I am so grateful to those of you who engaged with me about building a retreat in St. Lucia. After your written responses, conversations, and speaking with the owners at Balenbouche, I've elected to offer the retreat. This by no means minimizes the complications outlined. I was swayed by the overwhelming opinion that this experience could be navigated responsibly and the owners' commitment to their larger community. Balenbouche is apart of a number of community-driven cooperatives. I also talked to previous retreat facilitators (several of whom are people of color). With all of this information, I booked.
Solar Vortex: A Yogawood Retreat to St. Lucia
January 17-24, 2015
Remember the polar vortex in the winter of 2014? So do we.
The cold drew us all in and in, sometimes to cabin fever. For the winter of 2015, we invite you to draw in differently. Join us on retreat in St. Lucia, a remarkably gorgeous island in the West Indies. Let yourself get sun, heat, and the perspective that comes from intentional pause. Practice yoga twice daily and meditation. Each day, receive light breakfast snacks and two vegan meals from a renowned chef. Stay in eco-cottages a 20 minute hike away from private beaches. Our accommodations are integrated intentionally into the surrounding environment. As such, some showers are open air, there’s no air conditioning, but rather fans, mosquito netting, and a lot of fresh air. Enjoy personal attention during inversion and arm balance workshops on the beach. (Sand softens a fear of falling!) Draw in, reflect, and be.
St. Lucia & Balenbouche beach
http://balenbouche.com/
Your Guides
Beth Filla will lead most of your inner journey on this trip. For her, yoga is joy and expansion, an opportunity to uncover hidden connections and to watch the perceived boundaries of what is possible melt steadily away. A Certified Jivamukti Yoga Teacher, she offers a combination of vigorous asana, intellectual and ethical practice, music, and devotion in her classes.
Maiga Milbourne is passionate about healthy bodies, relationships, and communities. Maiga is an E-RYT vinyasa yoga teacher, and she loves nothing more than offering amazing hands-on assists in yoga practice. She teaches yoga, officiates ceremonies, and makes people's travel dreams come true. Learn more at maigamilbourne.com.
Tuition includes:
Transport to and from the airport
Daily light breakfast snacks and two vegan meals
2 yoga practices daily
Inversion and arm balance workshops on the beach
Meditation practice daily
Accommodations in shared eco-cottages
Tuition does not include:
Travel to St. Lucia
Optional excursions
Travel Insurance. *WE RECOMMEND PARTICIPANTS PURCHASE THIS INDEPENDENTLY
All accommodations are shared.
Deposit:
To hold your space, we require a $300 deposit. The balance is due by Nov. 1, 2014.
Cancellation:
We realize that things happen. Until Oct. 1, 2014, we will refund all your payment except $100 for administrative fees. There will be no refunds after Oct. 1, 2014.
Accessibility:
We hope to make these experiences as accessible as possible. Save $150 on tuition if you pay in full by Aug. 1, 2014.
Banyan Cottage
Two bedrooms with shared bathrooms.
One bedroom with Queen sized bed. Two spots available at $1,535 per person if paid in full before Aug. 1, 2014. After Aug. 1, $1,685.
One bedroom with King sized bed. Two spots available at $1,535 per person if paid in full before Aug. 1, 2014. After Aug. 1, $1,685.
Almond Cottage
Two bedrooms with private bathrooms.
One bedroom with King sized bed and private bath. Two spots available at $1,685 per person if paid in full
by Aug. 1, 2014. After Aug. 1, $1,835.
by Aug. 1, 2014. After Aug. 1, $1,835.
One bedroom with two twin beds and a private bath. Two spots available at $1,685 per person if paid in full by Aug. 1, 2014. After Aug. 1, $1,835.
Frangipani Cottage
One King sized bed with private bath. Two spots available at $1,685 per person if paid in full by Aug. 1, 2014. After Aug. 1, $1,835.
Calabash Cottage
One Queen sized bed with private bath. Two spots available at $1,685 per person if paid in full by Aug. 1, 2014. After Aug. 1, $1,835.
Breakfasts on retreat:
Dinner at Balenbouche:
Our yoga barn:
Sunrise on one of the beaches within hiking distance of Balenbouche:
Organic Farm on the estate:
Practical Information:
Of note:
Balenbouche has a dense history. It was a plantation. This history gave the organizers pause. Our intention is to offer a retreat that is rich in place and ease. We realize that this history means different things to different participants. Please know that our hope is to proceed with utmost respect for each participant and for the history of this specific location. Balenbouche’s current practices of community collaboration and mutual aid urged us towards supporting this small, locally-owned business. We are open to conversation about Balenbouche’s history and its significance. With love and accountability, Maiga and Beth.
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