Saturday, November 16, 10am – 5pm
Dharti Mata Centre, Nanaimo, BC

We will gather on a beautiful 5.5 acres of farmland and forest on the traditional unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw and Stz’uminus peoples, to explore and discover ancient yogic practices from India to invoke Shiva’s blessings.
 

Join Satya (Vedic Priestess Temple) for a full day of yogic practice, contemplation, workshop, storytelling and ceremony. Emmy Chahal (Healing with Emmy) will support us with yoga asana and pranayama (breathwork).

Soon we will be entering the dark cycle, when the nights are longer than the days. This is a special time to call on Shiva, and turn inwards for reflection, transformation and empowerment. We’ve been taught to fear the darkness, but it can be a powerful, transmuting force.

In the study of yoga, Shiva is the one who creates, protects and transforms the universe. He is known as the destroyer (or transformer), and he represents change in the universe. This is symbolized in the life cycle of beginnings and endings. Shiva maintains balance in this universe. He dismantles fear and lets the good grow. Shiva teaches us to embrace the inevitability of change, rather than fear it.

Change can be uncomfortable, but it is necessary for growth. Shiva reminds us that we can find strength and wisdom in the midst of it. 

Shiva is also the deity of meditation, and represents inner peace. He teaches us that we can find peace within ourselves, even in the midst of chaos and turmoil.

During this retreat we will engage practices to move through and distill our challenges, and cultivate inner peace. Amid the periodic tensions of life, we will engage practices that can help us find solace, reduce anxiety, and gain clarity.

Shiva’s ability to consume poison and transform it into nectar signifies his capacity to endure hardships. We can draw strength from this, learning to face adversity with courage and faith that all challenges can be overcome.

We will learn ancient traditional practices and inquiry teachings that tune us into Shiva’s wisdom and gifts, and build a toolkit to help clear away the fear that’s getting in the way of our inner peace and our purpose. Ultimately, we will aspire to embody the Shiva that always resides within us.

Come join us in circle to transform your fears and cultivate inner peace with the grace of Shiva!

Dharti Mata Centre is an earthen yoga centre built according to yogic principles, located on the outskirts of South Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, BC. It is just 10 – 20 minutes from all three mainland ferry terminals. A delicious Indian lunch will be served by the Centre. All are welcome.

This is the eighth retreat in the Living Shakti Series: Bringing the Teachings of the Yogic Deities into Daily Life. Learn more about this series here.

OUR DAY RETREAT WILL INCLUDE:

• Circles with the opportunity to share from the heart in a safe space

• Roots of yoga, including traditional yogic practices 

• Ritual and ceremony 

• Storytelling and reflective writing

• Discussion and group work

• Bhakti (devotional) yoga, jnana yoga (self inquiry/yogic philosophy) and deity yoga

• Authentic yoga rooted in ancestral teachings, practices and knowledge

• All the usual yoga you find in a studio (asana, pranayama and meditation) – and well beyond

• Delicious and nutritious traditional Indian lunch with chai and dessert

• A stunning, sacred, earthen studio setting built according to yogic principles

• Surrounded by 5.5 acres of beautiful forest and farmland

• An opportunity for further study and practice post-retreat, if desired

FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER: CLICK HERE