Friday, July 27, 2012

Desert Yoga Retreat

The Desert of Southeast Utah has been a most special place to me since I first traveled there several years ago. There is something amazing and soothing about energy there. The stillness and silence, especially at Dawn and Dusk are awe-inspiring.  The color contrast of red rocks, sage vegetation, and blue sky is simply stunning. I have found no other place that makes me feel so at peace with the world. I invite you to join me in Moab, Utah for a Yoga Retreat that promises desert bliss.



Moab is also an adventure mecca. On this retreat you will have the opportunity to go hiking, canyoneering, and try rock climbing. Wake up every morning to cool desert air, a bright red sunrise, and an energizing yoga practice to get your body ready for the day ahead. Return to camp each evening for a sunset yoga practice to relax and stretch after a day of adventure. Optional massages will also be offered at our campsite one evening. 

This trip is being run as a partnership with Moab Cliffs and Canyons. They will be providing all guiding services, camp set up, and cooking. We will be camping at Gold Bar, along the Colorado River, on BLM lands.



Retreat Itinerary:

Day 1:
3pm - Meet at Moab Cliffs and Canyons
4pm - Arrive/Set-up camp
5pm - Evening Yoga class
6:30pm Dinner
9pm - Quiet time/Sleep

Day 2: 
6:30am - Meditation and Breathwork
7:30am - Morning Yoga Class
9am - Breakfast
11am - Rock Climbing, with picnic lunch
4pm - return to camp/free time
5pm - Evening Yoga Class
6:30pm Dinner
9pm Quiet time/Sleep

Day 3:
6:30am - Meditation and Breathwork
7:30am - Morning Yoga Class
9am - Breakfast
11am - Canyoneering, with picnic lunch
4pm - return to camp/free time -Optional Massages*
5pm - Evening Yoga Class
6:30pm Dinner
9pm Quiet time/Sleep

Day 4:
6:30am - Meditation and Breathwork
7:30am - Morning Yoga Class
9am - Breakfast
11am - Closing Hike: Corona Arch
2pm - End of retreat

*Massages available at extra cost



Dates: Thursday-Sunday October 4-7, 2012

Location: Moab, UT

Group Size: We need a minimum of 8 to run this retreat, and can accommodate up to 12 participants.

Cost:  $795
Early-Bird Price: $695 (register before September, 6, 2012)

Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of $100 is required to hold your space.


What to Bringheadlamp/flashlight, sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, bug spray, warm clothing for night time, clothes you can move around in (and don’t mind if they get a little dirty), a bathing suit, a pillow, Yoga mat, toiletries, sunglasses, camera, cash/credit card, your favorite snacks for in between meals, a solar shower if you would like to rinse off at the end of the day, a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and tent. If you need gear rentals (sleeping bag/pad and tent), Moab Cliffs and Canyons can provide those for $100 (in addition to the retreat cost)

*Moab Cliffs and Canyons will also be outfitting all gear rentals related to climbing and canyoneering - which is included in the retreat cost.

What not to bring: laptops, iPods, iPads., etc. While having a cell phone when traveling makes sense, we ask that you not use it (if we even have service) during the retreat. I will be doing an "electronic fast" and encourage you to do the same.

Getting to Moab: If you are unfamiliar with the area and traveling to Moab by air, you have a few options -

  • Moab airport (Canyonlands Field)
  • Grand Junction, CO (about a 2 hour drive away)
  • Salt Lake City, UT (about a 4 hour drive away)
The Moab airport and Grand Junction both require a flight on a small connecting plane in Denver. SLC may have more direct flights. How you arrive is entirely up to you. Moab Taxi provides service to all of these airports. A car rental is not necessary during the days you are at the retreat. 

Due to the nature of delays in air travel, we recommend that if you are flying in to attend the retreat that you arrive a day ahead of time and schedule your departing flight for the day following. 


Food: In keeping with Yogic Philosophy, all meals will be vegetarian and there will be no alcohol during the retreat. Coffee and tea will be available each morning. If you have special dietary needs, please contact me at adventures@yogawithlucy.com

To register:

Please email adventures@yogawithlucy.com and pay your deposit using PayPal below.



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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Weekend Yoga Retreat with Canoeing or Kayaking

Paddling and Yoga pair wonderfully together, as yoga poses can help us strengthen and stretch out our upper body and core muscles. Yoga also feels great on the hips after being in a kayak! And kayaking and canoeing gives us an easy way to retreat into the peace and quiet of nature. On this retreat, you will also get to enjoy delicious meals made with fresh, local produce!


