within the body. By stimulating the energy points, the body is reminded of it's inherent wisdom and through this process we bring balance to the elements within us. When the body comes into balance, sensations of health and vitality arise and the spirit is strengthened. The 5 organs are stimulated by the acupuncture in order to cleanse and awaken the organs.

****Creative Arts Therapy- Moving from a space of stillness and presence into creative process...allowing life force to manifest into form through color, movement, or words...discovering our potential and letting go of stagnant energy that no longer serves our journey. We may begin this work with seated meditation and guided visualization as a tool to tap into the deep wells of creativity that lie within, allowing this practice to expand the capacity to express. This work can inspire deep healing, as energy blocks are released through the exploration of creative play.

Mitra and Adya:
Adya began her journey with yoga in 1995. Her first training took place at the White Lotus foundation in Santa Barbara. Influenced by several different styles, she began to teach her own expression of this dance of yoga in 1999. She shares a form of yoga that links movement to breath, brings awareness to alignment and subtle lines of energy, and invites one into the stillness and silence that lies beneath the surface . In 2002, she studied Ayurvedic massage and Yoga Therapy at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandarim in South India. Now based in Costa Rica, she currently joins the path of healing with the yoga journey and teaches workshops around the world.

Mitra trained for four years at the Medicin College of Chinese Medicine and Zen Shiatsu in Israel. He later worked for this same college as an instructor in Shiatsu. Concurrently, he studied both Thai massage and Reiki, becoming a Reiki Master in 1996. In 1999, Mitra opened his own clinic for the practice of Acupuncture and Shiatsu, Thai massage, Reiki, and Jin Shin. Currently, his work is based in Costa Rica, but he continues to share workshops around the world.

Both Adya and Mitra live in Pacha Mama most of the year, sharing the healing path.
They embrace the essence of meditation as the foundation for daily life

*Price for the entire week is $1,250 which includes all meals, accommodation in semi-private casitas (bungalows with beds, sheets, blankets, and pillows), transportation within Costa
Rica, one night stay at the beautiful Villa Floresta in San Jose and all of the above.
Airfare to and from Costa Rica is not included. For help with your travel arrangements you may phone our travel agent Dusti at 800.342.4114.

Bring your own tent: $1050

We will be meeting in San Jose on February 24th and spending the night at the beautiful Villa Floresta. Early in the morning on February 25th we will drive together on beautiful scenic roads to Pacha Mama.

Early in the morning on March 4th we will drive back to San Jose and the airport.
You will need to book your flight for arrival by Saturday, February 24th in the evening and departure on Sunday March 4th anytime after noon. And ofcourse, you may chose to stay longer and arrive earlier.

$350 deposit required to secure your space.

Please invite your non-yoga family & friends to come with you!
There are always group members who are not yoga practitioners, so don't let that stop you!

For reservations and more information contact: devi@shantidevi.org

PAST RETREATS...

September 30- Oct 2, 2005

A Shamanic Yoga, Dance and Sweatlodge Building Retreat!

*Building a Sacred Medicine Sweat Lodge

*Daily Rising with 'Dancing Yoga Bliss'

*Hoola Hooping in the Meadows

*Wholesome Living Foods

more details coming soon...

For reservations and more information on upcoming retreats contact: devi@shantidevi.org

"I still feel the vibrations of our group. I had lots of new experiences in this amazing week (are you sure it was only a week?) and I want to thank you for helping those experiences to happen." - Dan Lowenthal

"My time with Devi and Alok in Pacha Mama was a time of true reflection. I found the person that's been lost, spiritually, physically, and mentally. I took home new goals and motivation on how I want to live my life, and have a new appreciation for my body and mind. Devi and Zemach Zohar found a perfect balance between many wonderful elements, and the result was a life changing experience for me." - Natalie Stiefvater

"I was nourished in ways beyond food. I tasted what it was like to open my heart to a sensory experience at another level - and I appreciated the grace of an open heart as I saw others open theirs." - Sonia Osorio

"During the retreat I gained re-appreciation of the power of healthy, organic foods, primary food, nature, and silence. I learned a less civilized, outside-the-box, more fun approach to eating and the importance of perspective checks. I noticed that not all beaches are alike, but all oceans have a power that need respect and that howling monkeys are loud. I love the cashew fruit, passion fruit, and the plum-like fruit with milky white juice that makes your lips sticky on the inside. I was reminded that I have all the tools I need to complete my life and that I need to be around peers that will motivate and empower me to grow." - Karen S.

