Exhale & Become the Sky: Tantric Hatha Yoga Retreat
2 - 7 March 2021
Sayulita, Mexico
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From the Vedas to the Tantras, the sky is a symbol for spirit, the True Self and the expanded state of consciousness that deep practice brings.
Join a group of like-minded practitioners for a week of deep practice exploring inner and outer landscapes with Yoganand Michael Carroll amidst the lush jungles and sandy beaches of Mexico's Pacific Coast.
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Based in Sayulita, with visits to the Marieta Islands and the Altavista Petroglyph Complex
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Retreat Details - Retreat Leaders - Testimonials - Photo Album - What's Included -
Retreat Fees - Meals - Safety in Sayulita - Arranging Flights - 2019 Itinerary - Register - Terms
RETREAT DETAILS
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Throughout the centuries, yogis have been instructed to become the sky or the wind, to expand beyond all limitations and to experience the free Self. To ‘become the sky’ is to leave all problems behind and experience the expanded Self. Once having experienced this journey of expansion, the dedicated yogi gains the perspective to return to daily life, more prepared to become the person that she is truly meant to be.
To engage deeply with an experience of expansion, removing himself from environments that encourage habitual thinking allows a yogi to safely discover new inner realms. As they learn different ways of engaging with and perceiving the Self, yogis discover new opportunities to support themselves in renewal and replenishment.
Yoganand and Alena welcome you to this retreat into land and self, tucked away in the quiet bay of Sayulita, located on Mexico's rocky Pacific Coast. We welcome you whether you are a first timer or if you have already experienced retreat with us. This journey is all-inclusive, open to all. All cultures, faiths, lifestyles are welcome.
Our gentle jungle retreat provides a great opportunity to dive deep into self, land and community. For 5 days, be immersed in natural rhythms as you experience deep presence and stillness on a path to new experience and discovery.​
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Our accommodation, the Hotelito Los Suenos, offers a spacious and elegant setting as we embrace an inner journey of deep practice, while also giving us a comfortable base from which to explore the colorful town of Sayulita and experience the warmth of Mexican hospitality.​
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Our daily schedule is framed by morning and evening practices with Yoganand. During the day, we embrace the energies of the land and the group as we engage in different grounding activities on and off site - including a visit to the Marietas Islands, a local temezcal (sweat lodge ceremony) and a hike into the sacred Altavista Petroglyph complex.​
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All practices shared by Yoganand are grounded in wisdom teachings of tantra and are a transformative offering for the body, mind and spirit.
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RETREAT LEADERS
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Yoganand Michael Carroll (E-RYT 500, YACEP) founded Pranakriya Yoga in 2005. He is a Master-Level teacher in the Kripalu Yoga tradition. Through many years of intensive study and practice of Swami Kripalu’s work, Yoganand has gained a profound ability to distill and interpret esoteric yoga texts and techniques.
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After studying with Kripalu Yoga masters in India and America, Yoganand taught at the Kripalu Center for more than 15 years before founding Pranakriya Yoga, which he developed from the original teachings of Swami Kripalavandaji and reconfigured to meet the needs of Western yogis in today’s world without taking away from the ancient teachings...
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Adventurous & fun, wise & committed, Alena Bartoli is a depth practitioner, transformational educator and journey guide who facilitates deep powerful journeys of inner and outer experience.
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​Driven by a desire to support the expansion of consciousness of self, land and community, Alena creates and leads journeys of transformation in remote, naturally exquisite settings, gently taking her clients beyond their comfort zones and into the unknown. Drawing on a wealth of life experience and using her deep knowledge of people and place, Alena's individual and group journeys cater to the distinct needs of each client.
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A true nomad, Alena has lived for extended periods in Jordan, Sweden, Egypt, Italy, Australia, Mexico, Korea ... SEE MORE
TESTIMONIALS
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I am still discovering/feeling the reverberations of Exhale and Become the Sky. Processing all that I experienced has truly opened up the Sky and the Universe for me.
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And finally, I felt the retreat was well-organized, thoughtful in activities, and very caring. Thank you both for making it such a beautiful experience. And did I mention how much i loved the group? I think we've bonded for a lifetime. Again, thank you!
- Cindy O'Brien, 2019 Participant --
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One of the highlights of my experience was the opportunity to practice with Yoganand. The warm temperatures of Sayulita along with the beautiful open air setting of our yoga practice space at the hotel was the perfect place to expand and become the sky. Thank you Yoganand for a magical opportunity.
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The second highlight was meeting Alena. She took us on a spiritual hike into sacred jungles .... she treated us to an evening with a local shaman where we experienced a healing and purification [sweat lodge] ceremony... She was present every moment to tend to our needs and enrich our experience. Thank you Alena, our journey guide.
