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Workshops
Memorial Day Weekend Yoga Retreat
I have the great privilege and humbling honor to lead this year’s annual Jivamukti Yoga Memorial Day Retreat at Ananda Ashram, located in Monroe, NY, May 24th – 27th 2019.
We will spend the weekend exploring asana and meditation, while diving deeper into spiritual teachings that can support our health, happiness, and sanity. Best of all, we will be doing it together in a beautiful place. This retreat is not only a gift to yourself, but to everyone you know, and to all beings.
Each day we will rise together for meditation and asana class, then meet again in the afternoons for further exploration through asana, study and song. We will enjoy delicious vegan meals prepared for us with love. There will also be opportunities to study Sanskrit with the amazingly gifted teacher Bharati, and to participate in the ashram’s acclaimed evening programs.
It is often impossible to move forward in a new way without first taking a step back. The retreat is an opportunity to get in touch with our Jivamukti lineage, part of which came through Ananda Ashram founder Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati. By unplugging from daily life, you have the opportunity to steep in your practice, and to suspend unhelpful cyclic thinking.
Semi-private accommodations
$595, pre-register before May 1st
$625 after May 1st
Dorm Room accommodations
$535, pre-register before May 1st
$565 after May 1st
Daily Commuter Rate
$135
Registration: events@jivamuktiyoga.com
Ananda Ashram in Monroe, New York, is a Yoga retreat and spiritual-educational center just over one hour from New York City, founded in 1964 by Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati (then Ramamurti S. Mishra, M.D.) as the country center of the Yoga Society of New York, Inc.
Located in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, the Ashram provides a serene, natural environment with woods and meadows surrounding a lake. Accommodations are simple and meals are vegetarian.
Retreat Schedule:
FRI May 24
4 pm onwards Check-in: Main house office
5:30 – 6:30pm Dinner
7:30-10 pm Ananda Ashram Evening Program
SAT May 25
8am – 9am Light Breakfast (coffee, tea, toast)
9am Morning Meditation and Fire Ceremony
9:45-10:45 Scripture Studies with Bharati
11:00-12:30 Jivamukti Yoga Asana Class w/ April
12:30-1:30pm Lunch
1:30-3pm Break
2:30-3:00 pm optional walking meditation in woods w/April
3pm – 5pm Jivamukti Yoga w/ April
5:30-630 Dinner
7:30pm-8:30 pm Ashram Meditation Program
8:30 pm North Indian Vocal Concert with Deepak Kumar & Naren Budhakar
SUN May 26
8am – 9am Light Breakfast
9am Meditation and Fire Ceremony
9:45-10:45 Scripture Studies with Bharati
11:00-12:30 Jivamukti Yoga Asana Class w/ April
12:30-1:30pm Lunch
1:30-3:15pm Break
3:155:15pm Jivamukti Yoga Asana Class w/ April PLUS live music with Lisa Apatini (Nandini)
5:30-6:30pm Dinner
7:30pm-8:30 pm Ashram Meditation Program
8:00 pm Kirtan/Concert with Krishna Devi
MON May 27
8-9am Light Breakfast
9am Morning Meditation and Fire Ceremony
9:45-10:45 Scripture Studies with Bharati
11 – 12:30 Jivamukti Yoga Asana Class w/ April
12:30-1:30pm Lunch
1:30-3:00 pm Checkout
Categories: jivamukti, retreat, Sanskrit, Travel, Vegan, Workshops, Yoga
Tags: ananda ashram, Jivamukti Yoga, jivamukti yoga nyc, memorial day, memorial day weekend 2019, retreat, Yoga, yoga retreat
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Teaching in Oz
“No one can love who has not a heart, and so I am resolved to ask Oz to give me one.” – The Tin Man, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum
I always find my heart while teaching and it’s bursting to teach in Australia! Teaching dates coming up:
December 12th & 13th, Melbourne, Australia The Yoga Corner
December 14th, Sydney, Australia Dance Flow Yoga
December 15th, Surry Hills, Australia, PSOAS PSATURDAY WORKSHOP, Co-teaching with Caterina Quilla at Hiscoes MUST PRE-REGISTER AT WWW.QUILLAYOGA.COM
December 17th, Waterloo, Australia, Quilla Yoga
Categories: jivamukti, Travel, Workshops, Yoga, Yoga Class Schedule
Tags: australia, Jivamukti Yoga, melbourne, sydney, Yoga
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The Saṃyama of Birds
I just returned from two weeks in Belize, Guatemala and Mexico. My first morning in Belize I was woken up, waaaaay too early, by a cacophony of birds. There are about 590 different species of bird just in Belize, and I’m pretty sure every single one of them was saying, “April, RISE AND SHINE!”
