Just Be: Yogawood Retreat to Belize

Years ago I followed the story of Julia Butterfly Hill, as she made her way into a 200 foot tall Redwood tree to protest deforestation and then after when she made her way down, toured to speak, and then ultimately settled on a tropical island in Belize. I slowly gathered that she became friends with an expat couple who'd founded an ecoretreat on Ambergris Caye. Sometimes they did programming together. A few of my friends had lead retreats there.

I love stories like this.

And I love to step inside the story.

Ak'bol had been on my radar from that time. I sort of kept it in mind for the right moment. After we concluded the epic adventure of the Vietnam retreat, it seemed like something hot, relaxing, and not too far was the counterbalance (yoga retreats can be like yoga poses). I booked Ak'bol over President's Day weekend and invited students to join.

And then 2016 happened.

As the election hit fever pitch, everyone I knew navigated big tumult in their personal and professional lives, and then trump was elected, I kept exchanging furtive messages with those joining the retreat. The content all pretty much amounted to: "I need this so badly and yet I feel guilty."

Me too.

I'm doing my best to watch that. To know that I can be conscious in my decisions, that I can care for myself in the ways that I deem appropriate, and that I don't have to apologize for it. We all deserve the space to get perspective. We all deserve time to relax. We function in our lives better when we do it from a place of intention and awareness.

You don't have to go to Belize to create those circumstances, but I have to say, it's not a bad way to do it.

So, a group of burnt, travel weary people amassed on the beach of Ambergris Caye, Belize. Our first evening together we shared dinner and our intentions. I shared that I'm looking for that liminal space where I can hold onto my own peace but not disengage. I'm looking to stay in it and not lose myself. There were many nods. We gather our people.

As the week unfolded we met under the palms to watch sunrise and drink coffee. We wandered out to the pier, practiced pranayama, meditation, and asana. The mornings were more intense often followed by a swim in the turquoise waters. Looking out, you saw a break point that indicated the second largest reef in the world. 

After lunch, some took snorkel trips to Hol Chan, Shark Alley, and Mexico Rocks. Others went further afield to visit caves and Mayan temples in land. Some hailed a water taxi and sped south along the coastline to visit the town of San Pedro. Others channeled their inner lizards, laying in the hot sun or relaxing in the palm shade. Folks scheduled massages and swam in the pool.

In the evenings we gathered at sunset for Yin practice. I relaxed my control freak self and ceded most of the Yin practices to be taught by Kevin. As we shifted positions we watched the palm tree outlines claim the lowering sun. After Yin, we had evening meditation sits over the lapping water. By the time we concluded it was dark. Ak'bol has a light so you can enjoy watching the fish racing under the water.

We walked down the pier back to our private palapa for dinner. We talked about the constellations and yoga and our lives at home. We could see it a little more clearly from that distance. 

As we reclaimed ourselves we also claimed one another. As always happens, a tight community formed, one where people hunt for each other's lost go pros, loan out bug spray and hair ties, stage elaborate and beautiful photos, write one another epic odes, and make plans to do it again.

I used to see art as a solitary activity. One artist, one page, one pen. These experiences are teaching me other levels of art. Art as experience, co created by an assembly of thinking, feeling, engaged beings. I think this is what was intended by group yoga classes. For us to try to get it together and to do it together. 

Just Be: Jivamukti Retreat to Belize Feb 18-25, 2017

Just Be: Jivamukti Yogawood Retreat to Belize

Ambergris Caye is Belize’s largest island, floating in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Join Jivamukti Yoga Teacher, Maiga Milbourne, assisted by Kevin Price, for a week of barefoot peace. We’ll be staying at Ak’bol Eco Resort, Belize’s oldest yoga retreat designed to be very low impact on this precious environment. Practice yoga twice daily on a pier to the sound of lapping waves. Dine on locally-sourced, healthy, and vegan meals three times a day on the beach. Between yoga and meditation practices experience as little or as much as you’re called towards. The more adventurous might snorkel in the second largest Barrier Reef in the world, only a quarter mile away, or visit the neighboring fishing village of San Pedro. Or maybe the sand and the sun is enough and you let yourself just be. Enroll here.

February 18-25, 2017

Ak’bol Eco Resort

Ambergris Caye, Belize

Tuition includes chosen accommodations, three meals a day (except for one evening free), and all yoga practices. All prices are person. If electing for a shared rate the student is responsible for finding their own roommate. Maiga is happy to make suggestions but we cannot offer a shared rate if the room is not shared.

Deposit: To hold your space pay a $500 deposit. This will be deducted from your total tuition. All tuition is due no later than Nov 1, 2016.

