by Kristine Kaoverii Weber

The mountain – majestic, powerful, immovable. In a’sana practice, everything comes from the mountain pose, (tadasana in Sanskrit) – from a place of stillness and balance. The mountain pose is done by standing steady with feet close together and arms by the sides. While the instructions in this pose form the basis for instructions in all poses, aligning with the vibration of this pose delivers a sense of peaceful steadiness .

It can be easy to gloss over this pose in anticipation of other more challenging postures ahead. But the mountain can give us insight into a deeper part of ourselves that may go overlooked if we jump off it too quickly.

Mountains appear stalwart, but at their root, deep within the earth, there is the potential for powerful seismic activity. In mountain pose the body appears still, but it is actually striving towards active balance and consolidating energy. In order to experience the powerful potential of tada’sana, imagine yourself as a mountain — direct energy both downward from the waist through the legs and root into the earth, and upward from the solar plexus through the heart and the crown to expand into the infinite.

Think of the waist as the fulcrum of mountain pose. It contains, at the navel, the bindu (point of origin) of the third chakra — the manipura or City of Jewels. When meditated upon, it is said one will see the manipura like a brilliantly illumined city, which speaks of the energy and power of this chakra. The manipura is the home of the luminous factor – one of the five fundamental factors (tattvas) that make up the stuff of the universe (the other four being solid, liquid, aerial and ethereal – each situated in one of the other lower five chakras). The luminous factor of the navel is often referred to as our fire – the fire of digestion, the fire that fuels the physical strength of the body, the fire of willpower and of wanting to do something in the world. Fire is powerful and if well directed, helps us accomplish what we want in our lives. It gives us the guts to be able to forge our own individual path, as well as the ability to stomach the challenges that path presents us with. If the fire is smoldering and we have weak digestion, weak will, or a lot of fear, we can use mountain pose to strengthen ourselves by imagining we’re breathing fire into the chakra and strengthening our resolve. Conversely, if fire consumes us and we have a lot of anger, an acidic stomach or a bullying nature, we can breathe coolness into the posture to subdue the fire. A strong but controlled fire will give us the ability to do what we need to, and want to, in the world.

Stay in the mountain and explore the subtle energy flows. If we can take the fire of will and action with us as we ideate downwards, we can allow it to connect to the primordial fire at the center of the mountain. Directing the mind to go down through our physical body roots us to the earth and prepares the psyche and spirit for the inevitable challenges we face in our lives. Directing the energy down helps us to move deeper into the layers of our psyche and connects us with the shadow or the darkness within ourselves. By going through this darkness with fire, we light the shadows, we bring clarity and awareness to our inner issues. If we let our fire burn with confidence and determination, we can face the pain our searching reveals with fortitude. A strong, controlled fire helps us to move boldly into the darkness rather than shrinking away from it and leaving our unconscious obscured out of fear or inertia.

Taking the fire upward, we warm the air, which abides in the heart chakra. A strong fire, directed towards the heart, helps us develop our personalities and become warm -compassionate and understanding both towards individuals, and our universal human family. Fire helps the air of the heart chakra expand, expanding our connection to others and our world. The belly is strong, the diaphragm works well, respiration and circulation are assisted and strengthened. This is a literal expansion of self – mind and body. The field of the heart chakra expands in ever-increasing concentric spheres. With this expansion our field of compassion increases. If we strengthen the fire but keep it only in the belly, it can overwhelm us and lead to distortions of power, ego and anger. When we direct the fire of the belly to the heart and let it move out through our arms and hands, out through our actions, we become the alchemists of fire, smelting our lives through it rather than allowing it to consume us.

The fire moves up further through the throat chakra and third eye, it becomes rarified as it finds its way to the crown. The crown chakra represents the top of the mountain – which in many cultures are sacred spaces, places where prayer flags fly and temples are built. In mountain pose this sacred space can be meditated upon to strengthen our connection to the infinite.

