Yoga Retreats

Born to Run & Do Yoga

Barefoot Running and Yoga Barefoot

July 7 - 14, 2012

with Born to Run's Barefoot Ted and yogi Paul Dallaghan

About the Retreat

The natural, uplifting force of running barefoot or minimalist goes hand-in-hand with the natural barefoot style of yoga practice. Both can uplift each and every person when learned correctly and practiced sincerely.

If you are looking for an answer to the question "how can I run better, more efficiently, more joyfully?", Ted has a potential answer for you - learn how to run barefoot. Learn how to enjoy running again by learning how to run like your primal ancestors.

"I can teach you how to run barefoot: smoothly, efficiently and joyfully. Research suggests that you should avoid cushion and support. Your foot needs freedom. Rely on good form, quick cadence and gentle landings rather than the whims of footwear marketers. I want you to strengthen your body and your feet for greater overall health", offers Ted.

To work with the body, channel the breath and center the mind is behind this practical and fun teaching and learning time in both running and yoga asana practice.There will be morning runs led by ted, short asana sessions post running to aid you post-run and keep the body open and injury free followed by "Born to Sit" sessions with breath and power of the mind.

In the afternoon we will meet again to have some lively and fun sessions with Ted and Paul on both running and yoga-meditation elements. Ted will share his hallmark of barefoot running philosophy: regaining connectedness, mindfulness, and presence in your running and in your body.

Ted aims to help you master The Three Goals

Master gentle, quiet, forefoot-centric landings, silent and smooth.
Quicken your cadence. Running in barefeet encourages this naturally.
Stable upright posture...balanced head, core engaged, belly button pulled into the spine, no waist bending, head upright. The feeling of balance: relaxed, yet strong.

- This final point is the essence of yoga practice taken from asana. Connected.

Whether new to running and/or yoga, or experienced at one or both, YOU are encouraged to participate and enjoy.

Paul and Ted share the same passion in their life long practices and want you to experience this unique program in this intimate retreat natural setting.

About the Teachers

Barefoot Ted McDonald

An independent athlete committed to re-discovering primal natural human capacities and encouraging others to do the same.

Having spent the last 7 years focused on mastering barefoot long distance running, BFT now focuses on sharing his insights through coaching clinics and speaking engagements.

Many have come to know about him through the pages of Christopher McDougall's best-selling book "Born to Run", a book BFT likes to call his quirky PhD. thesis that he didn't have to write.

Ted has been featured in numerous articles and frequently interviewed. He enjoys sharing his philosophy of running and life to audiences large and small.

As "Barefoot Ted", he has played a major role in defining and popularizing the new/old concept of barefoot running and minimalist footwear to a new generation, being an early adopter of the current trend.

Ted's research and adventures have been regularly shared on his popular blog, Barefoot Ted's Adventures. He also hosts an online forum dedicated to minimalist/barefoot running and runs a sandal company, Luna Sandals

These days Ted enjoys coaching and speaking. His Introduction to Barefoot Running clinics are designed to communicate his personal discoveries about barefoot running to individuals and groups.

Paul Dallaghan

Paul is a senior teacher of Pranayama, Asana and the meditative art and science of Yoga. He has been a dedicated student for over a decade of both Sri O.P.Tiwari, one of the few remaining classical yogis and masters of Pranayama, and the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in ashtanga vinyasa. Both of these great teachers have personally certified Paul in these practices, a unique position as the only one to receive this double honor. Paul continues with Mantra practice from the yoga lineage and meditative approaches, influenced by the Thai Forest tradition. This combination of practice and study through dedication and devotion has helped him gain some understanding of practice and to apply this appropriately in Asana, Pranayama, Mantra recitation and Meditation for the different level of students he has the privilege to share the teaching with. He continues his studies in health, digestion, anatomy and physiology. One of his main gifts is to be able to relate the teachings in a very down-to-earth way for the modern seeker. He does not take life or yoga too seriously and as a result the discussions and philosophical sessions are lively and humorous, helping to explain the meaning behind the practices and philosophy.

Paul is the happy father of two lovely boys.

Together with his wife, he founded Samahita Retreat. For more please see his full bio.

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 am	Morning herbal tea
7.30 am	Start the day with a run led by Barefoot Ted (time may be earlier than this)
8.45 am	Asana Practice with breathwork and meditation
10 am - 1 pm	Brunch buffet
3 - 3:30 pm	Snack and refreshment
4 pm	Special workshop covering both barefoot running and yoga. There will be a clinic discussion with BFT, Q&A and some time working on the breath and maybe even restorative yoga
6pm	Dinner buffet
6 - 9 pm	Steam room available
7.30 pm	Evening program - personal time meditation.

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

Retreat Rates

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

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 building closest to the sea. They have a private bedroom, living room, fully equipped kitchen, generous bathroom and an extra large balcony. Both suites offer a modern open living room with sofa bed, LCD TV, working desk and DVD/ iPod Stereo. 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.

Our guestrooms are set back just over 50 meters from the water to provide you with a private community and greater security. A selection of our rooms enjoy this spectacular sea view, while others enjoy the tropical gardens scene.

The rate is inclusive of: