Want another way to warm up your body, mind and soul during the winter? Apart from a steam or dry sauna,  engage in scintillating discussions, have fun as you move your body, then relax in a simulated tropical atmosphere here at Body Therapies Yoga Training in Dundas. Come together, create warmth and spread joy.

The Tropical Winter Break starts with snacks and a mix and mingle, followed by an in-depth informative discussion on the topic for the month. The session ends with dynamic movement and deep relaxation. Stay overnight for a mini retreat. Dorm style accommodation is available at a reasonable rate.

Saturday’s treat starts with a restorative yoga class designed to bring the theme to life in a personalized way. Keep the theme alive as you partake in Caribbean delights, a spa treatment of your choice, sauna and a Kundalini yoga class in the afternoon.

Jan. 29 p.m. & 30 – Gems, Stones, and Your Life
Feb. 26 p.m. & 27 – Express Yourself Carnival Style
Mar. 19 p.m. & 20 – Spring Forward with Focus

Gems, Stones, and Colors in Your Life
Bring your favourite gems, stones and story. In Ayurveda, gems are used for healing. What gems and stones have been prominent in your life? What are their energetic qualities and problem solving capabilities? Why should we care how they came to be in our hands?  Meditate with a gem of choice.

Express Yourself Carnival Style
Come with mask and/or costume and story. How essential is music, rhythm and dance to human existence? In what ways can the goal of a future Samadhi, Nirvana and Liberation prevent us from living fully in the present?
Flow, dance, and refresh the mind… experience a meditative mind.

Spring Forward with Focus
Bring journal and coloured pens or pencils. Honour the milestone of another Spring. Where are you now? Where do you want to go? Review and experience desires, goals, dreams and let a choice of yogic techniques help you.

For more details click here.
Register by calling the facilitator, Heather at 905-628-6463 or email at heather@yogatogo.com

The location was Enchanted Mountain Yoga Center in south Brazil, the home of Integrative Yoga Therapy. Since the 80’s I had travelled many times to India for meditation at the Brahma Kumaris Headquarters in Rajasthan. This was my first yoga vacation.

Life lessons from a yoga vacation

1. Keep a journal – we do forget
After I got the idea to write on this topic, I wondered if I would find my journaling at that first vacation. Whew! I found it. How much I had forgotten. The soul searching, the massage, and the classes I skipped. I smile now as I easily remember the delicious food, and the warmth of the sun that seems to bring out my playfulness spontaneously.

2. Intentions influence our experiences
My intention to be open minded and to have a kind heart resulted in my doing things like pacing myself by listening to my body; even leaning on the side of caution by going to bed early in order to fully participate in the next day’s activities. And with an open mind, I appreciated the differences in our two societies.

3. “Simplicity in releasing the old, embracing the new” – quote from the journal
I love to travel lightly, and so needed more room to bring back items purchased. For a while I pondered about how to solve the problem. Then I took a deep breath, straightened my spine, and made the decision to leave some things I brought with me behind. Life’s like that.

Come play in a yoga vacation in the most pristine Caribbean rainforest island of Dominica March 28 to April 4, 2009. Experience the bounty of nature, peace, healing and transformation through intimacy with, amongst other things, your own nature. Novices to yoga are welcome. Visit www.yogatogo.com, call 905-628-6463 or email heather@yogatogo.com for more information.

Heather Greaves
Yoga Therapist