Jo Ann Yoga

2019 – Fall Retreat – Description

Healthy Hips: discovering your neuromuscular relationship

It is through the alignment of the body that I discovered the alignment
of my mind, self, and intelligence.

B.K.S. Iyengar – Light on Life

Listen to an interview with Jo Ann. She tells us more about the upcoming retreat.

Listen to an interview with Jo Ann. She tells us more about the upcoming retreat.

When & Where

November 8-9-10-11, 2019 – Veteran’s Day weekend

Guadalupe Abbey Monastery, set in the Pecos Mountains, will invigorate you because of the peaceful natural surroundings, where you can escape your daily routines and switch off from technology. Delicious and healthy meals that are appropriate for yoga practice are prepared by the Monks. Throughout the weekend you will have time to enjoy nature and connect with your own body and spirit.

The focus

The alignment of our bodies starts with our hips. They are the most important joints that bear the body’s weight, connect many muscle groups, and crucial nerves. They are indispensable for our movement and posture.
Today’s sedentary lifestyle has stiffened our hips and contributed to numerous ailments that inadvertently calls for a hip replacement. Therefore during this retreat, we will focus on the neuromuscular pathways from the cerebellum that receives information from the sensory systems, the spinal cord, and other parts of the brain and then regulates motor movements. The cerebellum coordinates voluntary movements such as posture, balance, coordination, and speech, resulting in smooth and balanced muscular activity.

Initially, we will start with asanas that calm our body, then proceed with opening the hips and aligning them with the shoulders. Ultimately we want to increase stability, discover asanas that sustain your personal flexibility, and strengthen the surrounding muscles.
The objective of this retreat is to encourage mindful movement and recognize this brain-nerve-muscle connection, that may stop this cycle of deterioration, which frequently begins with reduced movement due to pain, and leads to more stiffness due to inactivity. In addition, by loosening the hips you will experience a new level of self-awareness, which can improve range of motion and overall circulation.

The Flow

Friday afternoon sets the stage for a relaxing practice paired with a presentation explaining the anatomy and physiology of the body.

Saturday, as the sun rises, you can begin with your personal practice before a light breakfast. Next, during the 3-hour morning session, we will learn more details about anatomy and practice introductory asanas that relax the hips. After a nutritious lunch, the digestive session will review the anatomy and practice asana that relaxes and opens the hips. Students will be encouraged to explore their specific needs. The evening 2-hour practice will deepen our understanding of opening the hips and strengthening surrounding muscles.

Sunday, as the sun rises again, you can begin with your personal practice before a light breakfast. Students can also join a Catholic mass at the Monastery church starting at 9:30 am that is open to the public. The morning 2-hour session will integrate the restoration of hips’ flexibility with their alignment of the shoulders. After a nutritious lunch, we will resume our understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the hips and shoulders, and focus on personalized asanas. Throughout this practice, you will gain insight into your personal potential and let go of habitual patterns. After dinner, students will relax and watch the documentary released in 2019, IYENGAR: The Man, Yoga, and The Student’s Journey directed by Jake Clennell.

Monday, as the sun rises again, you can begin with your personal practice before a light breakfast. Thereafter, during the 3-hour morning session, we will review all that we have learned and discovered. In this final session, you will receive personal guidance on how to cultivate a mindful and beneficial yoga practice that keeps your hips relaxed and the shoulders aligned.
After lunch, we head on our separate ways, or together, back home, with more energy than we came with.

The Schedule

Price

4-day Yoga Retreat $750

Includes accommodation, all healthy meals, and 19.5 hours of yoga classes.

2-day Yoga Retreat $460 (Saturday and Sunday only)

If you are unable to attend the entire 4-day weekend, you may choose to participate on Saturday and Sunday only.
Price includes accommodation, all healthy meals, and 13 hours of yoga classes.

You are also welcome to participate in selected individual classes that are priced accordingly:
1.5-hour class – $32
2-hour class – $42 
3-hour class – $63

Next Steps

Reserve your space! Do not delay the deadline is Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019.

If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jo Ann.