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Sue Kagan Carson, 2019 Participant
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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5 nights accommodation at Hotelito Los Suenos
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Daily breakfast & dinner
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Daily morning, mid-morning and evening sessions with Yoganand
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Transport to/from Puerto Vallarta International airport
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Afternoon visit to Altavista Petroglyph Complex
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Group Tezmescal (sweat lodge) ceremony
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Snorkel & bird-watching trip to Marietas Islands
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Welcome & Farewell Dinners
RETREAT FEES
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2020 Double Occupancy Fees : 1699 USD
2020 Single Occupancy Fees : 2349 USD
NOT INCLUDED: airfare, souvenirs, personal items, lunches
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CANCELLATION POLICY
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A) until 120 days prior to arrival: 100% refund of total tour costs
B) until 30 days prior to arrival: 75% refund of total tour costs
C) after 30 days: no refund of total tour costs
MEALS
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Daily vegetarian breakfast and dinner are served in Los Suenos' terraced dining area. Lunches are on your own. A list of recommended Sayulita dining options may be found here.
SAFETY IN SAYULITA
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Located in the popular Riviera Nayarit, Sayulita is one of Mexico's safest tourist destinations. For detailed information on managing risk while on retreat, please click here.
ARRANGING FLIGHTS
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Please arrange flights into and out of Gustavo D. Ordaz International Airport (PVR) in Puerto Vallarta as follows:
2021 - arrival no later than 4 pm on 2 March; departure no earlier than 1:30 pm on 7 March
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In our 5+ years of experience, kayak.com consistently offers best rates on return fares to Mexico.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
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Please note that items and times on the itinerary are subject to change.
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Saturday, 2 March
Arrive to Puerto Vallarta International Airport. Travel by shuttle one hour's drive north to accommodation at Hotelito Los Suenos located in the magical town of Sayulita. Check-in and orient to the accommodation. Enjoy a dip in the pool or relax in the space. Check-in is at 3 pm, those arriving early may avail of hotel amenities.
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Afternoon Yoga - 4 pm - Large Shala
Welcome Reception & Dinner (vegan) - 6 pm - at the hotel followed by an opening orientation, invocation and meditation.
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Sunday, 3 March
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Morning Practice (8-10)
Brunch - daily brunch is eggs & dairy vegetarian with vegan options available (10 - 11)
Mid-Morning Integration Session (11-12:30)
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Free Afternoon to Rest and Experience Sayulita
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Or explore local shops, check out the swimming beach at Playa Los Muertos, wander down a jungle path or simply enjoy the restful retreat space provided by Hotelito Los Suenos
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Dinner on Your Own or with the Group @ Don Pedro's (5:30-7)
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Optional Evening Meditation (7:30-8)
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Monday, 4 March
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Morning Practice (8-10)
Brunch (10-11)
Mid-Morning Integration Session (11-12)
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Afternoon Visit to Altavista Petroglyph Complex (12:45 - 5:30)
Connect to the ancestral energies of the land as we spend the afternoon exploring the 56 petroglyphs which form the Altavista site. Aside from its cultural and archeological significance, the site remains, along with Sayulita, one of the two spots in Nayarit most sacred to the indigenous Huichol, who still leave offerings and perform ceremonies in Altavista.
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Dinner on Your Own or with the Group @ Tropical House Restaurant (5:45-7)
Optional Evening Meditation (7:30-8)
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Tuesday, 5 March
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Morning Practice (8-10)
Brunch (10-11)
Mid-Morning Integration Session (11-12:30)
Free Afternoon
Light Afternoon Meal with the Group at Veggie Land (2-3)
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Evening Temezcal Ceremony (5:00-7:30)
A type of sweat lodge that originated with the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica, a temezcal was a curative ceremony once used to purify the body, heal the sick and improve health. Currently being recovered by all sectors of society in Mexico and Central America, the temezcal is used today as a means of cleansing mind, body and spirit. Facilitated by local temezcalera, Linda Maarical Gracian,, our group will have the opportunity to experience this two hour ceremony together. For further information on the temezcal ceremony, please click here.
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Please be well-hydrated prior to the temezcal ceremony. Please wear a swimsuit with t-shirt & shorts or pareo (women) or swimsuit with t-shirt (men). Please bring a towel to dry off with and a long sleeve layer for the evening walk home. Fruit and tea will be served after the ceremony.
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Wednesday, 6 March
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Morning Practice (8-10)
Brunch (10-11)
Mid-Morning Integration Session (11-12:30)
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Free Afternoon to Pack, Shop, Explore Sayulita
Farewell Group Dinner at Mar Sayulita - please let Alena know whether you prefer fish or vegan option (5:30-7)
Optional Evening Meditation (7:30-8)
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Thursday, 7 March
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Morning Practice (8-10; as departure times allow)
Breakfast (8:30-11:30)
Check out & Transfer to Puerto Vallarta Airport