While many strong active poses give our mind an out by their very nature, in mountain, we can not run away from ourselves. If an emotion emerges during an active pose, the mind can easily shift the focus to the physical in order to divert itself. Yoga used only in this way may lead to injury because the mind is quickly shifted away from checking in with the body. Likewise, if we continually avoid our unconscious issues, they will eventually manifest physically. A practitioner may pull a hamstring or injure a shoulder because s/he is not conscious of the mind’s effect on the body. Eventually one may even develop an illness. Of course this dynamic occurs regardless of whether or not you’re practicing yoga. By practicing yoga consciously, we can deepen awareness of ourselves – our bodies, minds and our place on this planet – and understand on a deeper level why we experience certain illnesses or negative emotional states.

Rather than being a passive place to anticipate your practice, standing in mountain, being with yourself, allowing the pose to reveal your strengths and weaknesses, is a deep practice in and of itself. While active poses and vinyasa flows provide fuel for the fire of the manipura, the still poses like mountain teach us much about our inner landscape. We can use the fire of the belly to forge a clear path forward.

Kristine Kaoverii Weber, MA, e-RYT lives in Asheville, NC where she teaches yoga and conducts Subtle Yoga Teacher Trainings. She is also a shiatsu practitioner and has recently published her first book, Healing Self-Massage. Visit her website at subtleyoga.com.

May 8-13, 2012

Asheville, North Carolina

A 5-day silent residential retreat with Jac will take place at the Prama Institute in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina. This venue is about 25 minutes from Asheville and about 45 minutes from the Asheville Airport. Nestled in acres of grassland and forests, it offers many walking and hiking trails. The retreat will begin the evening of Tuesday, May 8th with dinner and then an introduction and sitting with Jac It will end after lunch on Sunday, May 13th. The daily schedule will include, two satsangs, meditation and chanting.

Price Package

Prices are all inclusive of initial deposit, accommodations for 5 nights 3 organic vegetarian meals daily and all sittings with Jac.
Double/triple rooms $725
Dormitory rooms $710
Camping (bring own tent) $650

Information and Registration

www.jackieokeeffee.com for a registration form
birdsusanmn@gmail.com for further information

with Carrington Jackson and Jill Sockman

March 30 – April 1

Get away from it all for a bit of peace and quiet. Join us for a weekend of yoga, meditation, hiking, laughter and community in the beautiful North Carolina mountains.

Just as we take time at the change of seasons to clean out closets and drawers, address long-neglected projects in the home and generally air out our surroundings, this is the perfect time for a little Spring Cleaning on the inside as well. As we move into Spring, we invite you to step away from the grind to wring out the insides, sweat out the toxins and breathe fresh air into your body, mind and heart. Join us!

Our time together begins on Friday with a late afternoon meditation and yoga practice, followed by dinner, an evening walk, and Yoga Nidra. Saturday you’ll have the option of early morning meditation, a light breakfast and an extended Vinyasa flow yoga class to start your day. After lunch, you’ve got the afternoon to explore, rest, read, hike—whatever you like before late afternoon yoga and dinner. We’ll gather again in the evening for a sunset walk, some socializing and fun. Sunday morning will look much like Saturday, with check-out after lunch. All activities are completely optional if you’d like to bring a non-yogi partner or friend.

Cost and Registration:
Before February 29 – $310
After February 29 – $340

Includes simple, shared eco-lodging for Friday and Saturday night, delicious meals from dinner on Friday through lunch on Sunday, daily yoga classes, meditation/pranayama, and evening activities. Afternoons are free for your enjoyment of the grounds or surrounding attractions. There are a limited number of private (double) rooms, and camping is also an option. If you are interested in a private room or camping, please contact us for pricing at info@bluelotusnc.com

Arrive Friday after 3pm

January 16, 2012
by Ramesh Bjonnes

With Dada Jyotirishananda and Ramesh Bjonnes

March 16-18, 2012
Fri-Sun

About the program:

For Dada Jyotirishananda, the founder of our Yoga Detox program, health has as much to do with our state of mind as it has to do with our body. In his workshops on Sentient Health, he will share with us the intricate relationship between our chakras and our mental tendencies, and how they relate to our health. He will also introduce a revolutionary, new yogic concept called microvita, a field of energy-consciousness we can cultivate through yoga and meditation to help us maintain vibrant health. Throughout his interesting talks—which are filled with stories, warmth and humor—he will share his wide knowledge of ayurveda, India’s ancient medical system. Lastly, he will give a whole workshop on his specialty topic—water therapy—how to use water for healing and optimum health.

