Yoga Retreat – Spirit of Spring – Strength, Growth, Vitality 

Springtime! the birds are singing, the days are starting to get longer and there’s a new freshness and excitement in the air! Spring marks the end of the winter stillness and silence and the start of a new, active phase in nature.

The dormant seeds suddenly start to burst forth and seek light. The trees start to grow their leaves. Animals stir from their long winter sleep….Everything is coming to life

We are a microcosm of nature. When Spring arrives we also have a new energy and a new excitement. We want to be outside, we start to become more active. We have a new strength and vitality. We are ready for a new beginning. We clear out…our wardrobes, our houses, our diets. We feel like making make a fresh start.
That is the energy of Spring!

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we are in the Wood Rhythm or Wood Element. It is a time of growth, expansion, movement and new beginnings. Of clear insight and vision. Of seeing our path clearly and having the strength, energy, creativity and motivation to follow it, It is a time of making plans and decisions and putting them into action.

Just like a tree, when our Wood Rhythm is strong and we have deep strong roots we can grow to incredible heights, and into our highest potential. 

In Winter we planted the seeds, now it is time for our garden to grow 🙂

In this Retreat we will be learning about and working with the Chinese Five Elements, particularly the Wood Element. We will be enhancing our strength, flexibility, vitality and ability to see clearly through beautiful Yoga & Qigong practices. Eden Energy Medicine techniques, Visualisation, Dance, Meditation, Mantra, Mudra and Pranayama.

Our aim for this Retreat is first and foremost for you to relax, recharge and have fun! There will be no pressure to attend every class, if you want to sleep longer one morning or curl up in the Stube one afternoon with a good book….go for it!

Schedule

Tuesday 12 March
4pm – Arrival
5.30 – 6.30pm – Meet & Greet
6.30pm – Dinner
8pm – Gentle movement, relaxation & meditation for sleep

Wednesday 13 March
7.30-9am Morning practice, yoga/qigong/pranayama
9-10am – Breakfast
10-12am – Morning hike
12.30-3.30pm – Lunch and free time
3.30-5.30 – Yoga
6-7.30pm – Dinner
7.30-9pm – Gentle movement/meditation/mantra/yoga nidra

Thursday 14 March
7.30-9am – Daily Energy Routine & meditation
9-11am – Breakfast and free time
11-1pm – Yoga/qigong/meditation
1-3.30pm – Lunch and free time
3.30-5.30 – Sacred Dance
6-7pm – Dinner
7-9pm – Torchlight walk and evening meditation

Friday 15 March
7.30-9am – Yoga/qigong/meditation
9-11am Breakfast & free time
11-1pm Energy Medicine for the Five Elements
1-3.30pm – Lunch & free time
3.30-5.30pm Qigong walking meditation & sound healing
6-7.30pm – Dinner
7.30-9pm – Meditation/yoga nidra/mantra

Saturday 16 March
7.30-9am – Morning walk
9-11am – Breakfast & free time
11-1pm – Yoga/qigong/meditation
1-3.30pm – Lunch and free time
3.30-5.30 – Energy techniques/sound/meridians/chakras
6-7.30pm – Dinner
7.30-9pm – Relaxation/meditation/mantra

Sunday 17 March
Lay in!
9-11am – Practice and goodbye circle
11-12am Brunch
12pm Depart

Debbie Caruso

I grew up with qigong and meditation and later it became my passion in life to teach these powerful practices to others. I later trained in yoga and energy medicine and came to realise that these are actually not different practices, just different techniques that we can use to lead us to the same place…A life of vibrant health, wellbeing and joy. After all…energy is all there is!

 

When we tune in with the rhythms of nature, and with our own natural rhythms. When we become knowledgable about the workings of our subtle energy body and learn simple techniques to keep our energy systems strong, balance and flowing, we become radiant and can thrive in all aspects of our lives. We empower ourselves and everyone around us….This in Nature’s medicine and our birthright 🙂

 

I’m a full instructor with the Tai Chi Union of Great Britain, a certified yoga teacher with Satya Loka School of Hatha and Traditional Tantra. An Acupressure Therapist (SNHC) and an Eden Energy Medicine Certified Practitioner

Sian
I have taught yoga for over 10 years developing creative ways of freeing up space and movement in the body through awareness. We experience the world and life
through the body so finding ease of movement means we can open up to life and do all the things that nourish us. Space enables energy to move in the body which brings us greater health and balance in body, mind and spirit. As an Eden Energy Medicine practitioner I enjoy bringing in simple and powerful exercises that boost our yoga practice. Ultimately the practice becomes our own personal journey to develop through self awareness.

What to bring
We will be getting some good exercise and fresh mountain air by taking some lovely walks in the surrounding area, so don’t forget to bring some good walking boots!

As the AlpenRetreat is situated at 1200 meters altitude in the Austrian Alps the weather could do anything and there might even be some snow still on the ground. So be prepared, bring some comfy clothes for classes and lounging around and also some warmer clothes for going outside. There are a couple of mountain lakes in the area, if you think you might be brave enough to jump in maybe bring a swimsuit – or not if you are happy to go without 🙂

Some examples of what we will be teaching:
• Salute to Mother Earth (a moving meditation)
• Vrksasana – balance and strength from grounding and lifting upwards
• Balancing Liver thro 3 pointing, Neurovascular point, Adrenal/Liver protocol,
Expelling the Venom, neurolymphatics and source point, Meditation on the Liver
• Strengthening Liver in the Aura – meditation, Flushing etc
• Strengthening self love through a protocol
• Balancing the emotions – connecting organ and Liver neurovasculars
(meditation)
• Kundalini Yoga for the Wood Element
• Five Element Qigong & sound healing/visualisation meditation
• Five Elements & the associated Chakras, emotions, physical illnesses,
weaknesses and strengths and how to bring them into balance.