Shakti Women's Yoga Retreat
Sep 24, 2010 - Sep 27, 2010
Tofino Botanical Gardens, Vancouver Island

Surfing

Surf Sister introduces women and men of all ages and abilities to the sport of surfing in a safe, fun, and supportive environment, and offers advanced technique classes too. We learn and play on beautiful beaches near Tofino, British Columbia, rated as some of the most spectacular surfing in the world.

Surf Sister instructors will teach you everything you need to know to start surfing. We'll cover proper surfing technique, surfing etiquette, equipment and ocean safety. We leave lots of time each class to hit the surf and practice your new skills!

Kayaking Tours

Join Majestic Ocean Kayaking for an afternoon exploring along the Ucluelet harbour where there are sheltered waters with no waves. We will paddle up to a beautiful hidden waterfall or visit the local fish hatchery. There is always plenty of wildlife inside Ucluelet Harbour.

Watch for black bears, along the shoreline and eagles circling overhead. Harbour seals pop their heads up to watch us paddle by and sealions call to the fishing docks along the water's edge.

Historic old pre-wartime houses, big steal fishing boats and old wooden trollers tell the story of this quaint fishing village. Option to venture outside the harbour dependant on weather & padding ability of each person.

Outside the harbour we will paddle in outside waters with waves. Spectacular views of the wild weather beaten rocky shores, a family of eagles nesting in the trees over head, sea lions, gigantic kelp beds, an ancient native whaling beach and incredible rock formations.

Yoga & Movement

Yoga
The yoga classes will be an offering of conscious vinyasa flow that can be modified to suit the needs of the individual students while allowing all participants to enjoy working together as a group. Emphasis is placed on working with intention, awareness, and honesty.

Each class will include flowing posture sequences to increase vitality balanced out with sustained holds to build strength and commitment. Each yoga session will close with restorative yoga postures and simple meditation allowing for deep relaxation and integration. Morning yoga classes are designed to be energizing and uplifting while evening classes will focus on the cultivation of mindfulness in action.

Ayurveda and the Sacred Art of Mehendi

Celebrate your inner goddess and join us as we explore the ancient art and practice of Mehendi to awaken the divine feminine (Shakti) energy within.
In this workshop, we will learn about the history, philosophy and practice of sadhana (the art of inviting spiritual practice into everyday life) through henna application, mantra, meditation and mudra techniques.

Take-home instructions, patterns and recipes will be provided.

Ayurvedic Massage Therapy: Body as Temple

In this class, we will learn two Ayurvedic massage techniques: Hastabhyanga (Ayurvedic hand massage) and Padabhyanga (Ayurvedic foot massage) to energize all organs of the body, improve circulation, stimulate our deep cognitive memories and strengthen the heart.
Share in sacred circle with us as we enter the temple of our bodies through healing massage, pranayama, Vedic mantra and mudra techniques.

Take- home instructions and Ayurvedic massage oil recipes will be provided.

Teachers

Natalie Rousseau ~ E-RYT 500
Is the founder of Pacific Elements Yoga School and has been practicing yoga since 1999, teaching full time since 2002. She holds certificates in Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Pre-Natal yoga and is on the path towards Anusara Certification.

Her classes are guaranteed to be fun, creative, and inspirational while providing an appropriate level of challenge for all levels of practitioners.

"I teach Yoga because I believe in it's power to heal and transform. This belief is rooted in personal experience and is renewed through daily practice. It is one of my greatest joys, and deepest honors, to share this practice with others so that they too can access the vast reservoir of strength, creativity, contentment, happiness, and true peace that lies within them. I look forward to sharing this journey with you"

Kimberly Loeb is a certified Sivananda Yoga instructor and has been practicing, studying and teaching Ayurveda and Yoga since 2001. She recently moved to the Cowichan Valley from Prescott, Arizona, where she was trained and certified to teach Wise Earth Ayurveda education and Sadhana practice by Wise Earth Ayurveda Master Teacher, Kelly Grey.

Food

You will be nourished with life enriching whole foods prepared with love and gratitude by Milagro Retreats. We will introduce Living Food Concepts such as sprouting, dehydrating and fermenting. As well as superfoods like Goji Berries, Chia Seeds and Guayaki Yerba Mate. Our kitchen has an open concept with informal education about the ingredients, to increase your food knowledge and enhance your experience.

Photos of our Tofino Catering

Accommodation

Choose from 3 options at the beautiful Clayoquot Field Station at the Botanical Gardens. This Eco Friendly building is situated on 12 acres of waterfront rainforest and gardens at the gateway to the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Rooms have either Queen privates or four oversize bunk beds with down duvets, two desks, lockable closets and a window looking out over the rainforest or Tofino Botanical Gardens.

Location

The Pacific Rim, though only a few hours from Vancouver and Seattle, exists in a world of its own. Nestled between ancient rainforest and the wild Pacific Ocean, this spectacular coastline is home to an abundance of natural wonders. At the northern edge of the Pacific Rim National Park lies the quaint, inviting town of Tofino, home to artists and surfers alike. Discovered a century ago when Anglican missionaries searched for the most beautiful place on Vancouver Island, Tofino continues to invoke a sense of breath-taking, awe-inspiring beauty.

** Please note that this Retreat is offered with a minimum of 12 guests.**
If the minimum registration is not met 7 days prior to the retreat, the following options are available:
* Accommodations Only
* Full Refund