Be Here Now and Play
This retreat is our training in here and now and bringing some lightness and games into the formula.
This four day retreat has already become a classic getaway from busyness and rushing to quiet slow life in the Catalan hills close to Barcelona. This year I would like to offer something that is deep and yet playful at the same time. Deeper going inward, deeper seeing things inside, topics that there is just no time to look at and offer some playful workshops with Amarians, like Kalari Payatu and other surprises.
My most important goal for this retreat is to provide a setting for you to be, to look within and to see beyond your usual idea of who you are. It is greatly summed up in this quote.
All you need is already within you, only you must approach yourself with reverence and love. Self-condemnation and self-disgust are grievous errors. Your constant flight from pain and search for pleasure is a sign of love you bear for yourself, all I plead with you is this: make love of your self perfect. Deny your self nothing–give yourself infiniy and eternity and discover that you do not need them; you are beyond.”– Nisargadatta Maharaj, I Am That: Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
FOOD
All meals are vegan, if you have any food allergies please send your requirements as you will be reserving your spots. Amara serves beautiful vegan meals and its kitchen is the highlight of the retreats, and Amarians care for every detail to deliver meals designed with seasonal, locally produced ingredients creating dishes bursting with flavour, colour and nutritional goodness.
ACCOMODATION
The lodging at Amara Valley is modern and recently renovated, with a natural rustic feel. There are different options and levels of accommodation to choose according to your needs, and our team will make you feel at home wherever you stay. The property features double en-suite deluxe rooms, double/shared rooms, and mini dorms. All rooms include bedding, pillows and heating. Towels are currently NOT provided unless you are staying in a suite.
The lodging at Amara Valley is modern and recently renovated, with a natural rustic feel. There are different options and levels of accommodation to choose according to your needs, and our team will make you feel at home wherever you stay. The property features double en-suite deluxe rooms, double/shared rooms, and mini dorms. All rooms include bedding, pillows and heating. Towels are currently NOT provided unless you are staying in a suite.
YOGA & MEDITATION
Every morning we join each other in the Dharma hall for a 30 min meditation and a 2 hr yoga practice. First part of meditation will be guided and the second part you practice on your own. Maha sadhana (great practice) will comprise of Pranayama and Jivamukti yoga workshop style class – each day focusing on different groups of postures. In the afternoon we will meet again for the second session which will focus on different group dynamics of self-inquiry and will help us answer the question of “Who am I?”. Last session of the day will be Yin/Restorative yoga. While active yoga will focus on your muscles, yin yoga will target your deep connective tissues, like your fascia, ligaments, joints, and bones. It’s slower and more meditative, giving you space to turn inward and tune into both your mind and the physical sensations of your body.
Every morning we join each other in the Dharma hall for a 30 min meditation and a 2 hr yoga practice. First part of meditation will be guided and the second part you practice on your own. Maha sadhana (great practice) will comprise of Pranayama and Jivamukti yoga workshop style class – each day focusing on different groups of postures. In the afternoon we will meet again for the second session which will focus on different group dynamics of self-inquiry and will help us answer the question of “Who am I?”. Last session of the day will be Yin/Restorative yoga. While active yoga will focus on your muscles, yin yoga will target your deep connective tissues, like your fascia, ligaments, joints, and bones. It’s slower and more meditative, giving you space to turn inward and tune into both your mind and the physical sensations of your body.
WHEN: OCTOBER 11-15
Arrival: 11/10/2023 Wednesday or 12/10/2023 Thursday starting 15:00
Departure: 15/10/2022 Sunday afternoon after lunch (check out of the room before 11:30).
SCHEDULE (Tentative)
THE PLACE: Amara Valley Eco Retreat
Some of you know how beautiful Amara is and now it is even better as the Amarians have been improving things, like redoing the swimming pool and building some more facilities around the territory. The Natural setting is the same – Serra de Pujarnol, picturesque Catalan hills near the charming town of Banyoles set around a lake. The retreat house sits on 10Ha of landscaped terraces, organic gardens and verdant oak forest, overlooking Rocacorba and the Vall de Biert. Amara Valley is filled with quiet corners to explore, sit in contemplation, or walk and enjoy lush green nature
More info about the facility HERE
ABOUT Karina Gusalova
800 Advanced Certified Jivamukti Teacher, Mentor and 75TT Facilitator. Karina has been teaching yoga since 2012 and is passionate yoga philosophy and practice, mobility, yin yoga, psychology which she is currently studying in Gestalt Institute, poetry, story telling, meditation, amongst others. All these find their way into her classes, which makes them multi-faceted. This retreat will be a chance to look at yourself and your inner world with fresh eyes, to clear the old and set yourself on your own course, to turn the gaze inwards, ask important questions, sit with whatever is truly important in company of supportive like-minded practitioners. This retreat is intended to be a self-exploration from different angles.
