Why Retreat?

In removing ourselves from our familiar surroundings and busy schedules, retreats afford us the opportunity to see accumulated habits of distraction which build an internal wall between ourselves and our experience. Perpetuated by externalized consciousness, these unconscious patterns of unaware living shield us from the inherent simple joy of our true nature, our uncontrived naturalness. Sufis call this primordial aspect our Hidden Essence, Hindus say the Self or Brahman, Buddhists refer to this as our buddha nature, and others say inner spirit or God. Devoted dedication to a yogic path of awareness uncovers this inner nature, while teaching us about the suffering inherent in our perceived (not actual) disconnection from wholeness. In inner silence and stillness we may glimpse a truth larger than our self definitions allow.

The Yogic path is a gradual process of recognizing this wall which appears solid, causing us to perceive ourselves as separate, independent entities who interact from an exhaustive, dualistic perspective where we are the subject, and the world we perceive is the object, a world upheld through our hopes and fears. Daily practice helps us become aware of the habits which perpetuate this misperception, while longer retreats which emphasize meditation and continued mindfulness allow us to learn to sustain an unconditional presence which can evoke a recognition of our true nature, an awareness unbound by circumstance. Removed from our daily activities and responsibilities, we learn to interrupt the habits of our conditioned patterns through compassionate attention, repeatedly uprooting ingrained reactivity and discontent, freeing us to live from a larger truth, an authentic clarity of being.

Please click on one of the links in the right column to view retreat details or browse our schedule for a complete list of Sarah Powers Yoga-Related events.

Retreats

August 22–27, Stockbridge, MA
Insight Yoga Retreat at Kripalu
www.kripalu.org

Feb 15-20, 2011
Insight Yoga Silent Winter Retreat
Laurel Springs Ranch
www.laurelspringsretreat.net

Classes

Please check our schedule for classes offered through partnering yoga studios, websites and other organizations.

Books, DVDs & CDs

Insight Yoga Book

Yin & Vinyasa Yoga Practice DVD

Yin Yoga Double CD Set (Audio)

Insight Yoga with Sarah Powers

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