Not included: Flights to Belize, transport to Ak’bol (details below), alcoholic beverages, one night dinner on your own, tips (we suggest $50 per person for the week), and optional excursions.

Cancellation Policy: We realize that things happen. Until Oct 1, 2016 if you have to cancel we will refund your payment except $100 to cover administrative fees. After Oct 1, 2016 there are no refunds.

SOLD OUT!
Seafront Cabanas (3) shared rate $1,775, private rate $2,375 if paid in full by August 1, 2016. After August 1, the rates are increased by $150 per person.

Each of these thatched roof cabanas has a sea view, a queen-sized bed as well as a loft with two twin beds. Windows are plantation shuttered, the private shower is open air, offering a truly unique and authentic experience. Daily housekeeping will change towels every other day to conserve water and energy.

Garden View Cabanas (4) shared rate $1,675, private rate $2,225 if paid in full by August 1, 2016. After August 1, the rates are increased by $150 per person.

Each of these thatched roof cabanas has a sea view, a queen-sized bed as well as a loft with two twin beds. Windows are plantation shuttered, the private shower is open air, offering a truly unique and authentic experience. Daily housekeeping will change towels every other day to conserve water and energy.

Village Rooms shared rate $1,300, private rate $1,425 if paid in full by August 1, 2016. After August 1, the rates are increased by $150 per person.

Have you ever wanted to go to summer camp in the Tropics? Now is your chance. Simple island rooms with twin beds for those sharing or a queen beds for couples as well as communal spaces overlooking the lagoon. There are two shared bathrooms with plenty of showers, toilets, and sinks for all, as well as island details like mahogany sinks and conch shell faucets. This is sweet simplicity on the lagoon. Have fun with it!

Note on preserving the local environment

Ak’bol is an eco-conscious space. Please bring a reusable water bottle and enjoy the complimentary safe drinking water. Please conserve!

Ak’bol staff will change bedding and towels every other day and appreciates guests drying out their towels in between. This is to cut down on water and energy usage.

Islands have sensitive septic systems. Whenever possible, please put used toilet paper in provided garbage cans. These are ways of island living to soften our impact.

A healthy ecosystem has bugs. The gentle ocean breezes help keep a lot of critters away from Ak’bol but there will be bugs! This is the reality of a healthy environment.

Your yoga teacher

Passionate about healthy bodies, relationships, and communities. Maiga Milbourne is an E-RYT vinyasa yoga teacher, and she loves nothing more than offering amazing hands-on assists in yoga practice. As of March 2015 she is also an accredited Jivamukti teacher, after completing her training at Radhanath Swami’s EcoVillage outside of Mumbai, India, under the tutelage of Sharon Gannon, David Life, Jules Febre, Ruth Laurer-Manenti, and Yogeswari. She teaches yoga, officiates ceremonies, and makes people's travel dreams come true. Learn more at maigamilbourne.com.

After years of dedicated meditation practice, attendance on many yoga and silent retreats, and lots of study with senior yoga teachers in the Jivamukti lineage, Kevin Price, embarked on his own yoga teacher training. In April 2016 he completed 200 hours of rigorous yoga study at Yogawood under the direction of Beth Filla and Maiga Milbourne. In addition to his own practice and his practice of sharing these methodologies, Kevin runs a sustainable landscaping business. He implements environmentally-friendly measures on his own property, such as multiple composting systems and greywater. Kevin is also a musician, playing guitar, offering vocals, and many song compositions for the band, All the Forgotten. More than anything, Kevin loves a good adventure. In Belize, he’s your go-to guy when you want to get into it!

Sample Itinerary subject to change

Saturday February 18

Arrivals throughout the day - check in is 12 noon

6:30 pm Welcome Dinner and Orientation

Sunday February 19-Friday February 24

7-9 am light breakfast buffet served at the beach bar

9:30-11 am Jivamukti Yoga

12-1 pm lunch on the private palapa

Optional activities can be organized by Ak’bol, such as scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing, kite boarding, kayaking, visiting Mayan ruins, cave tubing, zip-lining, getting body work from a local practitioner, swim in the pool etc. There are also daily guided snorkel trips from 1-3:30 pm.

5-6 pm Yin or gentle yoga

6-6:30 pm seaside Meditation practice

6:30 pm dinner on the private palapa

8 pm some nights optional satsang including chanting or conversation

Saturday February 25

7-9 am farewell breakfast

Check out 12 noon

Getting there and Away: Fly into Belize City or airport code BZE. If flying from the US East Coast you may want to search flights out of Newark (EWR) or JFK for cheaper and more direct flights. We suggest purchasing travel insurance with international flights.

