Destinations Yoga ™

Destinations Yoga

Get Inspired. Get Renewed. Get Energized. Get Relaxed
Immerse yourself in the colors of peak Vermont foliage season in this sensational natural paradise! Join Destinations Yoga for a weekend of yoga and relaxation at the peaceful Tao of Healing Retreat Center in Ira, VT (30 minutes from Killington).

Friday to Sunday October 10-12, 2008

Registered yoga teachers, Bill and Andrea O’Connor teach daily yoga sessions at this unique retreat center. Whether you are new to yoga or are a seasoned practitioner, you’ll enjoy this 3-day yoga retreat featuring:

Yoga and Relaxation sessions for all fitness levels
• Avant Yoga Wine Tasting
• Delicious, organic, Vegetarian meals, prepared for you by Jan Dunn-Davenport, a certified nutritional therapist and food artist. 
• Individual nutritional assessment
• Ayurvedic cooking class
• Yoga and Chocolate Workshop
• Comfortable lodging, beautifully appointed rooms in a pastoral setting

The Tao of Healing Retreat Center sits on 13 private acres in Vermont’s Green Mountains.  Access to streams, ponds, hiking and biking is a short stroll from the retreat house. Practice yoga in the pristine new studio overlooking gardens and wildflower fields. Relax as sparrows drift by as you breakfast on the stone patio.

Friday, October 10
4-5 pm           Arrive and settle into rooms; walk the grounds
5-6 pm          Yoga Nidra
Called “yogic sleep”, Yoga Nidra is done lying down. You’ll be led into deep relaxation with a series of images. It’s like sleep with a trace of awareness. Releases muscular, emotional and mental tensions.  It’s not necessary to be able to meditate.A session of Yoga Nidra is equivalent to four hours of sleep in terms of rest and rejuvenation.

6 pm              Avant Yoga Wine Tasting: Pinot Noirs
7:30 -9 pm   Dinner – a Vegetarian delight with wines from tasting


Saturday, October 11
6-7 am           Silent time for meditation/contemplation
Sleeping late counts!

7-8:30            Earth and Sky Yoga
Learn the alignment principles of Anusara Yoga for more flexibility, strength and fun. Develop the ability to stand strong and grounded as you open up and lift to new heights. Rediscover the peace and joy of your inherent goodness.

8:30-9:30        Vegetarian Breakfast
9:30-11:30     Free time to hike, read, relax, walk, daydream
Noon -2 pm   Ayurvedic nutrition assessment, cooking class and lunch
Certified Nutrition Therapist Jan Dunn-Davenport leads the group through an assessment of body, food and energy needs according to the ancient science of Ayurveda. You’ll learn that your hair color and how you react to stress can play a role in what you eat!
Then the group will prepare the “Free Tibet Bowl,” a cornucopia of flavors including: white picked ginger, marinated tempeh, toasted sesame seeds, fresh local organic steamed spinach with fragrant basmati brown rice.

2-3 pm           Free time or optional Herbal Footbath
Relax with a steaming foot soak and massage scented by a choice of herbal essences. (Even the guys like this!)

3-5 pm          Yoga and Chocolate
Stability and willpower; enjoyment and  compassion. We all want a balance of these core energies in our lives. Learn poses to support your core strength as well as encourage us to expand with openness and compassion.
Then experience the fresh, Vermont-made artisan chocolate flavored with the spice or flower that uniquely supports these core qualities. Reconnect with your power and loving kindness with yoga and an out-of-this-world chocolate experience!

6-7:30 pm     Light Vegetarian Supper
8-9:30 pm     Restorative Yoga
Done seated or lying down, this yoga incorporates blankets, bolsters, straps and blocks to hold you in the positions. This allows muscles to completely release. Poses are held for 7 to 10 minutes and are so supported that you feel totally at ease while stretching. 

Sunday, October 12
6-7 am          Silent time for meditation/contemplation
7-9 am          Silent Vegetarian Breakfast and free time
9-11 am        Backbending to Bliss
Backbends are fun, energizing, and lift our spirits. In this session, we’ll use yoga to explore areas where we need to open up or turn on the energy for backbends – shoulders, hips, abdominals, upper thighs and of course – the back!

11-1 pm        Refresh with a light Vegetarian meal and reluctantly pack up for return home

Cost: Private room and bath  - $400 per person
Shared room and bath - $350 per person
Includes meals, Avant Yoga Wine Tasting, and all yoga and relaxation programs.

Reserve Your Spot for Green Mountain Yoga and Ayurvedic Cuisine by calling
Andrea at 802-233-1161 or email info@destinationsyoga.com

For more information on Destination Yoga™
email info@destinationsyoga.com or call Andrea at 802-233-1161.