That first morning was pretty irritating; but then I found myself purposely waking up with the birds, listening to them, watching them eat breakfast as the sun rose over the ocean.
What I noticed most during my time in Central America and Mexico was not just the many different kinds of birds, but more how all of them flap their wings in different ways. Some glide, some have a meandering wave, some need to get somewhere fast (they must be a NYC ex-pat), and some are nearly invisible. But they all move around this planet with consciousness and purpose. While hunting for food, they are deeply concentrated (dhāraṇā), and meditative (dhyāna), but have the ability to see the expansiveness around them (samādhi); they interact with the greater world without falling out of step. All the time totally absorbed in their point of focus. All three of these together (dhāraṇā, dhyāna and samādhi) are known as saṃyama; or an intuitive insight.
It is believed that birds who fly together in flocks have a sort of biological radio, able to communicate those intricate patterns and actions instantly. The flocks have no leaders. Instead, each bird hones into the signals of the seven closest to them, and they act as one, flying up, down, around and to the side. They have an amazing ability to choreograph their movements in less time than it takes to blink an eye. (Joan Morris, Mercury News). I don’t know about you, but I have never seen a bird fly off in the wrong direction. And it’s not just those seven birds in communication – these circles interconnect, so they are all in communication with each other.
We as human beings can look to these birds for inspiration on how to move around this planet with consciousness. Hopefully we are also tuning in to those closest to us – not just our friends and family, but also our neighbors, community, country and all Earth-beings. Making decisions based on the benefit to all those surrounding us, and not just flying off in the wrong direction. This doesn’t mean we can’t have our own chirp or flap our wings our own special way, but we act with the highest of intentions for the benefit of all.
Happy Earth Day!
Categories: focus of the month, jivamukti, Sanskrit, Uncategorized, Workshops, Yoga, Yoga Sutras
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World Traveling Yogi
#itsbeenawhile has been my hashtag of choice a lot recently. Whether in regards to friends I haven’t seen in a while, working on a jigsaw puzzle, or in this case, writing a new blog post!
The past 6 months have been busy, busy, busy! Mostly filled with planning new and exciting things for 2018. Over the next year I will be traveling quite a bit; teaching yoga, checking out potential retreat destinations, and of course some vacation time! Don’t worry New Yorker’s! I’m still based here and teaching my full schedule!
Check out my global happenings below. Open to everyone! See you somewhere across the globe! Reach out for more info, or click the links below.
January 20th: Manahawkin, NJ, Hot or Not Yoga, Yoga Anatomy Course
February 3rd: Manahawkin, NJ, Hot or Not Yoga, Beginner Sanskrit
February 4th: Manahawkin, NJ, Hot or Not Yoga, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
March 3rd: Manahawkin, NJ, Hot or Not Yoga, Pranayama and Vedic Mantras
March 31 – April 7th: Ambergris Caye, Belize, Yoga Retreat
April 7th – April 11th: Lake Atitlan, Guatemala – potential future retreat location!
April 12 – 14th: Puebla Mexico, Jivamukti Yoga Puebla, Open Classes and Workshops
July 20 – 21st: Bern, Switzerland, Daya Yoga, In the works!
July 21st – 22nd: Basel, Switzerland, The Looking Glass Yoga, In the works!
July 22 – August 1st (Teaching Dates TBD): Berlin, Germany
August 2018: Rockaway, NY, Beach-asana!
December 2018 (Dates TBD): Sydney, Australia
Categories: Anatomy, Sanskrit, Travel, Workshops, Yoga, Yoga Class Schedule, Yoga Sutras
Tags: global yoga, Jivamukti Yoga, yoga retreat
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Jivamukti in Paradise: Retreat to Belize
Jivamukti Yoga in Paradise: Retreat to Belize with April Dechagas
March 31 – April 7 2018
Deepen your yoga practice surrounded by the beautiful tropical paradise that is Belize. Ak’Bol Yoga Retreat Center and Eco Resort is on the tropical island of Ambergris Caye, just outside the peaceful fishing village of San Pedro Town. Yoga classes take place in a studio with a spectacular 360-degree view of the water, filled with the sounds of tropical birds, unspoiled beaches and jungles, and home to the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world.