"My time at Pacha Mama was very enriching and extremely educational. We were a group of seven with a nice peppering of international flavor. We all gelled so well, and quite a zany group. We had many classes throughout the day. We rose at 6 am and met for an hour and a half Hatha Yoga. We then showered outside our Casitas in the open jungle and then travelled to the beach for a lovely fruit breakfast. Often times we had discourse on the beach and then back to the village for a lunch of various veggies and speads. We then gathered with our group for Kundalini yoga. After dinner the village has a little outdoor "coffee corner" that people tend to gather. The entire village is in silence from 7 to 8 pm nightly, at which time you can go to a silent meditation area if one wishes. It is amazing to hear the silence in the presence of so many, as there are over one hundred people living at the commune. The howling monkeys and crikets are the only to break the silence with a symphony of sound. Other activities that we enjoyed was a horseback ride to the beach. It followed the way of the river and was mostly shaded for the journey. My sitting bones still ache! We also hiked to the river and had mud baths as well as a 4 hour early morning boating trip. During this trip we were very blessed to see turtles, dolphins, mantaraes, and flying fish and yes, even one shark. The food served was so full in flavor, yet without meat and very little cooked foods, other than soup. One nite there was a wedding at the "Hobbitt Cafe" at the top of Pacha Mama with a grand view down the valley, across the land, to the distant ocean. We were all asked to wear one solid color of the rainbow, and sat with our colors. It was such a nice visual effect. It was definately a new age wedding, and with it a very personal approach to the uniting of the couple. I felt very fortunate to be present for it. All in all my time at the village was enjoyed, and I will take much away from it. I had the most wonderful time at Pacha Mama--it has added another beautiful facet to my life." - Leslie Smith

"The time in the retreat was life-changing. The word "transformational" gets thrown about but during those few days, the learning about nutrition and the yoga, combined with being in a healing natural environment, the sun, the air, the ocean, the beauty of Costa Rica, the fun of being with a great group of people and all the surprises that arose in the moment--all of this was transformational, physically and spiritually."- Patricia Black

"Nurturing, empowering, gentle...perfect." - Tonya Ridgely

"As I sit in the middle of corporate America in Times Square, eating raw cacao beans, I can honestly say the retreat had an impact on me. I'm no longer addicted to coffee, though I still enjoy it from time to time. I'm eating more fruit and raw greens and I feel great." - Barry Kominik

"I loosened up quite a bit and didn't feel so self conscious as I normally do. I danced and sang and had a wonderful time. I liked it that my whole routine from daily life was so different. I would wake up early and feel great all day. I liked the idea of not having to think about food. E.g. what will I eat for lunch, dinner, and even for a sugar snack. I enjoyed the break-up of the day with the beach in the morning, then an afternoon activity, and then a night activity." - Gail B.

"I looked forward to the morning yoga classes with Shanti Devi; I like instructors who can bring me to my edge, as she did. Shanti Devi was great when she led the food lectures with Alok and when she acted as MC on talent night." - Roseanne

"The group was wonderful. The lush jungle with its numerous animals and insects which I got to like and kind of miss, believe it or not. The food was delicious and nutritious, and I liked the communal style in which it was served and enjoyed amongst the people. The activities were off the hook, well planned and executed. The cabins were comfortable and fitting for the jungle setting. There was just enough downtime. It was wonderful to travel with excellent health educators who walk their talk." - Lynn Thompson

"There was just the right mix of structured activities and leisure. The silent meditation gave me more focus and quieted my mind. A warm, friendly, tolerant atmosphere let me step out of my shell, be social and connect with people. The natural, beautiful surroundings were very soothing to the heart. I lost weight - physically and spiritually. Shanti Devi is so talented and knowledgeable in multiple aspects of healing. Her yogic guidance was especially rewarding. She has a quiet wisdom and very serene energy. The food was simple and delicious. It was an interesting experience to live in the jungle. I highly recommend this retreat to anyone seeking healing, focus, relaxation, centering, and fun." -Ashwin

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