Apr 12 2024 - Apr 14 2024

Culivating Balance: Iyengar Yoga Weekend Retreat

Cultivating Balance

Enjoy this immersion in the beautiful Yoga style known as Iyengar, named after it’s founder.

“Yoga allows you to find a new kind of freedom that you may not have known ever existed.”  – BKS Iyengar

This is a weekend to explore Iyengar yoga asana (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), and restoratives (just like it sounds – relax:) within the theme of “Cultivating Balance”.

During the weekend we will focus on yoga teachings which encourage balance in the body, breath and the mind.  Through the practice of asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing), and restoratives (just like it sounds – relax, rejuvenate and refresh) each student will learn ways to experience the transformational effects of a focused and individually inspired yoga practice. The practice will be creative and organic but also structured and methodical in regards to sequencing and teaching techniques.  Playing with the concepts of being active and passive in the physical practice, along with the concepts of action and counteraction to create a sense of balance and equanimity students will experience, first hand, yoga that will take them deeper — towards the self.

This intentional practice enhances our awareness and consciousness and teaches us a lot about ourselves.  When we can learn to reframe the way we see ourselves, we can experience the essence of living in our own true nature.

“Shift your focus and your heart will grow.”  Geeta Iyengar

Asana and Pranayama provide great tools to cultivate awareness of balance (or lack thereof) in both our practice and our daily lives.  This is an All Levels workshop, everyone is welcome to attend.

Iyengar Yoga was created by world-renowned yogi BKS Iyengar, who was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the world in 2004.  He was one of the first teachers to introduce yoga to the West, and there are now hundreds of centres around the world where Iyengar yoga is taught.

The Iyengar method places special focus on developing strength, endurance and correct body alignment – in addition to flexibility and relaxation. Standing poses unique to this system of yoga build strong legs, increase general vitality and improve circulation, coordination and balance.

Certified Iyengar Yoga teachers are extremely well trained. Teacher training is rigorous and spans a three to five year period in which teachers follow a program based on the standards set by B.K.S. Iyengar.

Lori Berenz, your teacher for the weekend, has studied with Iyengar and his senior teachers since 1998.

The Iyengar Method

Iyengar Yoga emphasizes precision of alignment in the yoga poses. Why is this important? People tend to stretch from their more flexible areas and rely on their better-developed muscles for strength, thus reinforcing postural habits. Iyengar Yoga encourages weak parts to strengthen and stiff areas to release, thus awakening and realigning the whole body. As the body moves into better alignment, less muscular work is required and relaxation increases naturally. Poses are individualized to each person’s body type and special physical needs by teachers well trained in anatomy and physiology. To address these needs, props such as blocks, bolsters, blankets and belts are commonly used in yoga classes to help gain physical alignment.

There is no particular physical ability or experience with Yoga required.  Because of the strict observation of physical alignment in every posture, many people find Iyengar is the best Yoga style to strengthen their body and get comfortable in Yoga.

RETREAT SCHEDULE

Friday, April 12
3pm
Arrive and settle into your cabin
4:30pm
Meet and Greet
5pm
Introduction to Iyengar yoga/philosophy Q & A
6pm
Dinner - enjoy the patio, forest breeze and fresh summer air
7:30pm
Restorative Yoga for Restful Sleep
Saturday, April 13
7am
Pranayama (yogic breathing)
7:30am
Asana practice (physical yoga)
9am
Breakfast
10:30am
Hike the forest
11:30am
Asana practice
12:30pm
Lunch and free time
5:30pm
Dinner
7pm
Restorative asana practice
Sunday, April 14
7 am
Pranayama (yogic breathing)
7:30 am
Asana practice (physical yoga)
9 am
Breakfast & free time to pack up your cabin
10:30 am
Philosophy discussion  Q & A
12 pm
Lunch
Depart at your leisure - stay as long as you wish to enjoy the property, the ambiance and new friends.

Meet Your Facilitator

Lori Berenz

Lori is a Level 3 Certified Iyengar yoga teacher and the Director of Yoga Journey, Collingwood. She has been studying with Senior Iyengar yoga teachers since 1998 and continues to study with the Iyengar family at RIMYI (Iyengar Institute) in Pune, India on a regular basis.  Lori participates in national teacher training programs and national teacher assessments. Lori is an active committee member in the Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada.

Level 3 Certified Iyengar yoga teacher

Book Your Retreat

Friday April 12
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Sunday April 14
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Tuition

$565 + HST for shared accommodation (up to 3 – 4 people in a cabin)

$650 + HST Semi-private (just 2 people in your cabin)

$825 + HST Private cabin (just you in a cabin)

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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.

Book now

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!

Please Note: This Retreat has now finished. See our upcoming retreats here.