I am very excited to offer two retreats this fall. Both will take place at the Guadalupe Abbey Monastery located in Pecos, NM. These in-person yoga retreats will be restorative and strengthening.
3-day retreat September 17, 18, 19, 2021
The focus of the retreat is
Regaining the Enthusiasm for LIFE!
“Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.” B.K.S. Iyengar
The Focus
Our lives have been disrupted in various ways. And now more than ever, we have to reconnect with our family and friends. We yearn to return to normalcy, whatever it may be. With many uncertainties, we want to continue building healthy and enriching relationships.
First and foremost, we have to reconnect with our bodies and with our sensory organs. Take stock of what may have changed and what is bothering us lately. Then, without judgment, we have to address the changes, the ailments, and the pains. Therefore during the retreat, we will address them one by one and regain the consciousness of your body and senses. The beauty lies within us, and in nature that surrounds us at the monastery. I will guide you in this process, and with each move, you will consciously attain physical and emotional wellbeing. During our afternoon walk, I will remind you of your senses by making astute observations about nature. You will sharpen the awareness of your senses and feel the moisture coming off the river, and see the sun’s rays glistening through leaves in the trees.
Iyengar yoga teaches us how to become aware and with every restorative breath regain the power of the senses. While we remain in the present during the retreat, we also want to learn how to set healthy goals for your daily yoga practice and for the future. Most importantly, we want to breathe consciously, remain nimble, and learn to use our senses to the fullest.
Ultimately, this retreat will teach you to regain enthusiasm for life and give the tool kit to respond positively to whatever may come.
The Flow
Friday afternoon will start with the traditional Iyengar Yoga practice that starts to warm up our bodies with standing poses, and then we will transition to twists and forward bends. This initial 2-hour practice will be awareness building. After dinner, we will review the functions of the shoulder and pelvic girdle and complement this recognition with restorative poses.
Saturday, as the sun rises, you can begin with your personal practice before a light breakfast. During the 3-hour morning session, we will work on the sensory organs (the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin). And with raised awareness, we will work on strengthening poses. After a nutritious lunch, the digestive session will focus on our motion of the extremities that extend from the shoulder and pelvic girdle. After dinner, the 2-hour session will focus on restorative yoga poses that address the respiratory system and breathing.
Sunday, as the sun rises again, you can start with your personal practice before a light breakfast. Students can also join a Catholic mass at the Monastery church that is open to the public. During the morning 2-hour session, you will focus on your personal needs to refine your daily yoga practice. After a nutritious lunch followed by a walk in nature, we will resume the design of the individual daily yoga practice and incorporate poses that strengthen the function of our immune systems.
After 5:30 pm, we will be ready to head on our separate ways, or together, back home, with more energy than we came with.
The Schedule
Friday, September 17th
2:30 – 3:00 PM – arrival, afternoon tea, and pre-yoga light snack, followed by a setup for the upcoming yoga class
3:00 – 5:00 PM – 2-hour traditional Iyengar Yoga practice
5:30 – 7:00 PM – supper
7:30 – 9:00 PM – 1.5-hour restorative and therapeutic yoga practice in which we will review the functions of the shoulder and pelvic girdle.
Saturday, September 18th
6:00 – 8:00 AM – personal yoga practice
8:15 – 9:00 AM – breakfast
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – 3-hour comprehensive yoga practice focusing on the sensory organs.
12:30 – 2:30 PM – lunch & a walk in nature to admire the natural beauty
2:30 – 5:30 PM – 3-hour yoga practice focusing on the motion of the extremities that extend from the shoulder and pelvic girdle.
5:30 – 7:00 PM – supper
7:00 – 9:00 PM – 2-hour restorative inversion yoga practice focusing on breathing.
Sunday, September 19th
6:00 – 7:30 AM – personal yoga practice
7:30 – 9:00 AM – breakfast, Catholic mass, and/or free time in nature
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM – 2-hour complete yoga practice addressing your personal questions and needs
12:30 – 2:00 PM – lunch & a walk in nature to admire the natural beauty
2:30 – 5:30 PM – 3-hour yoga session will include asanas that complement the pranayama practice, and strengthen the function of our immune system.
