Lotusfeet Yoga Presents
Earthdance Yoga Retreat
A non-profit fundraiser for Youth Continuum
JUNE 11~13, 2010
Plainfield, MA
Just outside Northampton
Lotusfeet Yoga
Lotusfeet Yoga was born from the belief that all yogis have lotus flowers for feet. Offering opportunity and illumination to those stuck in the shadows of the world while drawing from both the beauty and strength of the lotus flower. Growing from the murky depths up towards the radiance above where full potential blooms, Lotusfeet Yoga is an organization dedicated to bridging the gap between the dark and the light, creating the ability to find renewal and positive change within ourselves and the world.
This yoga retreat is donating all of its profit to Youth Continuum ( www.youthcontinuum.org), which provides services for at-risk and homeless youth in Connecticut. The donation will be benefitting the New Haven arts program specifically, where the youth themselves will choose where the funds go, igniting their interest and creativity.
Earthdance ( www.earthdance.net) is an organized dance community that has flourished into an educational center. Founded in 1986 by dancers, social service workers, trade folk and gardners seeking refuge from city life, they've expanded into a board-governed, non-profit dance retreat center. Their commitment to sustainable living both inspires their art and encourages those involved to explore the beauty and availability of living sustainably.
Teachers
ERIKA DIXON
LORI BONAZZOLI
Certified Yoga Teacher and Founder of Lotusfeet Yoga.
Yoga was planted deep within my heart as a college freshman in 1998, from this sprouted illumination of my body, heart, mind and spirit. Having a fascination for the human body and its complex nature, I attended the CT Center for Massage Therapy in 2005 where I studied the
many layers of the human body on a holistic level, learning an eclectic blend of healing modalities including anatomy, kinesiology, acupressure, Chinese meridian theory, Reiki, and meditation. My practice and passion of yoga grew wings and flew me to Costa Rica in
January of 2007 where I completed my 200-hour yoga certification in
Interdisciplinary Yoga with Don and Amba Stapleton. In 2008 I completed my first Yin Yoga teacher training with Sarah Powers and will continue to study with her and her colleagues in order to receive my 720 hour certification from the Insight Yoga Institute. Driven by
my innate desire to help others and belief that life truly is learning, I have begun a life-long commitment to facilitate healing within the world, changing it one deep breath at a time.
Certified Yoga Teacher and owner of Balanced Yoga Studio in New Haven, CT.
Yoga found me at quite a young age!! I was 17 when I began to meditate and learn about the Chakras (energy centers). Through these techniques I learned I could heal my own body and focus my mind. It was shortly after that i was shown a few Yoga poses. I combined the meditation with the posing and designed my own sequence that I commited to for quite some time before I even went to an actual class....and my life has been dedicated to Yoga ever since. The past 14 years i have been living my Dharma (path), in service to beings every were who are interested in raising the vibration of the soul, the suppleness of the body and the availability of the breath.
SALLY NOEL
Certified Yoga Teacher and owner of Raven's Wing Yoga Studio in Branford, CT.
A student of the Kripalu tradition, I blend deep soulful openings with breath and mindfulness to help venture deeper into the body & mind. I have been practicing yoga for 18 years and founded Raven's Wing Yoga studio in 2004. I am a devote student to the teachings of Ayurvedic Medicine, as well as Earth centered practices. I closely align my classes to the needs of each student and the affect of each season on the body/mind.
ROB KRAUSE
I've been practicing yoga for ten years and spent a month in India learning the art of yoga instruction with Aum Pradesh Guar. As a zazen meditation practitioner for eighteen years I study at the Zen Mountain Monastery whenever possible. I am a practicing psychotherapist, philosophy professor at the University level and will talk ad nauseum about Eastern religion and existential philosophy when given the chance.
JESSICA LIBERO EDWARDS
Merging my deep love for and knowledge of therapeutic massage and
bodywork into my Forrest and Yin Yoga classes, I provide attentive hands on assists and compassionate, purposeful touch. Students recovering from trauma, addictions, abuse, and anxiety benefit greatly from my dynamic and spiritual classes. I weave the intelligence of
anatomy, the flow of breath, the vivacity of massage and acupressure, and the awareness of meditation together in order to help one begin to discover a new and beautiful path to freedom.
JUSTIN PEGNATARO
I am the Executive Director of Two Coyotes Wilderness School in CT and have been connecting children and adults to nature for the past decade. I have mentored graduate students in teaching environmental education at the Yale School of Forestry, and coordinated an experiential science program in New Haven. I hold B.S degrees in both anthropology and biology, and have been teaching children about nature for the past ten years.
SUNDAY . JUNE 13th
FRIDAY. JUNE 11th
SATURDAY. JUNE 12th
6:30am-7:15 Meditation w/ Rob
7:30-9am Yin Fusion w/ Jessica
9-10:30am Free Time
10:30-11:30 Hearty Brunch**
11:30-1pm Nature Hike w/ Justin
1:30-3pm Journey Through The Chakras
w/ Sally
3-4:30 Free Time
4:30-6 Insightful Inversions w/ Lori
6:30-7:30 Dinner**
7:30-9:30 Free Time
9:30 Kirtan/ Open Mic Jam/ Bonfire
4-5pm students arrive
5:30pm-6:30pm Welcome Dinner **
7:30pm-9pm Yin Yoga w/ Erika
9:30 Live Music/ Bluegrass/ Funk/ Bonfire (weather permitting)
All Classes Are Optional
Please see this schedule as a "menu". Feel free to pick and choose as many or as little classes as you see fit.
All Meals Included**
Please see rates and sign up page for detailed information.