In addition to these exciting and informative workshops, we will have a comprehensive Yoga Detox program led by our in-house detox expert Ramesh Bjonnes. First, a short introduction:

You will learn:

• to detox and maintain a nutritious, alkaline diet at home
• to permanently shed unwanted pounds
• to practice yoga exercises that detoxify and strengthen digestion
• to gain more peace and mental clarity
• to maintain an optimum diet according to your own physical constitution
• to use water to detoxify and maintain optimum health

Our hands on teachings and treatments will include:

• MUD PACKS and STEAM BATH to absorb toxins, attract healing blood, and sweat out toxins.
• 24 HOUR GUIDED RAW JUICE FAST to stimulate cleansing and rejuvenation, followed by EASY-TO-DIGEST GOURMET VEGETARIAN MEALS
• YOGA POSTURES for detox and to balance glands, hormones and nerves. Different classes will be offered for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students, by Patty Dougherty and Sid Jordan.
• MEDITATION and chanting for deep relaxation and to convert stress into calm positivism

No previous experience necessary

Registration:

Early Bird Fee (by February 19): $275
Regular Fee(after February 19) – $295 (Includes meals, juices, accommodations, mud and steam baths, and all the instruction during the retreat)

To register (via paypal or credit card): click here
or to pay by check, call us at 828-649-9408.

Cancellation Policy

Program Schedule:

After you sign up for the program, we will email you a complete schedule.

Testimonials:

“I loved the support, great people, and experience. I couldn’t have done it myself without the willpower of others.” -Hayley Mitchell, Asheville, NC

“The music – angelic! The presentations – excellent! The yoga was very good and lovingly personal. Ramesh and Sid’s leadership was awesome, gentle, and knowledgeable. I love the food. The center is so clean and beautiful.” -Carlarabb Derosa, Atlanta, GA

“The entire experience was great. A caring, loving staff and instructors, comfortable accommodations, magnificent scenery, perfect vibes.” -Andrew Pietak, Marietta, GA

About your instructors:

Ramesh Bjonnes

He is the co-founder of the Prama Institute and an apprentice of world renowned naturopath and yogi healer Dada Dharmavedananda. He has completed a 300 hour certification program in Yoga Detox at the A.M. Wellness Center in the Philippines, a prominent center for healing and yoga rejuvenation therapy founded by Dada Dharmavedananda. Bjonnes has over 30 years experience in yoga and meditation; he is the author of a book on yoga and tantra to be published by Hay House India in 2012, and is a popular yoga blogger on Elephant Journal.

Patty Dougherty, Yoga Instructor

Patty is one of the Body Connections Instructors at Moonpointe. She moved back to Knoxville in 2010 after spending 10 years in Los Angeles studying and practicing yoga and yogic philosophy. A 2009 graduate of Cloud Nine Yoga in California, her specialties include Gentle Yoga and Restorative Yoga. Patty studied anatomy and Yoga Basics under Simone Market a student of Erich Shiffmann and Iyengar Yoga with Michael Rucculo of Life Yoga Center both in Hermosa Beach, California. Patty is certified in Restorative Yoga with Jillian Pransky, Director of Restorative Yoga with Yoga Works.

For more information about this or other retreats, or about hosting your event or retreat at Prama Institute, please contact us at:

Address: 310 Panhandle Road, Marshall, NC 28753
Telephone: (828) 649-9408
contact us by email

We would love to hear from you!

April 6 – 8, 2012

This weekend intensive is formulated to experience deep inner silence through the process of pratyahara, to withdraw from the external world by not speaking and by focusing on the time-tested practices of physical, mental and spiritual yoga. During this weekend retreat, you will go beyond the chatter of the mind and cultivate the inner power of silence through:

No previous experience necessary

For more information on the benefits of regular meditation practice, see: 10 Scientifically-backed reasons to meditate.

Registration:

Early Bird Fee (by March 6): $275
Regular Fee(after March 6):  $295 (Includes meals, juices, accommodations, mud and steam baths, and all the instruction during the retreat)

To register (via paypal or credit card): click here
or to pay by check, call us at 828 649-9408

Cancellation Policy

Testimonials:

“I loved the gentleness of the facilitators, the lovely yoga classes by Kaoverii, the incredible beauty of the place Inside and out and the comfortable accommodations. I also cherished the opportunity to be alone, silent, to meditate, pray and to contemplate my life. Great food too. It was wonderful.”    -Shari Cochran, Candler, NC

“I loved all of it. Honestly, it was great. Excellent mix of meditation, yoga, silence, kind people, great facilities, and great food!! I appreciate the opportunity to just be. Nice teachings, walk, natural beauty. Really just perfect. (And I’m not easy to please usually, so really!)”    -Bill Chase, Asheville, NC

“The staff all made my retreat feel so valuable, and personal to my needs. From the beautiful dome and accommodations, to the healthy and enticing gourmet meals, to the meditation and yoga sessions, it made my heart sing! Thank you.”     -Anne Connolly, Leicester, NC

About your instructors:

Sid Jordan, PhD

Sid Jordan has combined a career as a licensed clinical psychologist and yoga teacher since 1971. As a clinical psychologist, he taught psychotherapy and community psychology in the Department of Psychiatry and served as director of the Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Services in a community center at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC over a period of 25 years. He is also a trained acarya of tantric meditation and hatha yoga, and has participated extensively in the emergence of the yoga therapy field.

Ramesh Bjonnes

Ramesh Bjonnes is a lecturer and popular blogger on yoga and tantra on www.elephantjournal.com. He has published numerous articles on tantra in books, magazines and newspapers in the US and Europe, and is working on a book about tantra, which will be available from Hay House India in 2012. Ramesh will be leading some of the meditation sessions during the retreat.

Howard Nemon, PhD

Howard Nemon has been practicing and teaching meditation all over the world for over 38 years. He also has a PhD in social work from the University of Pennsylvania, and has written extensively on social change. He formerly taught at George Mason University in Virginia and at Warren Wilson College and currently works as a consultant to numerous non-profit organizations.

For more information about this or other retreats, or about hosting your event or retreat at Prama Institute, please contact us at:

Address: 310 Panhandle Road, Marshall, NC 28753

Telephone: (828) 649-9408

contact us by email

We would love to hear from you!

Learn the secrets of the yogic kitchen–from philosophy to hands-on cooking

April 13-15

About:

Eat great, feel great!

Yummy Yoga is a retreat for learning how to prepare nutritious and satisfying food that is healthy for the body, mind, and spirit.

The Yummy Yoga concept is based on thousands of years of yogis searching for the best diet to sustain the body, balance the mind, and elevate the spirit.

Eventually, these yogis discovered the secrets to both yummy and healthy foods. And you’ll learn what those secrets are.

Come join us at the Prama Institute, where our in-house food philosophers and gourmet chef Sharon Ambielli will delve into the depths of Yummy Yoga and come up with some great ways to prepare and eat it. This is a practical, hands-on retreat where you’ll learn to create scrumptious, vegetarian meals between great yoga workshops for both beginners and advanced. The recipes you’ll learn will also be adoptable for those on a purely plant-based diet.

We are what we eat. So, come join us to be our best by eating the best!

Registration:

Early Bird Fee (by March 13): $275
Regular Fee(after March 13) – $295

To register (via paypal or credit card): click here
or to pay by check, call us at 828-649-9408.

Cancellation Policy

by Ramesh Bjonnes

Tantra As Perrenial Practice

P.R. Sarkar defines the practice of Tantra as the process of transforming one’s latent divinity into Supreme Divinity. “A person who, irrespective of caste, creed or religion aspires for [such] spiritual expansion…is a Tantric,” he writes. (Discourses on Tantra, Vol II, p. 22) Moreover, Tantra is neither a religion nor an ism. Tantra represents humanity’s orginal spiritual science; humanity’s fundamental perrenial quest for God-realization.