Your retreat package includes:
- 7 nights accommodations
- Special Full Moon welcome dinner
- 3 vegetarian meals/day (minus one night off to explore San Pedro Town)
- Unlimited water/juices/teas
- 2 yoga classes/day with April (mats and props included)
- Day trip to Lamanai Jungle River and Mayan Ruins
- 1 Snorkle Trip to Hol Chan National Reserve
- Evening Drum Circle
- Unlimited use of beaches/pools/pier/retreat grounds
Not included:
- Airfare to Belize City and Airport transfer to Ak’Bol
- $40US Cash Departure Tax
- $5 US Cash Mayan Ruin Park Fee
- Staff Tips at end of trip ($50 recommended)
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Additional excursions & Spa Treatments
Bookings after December 1st (A 50% non-refundable deposit must be made by December 31st, Paid in full by February 28th):
Village Room Double: $1375 (MUST SIGN UP WITH A ROOMMATE)
Village Room Single: $1475
Triple Occupancy Partial Sea/Garden View Cabana: $1625
Double Occupancy Partial Sea/Garden View Cabana: $1725
Single Occupancy Partial Sea/Garden View Cabana: $2225 SOLD OUT
Triple Occupancy Sea Front Cabana: $1650 SOLD OUT
Double Occupancy Sea Front Cabana: $1825 SOLD OUT
Single Occupancy Sea Front Cabana: $2425 SOLD OUT
Room Descriptions:
Thatched Cabanas (Private Bath): All have full or partial sea view, within the gardens, and a killer breeze. Each Cabana will house 1-3 guests max comfortably. The cabanas have amazing outdoor showers, private front porches, hammocks, and a hot and cold water dispenser with a mini fridge.
Village Rooms (Shared Bath): Welcome to community living on the lagoon! This building houses several private rooms with beautiful garden views. Guests can choose between 2 twins or 1 queen bed. There are two large island-chic shared bath and shower rooms, and 2 community lounging areas overlooking the lagoon. Great for sunsets and bird watching, you might even spot a croc or two.
To register email aprildechagas@gmail.com. Payments can be made by check or Venmo (no charge if bank or debit account used). There will be a 3% charge for credit card transactions (Venmo/PayPal).
Categories: jivamukti, retreat, Workshops, Yoga
Tags: Ambergris Caye, belize, jivamukti, Jivamukti Yoga, Paradise, Yoga, yoga retreat
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Retreat to Zion was EPIC!
If you have not already heard, the retreat to Zion was EPIC! From start to finish. Our days were filled with yoga, meditation, hiking, unbelievable landscapes, pools and hot tubs, star gazing, delicious healthy meals, and FUN! The next retreat is already in the making – March 31 – April 7 2018 we are going to Belize! More info to be released later this week! Here are some photo highlights of this year’s retreat:
Categories: jivamukti, retreat, Workshops, Yoga
Tags: Jivamukti Yoga, retreat to zion, Yoga, yoga retreat, zion national park
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BigToe Yoga
Introducing a new App that connects yoga teachers to students throughout NYC! I am now teaching a weekly class through BigToe Yoga in Bed-Stuy at Aspire2Dance. This weekly class will be a bit different from the other classes I teach – each week will be more of a workshop where we work through a specific pose. There will be some vinyasa involved to warm up, but a majority of the 1 hour & 15 minute class will be focusing on a specific pose.
Thursday nights at 6:30 pm, Aspire2Dance, 1195 Bedford Ave. Pre-Registration is required through the BigToe Yoga App http://www.bigtoe.fit/, and it’s only $12!
The next four weeks we will be working on arm balances. This week we will be focusing on Eka Pada Galavasana, also know as “Flying Crow.”
Categories: Uncategorized, Workshops, Yoga, Yoga Class Schedule
Tags: arm balances, BigToe Yoga, eka pada galavasana, flying crow, jivamukti, Jivamukti Yoga, workshops
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Yoga/Hiking Retreat to Utah/Zion National Park
I am so excited to be leading a yoga/hiking retreat to Utah March 13-17! Details are below. For more detailed information, secure your spot or ask questions, email aprildechagas@gmail.com. Full detailed information here: infopacket
Categories: jivamukti, retreat, Uncategorized, Workshops, Yoga
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april dechagas 