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Empowered & Embodied

Yoga of the Heart Retreat

August 25 - September 1, 2023
in 
Appalachian Ohio

Image by Luz Mendoza
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The true meaning of yoga isn't about touching your toes...

Yoga is commonly translated as union, meaning two or more things coming together to become one. In this retreat, we will explore union of the body, the mind and the heart. The heart is the seat of our own deep wisdom, the quiet place within all of us that is the source of love. 

Through yoga, cacao ceremony, guided breathwork, dance, deep rest and ritual we will learn to more deeply listen to the heart and discover it's presence in every moment

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WHAT TO EXPECT

  • authentic practices to open the heart  

  • bhakti fire ceremony 

  • work with the energy of anahata chakra through mantra, pranayama, & asana

  • Devotional dance and kirtan

  • Dualistic and non-dualistic perspectives on bhakti and devotion

  • Puja (devotional offerings)

  • Eco-Tantra practices for increasing our sense of connection and awareness

  • daily hatha yoga sessions focused on tuning into the heart

  • a supportive group of like-hearted beings 
  • guided heart meditations that you will be able to continue when you go home
  • heart-opening shamanic cacao ceremony with Artemis
  • experiential understanding of Bhakti Yoga 
  • learn to listen to the quiet voice of the heart
  • discover deep, genuine, soulful rest 
  • feel empowered as you reconnect with your intuition
  • embody the heart's wisdom through movement, breath, and dance 
  • find inspiration to bring with you out of the retreat
  • 3 daily vegetarian/vegan meals 
  • comfortable accommodation at Hope Springs  

THIS RETREAT IS FOR THOSE WHO...

  • are longing to listen to their hearts 

  • love expressing and experiencing devotion

  • have an understanding that the divine is within 

  • are open to both dualistic and non-dualistic forms of devotion

  • looking for healing and transformation

  • wanting to get in touch with their purpose

  • wanting to release old mental habits

  • enjoy mantra, chanting, kirtan, yoga & meditation 

  • looking to explore the power of ritual and ceremony 

  • wanting to explore the power of sound and energy healing

  • ready to break out of the mind and step into the heart

  • feeling disempowered and needing a change

  • love nature and want to live immersed in nature

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WHAT'S INCLUDED:

Bhakti Yoga

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Bhakti yoga is a spiritual practice that centers on devotion and love. It is one of the four main paths of yoga, along with Karma, Jnana, and Raja. Bhakti yoga emphasizes the practice of connecting to the divine through prayer, chanting, and ritual. It encourages practitioners to cultivate a deep sense of devotion and surrender to the divine, and to let go of the ego and its attachments. Through the practice of Bhakti yoga, one can develop a strong connection to the divine and experience a sense of inner peace and joy.

Bhakti yoga helps to cultivate a sense of devotion and love for the divine. It is an incredibly powerful practice that can bring about profound transformation in the lives of those who practice it. 

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Bhakti is the path of love but some beings who walk this path believe that the divine is something outside of us or an entity in the sky.  Non-dual Bhakti believes that the divine is within and without.  There is nowhere that you can turn and not find the sacred you only need to learn how to have 'right seeing'

Cacao Ceremony

Cacao is a natural plant medicine that has been used for centuries to open the heart and connect with our innermost being. During a heart-focused cacao ceremony, participants can expect to experience a release of mental tendencies and a deep sense of euphoria, bliss, and love.
 

The ceremonies with Artemis are structured in such a way to help you open the heart to receive and express love, find deep healing, clear mental and physical blockages. Ultimately, a cacao ceremony focused on the heart can help us to quiet the mind so that we can listen to what the heart is calling us to do and how we can live in alignment with our purpose.

All ceremonies are conducted in a a trauma-informed manner and in safe and supportive spaces. Additionally, the ceremony can help to cultivate a sense of self-love, self-acceptance, and self-empowerment.

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Where & When

August 25 - September 1, 2023, at Hope Springs Insitute in Appalachian Ohio.

Hope Springs is on 130 acres of protected forest and prairie, webbed with hiking trails and beautiful, comfortable accommodation.

The retreat begins at 3 pm on August 25, check-in is at noon, and check-out is 11 am on September 1. 

Flights can be booked to Cincinnati International Airport. 

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Meet the Team

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Sample Schedule

7 am - Gentle Hatha Heart Flow 

9 am - Breakfast & free time to explore the forest, journal, connect...

1 pm - Lunch

3 pm - Restorative Yoga for the Heart 

6 pm - Dinner & Free Time

7:30 pm - Yoga Nidra, Guided Meditation, or Kirtan, etc. 

Time to unwind, journal, and reflect 

Quiet time from 10pm onwards

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Mantra & Kirtan

Mantra is a powerful tool, constructed of Sanskrit words that conjure a divine energy. 

 

Kirtan and chanting mantras as a group can be a powerful and uplifting experience. Kirtan is a form of devotional chanting in which a group of people sings mantras to invoke spiritual energy. 

 

The practice of kirtan and chanting mantras as a group can have many benefits. It can help to reduce stress and anxiety, as the repetition of the mantra can be calming and meditative. It can also help to promote positive emotions, such as joy and peace, as the collective energy of the group can be uplifting. Additionally, mantras can help us to release negative self-talk.

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Image by Taylor Wright

Devotional Dance

Dance therapy, also known as movement therapy, is a type of psychotherapy that uses movement and dance to help people improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It is based on the idea that movement can help people express, explore, and gain insight into their feelings. Dance therapy can be used to help people of all ages and abilities, and it can be used to address a variety of physical, mental, and emotional issues. It can also be used to help people develop better body awareness, self-expression, and self-esteem. Dance therapy can be used to help people build relationships, manage stress, and cope with difficult emotions. Ultimately, it can help people to find a sense of balance and connection in their lives.

Resorative Yoga 

Restorative yoga is an incredibly beneficial form of yoga that is known for its ability to open the heart. It is a practice that promotes deep relaxation and can help to soothe the mind, body, and soul. Relaxing postures are supported by props and are held for several minutes, supported by music, aromatherapy, and poetry.  It is an excellent way to reduce stress, calm the nervous system, and create a sense of well-being. By slowing down and tuning inward, this form of yoga is a beautiful way to open the heart and connect with one's inner self. 

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