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 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!!)

Please arrive by 5pm for a retreat welcome on the first day. Departure is by 12 noon on the last day. You are welcome to arrive early or stay on, check our residential stay rates

Retreat Rates

Share two bedroom loft	€ 790 per person per week
Single superior room	€ 990 per person per week

Upgrade to our Deluxe Suite additional cost on the total program package:

€ 50 per day
€ 320 for one week
€ 620 for two weeks
€ 900 for three weeks
€ 1100 for four weeks

We only have two deluxe one bedroom suites located in our most private and nearest building to the sea. They have a private bedroom, living room, fully equipped kitchen, deluxe bathroom and with an extra large balcony they have the prime sea views available at Yoga Thailand. Both suites include a fully furnished living room with flat screen TV, DVD and satellite. They are perfect for a family or couple. The additional rate is a flat rate based on the room and is added on to the total rate package whether a single individual, couple or family.

All our rooms have direct sea view with their own private balcony and bathroom.

The rate is inclusive of: