Swadhyaya II
A yoga retreat on the study of the yogic scriptures
November 20 – 22, 2009 at The Christine Center
www.christinecenter.org 715-267-7507

Note: you do not have to attend Swadhyaya I to take part in this retreat

The yogic scriptures give us everything we need for inspiration in our practice. They bring a breath of wisdom from the sages of old with concise directions for breath, posture, and lifestyle, and for integrating it all into the life you have. Learn how to support your practice and infuse your life with the ancient scriptures of yoga. In this weekend of yoga, the postures, breath work, and meditations will be woven together with nuggets of wisdom and grace from some of the greatest spiritual teachers of all time. We will draw from such classic texts as The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, The Bhagavad Gita, and The Hatha Yoga Pradipika. A study of the yogic scriptures is one of the preliminary steps to yoga and forms part of the foundation for a practice that will stand the test of time.

Tuition: $200 plus food and lodging

Please note: this is not an entry level class – some yoga knowledge and experience is assumed.

The schedule for this retreat will be posted here when it is ready. Check back!

Comments from previous retreats:

“Svadhyaya is the most challenging and liberating of the niyamas for me, sort of the storm before the calm. Going deeply and genuinely into oneself in a compassionate and authentic way requires a great personal commitment and a gentle guiding hand. These elements came together beautifully for me during the retreat, allowing me to go places I would not have the courage to go on my own.” - Lynn Winn

“Attending Jenifer's retreats brings me back 'home' and reminds me of how important it is to take time for myself and to continue a daily yoga and meditation practice. Jenifer's insight and joyfulness is tremendously inspiring. During this last retreat I was reminded to continue to set an intention for my practice as well as enjoy the totality of my experience. Additionaly, the physical benefits of Jenifer's retreats are very helpful. She addresses each member's physical limitations and suggests postures to help the problem areas.” - Donna Cole

“To be able to dedicate a weekend to yoga and to learn in great depth is true decadence. After the Swadhyaya retreat, I felt incredibly centered and found myself able to keep both the small daily annoyances and well as some bigger life issues in perspective. I have also been more in tuned to my body and have been able to observe my emotions rather than to be controlled by them. I have been inspired to practice on a more regular basis and motivated to look into some of the resources to which we were exposed. My body, mind, and soul feel lighter, grounded, and healthier. I loved my experience and it has truly enriched me and touched my spirit!” - Jody Krieg

“Jenifer brings the mature presence of a yogi fully immersed in the practice for many years. Simply by being near her, listening to her wonderful stories, and applying and using her physical cues in asana, I came away from the Swadhyaya 1 retreat well rested, invigorated, and ready to bring my students a very juicy, very satisfying approach to living yoga.” - Rob Schultz

"This week, I have had difficult discussions with my partner involving important choices we are making for our lives. Each of us had ample opportunity to be upset and reactive to many things we've said to each other. I've given myself reminders of Tapas practice in these times, watching closely how my own mind and body is affected by what was happening. Your workshop helps me understand how each moment is available for me to be more fully involved in any of my actions and responses, in any and all parts of my life."
-Randal Boehm

"The weekend was just what I needed and the timing was perfect for me. Yes I am still feeling the affects and plan to continue feeding this awareness. …I would highly recommend your retreats to others! You hit on so many areas in such a short period of time. I loved the variety, and the calm atmosphere. The workshop has helped me refocus on what I already know, and practice what I just learned. As I said it was perfect timing for me. I had lost my attention to the present moment, the vigor in my asana practice and the joy in my relationships. I have been recently in a funk with my husband, I've been snappy with my daughter, gossipy at work, and judgmental of myself and others.. Slowly negativity was slipping back into my life and this retreat has helped me face it straight on. I've been honoring my relationships by practicing listening, even to myself. Physically and mentally yoga has moved up as a priority again, and as it does it positively effects everything else in the day. "
-Marion Trzebiatowski

 

Oh, it was like a port in the storm at the time. And, I've been tapping into phrases, images and jottings several times a day to maintain a relationship with the expansive experience of the workshop. I prefer the longer format of a workshop with you Jenifer, because it is an opportunity to maintain a focus, delve deep and unravel some knots that just never get approached in a short practice session. And you, my dear, are a most loving and skillful guide in that process.

-Sally Powell

 

"You have a gift for teaching and an intuition that seems to deliver just what is needed. The Tapas practice workshop breathed a breath of fire into my home practice. It was just the push I needed to discover that freedom and expansion were always mine and always waiting for me to have the courage to say "yes" to the very thing that sets me free. It has also brought me face to face with one of my deepest fears and the realization that I will be fine no matter what life throws my way. So... I will continue to show up for my practice, for group practice and to sit face to face with you my beloved teacher, who never fails to bring me to my edge. You continually help me to look deeply at what it means to be a human being, a spiritual being. You have liberated me, and for this I am so very grateful."

-Kitty Schenk