5:30 PM – Saying Goodbye
Price
3-day All-Inclusive Yoga Retreat $680
Price includes accommodation, all six healthy meals, and 16.5 hours of yoga classes.
You are also welcome to participate in selected individual classes that are priced accordingly:
1.5-hour class – $37.50
2-hour class – $50
3-hour class – $75
In addtion, please add a studio fee of $20 per day and $12 for each healthy meal.
NEW – Payments will also be accepted by PayPal, Venmo, or by check.
Please mail the check to Jo Ann Burtard, 1324 Grandpas Ranch Ln, Santa Fe, NM 87507
COVID-19 Safety
I have designed the retreat with your health and safety in mind. The following guidelines are there to protect everyone, and I count on your cooperation.
– Every in-person attendee must have had a Covid-19 test and a “negative” result by Monday, September 13. Written (or electronic) certification should be presented at the time of your arrival in Pecos, NM.
– Throughout the entire retreat everyone will be required to wear a mask, except during the mealtimes.
– The Covid-19 guidelines will be observed by everyone. Therefore, we will;
– maintain the 6+ feet distance from each other.
– wash our hands frequently, and at least for 20 seconds.
– practice safe sneezing practice by covering the mouth with a tissue, a sleeve, or one’s elbow.
– clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
The yoga studio is located in the Tolomei Center and a safe distance from your colleagues can be assured. In addition, I will take precautionary steps and sanitize all hard surfaces frequently, especially the ones throughout the studio that we will all frequent.
Living in a Covid-19-impacted world requires discipline from all of us. Even though most of you will be vaccinated, we still have to remain cautious and respectful.
4-day retreat October 8, 9, 10, 11, 2021
The focus of this retreat is
Embrace your restoration and reclaim your strength!
“Breath is the king of mind.” B.K.S. Iyengar
The Focus
Breathing is the most essential function we perform. Without a breath, we cannot exist, and yet we do not know how to breathe. During yoga, we are instructed to “breathe consciously” to connect with the subtle energy within.
Breathing enables us to remain present; it oxygenates the blood and assists fresh nutrients in reaching all peripheral vessels and capillaries. Also, controlled breathing can induce relaxation. When you are happy, for instance, the corners of your mouth turn up automatically, and the edges of your eyes crinkle in a characteristic expression. Conversely, when you feel frightened, in pain, or tense and uncomfortable, your breathing speeds up and becomes shallower.
Multiple studies have proven the positive impact of breathing on the mental, emotional, and physical state. And yet, in a stressed situation, we hold our breath or breathe faster and exacerbate the panic attacks through a vicious circle: fear triggers faster breathing, which increases anxiety.
In this retreat, we will learn about our respiratory, circulatory, nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems. We will learn sequences that relate to each system. And we will learn to re-learn how to breathe consciously. We will explore the interconnectivity between the systems through pranayama exercises and learn how to regulate our breathing to respond to stressful situations. Most importantly, the Iyengar yoga poses we will practice will help us restore our wellbeing and reduce symptoms of long-term stress.
The Flow
Friday afternoon will start with the traditional Iyengar Yoga practice that starts to warm up our body with standing poses, and then we will transition to twists, forward bends, and inversions. This initial 2-hour practice will be awareness building. After dinner, we will address the respiratory system and integrate breathing exercises with restorative poses.
Saturday, as the sun rises, you can begin with your personal practice before a light breakfast. During the 3-hour morning session, we will focus on the circulatory system. And with raised awareness, we will work on strengthening poses. After a nutritious lunch, the digestive session will focus on the nervous system. After dinner, the 2-hour session will focus on restorative inversion yoga practice focusing on breathing.
Sunday, as the sun rises again, you can start with your personal practice before a light breakfast. Students can also join a Catholic mass at the Monastery church that is open to the public. During the morning 2-hour session, you will focus on your personal needs to refine your daily yoga practice. After a nutritious lunch followed by a walk in nature, we will include asanas that complement the pranayama practice, and strengthen the muscular and skeletal system. After dinner, the 2-hour session will focus on restorative inversion yoga practice focusing on breathing.