7am-7:45am Meditation w/ Rob
8am-10am Live Music Yoga w/ Erika
12:00 Closing Circle/ Clean-up
YIN YOGA W/ ERIKA
INSIGHTFUL INVERSIONS W/ LORI
Yin Yoga directly affects the deep layers of connective tissue in our joints (ligaments) by increasing their fluidity and in turn increasing both flexibility and range of motion. In addition to affecting the physical body in these poses we also affect our subtle energies (chi or prana) that run throughout energy pathways called meridians (or nadis). Floor poses are held for an extended period of time allowing for an inner awakening to occur through various forms of insight meditation and chakra balancing, harmonizing inner fear, courage, anger, compassion, anxiety, sadness, and joy. Yin is suitable for all levels and a delicious complementary practice to all "Yang" Vinyasa and Power Yoga practices.
This is an inversion workshop that will make you excited to go upside
down rather than fearful or dreadful! We will warm the body up and
focus the mind with simple Pranayama (breath techniques). We will open
the body up with some juicy Vinyasa Yoga (flow) "Lori Style" and then
we will explore a myriad of possibilities to turn the body upside
down, starting simple and advancing safely, reversing the flow of
blood, energy and gravity in the body. All levels are welcome.
GUIDED NATURE HIKE W/ JUSTIN
MEDITATION W/ ROB
TBA
Yoga, Vendanta and Buddhism's central purpose is overcoming suffering
and realizing moksha, liberation. By first exploring a Zen meditation
then a yogic technique we can directly observe the difference between
yoga's realization tat tvam asi (you are that) and the Buddhist
no-self as differing paths aiming at the same goal. All levels are welcome.
YOGA W/ LIVE MUSIC ERIKA & SPECIAL GUESTS
YIN FUSION W/ JESSICA
A dynamic mix of Yin Yoga and Forrest Yoga that delves deep into
awareness, breath, asana, and emotional release. Mixing vinyasa, long
holds, and intuitive core work, the new energy you create in your
cells bursts open the numb spots, congestion, and illness heightening
your need and ability to accept healing. This class is suitable for
all levels.
KIRTAN W/ EDDIE NATARAJ & FRIENDS
JOURNEY THROUGH THE CHAKRAS W/ SALLY
"Kirtan" is the ancient practice of call and response chanting. The chants are called "Mantras". The mantras represent universal energies in the form of sounds. These universal energies already lie within us, so when we chant the mantras, we awaken these universal energies. When we stir these energies, they purify our mind and subtle body (the space between the atoms) and leave one feeling clear and refreshed. A person does not need to know about yoga or kirtan to receive the benefits of mantras.
Reduce stress and tension with a generous class helping to ground, center and purify your core essence. We will travel inside from the root to the crown opening and invigorating each core chakra along the way with gentle yoga, breath and meditations. All levels are welcome.
Music
BLUESHINE MOONGRASS
EDDY NATARAJ
Eddy is a unique kirtan artist, he combines his spanish gypsy guitar style with the ancient mantras, creating a very soulful and uplifting type of kirtan. While living outdoors in Hawaii for 7 years, he studied yoga and music everyday. After practicing japa meditation in the forests for 4 years, kirtan became the obvious and most natural thing for him to do. Eddy is accompanied by Gabriel on spanish guitar, Nathan on cello, and Steve on tablas. They are sort of a "kitrtan
quartet". Together they strive to create music that transcends space and time.
Hailing from coastal Connecticut, Blueshine Moongrass play a youthful and eclectic mix of traditional Americana string band music, as well as some unexpected covers. Bouncing from ol' timey folk to swing to bluegrass to kirtan, and sneaking in some modern tunes with a twist, this band serves up some good clean fun every time. Multi-instrumentalists, Katie, Case, and Jono, tantalize the crowd by trading off on vocals, guitar, and mandolin, while Mike and Russell hold it down on banjo and fiddle. Both charming and raucous, this spirited bunch are quick on their feet and rise to any occasion -- perfect for backyards, dances, tea houses, or bars.
RATES
REGISTRATION
Full Weekend Stay $325 in Single Bed Shared Dorms
Includes all activities, meals and housing. Limited single rooms available at additional cost. For more info e-mail erika_lotusfeetyoga.com
or visit http://earthdance.net/facilityaccommodations.htm
Please print, complete and mail registration form to the address provided with check or money order made out to Lotusfeet Yoga
Registration Form
Full Weekend Camping Stay $275
Includes all activities and meals. Bring your own tent.
Two Day Pass $200 in Single Bed Shared Dorms
Includes 2 days of your choice, all activities, meals and housing.
Two day pass camping $175.
Saturday Only Pass $150
Includes all activities and meals.
Local Bed & Breakfast
Nine Mountain B&B is available walking distance from Earthdance with an additional fee. Please visit http://www.ninemtn.com/index.htmlfor more information
***10% Off Full Weekend Stay Passes for Early Birds
(payment must be received by May 1st) & Students (w/ copy of student id)***
MEALS
All meals are included within cost of our retreat. The Earthdance Chef prepares scrumptuous vegetarian cuisine using organic, fresh, local produce whenever possible. Hearty soups, crisp green salads, home-made breads and fresh-baked deserts often compliment meals. Wheat- and dairy-free fare are available by request.
CONTACTS
LOCATION
erika_lotusfeetyoga.com
Erika Dixon
EARTHDANCE
252 Prospect St.
Plainfield, MA 01070
Phone:(413) 634-5678
FOR DIRECTIONS VISIT: http://earthdance.net/directions.htm
JOIN E-MAIL LIST
Links
www.youthcontinuum.org
www.earthdance.net
www.ravenswingyoga.com
www.balancedyoga.us
www.twocoyotes.org
www.intuitivelotus.com
www.yogaslackers.com
www.adicarter.com
www.sarahpowers.com
www.yinyoga.com