Ambergris Caye is an island off of Belize’s mainland. You are responsible for getting from the Belize City Airport to Ambergris Caye. To get to Ambergris Caye you have the following options:

Tropic Air: This is the quickest, simplest way to get to Ambergris Caye. This is a small flight (affectionately known as “puddle jumpers”) that get you to the town of San Pedro in 15-20 minutes. These flights run 40 minutes after the hour with the last flight daily departing at 5:40 pm. You can book this flight through www.tropicair.com or directly through Ak’bol by emailing yogawithkirsten@gmail.com and paying upon arrival. Upon arrival in San Pedro you will take a taxi to Ak’bol for about $17.

Water Taxi: From the Belize Airport you need to get a taxi to the water taxi port in Belize City, which will be roughly 25 minutes and $25. Catch a water taxi to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, which will take about an hour and a half and cost $15. At the San Pedro port you can catch a second water taxi directly to Ak’bol or catch a land taxi, which is easier. The water taxis to Ak’Bol run periodically for about $5 or you can charter one for about $20. You can visit www.sanpedrowatertaxi.com or https://belizewatertaxi.com for more information.

WHAT TO BRING

A current passport.

Two color photo copies of your passport.

Many in Belize accept US Dollars though Belizean currency is the Belize Dollar. There are ATMs in San Pedro-- remind your bank that you will be in Belize! You can also run a tab at Ak’bol and pay by credit card when checking out.

Your own reusable water bottle.

Medications with their prescription.

Your yoga mat if you’re attached-- there are mats to use at Ak’bol if you’d rather not travel with your own mat.

Small towels for sweaty practice.

Clothing for twice daily yoga practice. There are places in San Pedro to get your clothes laundered, if you’d like. You’ll want to allot two days to receive your clean clothes.

Clothes for day time adventures-- if you plan to wear anything other than your swim suit! Ambergris Caye is VERY CASUAL!

Some layers for cooler evenings, like a pair of yoga pants, sweat shirt, and long sleeve shirt.

Flip flops.

If you plan to be adventurous, a good sports sandal like keens or chacos. You may want sneakers if you plan to go to the Mayan ruins.

Swim suits.

Beach towels.

Beach gear-- sunscreen, bug spray, sunglasses, hat, etc.

Books and music.

There are no hairdryers at Ak’bol but remember they try to conserve energy and that we think you look beautiful as you are.

Reading lamp, flashlight or headlamp. For some reason, flashlights and headlamps are amazingly helpful when traveling.

If you have snorkel gear, bring it! If not, you can use Ak’bol’s.

$40 for the exit fee to leave Belize. You pay at the airport with either US cash or credit card.

Communicating with family back home

If you have a good international cell phone plan, great! Know signals are often dodge-y in remote places like tropical islands. Consider turning off your cellular data once you fly out to Belize. Once you have wifi, you can use the connection to Facetime with friends and family.

In the event of an emergency, your family can reach you by calling Ak’bol: 011 (501) 226.2073

FAQs

Ak’bol can exchange USD into Belizean dollars. You likely won’t need much money.

There is free internet in the on-site wisdom garden but it is not always consistent. There are a few internet cafes in San Pedro.

No need for adapters as outlets are the same as in the US.

You can read the CDC’s recommendations for traveling to Belize here: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/belize. Please consult your doctor to take the appropriate precautions for your health.

Sacred Action

I don't remember the exact words he spoke, but I do remember the content.  David Life, co-founder of Jivamukti Yoga, began class by reminding us that the universe is in motion.  Immediately I thought of an interview with Jon Kabat-Zinn I caught during last week's On Being.  Kabat-Zinn had explained the Buddhist theory of Impermanence.  Change is constant & outside of our control.  Our response to change is entirely within our control.  Many Buddhist practices exist to enable the student to more mindfully respond to the condition of change.

David Life furthered this idea by stating that we are co-creators of reality.  There is no neutrality.  If we behave passively or try not to respond to the conditions in our environment we still have impact.  If we respond mindfully, we can shape a healthier world.  There is no respite from the tantric web of interconnectedness.  There is no way to withdraw from the world.  As we are of it, our task is to engage with purpose.

The physical asana practice lead us through many challenges.  David Life explained that asana presents us with obstacles to allow us to retrain our response.  (Later that day, Julia Butterfly Hill said if we pray to Ganesh to remove obstacles he will put obstacles in our path.  How else do you learn?)  Instead of running from sensation, learn to be, learn to breathe.  Let this practice of being in challenge build that muscle of engaging mindfully with a world in evolution.

Talented Michael Baez took this photo of me in parivrtta utkatasana during our weekend at Stowe Mountain Yoga Retreat.  This pose is always a test in staying present in the midst of challenge.

The class was lovely.  David Life was silly & profound-- ideal qualities in a teacher.  Afterwards I stumbled into the hallway to purchase a tofu sandwich & returned to find him engaged in a Question & Answer session.  Quickly, he wrapped up to cede more time to Julia Butterfly Hill.  I knew she was a part of the Jivamukti Gathering, but I didn't know that I would be able to participate so easily in her event.  

Hill is best known for sitting in a redwood, Luna, for two years & eight days to prevent the tree's destruction.  Since that time she's been a tireless environmentalist while engaging in many social justice campaigns.  I know some fellow activists who have shared stages & campaigns with her, but this was the first time I would hear her speak.  It certainly felt like a full revolution from the class I took this past summer in Woodstock with Sharon Gannon.  Throughout that class students read poems.  I had shared a poem about prisoner advocacy by Julia Butterfly Hill.  Here I was, practicing in my Jivamukti community & learning from Hill herself.  

Hill has been offering talks titled "What is your tree" urging audiences to consider their offering to the world.  She shared that raised with little money in a small space --a trailer-- prepared her well to live on a small platform in a tree, with few resources, for a little over two years.  Using yoga, meditation, community process, or other practices we can know ourselves with more clarity & then determine what each of us has to offer.  She expanded on David Life's teachings on tantric interconnectedness.  We all have an impact.  Our decision is whether or not to be considered & an activist in our impact.  

I'm still processing this rich day.  Throughout the duration my brain was firing various connections.  This whole concept of a moving, evolving universe where every action we take has meaning & import kept reminding me of Howard Zinn's memoir, You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train.  Hill & the Jivamuktis perhaps conceive & communicate these concepts distinctly, but the message is largely what I hear in my activist work.  The activist message tends to be more specific about goals & issues.  In this yogic community, my experience was equal parts readying on a personal level & then transforming that internal health towards meaningful contribution.

This banner was erected during a cultural event in Woodstock, NY on Martin Luther King Day in 2011.  Frederick Douglass spoke these words.  They certainly apply to yoga asana.  They apply most directly where Douglass aimed them-- towards our engagement in a just world.

That night I returned home to Kevin & Laz.  Kevin was really excited about a documentary he'd watched the night before called, "180 degrees south," about a rock climber deepening his reverence for the natural world and commitment to serve it.  Two of his mentors, the founders of Patagonia and North Face respectively, shared their attitudes towards activism in a clip during the film.  Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia's founder, claimed his friend, North Face founder, Doug Tompkins was the activist between them given Tompkins' work protecting wild land in Chile.  Chouinard identified as a "live and let live" Buddhist.  "Well," Tompkins answered sitting up a bit straighter, "Your Boddhisattva is to end the suffering of the world before you can achieve enlightenment."  

I feel like my own evolution within yoga is being taught to me explicitly.  I came to yoga to heal my body & mind after experiencing trauma.  I continued practicing yoga as my own suffering transformed into compassion & a commitment to activist work.  Yoga helped me keep my own strength, openness, endurance, and plasticity while engaging in the world.  I've since tried to figure out how to unify yoga with activism in the world.  At times, those felt like incompatible goals.  Hill said it well, "In my political, activist community, there are often fingers pointing out at the enemy or other.  In yoga, the finger is always pointing in.  There seemed to be a disconnect between the two."  Yes.  I worried that so much introspection could lead to its own breed of inertia.  I was concerned about the potential for yogis to be lost in their own growth, yoga pants, and restorative sessions.  Likewise, I'm so inspired by my activist colleagues, but I worry that many of them pay little attention to themselves & their own stability.  There sometimes seems to be a tendency to martyr oneself.  If we're concerned with truly healthy communities, don't we by mandate have to include our own well-being in this vision?

Kevin took this photo during an Anti-Tar Sands & Anti-Keystone Pipeline demonstration  during the fall of 2011.

This was the message I needed.  This is the eternal dance, the balance.  We are in the world & we are never neutral.  Yoga is a way to understand ourselves, understand our own assets & contributions, while practicing humility, reverence, listening.  Engaging in the world is our dharma.  If each of us is Divine then it is a sacred responsibility to act towards the health & wellness of all living beings.

The universe is constant motion.  Every force reflects this-- the rhythms of our breath, cycles of the moon, patterns of wind.  We are co-creators in this continual evolution.  Co-create with intention.