Maine & Vermont Meditation, Breathwork and Yoga Retreats are a result of the years of personal and facilitated retreats we have taken and led since 1980.
We have found that the format of meditation, yoga, movement, self-inquiry, pranayama, breathwork, silence and unstructured time in the natural world creates an environment conducive to dropping the details of daily life, releasing patterns of the past and opening to the embodied state of Divine Love, our True Nature. Uniquely all the practices enhance physical, mental and spiritual well-being. The emphasis then is placed on Awareness and evolution of consciousness. With this in mind, Maine yoga retreats specifically focus on personal transformation. Anyone interested in a spa-type experience is advised to look elsewhere.
Sessions
Yoga sessions include classical hatha and vinyasa, yin yoga and restorative poses. We encourage fluid movement and personal exploration in the yoga classes to cultivate an internal reference point, liberation from outer authority, and trust in the inherent wisdom of the body.
Pranayama brings awareness to the breath and increases the availability of Prana, the life-force.
Movement explorations allow for slipping thru the cracks of our conditioning, experiencing a different vibrational energy, to directly embody Essence and True Home.
Breathwork is a dynamic practice for releasing, purifying, healing and attuning with Source. Bridging the conscious and subconscious, conscious breathing is one of the quickest ways to personal transformation, enhanced well-being, and the direct heart-opening experience of Divine Love. It is a profound part of the retreat process.
Self-Inquiry is an opportunity to awaken to the truth of who we are. The embodied recognition and experience of long-held patterns of conditioned behavior lifts the veil that keeps us from the peace of our true nature.
Meditation periods are approximately 20-30 minutes and draw on the Vipassana and non-dual traditions. Guidance will be offered in breath awareness and in open attention with the focus to relax and simply be with what is, as it is, without manipulation, so that we may come to rest in the natural state of awareness.
At The Centers
Unstructured Time allows for on personal meditation time, walking the trails, journaling, napping, or using the supportive container remembering how to do nothing. Depending on the venue there is swimming in the sea, or walking in the mountains.
A container of shared silence is maintained during the yoga retreat, except during the sessions. Silence is restful, as well as being the mirror of our natural state. This silent community creates a supportive environment in which to surrender to the inner silence, allowing us to question our conditioned beliefs and surrender to the truth of our being. The morning after arrival participants are asked to refrain from social conversation with one another during meals and free-time. We call this “social silence.” This social silence ends after the morning session of the last day. To read more about the silent retreat you may go here.