Tantra and Yoga

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, written around 200CE, are commonly referred to as Classical Yoga and the origin of the yoga taught and practiced by millions of Westerners in thousands of yoga studios today. It is also commonly understood that Tantra is either some form of esoteric sexual practice or simply one amongst many schools of yoga–often referred to as Raja Yoga or Kundalini Yoga. The teachings of Tantra, however, originated in prehistoric times and were, according to Sarkar and some Tantric scholars, systematized by Shiva around 5000 BC, thousands of years before the Yoga Sutras were written. Tantra can thus be considered the original tree from where all the other branches of yoga have grown.

Tantra and Sex

Wilber’s sophisticated understanding of Tantric teachings and its influence throughout the world’s great wisdom traditions is something of an anomaly. This ancient and refined philosophy, this practical path of self-realization has often been misunderstood and misrepresented. In ancient India, for example, Tantra was often practiced at night in secret by Vedic priests who were bound by dogma not to admit to its powerful transformative effects. And, according to noted yoga scholar Georg Feuerstein, in the West Tantra has most commonly been reduced to “a mere discipline of ritualized or sacred sex. In the popular mind, Tantra has become the equivalent to sex. Nothing could be farther from the truth!” writes this scholar of Indology and author of more than 3O books on yoga and Tantra, including the acclaimed The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga. (Feuerstein, Georg, Tantra: The Path Of Ecstasy, Shambhala, Boston, 1998)

It is indeed inaccurate to equate the transcendental bliss achieved in Tantric samadhi (Oneness with the Supreme Consciousness) with the physical pleasure of sex. The reason for this misunderstanding in the West has mainly arisen from a lopsided interpretation of the so-called Pancamakaras or Five M’s. “It is so called,” writes Feuerstein, “because the names of the five ‘ingredients’ or ‘substances’ (draya) in the ritual all start with the letter m: madya (wine or liquor), matsya (fish), mamsa (meat), mudra (parched grain) and maithuna (sexual intercourse). These are also referred to as the ‘five principles’ (panca tattva).” (Feuerstein, Tantra, p 239) Feuerstein then continues to decribe how the first four ingredients of this so-called left-hand path of Tantra are “all thought to have an aphrodisiacal effect,” although “scholars have speculated a great deal” about the fourth ingredient. “The final ritual ‘ingredient,’ maithuna,” he writes, “epitomizes the entire Tantric program… The sexual union between male and female practitioner… the utterly blissful transcendental identity of Shiva and Shakti, God and Goddess.”

The spirit of Tantra implies that ordinary activities and enjoyments such as eating, playing, writing, and sex are seen as relative expressions of the Absolute. They are imbued with sacredness and spirituality. However, this does not mean that eating large amounts of certain kinds of food or having excessive sexual activity will automatically intensify one’s spiritual vision. Tantra sees nothing wrong with seeking pleasure as this indeed is the underlying reason for our quest for the ultimate spiritual pleasure, or ananda (bliss). But these mundane pleasures, according to Tantra, are miniscule and temporary replicas of the ultimate spiritual union with Brahma. Moreover, practiced in excess, they tend to turn us into compulsive slaves rather than liberated souls. Thus the common misconception in Western New Age circles that sexual Tantra is the pathway toward salvation is contrary to the inner essence of this ancient and sublime practice.

The left-handed path as decribed by Feuerstein above, was, according to Sarkar, prescribed as a path of moderation, not excess, as is often the case at expensive seminars promoting what Feuerstein calls Neo-Tantrism, and others humorously refer to as California Tantra. The main idea behind the practice of the left-handed path is to practice spirituality (sadhana) while in the midst of enjoyments. It was both prescribed as a means of reducing one’s intake of wine and meat and, at the same time, to harbour Divine feelings while relishing their delights, and ultimately to rise above the transient nature of these earthly pleasures alltogther. Thus the Five M’s also had a different, more subtle meaning. As Feuerstein writes: “In the right-hand schools [the Five M’s] are understood symbolically and are completely internalized.” (Tantra, p240)

Here is a brief overview–based on ancient Tantric slokas (aphorisms)–of how Sarkar interprets the right-hand path of Tantra:

Madhya–to enjoy the sudha or somadhara, which, while in deep meditation, is a hormonal secretion from the pineal gland. A second meaning is that it refers to the spiritual aspirant’s ecstatic or intoxicated love of God.

