Yoga and T'ai Chi

Two Ancient Healing Modalities

January 17 - 24, 2009

with Neil Barker

About the Retreat

"The restless water flows softly, yet it overcomes the hardest stone." - Lao Tzu

This retreat is an exploration in Indian yoga and Chinese Chi Kung (Qigong), two ancient healing modalities that share common principles and similar methods.

Mornings will be dedicated to breath-work exercises, which will provide an introduction to Pranayama and create an awareness of the importance of the breath on and off the mat. This will be followed by yoga asana taught in the traditional method of Ashtanga Vinyasa, either partially guided by a teacher ("led") or self-paced under the guidance of a senior teacher ("Mysore style").

Discussions on health and healing from an Eastern perspective will take place in the afternoons, with an introduction to the eighteen basic breath-integrated movements of T'ai Chi Chi Kung (Taiji Qigong), which are simple yet profound.

The goal of this retreat is for each student to leave with an empowered practice of Pranayama, Asana, and Taiji. It is open to all levels.

"T'ai Chi is the expression of a human being in search of harmony within himself and the duality of our world. It shows the way to equilibrium and balance, amidst a world of contradictions. We live through the harmony of breathing in and out, constantly flowing within the stream of opposites (Yin and Yang). Knowledge is then brought forth as a living expression of the 'Dao'." --Lao Tzu

About the Teacher

Neil is a creative, lively, and gifted teacher with a unique ability to share learning in a way that students immediately "get" even difficult lessons. He is a senior teacher at Samahita Retreat and the training director for Centered Yoga Institute. He has been teaching with Paul since 2004. He is also a dedicated student of Sri O.P. Tiwari and is authorized to teach the Ashtanga practice by the master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.

Neil has a solid background in the healing arts, having studied and practiced as a chiropractor/spine specialist, acupuncturist, and Chinese medical practitioner. Neil spent a number of years living in Beijing, where he opened the first modern-day yoga center. For more about Neil, 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.

7:00 am	Morning herbal tea
7:30 am	Intention and Day Opening Breathwork-Pranayama and Meditation
8:15 am	Asana Practice: detailed guidance in the Asanas, develop and grow a self-practice from the Ashtanga Yoga series going through in led detail and mysore style
10 - 11:30 am	Brunch buffet
4:00 pm	Special workshop covering both Asanas and Pranayama as well as the selected philosophical or anatomical topic. There will be some discussion and Q&A and some time working on the breath, poses and restorative yoga
6:00 pm	Dinner buffet
6 - 9:00 pm	Steam room available
7:30 pm	Evening program - video, satsang, meditation

* Special group excursion during the week to some of the natural wonders of Koh Samui or its neighboring islands.

Our guestrooms are set back just over 50 meters from the water to provide you with a private community and greater security. Most of our rooms open up to a spectacular seaview looking direct to the beach and the coconut trees.

The rate is inclusive of: