Nov 29 2024 - Dec 1 2024

First Light Yoga and Meditation Retreat

Reconnect with yourself over this weekend retreat

Take time just for you, lose some stress, you can feel more centered and able to deal with whatever life presents. Just being in the Sugar Ridge environment is a peaceful experience.

Listen to the birds, the breeze, feel your heartbeat, your breath. Enjoy whole foods and nourish your soul at the same time.

Let this weekend be a gift to yourself

No experience is necessary and this retreat is perfect if you’re curious about meditation but not sure how to start or what to expect.

Everything over the weekend is completely optional. If you need to sleep in then skip the early morning yoga session. If a massage is the nurturing you need, we can book that for you. Allow this weekend to be the kindest gift you could ever give yourself and honour your needs.

This retreat is perfect for you even if you have physical limitations to movement, little or no meditation or yoga experience. Beginners will discover how to sit comfortably and experienced practitioners can deepen their practice. No need to sit on the floor if that’s not comfortable – chairs are always available.

What to Expect this Weekend

Throughout the weekend you are invited to explore various forms of mindfulness meditations (vipassana) including sitting, walking and eating as well as mindful movement through yoga, keeping in mind that everything is optional. The word Vipassana means seeing things as they really are. It is the process of self- purification by self-observation. Basically we cultivate the ability to pay attention, while knowing that we’re paying attention. We begin by observing the natural breath to concentrate the mind. With a sharpened awareness we proceed to observe the changing nature of body and mind and the environment we’re in. Ideally we cultivate the ability to pay attention moment to moment without needing to sit still to do it, taking mindfulness into daily living.

On Saturday evening we will enjoy drumming and storytelling at Sainte-Marie for the First Light Festival.

RETREAT SCHEDULE

Friday November 29

3-5 pm

Arrive and settle into your cabin

5-5:30 pm

Introductions and dinner at 5:30

7:00 pm

Gentle yoga followed by Meditation

Saturday November 30

7:30 am

Yoga

9:00 am

Breakfast & free time

10:30 am

Meditation - discussion & practice

12:30 pm

Lunch

2:30 pm

Gentle Yoga

3:30 pm

Sound bath

5:00 pm

Early Dinner

5:30 pm

Carpool over to Sainte-Marie to enjoy the First Light Festival there

Sunday December 1

7:30 am

Yoga class

8:45 am

Breakfast and free time to pack up your cabin

10:30 am

Guided Forest Hike (forest bathing)

12:30 pm

Lunch - You are welcome to stay and enjoy the trails, the ambience, and the new friends. Departing at your leisure.

Meet Your Facilitator

Vicki Hartley

Vicki Hartley, Sound Maker, Deep Listener Vicki is a Certified Sound Therapy Practitioner, Yoga Teacher E-RYT-550, Mindfulness-Based Wellness and Resiliency Facilitator, Reiki Master, and a lifelong learner and explorer of consciousness. Vicki loves to offer experiential learning with vibrational medicine. Through the practices of deep listening, mindful movement, sound immersion and education, you explore the fundamental Law of Physics that states “Everything is in a state of vibration” and explore the importance of taking care of our frequency. Vicki approaches her practice with enthusiasm and curiosity, a myriad of sacred instruments and over a decade of dedicated practice.

Book Your Retreat

Friday November 29

Sunday December 1

From $565

This is a very popular retreat and is offered three weekends in a row!

Shared accommodation – up to 4 people sharing a cabin $565 + HST
Semi-private accommodation – 2 people share a cabin $645 + HST per person
Private accommodation – cabin all by yourself $825 + HST
Tuition includes accommodation, all meals & classes, admission to Sainte Marie and
a beautiful lantern to take home and celebrate First Light at home.

This retreat is also offered the weekends of November 17th – 19th and December 1st – 3rd.

Our Accomodation Types

Shared - Cabin will be shared with up to 3 other guests of the same gender. If you are booking for just yourself, depending on the retreat, we will match you with other guests of the same gender.

Semi-private - Cabin will be shared with the 1 other person you are registering with. If booking alone, we will try to match you with someone of the same gender.

Private - Cabin for one person, not sharing with others.

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The Centre

Welcome to Sugar Ridge! It is our mission to provide a space for you to be nourished in body, mind and soul. From completely silent to dip your toe, testing mindfulness, we have what you’re looking for!

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29th November: First Light Yoga and Meditation Retreat

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