Monday, as the sun rises again, you can begin with your personal practice before a light breakfast. During the 3-hour morning session, we will focus on the central nervous system. With raised awareness, you can also work on your perfection in your daily yoga routines.
After lunch, around 2:30 pm, we will be ready to head on our separate ways, or together, back home, with more energy than we came with.
The Schedule
Friday, October 8th
2:30 – 3:00 PM – arrival, afternoon tea, and pre-yoga light snack, followed by a setup for the upcoming yoga class
3:00 – 5:00 PM – 2-hour traditional Iyengar Yoga practice
5:30 – 7:00 PM – supper
7:30 – 9:00 PM – 1.5-hour restorative and therapeutic yoga practice in which we will address the respiratory system.
Saturday, October 9th
6:00 – 8:00 AM – personal yoga practice
8:15 – 9:00 AM – breakfast
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – 3-hour comprehensive yoga practice focusing on the circulatory system.
12:30 – 2:30 PM – lunch & a walk in nature and breathe the fresh air that surrounds us
2:30 – 5:30 PM – 3-hour comprehensive yoga practice focusing on the nervous system.
5:30 – 7:00 PM – supper
7:00 – 9:00 PM – 2-hour restorative inversion yoga practice focusing on breathing.
Sunday, October 10th
6:00 – 7:30 AM – personal yoga practice
7:30 – 9:00 AM – breakfast, Catholic mass, and/or free time in nature
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM – 2-hour complete yoga practice addressing your personal questions and needs
12:30 – 2:00 PM – lunch & a walk in nature and breathe the fresh air that surrounds us
2:30 – 5:30 PM – 3-hour yoga session will include asanas that complement the pranayama practice, and strengthen the muscular and skeletal system.
5:30 – 7:00 PM – supper
7:00 – 9:00 PM – 2-hour restorative inversion yoga practice focusing on breathing.
Monday, October 11th – Indigenous Peoples’ Day
6:00 – 8:00 AM – personal yoga practice
8:15 – 9:00 AM – breakfast
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – 3-hour comprehensive yoga practice focusing on the central nervous system.
12:30 – 2:00 PM – lunch
2:30 PM – Saying Goodbye
Price
4-day All-Inclusive Yoga Retreat $880
Price includes accommodation, all nine healthy meals, and 19.5 hours of yoga classes.
You are also welcome to participate in selected individual classes that are priced accordingly:
1.5-hour class – $37.50
2-hour class – $50
3-hour class – $75
In addtion, please add a studio fee of $20 per day and $12 for each healthy meal.
NEW – Payments will also be accepted by PayPal, Venmo, or by check.
Please mail the check to Jo Ann Burtard, 1324 Grandpas Ranch Ln, Santa Fe, NM 87507
COVID-19 Safety
I have designed the retreat with your health and safety in mind. The following guidelines are there to protect everyone, and I count on your cooperation.
– Every in-person attendee must have had a Covid-19 test and a “negative” result by Monday, October 4. Written (or electronic) certification should be presented at the time of your arrival in Pecos, NM.
– Throughout the entire retreat everyone will be required to wear a mask, except during the mealtimes.
– The Covid-19 guidelines will be observed by everyone. Therefore, we will;
– maintain the 6+ feet distance from each other.
– wash our hands frequently, and at least for 20 seconds.
– practice safe sneezing practice by covering the mouth with a tissue, a sleeve, or one’s elbow.
– clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
The yoga studio is located in the Library overlooking the lake and a safe distance from your colleagues can be assured. In addition, I will take precautionary steps and sanitize all hard surfaces frequently, especially the ones throughout the studio that we will all frequent.
Living in a Covid-19-impacted world requires discipline from all of us. Even though most of you will be vaccinated, we still have to remain cautious and respectful.
If you have additional questions,
please do not hesitate to contact Jo Ann.