Mamsa–one who has control over his or her speech, or one who surrenders all actions–good, bad, sinful, righteous, or wicked–to God, is said to be a practitioner of mamsa sadhana.

Matsya–refers to the subtle science of pranayama (breathing exercises), and also to the feeling of deep compassion arising in a spiritual person’s heart.

Mudra–avoidance of bad company, as bad company leads to bondage and good company leads to liberation.

Maethuna–the purpose of maethuna sadhana is to raise the Daevii Shakti (divine energy, also called kundalini ), located at the lowest vertebra of the spine, and unite it with Shiva in the spiritual energy center at the top of the head, near the pineal gland. (Discourses on Tantra p. 46-51)

It is thus more exact to describe Tantra as a comprehensive spiritual science, which is what the word Tantra itself implies. Sarkar writes that the etymological meaning of Tantra is as follows: tan means to expand and tra means to liberate. (Discourses on Tantra Vol 1, p 76) Thus Tantra is the spiritual science which liberates the spiritual practitioner or yogi from all limitations, be they physical, mental or spiritual. Moreover, although historically it appears this science originated in ancient India, its influene is vast and it cannot be confined to simply one religion or one set of practices. Sarkar writes that “Every sadhana [spiritual practice] that aims at the attainment of the Supreme, irrespective of its religious affiliation, is definitely Tantra; for Tantra is not a religion, Tantra is simply the science of sadhana–it is a principle.”

—

Ramesh Bjonnes has a book coming out on the history of Tantra. Stay tuned!

May 4 – 6

Slow down and take time to reflect

This retreat is led by Barbara Harris and Tony Cochran. Their practical philosophy is that the benefits of Yoga are simple. If you bend, twist and stretch your spine within your body’s limits, you will feel better – there is no mystical secret to it.

They believe that each student’s purpose could be physical, or psychological, or spiritual, or some combination – each student decides for him or herself. It is a personal choice and experience. Barbara and Tony respect that.

Barbara and Tony’s classes provide a wide range of poses, thereby accommodating a beginner, someone who has practiced for years, or someone looking for a challenge. Providing a wide range of poses ensures that a student’s entire body is involved.

They believe that each student’s space is personal to that student. Having been injured by more aggressive instructors, they do not employ “adjustments.” Rather, they illustrate every pose, showing their students how they might want to deepen a stretch or improve alignment.

If you want some peaceful time – in your own quiet space – then this retreat is for you.

Barbara has been practicing yoga for twenty years and decided to become a teacher five years ago; she is now certified in both Hatha and Chair Yoga and is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance. She has been inspired by Kundalini, Anusara, Svaroopa, Yin, Ashtanga and other types of yoga, and incorporates many asanas into her classes. Having practiced in Costa Rica, India, Panama, Jamaica, Australia and other places, Barbara finds joy in helping each student find his or her own meaning and peace through yoga, regardless of age, fitness or experience.

Tony has been teaching Yoga for over ten years, having taught the Hatha, Iyengar, and Ashtanga methods, and having taken classes using the Bikram and Anusara methods. Tony’s teaching style is eclectic, borrowing from many different styles. He has done head stands on the Great Wall of China, on the Ring of Kerry in Ireland, downtown on the square in Jackson, Wyoming, and with the Hoodoos in Bryce Canyon, Utah, among other places.

Come and relax with Barbara and Tony, a couple of free spirits!

