Yoga Retreat

Swaha Yoga: The Art and Soul of Ashtanga Yoga

January 8 - 15, 2011

with Ron Reid and Marla Meenakshi Joy

About the Retreat

This is a totally unique opportunity to study with these deeply experienced and inspirational teachers.

They offer a blend of ashtanga yoga, philosophy, mantra study and practice, kirtan, restorative yoga and meditation... with the intention of each practice as an awakening to our inner Wholeness.

Ron has been the co-owner and Director of Downward Dog Yoga Centres in Toronto, Canada since 1997, and has been teaching teachers for over a decade, as well as travelling internationally to the global yoga community.

With his partner Meenakshi, and their love of music and the deeper internal practices of yoga, they celebrate yoga as a spiritual art form, and enjoy sharing their passion for practice with others.

This course is open to all levels of students.

About the Teachers

Ron Reid

Ron Reid has been practicing Yoga for over 30 years and teaching since 1988. He is co-owner and Director of the Downward Dog Yoga Centre in Toronto, Canada (www.downwarddog.com)

Ron has studied with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and Sharath both in India and North America and was one of the first Canadian teachers to be authorized by Pattabhi Jois. In addition to regular classes at Downward Dog, he conducts workshops and teacher trainings in Canada, the U.S., Europe, the U.K. And Asia.

Ron is one of Canada's top teachers, approaching teaching in an inspired, informed and non-dogmatic way. He places the needs of the students ahead of the demands of the practice. While continuing to teach and practice the ashtanga vinyasa system as a foundation, he endeavors to blend tradition with innovation, and to balance precision with grace. Students will find his refined approach to practice both challenging and rewarding.

Ron is also an accomplished musician and composer and performs with his partner Marla Meenakshi Joy under their group name "Swaha." (www.swaha.ca)

Meenakshi (Marla Joy)

Meenakshi (Marla Joy) first traveled to India in 1988 to study meditation and the philosophy of the Vedas with Swami Shyam, as well as other learned scholars in the Himalayas. She is a Certified Meditation and Yoga Philosophy teacher from the International Meditation Institute in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, Himalayas.

She was involved in Downward Dog's first teacher training program in 1999, as both a teacher of Philosophy and Sanskrit, and a student. She has over 500 hours of Teacher Training with both Ron Reid, Chuck Miller and Maty Ezraty, among others, and is a Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher.

She currently teaches Ashtanga Yoga, Swaha Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Yogadance, Meditation, Yoga philosophy, Sanskrit, and Chanting privately and in yoga studios in Canada, the U.S. The UK, Europe and Asia. She has been teaching Sanskrit and yoga philosophy, as well as Restorative Yoga in Teacher Training courses since 1999.

She has been a practicing Shiatsu Therapist since 1993, and has a healing and informative touch. She also leads Kirtan (call-and-response chanting) with her band SWAHA, with inspired musical compositions with her partner/keyboardist, Ron Reid. She has produced four CD's of Sanskrit chanting entitled "Prayer's", "Salutations", "Vishnu's Dream", and "Bolo!" www.swaha.ca

The Daily Schedule

The program begins at 5pm on the first day of the retreat with a group welcome and departure is at 12pm on the last day.
The schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the teacher.

7:30 am	Yoga practice taught either in the Mysore style where students are guided individually to progress through their practice or lead practice all together.
10 am - 1 pm	Brunch buffet
4:00 - 6:00 pm	Workshops: Yoga Lab (technique class), Restorative/Yin Yoga , Chanting, and Philosophy
6:00 - 8:00 pm	Complimentary herbal steam room available
6:00 - 8:00 pm	Dinner buffet
7:30 - 8:30 pm	Optional evening program or quiet time (our final evening there will be a kirtan/music concert!!)

Based on request and availability, you are welcome to arrive early or extend your stay, our Residential and Wellness Programs details are on http://www.yoga-thailand.com/yoga-holidays.html

The rate is inclusive of: