The Gift of Calm
A Slow-Flow Yoga & Sound Bath Retreat
With Mark Nelson & Special Guests Alex and Christine Beckmann
November 7-9
THE GIFT OF CALM:
A Slow-Flow Yoga & Sound Bath Retreat
We’re in a constant state of movement. We move to get things done, we move from one place to another, we move to interact with others. We work, we build, we do … we move.
And then we pause. We settle. We take the time to savor the stillness. We allow ourselves to simply be. And when we do so, we rediscover a whole world of calm that resonates from within. That’s the essence of this three-day retreat: The Gift of Calm is your chance to experience movement in a more mindful way and then to release into the beauty of stillness.
For this very special weekend, musicians Alex and Christine Beckmann will join us for nightly sound-bath immersions — 90 minutes of natural ambient sounds, soothing crystal bowls, and restorative yoga.
For three days, you’ll tune into mindful movement and thoughtful stillness so you can discover a quieter space within — a space of nurturing and renewal, of self-care. Through gentle yoga, mindful vinyasa, restorative,and yin yoga sessions, along with sound-bath immersions and guided relaxation, you’ll create time and space for calm.
Combine that with the Himalayan Institute’s offerings of nourishing, natural food, nature walks through fall foliage, crisp mountain air, cool, quiet nights, and optional massage services, and you’ll truly be giving yourself the gift of calm.
We hope you’ll join us. We look forward to sharing this mindful weekend with you.
AN OUTLINE OF OUR SCHEDULE
Friday, November 7
To help you transition from your work week into retreat mode, we’ll gather over a healthy dinner, then take some time to get to know each other before we wind down with a grounding, restorative practice accompanied by the soothing vibrations of a sound bath . Then, off to sleep so your body and mind can rest.
Saturday, November 8
After an optional early morning Sunrise Vinyasa, we'll start refueling with a hearty breakfast. Then we'll meet for a mellow slow-flow yoga practice and spend some time outdoors to let your body and mind settle. After lunch, we'll release into deep stretches in an extended yin practice as we explore the philosophy and energetics of yoga. A healthy vegetarian dinner will cap the day's explorations. Finally we'll unwind with a restorative sound bath, and possibly some star gazing.
Sunday, November 9
Sunday morning, we'll start with an optional sunrise vinyasa practice. Then, after breakfast, we'll top off the weekend with an morning stroll in nature and a grounding asana practice to bring all the lessons of the weekend together. Then after lunch, feel free to linger at the retreat center before heading home, revitalized and refreshed.
Each day, you'll have plenty of time for massage appointments, quiet time or resting.
A HOLISTIC IMMERSION IN THE HEART OF THE POCONOS:
Founded in 1971, the Himalayan Institute draws on its roots in the yoga tradition to offer programs in self-transformation, yoga, meditation, and holistic health at its headquarters in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Its services include global humanitarian projects, publishing books, a holistic health center (Purejuv Wellness Center), and the internationally acclaimed Yoga International website and educational platform.
The Himalayan Institute’s wooded 400-acre campus in the rolling hills of the Pocono mountains in northeastern Pennsylvania is a peaceful refuge from the stress of today’s hectic world and offers a place to study and deepen personal practice, or to rest and renew. Click here for an online tour of the Himalayan Institute.
Just Show Up and We'll Do The Rest:
Guests can arrive at the Himalayan Institute any time between 4:30 and 6:00pm on Friday, November 7. The weekend will officially start with a healthy, hearty vegetarian dinner at 6:00pm. The rest of the weekend will be a balance of yoga and free time until we check out after a 12:30pm lunch on Sunday, November 9.
Registration: $350 (Food and Lodging is a separate fee through the Himalayan Institute)
Your Registration Includes:
• Three days of yoga, hiking, outdoor classes, and group activities
• Unstructured time for quiet time or spa services (available separately)
Easy Lodging Options:
Lodging at the Himalayan Institute is very reasonably priced and offers a variety of options for single, double and group reservations. We will forward you a reservation code once you have registered for the weekend. Click here for an overview of lodging options.
Nurturing Spa Services:
The Institute offers a full menu of holistic spa treatments on site. Contact the PureRejuv Wellness Center, located at the Institute, to book a variety of spa treatments. The best time to reserve your treatments will be on Friday before we begin, Saturday afternoon, or after the retreat ends on Sunday, but feel free to book at any time. This is your retreat after all! We recommend you book your treatments in advance.
Meet Your Host:
Click here to read about Mark Nelson's teaching experience.
EASY TO FIND:
952 Bethany Turnpike
Honesdale, PA 18431
Phone: 570-253-5551 • 800-822-4547
The Many Benefits of a Yoga Retreat
One of the key aspects of practice is time. Time to focus on the details. Time away from the distractions of daily life. Time for your body and mind to adapt to new ways of doing things. Our regular yoga practice is a microcosm of that: we set aside time to come to class and focus on just that for those minutes in our day. But to go deeper, sometimes you need more time.
That's where a retreat comes in. Not only have you set aside that time for your practice, but the entire Yoga Garden retreat setting is designed to support your process. We create an environment where your only focus is on your practice. Your day revolves around learning and reflection. In a sense, your to-do list comes down to showing up for each session, while everything else is taken care of. We coordinate your lodging, your meals, we give you the opportunity to unplug and take breaks to walk in nature while all the lessons soak in. From the moment you arrive till the end of the program, you have the luxury of time.
We think of our retreats as immersion experiences. You get to set aside the demands of daily life and immerse yourself in something you love. Yoga. Wellness. Self-Study. By immersing yourself in the details of your practice, you're able to fine-tune the things you want to work on, so the time you spend on your mat back home can become an extension of that. It makes the difference between just showing up to class and practicing what you're working towards.
A yoga retreat is a key aspect of building your skills as a yogi. And knowing how busy all of us are in our everyday lives, it's a rare window of time when you can really focus on something you love!