Yoga Retreat Schedule

Friday

2:30 – Yoga session (1 1/2 hours)

4:00 – Free time

6:00 – Dinner

7:30 – Peaceful, meditative music in candle light (optional)

Saturday

7:00 – Yoga (45 minutes) (optional)

8:30 – Breakfast

9:30 – Yoga (1 1/2 hours) (optional)

Noon – Lunch

1:00 – Individual Yoga lessons (optional)

• Hiking in woods or to cliffs

• Massage

• Travel into Asheville/Biltmore

• Hot Springs (appointment necessary)

• Read a book on deck or on lawn

• Sip tea and relax

4:00 – Yoga (1 hour) (optional)

6:00 – Dinner

7:30 – Camp fire/star gazing (weather permitting) 

Sunday

7:00 – Yoga (45 minutes) (optional)

8:30 – Breakfast

9:30 – Yoga (1 hour) (optional)

Noon – Lunch

Depart

For more info, e-mail tc687276@gmail.com or visit their website at: www.Freespirits2.com

With Anisha and Paul Fraser

April 20th-22nd, 2012

Greetings!

Our Mountain Spring Retreat to the Prama Institute is just around the bend. Join us for a mountain getaway with yoga, qi gong, meditation, rejuvenation and friendship. This retreat is designed to refill your well, restore your spirit and give you what you need to move forward in the next phase of your life. It’s a “time out” from the daily grind.
Our time together begins on Friday with a late afternoon Pan Gu Yoga class followed by dinner, an evening walk, and a Nine Step meditation to soothe you to sleep. Saturday you’ll have  a light breakfast and a Pan Gu  yoga practice to start your day, followed by a Pan Gu Shengong moving form class and practice. After lunch, you’ve got the afternoon to rest, hike or whatever you like before a late afternoon pan Gu theory teaching and practice followed by dinner. We’ll gather again in the evening for some socializing and a Nine step Meditation. Sunday will look much like Saturday, with Yoga and Qi Gong practice with a 2pm check-out time. All activities are completely optional if you’d like to bring a partner or friend.

For more information on Pan Gu Shengong please visit www.Pangu.org

Cost and Registration:
Before February 15 $310
After February 15 – $340

Includes simple, shared eco-lodging for Friday and Saturday night, delicious meals from dinner on Friday through lunch on Sunday, daily Pan Gu yoga and Pan Gu Mystical Qi gong practice, meditation/pranayama, and community. Afternoons are free for your enjoyment of the grounds or surrounding attractions. There are a limited number of private (double rooms).
Arrive Friday after 3pm
Check-out Sunday at 2pm or add an extra night (Thursday) to extend your retreat!

Additional possibilities for your getaway weekend:

• Rafting or canoeing on the French Broad River
• Natural Hot Springs excursion
• Vineyard tours
• Hiking on the Prama grounds or nearby parks
• Excursion to Asheville with great culture and fine dining
• Scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway

* Bed pillow, sheets/blanket are provided by Prama*

What to bring:
Yoga mat and blanket (bolster too, if you have one!)
Hiking shoes and warmer clothing for the evenings

About the location:
The Prama Institute is a retreat center located in Marshall, NC. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s nestled among 150 acres of rolling hills and forest lands strewn with hiking trails. The French Broad River, located just five minutes away, is ideal for canoeing and rafting, and Asheville, NC is just 25 minutes away. The scenic and peaceful surroundings create the perfect place for recharging body, mind and spirit. Vegetarian meals are provided by highly skilled caterers, using organic, locally grown ingredients.

Travel:
The closest major airport is Charlotte (1.5 hr drive to Prama). Asheville has a smaller airport as well.

Wishing you good health and happiness.

Anisha and Paul

Ananda Acupuncture Yoga and Qi Gong
Www.anishadesai.com
Www.Paulfraserqigong.com

Registration:
Please email anisha@anishadesai.com to register and reserve your space.
Send a check payable to:
Anisha Desai at 4713 Longhill Lane Raleigh NC 27612

Anisha Desai  M.Ac., L.Ac.

www.anishadesai.com
Licensed Acupuncturist
Certified Yoga Teacher
Certified MQG Therapist/Instructor
(919) 389 1420

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”
-Rumi