A simple overnight retreat, this will get you out in to nature without having to commit to an entire weekend. We will be paddling on a calm (flatwater) section of the Connecticut River and camping on Gilman Island. Familiarity and basic knowledge of kayaking or canoeing required. Primitive camping (pit toilets, no water). Dinner and breakfast provided; pack a lunch for Saturday.



Kayaks and Canoes will be provided by North Star Canoe rentals in Cornish, NH. 

Itinerary

Saturday
10am: Meet at Wilder Dam boat launch, introductions
11am: Launch and paddle to campsite!
Noon: Set up campsite, picnic lunch
1-4pm: afternoon paddling
4-5:30pm: Yoga class
5:30pm: Cook/eat dinner
9pm: Silence/Sleep

Sunday
6:30am: Pranayama (breathwork) practice
7am: Morning Meditation
7:30am: Yoga class
9am: Breakfast
10:30: Tear down camp and go kayaking!
Noon: Return to Wilder Dam

Dates: Saturday-Sunday, September 8-9, 2012 
(Inclement weather date: September 15-16).

Location: Connecticut River (VT/NH)

Group Size:  I am hoping to have 8-10 participants. I will require at least 4 people signed up to run the retreat, and you will be fully refunded if we cannot run it.

Cost:  $150.00 ($100.00 if bringing your own boat).
A deposit of $50.00 is required to sign up and hold you space. This can be done using PayPal below. The remaining balance must be paid within one week of the retreat to be able to go. If you can and would like to pay the entire amount in Full that is also an option. If there extenuating circumstances or if you'd prefer to write a personal check, please email me at adventures@yogawithlucy.com

What to Bring: yoga mat, tent, sleeping bag/sleeping pad, headlamp or flashlight, mess kit (plate/bowl, cup, silverware), water bottle, paddling clothes, yoga clothes, warmer layers for evening. If you need to rent camping equipment, please inquire with the Dartmouth Outing Club's Gear Rentals

Food: In keeping with Yogic Philosophy, the meals on this retreat will be vegetarian and there will be NO alcohol (and we ask that you not bring any along). Coffee and tea will be provided in the morning.

If you have special dietary restrictions you would like us to accommodate please email me at adventures@yogawithlucy.com  

Register Now Using PayPal 


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Prefer to Kayak or Canoe?

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Following a Dream

Leading outdoor adventure yoga retreats has been a dream of mine for quite some time, and is finally now becoming a reality! I finished my 200-hour Yoga Certification in Hatha and Vinyassa yoga through SchoolYoga Institute about a month ago, and am pursuing my dream. 

Perhaps you know me personally - or perhaps you have stumbled upon this site and know nothing about my background at all! So let me lay the back story: 

I am a West Virginia native with a love of the desert of southeast Utah, who has been transplanted to the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire. I left a desk job in January 2012 and have since been pursuing my dream of a more active lifestyle. I currently work at L.L.Bean in West Lebanon, NH where in addition to retail I am also a Kayak Instructor and Snowshoe Instructor for their Outdoor Discovery School. I also teach Spinning and Yoga classes at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center in White River Junction, VT. 

Growing up, I taught sailing in the summers and was also an avid sailboat racer on my local lake. In college and grad school, I studied geography - and developed a passion for travel. My thesis research took place in Canyonlands National Park (near Moab, Utah). While I find many aspects of nature amazing, I hold the canyon country of that area near and dear in my heart. There is an energy there that cannot be described, only experienced. 

In the coming months and years I hope to be offering several yoga retreats on an annual basis: 

  • An overnight kayaking/canoeing trip on the Connecticut River (held late summer/early fall)
  • A 'Yoga in Yurts' winter weekend, with optional snowshoeing and cross-country skiing (held late winter)
  • A 3-4 day Desert Adventure retreat in Moab, UT (includes hiking, rock climbing, canyoneering, mountain biking, and a float trip on the Colorado river) - held fall and/or spring
Each Yoga Retreat will have twice daily yoga classes, morning meditation and breathwork, and an opportunity to commune with nature. A retreat from our busy lives, these retreats should leave our bodies and minds feeling refreshed. 

Please continue to check back on this blog for details about each of these retreats - which will be coming soon!