| “I have been reading
all the lovely testimonials that were written by our lovely
yoga friends. I wanted to send a message out to those
who might not have considered the idea of a yoga retreat
seriously before...since that's where I was at the time
of my first retreat with the World Yoga Center two years
ago.
I came purely out of a desire to see the country and
get away from NYC for a vacation. NEVER had I imagined
(or planned) that I would be doing yoga two times a
day for an entire week. And NEVER had Iimagined that
it would influence my life in the way it has.
Our retreat together was truly a magical experience
for me. It was transformative in so many meaningful
and profound ways. It helped to create shifts in my
body that never would have been possible if we were
in NYC and I was taking classes only once or twice a
week. And the frequency of our yoga practice during
the retreat helped me to experience the power of yoga
in ways I otherwise never would have.
It truly was a life-changing experience for me. I
often think about the retreat. And, in some way, I re-visit
it every time I do yoga. Our retreat together marked
the beginning of my yoga practice. And the experience
was so powerful that it continues to move me 2 years
later. In fact, I imagine that it always will.
With love and great thanks,
Robin
Robin Nemeroff, Ph.D.
--Putting Science to Work--
The Center for the Advancement of Children's Mental
Health |
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| “ I have attended
the past 2 World Yoga winter retreats. Here are some
reflections about those wonderful and memorable weeks.
I have omitted mentioning the joys of simply being in
these beautiful, WARM, natural settings in order to
focus on the 'Yoga Group" experience:
It was healing to step out of the inertia of my usual
habits, routines, and distractions by getting away,
being in the midst of nature and immersed in a gentle
group consciousness with plenty of opportunities for
solitude. I felt I had the time and space of a week
to let the wisdom of the ”still small voice”
sink in, and to begin to live it’s message undistracted
by NYC concerns. Being with this group in yoga consciousness
brought up challenges as it created a mirror for my
thoughts/reactions. I could observe my “issues”
in this week-long meditation. Turning within led to
answers, release, and previously untapped inner strengths.
The Dream Circle/Morning Meditation was a wonderful
way to begin the day.
The benefits of 2 yoga classes each day are not to be
underestimated. I made lasting freindships as well I
am grateful to have bonded with some people in the retreat
groups in ways that may not have been otherwise possible.
There were several “aha” experiences about
letting go...letting go of: things that clutter my life
and my schedule the compulsion to fit in too much so
that my hand can open to receive, to allow the space
to be there for my life to breathe. (I write music and
lyrics; inspiration only happens during the moments
IN BETWEEN thoughts!).
NAMASTE.
Jim Bro
Lyricist, Musician |
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| "The 2003 and 2004 retreats
were transformative experiences for me. Middle-aged,
grown children, high-stress legal career. Originally
thinking that I was just going on a vacation with my
friend Lucia (along with some people who, like Lucia,
liked to do calisthenics), I stumbled into an experience
that changed my life. Being with such supportive people,
striving to do yoga, amid beautiful natural surroundings,
I found myself feeling trust and pure happiness. I actually
recalled such happiness only from my childhood (50-plus
years earlier). The experience of trust and happiness
has magically stayed with me. It affects me deeply,
and enhances my experience of life and relationships.
I now chant, meditate, and do yoga to re-experience
the connection. I "came through the eye of a needle".
Of course, I plan to attend the 2005 retreat. I'm writing
this letter to invite and, hopefully, tempt others to
join us. It will be a wonderful experience.
Much love,
Elizabeth State Prosecutor |
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| “The retreat is
a rich spiritual experience for me. It seems that during
such a concentrated time of practices, in the company
of like-minded people, there is an energy or power that
is a catalyst for clarity and serenity. I find I can
clear my mind enough to focus on opening the door to
a pure and obstructed place. A connection with that
place is what I have been seeking, but often get waylaid
in my journey.
During my normal daily routine I have been prone to
giving my "stuff" too much energy. Work, ego,
stuff, worry, fear, vanity, resentment, jealousy, and
all those mundane things fill my life, to the point
where I feel like a hamster on a wheel.....going and
going and getting nowhere. I become so highly identified
with the work persona, the wife persona, the mom persona
(that hamster on the wheel), that I lose touch with
the real me. When I go on retreat, I am able to step
out of the hamster-wheel and see the true landscape
of my life. What emerges is a better vision of who I
am, what my purpose is.
I also enjoy the deep relaxation that comes about after
engaging in such powerful practices.
After the retreat last year, (my second one), I experienced
a feeling of renewed hope and found strength to set
about making profound changes in my life.
Those retreat days with you and the World Yoga crowd
are precious to me, and essential for my spiritual development.
I am so grateful for my good fortune to be able to attend.
Thank you for making this possible!
Love,
Margaret
PS... I still can't do headstand, but now that doesn't
bother me! |
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“I am happy to write this-
To anyone even vaguely considering going a yoga retreat:
Last year I went on the World Yoga Center retreat. This was
my most wonderful good fortune. I had not met anyone going
on the retreat
before arrival and I only knew the name of my room mate.
That said, this trip was probably the most powerful experience
I have ever
had. The group, made up of totally different types of people,
was cohesive,
and there always was an understanding that we were all basically
traveling
in the same general direction, even if we were at differing
levels and
places along the road. There was great consideration between
us.
The sense of support and help was intense. The yoga practices
with
incredible instruction, ( on a covered tile porch with the
ocean waves
helping us to breath rhythmically) increased my abilities
exponentially in
that very short time. I felt so strong, energized, yet calm
at the end of
the week.
Sharing our dreams in the silence before breakfast, was nearly
otherworldly.
We found that we were really THERE together, enjoying all
the moments, and
learning to appreciate each other.
I found the retreat to be so meaningful, that I am bringing
my daughter,
Anne, this year. She has been meaning to "get to"
yoga and just never did.
She is looking forward to going and I am looking forward to
sharing an
experience with her which I found so positive and helpful
to me in my life.
When I came home from the retreat, I felt centered and was
better able to
cope with all daily events. Even now, I can sometimes reach
way back
inside and find that place of calm.
I truly recommend going on a retreat with WYC teachers, the
most
talented, serious, dedicated teachers anyone could have.
I would be happy to talk to anyone about this.
Diana Benner Onoue
Food Stylist
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