Autumn Equinox Retreat - Restore & Renew
Notice: The information on this page is for a past event; Specific information on our 2023 annual fall retreat will be provided later in the year.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
With Uttara Yoga Studio at Goose Creek Gardens Montvale, Virginia
Join Uttara Yoga Studio for our second annual local retreat graciously hosted at Goose Creek Gardens in Montvale, Virginia!
Discover and explore various types of yoga practices and meditation techniques with some of your favorite teachers. Bask in the glory of the outdoors and enjoy this sense of community as we celebrate the harvest moon and Fall Equinox. Participants will be able to choose from a variety of topics and offerings throughout the day, with both small group and whole group activities. Break out groups will consist of either a meditation/philosophy option or an asana (movement) option. Lunch will be provided. Please note that this event will be outside, so you are encouraged to plan accordingly (water, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, etc.).
Please pre-register for this event as space will be limited to 20 participants.
$80 for the all-day event– includes yoga, meditation, fellowship, and food Discounted price of $70 for unlimited members!
For more information or to sign up, please visit our Retreats Page or email laura@uttarayogastudio.com. Space is limited so sign up today!
Offerings and Descriptions
10:00 - 11:00 am
Opening Movement and Meditation (whole group)
After gathering at the grounds, we will come together for an opening movement and meditation session, setting an intention for the day and laying the ground work for our time together.
11:00 am - 12:00 pm (pick one offering)
Awakening Somatic Intelligence with Saraswati Ma
with Martha
Saraswati is known as the goddess of wisdom and knowledge as well as the arts. All people carry flowing Saraswati energy within as she is simply a representation of this aspect of creation. The time of the autumn moon is ripe to tap into and awaken this connection within. Experience insourcing higher intuition through breathwork, somatic movement and sound. Nada yoga is the yoga of sound and is accessible to us all when we choose to harness the power of our voice in connection with the first person experience. Learn to release hidden tension with simple conscious movement, balance the chakras with a sound practice, and receive insight to support you on your path exactly where you are right now.
Partner Yoga
with Gabrielle and Harrilyn
Cultivate unity by blending breath, movement, and balance in this special partner class. Bring a friend, child— anyone!—and join us for a fun and creative all-levels yoga class that fosters connection and communication. Coming solo? That’s okay! We’ll pair you up!
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Vegetarian Lunch, Social Time, and Garden Walks
(whole group)
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Sound Bath with Betsy (whole group)
Lie down, relax and let your stresses melt away as you listen to the sounds of gongs and singing bowls, and soak in crisp air of the coming season. The unusual tones allow you to deepen your meditation and float away.
2:15 - 3:15 pm (pick one offering)
Interbeing – The Inextricable Web of Life
with Kathy
Have you wondered about our connections to the universe, to the earth, to all forms of existence both animate and inanimate? What does it mean when a teacher says the universe is inside you? Why does it or could it matter to you? Fascinating questions that seem to become inevitable when one is on a spiritual path. Thicht Nhat Hanh wrote about “Interbeing”, a word he created, to reflect our intricate connection to all form and energy - to each other - through: · our collective dependence on the sun, water and the elements of nature, · our ability to perceive · our efforts and work We will explore our interconnectedness with the universe, with the earth, and with each other through offerings from science and spirit wisdoms, a guided meditation and reading from Thicht Nhat Hanh to envision “Interbeing”, and a movement practice to embody our being made of the same stuff as stardust.
Energy Medicine Yoga for Autumn
with Dawnbee Fair
Based on the Five Elemental Theory in Chinese medicine, Autumn is the time when the element of metal is most dominant. In nature we feel coolness in the air, observe trees losing their leaves and see animals intensely preparing for winter. In our own psyches, metal energy challenges us to focus and turn inward, gain clarity about what’s important, and come to terms with the reality of impermanence. The lessons of metal are not always the easiest, but they offer some of the deepest & most valuable gifts.
A calm, grounding practice can help strengthen internal metal chi and encourage the release of energetic blockages due to unprocessed loss and grief. These slow poses will target specific meridians (energy channels) associated with metal and the corresponding organs that are governed by this energy.
3:15 - 4:00 pm
Closing Ceremony & Gratitudes
(whole group)
Schedule
9:15/9:30 – meet at Uttara to carpool, if desired
10:00 – gather at grounds
10:15-10:45 – Opening movement and meditation (Laura & Betsy)
11:00-12:00 – pick one Partner Yoga (with Gabrielle Kidd & Harrilyn Mills) OR Awakening Somatic Intelligence with Saraswati Ma (with Martha Kastler)
12:00-1:00 – Lunch, social time, and garden walks
1:00-2:00 – Sound Bath (with Betsy Whitesell; whole group)
2:15-3:15 – pick one Interbeing – The Inextricable Web of Life (with Kathy Knizner) OR Energy Medicine Yoga for Autumn (with Dawnbee Fair)
3:15-4:00 – Closing & Gratitudes
| Offering | Time |
| Opening - gentle movement and meditation with Laura (whole group) | 10:00-11:00am |
| Awakening Somatic Intelligence with Saraswati Ma with Martha | 11:00am-12:00pm |
| Partner Yoga with Gabrielle / Harrilynn | 11:00am-12:00pm |
| Lunch and Garden Walk with Whole Group | 12:00pm-1:00pm |
| Sound Savasana with Betsy (whole group) | 1:00pm-2:00pm |
| Interbeing – The Inextricable Web of Life with Kathy | 2:15pm-3:15pm |
| Energy Medicine Yoga for Autumn with Dawnbee | 2:15pm-3:15pm |
| Closing Ceremony with Laura (whole group) | 3:15pm-4:00pm |