Self Care and Energy Repair
With MJ Watkins and Lucas Hall
October 21 - 23, 2022
A Weekend Retreat in Right Effort
RETREAT BY INVITED PRESENTER
Led by two dynamic teachers from New York Loves Yoga, each day of this restorative retreat offers a toolbox of wellness offerings: uplifting vinyasa yoga, guided metta meditations, breath work, meridian energy work, sound baths, somatics, and strength and mobility training—all to encourage balance, peace, and ease in your mind and body. You will leave feeling clear, deeply relaxed, and rejuvenated.
“My weekend with MJ and Lucas at Dharmakaya was truly transformational. I relished the opportunity to unplug, find peace in nature and reinvigorate my practice. The staff and facilities were lovely. Highly recommend! “
STAY SAFE DURING COVID-19: At this time, in keeping with New York mandates governing New York Loves Yoga, all participants must be fully vaccinated to attend this retreat. As state regulations shift, these requirements may be lifted closer to the program. We are committed to your health and safety. Please read our COVID-19 Precautions & Preparations to understand our additional strategies, including limited class size to facilitate social distancing and ample teacher attention.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Each morning begins with breath meditations and Hatha yoga, followed by a serene light-filled, scrumptious breakfast. You will feel the bounty of strength and contentment.
We then come together for a group circle —balanced, invigorated and calm for a writing practice of of self inquiry. Free time follows—time to hike in the woods, read in the library, visit the Old Stone Church. We then meet back in the Meditation Hall for a workshop/Q&A about yoga and meditation; this is an opportunity to fine-tune your skills and ask any questions you may have about a yogic life, ways of meditation, and integrating yoga into your ‘off mat’ life.
Both evenings, we come together again and rest, supported by blankets and bolsters as Tibetan sound bowls fill the Meditation Hall partnered with yoga nidra.
The weekend is filled with the following nurturing practices:
- Guided Meditations that are accessible, nurturing and guided.
- Hatha Vinyasa Yoga that combines the alignment and foundation approach of Hatha with the intensity and power of vinyasa, deep breath practices and meditation.
- Somatics, a safe, gentle and effective form of neuromuscular (mind-body) movements that go to the root cause of most chronic muscular pain.
- Yoga Nidra, “dynamic sleep,” allowing the body to deeply relax while the mind stays inwardly alert—the knife’s edge where the body “sleeps” while the mind is lucid.
- Atma Buti Tibetan Sound Healing—literally translated as soul herbal medicine—deliver the healing power of sound
We are thrilled to be sharing these practices in service of living life with more peace and joy.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
- Intimate setting with personal access to the teachers
- Interactive sessions with question and answer periods
- Vinyasa yoga, Somatic yoga and Yoga Nidra
- Shamatha and guided meditations
- Delicious all-vegetarian meals with locally sourced ingredients
- Option to extend stay on Personal Retreat
- Extensive library of dharma books
- Expansive wooded grounds with beautiful flora and fauna
OPEN TO ALL
There are no prerequisites for this program; it is appropriate for all, although some yoga experience is helpful. These are active classes, but modifications are provided for less experienced practitioners.
SCHEDULE
(subject to change)
Friday, October 21
3:00 PM | Check in begins |
4:00 PM | Welcome/Introductions and Opening Circle (Milarepa Hall) |
5:15 – 6:45 PM | Yoga/Meditation (Milarepa Hall) |
6:45-7:45 PM | Dinner (Dining Hall) |
8:30 PM | The Sound Experience (Milarepa Hall) |
10:00 PM | Lights turned off on Campus |
Saturday, October 22
9:00 – 11:00 AM | Yoga/Meditation (Milarepa Hall) |
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Brunch (Dining Hall) |
12:15 – 1:30 PM | Group Circle (Milarepa Hall) |
1:30-4:30 PM | Personal Time |
4:30 – 6:45 PM | Somatics & Energy Medicine with MJ (Milarepa Hall) |
6:45 – 7:45 PM | Dinner (Dining Hall) |
7:45 – 8:30 PM | Personal Time |
8:30 PM | The Sound Experience (Milarepa Hall) |
10:00 PM | Lights turned off on Campus |
Sunday, October 23
9:00 – 11:00 AM | Yoga/Meditation (Milarepa Hall) |
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Brunch (Dining Hall) |
12:15 PM | Closing Circle (Milarepa Hall) |
1:00 PM | Check out and departure |
Teachers
As partner of NY Loves Yoga, MJ Watkins listens to students speak about why they come to yoga – stress relief, relaxation, finding peace internally and wellness. Her interest in and passion for Thomas Hanna Somatics, came after a back injury and loss of physical movement. She focuses on breath, the nervous system and regaining strength through movement to promote flexibility, health and mental relaxation.MJ’s training includes: RYT 300, Academy of Yoga & Meditation, India; E-RYT 200, Zuna Yoga, Tantra–Hatha; Reiki Level 1; Atma Buti Singing Bowls; Restorative Yoga; Yoga Nidra, ISHTA, NYC; Essential Somatics Movement, Martha Peterson, Radiant Child…
Learn more about MJ Watkins
With a lifelong passion for self-development, and the desire to help others become their best selves, Lucas Hall took the leap and travelled to Bali, Indonesia to study the teachings of Hatha yoga with renowned teachers Everett Newell & Katherine Girling (Zuna Yoga, zunayoga.com) Already a teacher of voice here in NYC and with a background in dance, Lucas’s skill set of body/mind conditioning and how to motivate and empower his students is one of his most enticing qualities as a yoga teacher. Lucas’s classes are accessible, effective and well rounded. Each class includes strong asana poses, focused breathing and…
Learn more about Lucas Hall