kristie dahlia home
Grounding '10: a Restorative Retreat (sold out)
October 15-17, 2010 at Salamander Camp in the Santa Cruz mountains
In autumn we draw toward the hearth and turn inward. This year's autumn retreat will return to Salamander, the sweet little camp beloved by many members of our sangha. Salamander is an intimate retreat site where Kristie can lavish you with personal attention; at most there will be 13 retreatants.In the spirit of the autumn retreats, in which Kristie tends to experiment, this year's retreat will offer something brand new: a Restorative Retreat!
Grounding convenes October 15-17. The retreat cost includes all classes, meals, and accomodations. If you have questions about the retreat in general or health concerns in regard to yoga, feel free to email Kristie, or call 415 863 1821. The cost of the retreat is $325. As of 8/24, this retreat is sold out. All registrants are female, so we're making it a women's weekend; if any women wish to be added to the waiting list, email Kristie.
Your registration for the retreat takes place with the payment of your nonrefundable $150 registration deposit. You can do this in person at any class, online through PayPal, or by mail, sending your check to:
Kristie Dahlia Home
254 Hartford Street
San Francisco, California 94114
Balance of cost will be due upon arrival at the retreat. If you prefer to pay by credit card, you may do so via PayPal.
Yoga
Our practice will offer openhearted exploration of body, mind, and spirit with a wide variety of yogic healing arts. The heart of the practice will be restorative asana (yoga postures). Restorative practice comes closer than anything else to directly inducing the kind of clarity and integration that comes from meditation. Healing, rejuvenating, calming, oh! We make you a little nest of pillows and blankets which supports the body in postures designed to invite calm for the nervous system, and you simply lie there, at peace. The magic that happens is something special!
At last year's autumn retreat, two women had acute (meaning fresh or deeply painful) spinal issues/injuries. They joined the meditations and the gentle rhythmic movement portions of the practice, and when the rest of the class moved into more active practice Kristie would set them up in a long restorative pose. At the end of the weekend, one woman was almost entirely fine and the other was vastly improved. Kristie also observed that they were even more giddy-mellow-blissful than the rest of us. This has her intrigued, so here we go!
We will also practice extensive pranayama (breathing practices), self-massage, and energy work. As a special delight, you will be led through giving and will receive a 1.5 hour session of Thai Yoga Massage! Meditations might range from the blindfolded full-body shake and rattle of an extended kundalini meditation to sitting in silence, mantra japa, and silent walking meditation in the labyrinth in the redwood forest. Chanting will be included, and you may listen or join in as your comfort calls for.
Practice will be led by Kristie Dahlia Home. Kristie is yoga instructor, massage therapist, and reiki practitioner, and will be moving throughout the room during every session offering bits of body or energy work to you as you practice.
Nourishment
We are blessed this autumn with the presence of our original and dearly loved caterer, Jennifer Lynch. It speaks to the glorious and sacred delights of Jennifer's practice that she is asked most often to feed the guests of weddings. Come marry your own heart, and let yourself be nourished! Our food will be organic, seasonal, vegan, and gluten-free.
Location
Salamander Camp is located in the mountains outside Los Gatos, a one hour drive from San Francisco when there is no rush hour traffic. There are three yurts: one for sleeping, one for cooking and eating, and one for practice. Two of the yurts are connected by a sprawling deck which holds a redwood hot tub and a small pool with a wave generator. The lawn rolls downhill from there and eases into the mountains. Vast redwood trees and hiking trails abound! You will have free time to hike, read, sleep, soak...
For those accustomed to retreating with Kristie at Harbin, Salamander differs in these ways: the hot tub is mere feet from the yurts, making it a snap to soak any time. Also, Salamander is a private site being used only by us. This can allow for more inwardness as everyone present is sharing the experience. It also often leads to more bonding of the group as our experience weaves.
Accommodations
There are two options for accommodations:
The sleeping yurt at Salamander is a lofted space with beds and futons. You are welcome to get cozy here! Some beds are queen-sized; if you are coming with someone who you would be comfortable sharing a bed with, please let me know.
Camping is particularly lovely at Salamander, and you are welcome to bring a tent to enjoy more privacy and a closer experience with nature.
Timing
You are welcome to arrive on Friday as early as 4p to enjoy the tub and forest or set up your tent. Our first class begins Friday at 6p. The last class finishes on Sunday at noon, with brunch to follow. Yes, you can arrive late if your work requires it on Friday. It is sweet, though, to get an early start if you can take the afternoon off.
Participants at previous retreats have said:
"Kristie's workshop healed my heart and my body. She has a deep and broad understanding of the body, of the spirit, and of Yoga. Her love flows out of her and lights up the workshop, creating a powerful container for health, harmony and healing that keeps everyone's spirits high. Her workshop is a magical experience. It doesn't get better than this. "
"The meditation and yoga is sticking with me, and I am feeling really grateful for that practice! Thank you again for such a beautiful weekend. It was amazing how much different my body and mind felt by the end."
