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The Yoga of Writing:
A Women’s
Meditation & Writing Retreat
Offered in Sedona, Arizona
March 16 - 18, 2012
For many, writing is a spiritual practice which leads to a profound experience of timelessness and present moment awareness. A single moment of inspiration can become an eternity. That is also true of meditation.
For those who practice meditation, life can be transformed physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Meditation, taught from the yoga tradition, will allow you to let go of stress and open yourself up to who you are - outside of the roles and relationships you play. During the retreat, you'll glimpse of the real you and in the silence and spaciousness, you'll hear your authentic voice and you'll write what you hear.
During this retreat, you'll write, listen to yourself, and be heard, perhaps for the very first time. With your attention on silence, stillness, and the present moment, you'll listen to and trust your own voice as you transcend your inner critic and express yourself from the womb creativity though expansive writing exercises. There will also be gentle yoga classes and mindfulness practices. No writing, yoga or meditation experience is necessary.
Call 928.204.0067 to register, or click the blue button and download the registration form (pdf).
Read what past participants say about the Yoga of Writing retreat here.
The Yoga of Writing retreat will be held at the Ponderosa Cabin at Briar Patch Inn i n Sedona, Arizona
Nestled in Oak Creek Canyon, just a mile north of Sedona, along the lush banks of Oak Creek, the Briar Patch Inn is a secret hideaway which sits at the base of red rock mountains, surrounded by majestic canyon oaks and dappled sunlight, creating a healing, magical oasis with private and shared cabins.
Briar Patch Inn is located at 3190 N. Hwy 89A in Sedona. Visit their website: www.briarpatchinn.com.
The retreat in Sedona is limited to 15 women.
Retreat Fee:
- $375 per person early registration (21 days in advance)
- $425 per person regular registration
- Alumni of Sedona Meditation Retreats: take 20% off of the registration fee.
- Add $250 per person for two nights' shared accommodations in the Writing Cabin, or make your own accommodation arrangements with the Briar Patch Inn.
- Buddy System! 10% off each when friends/family register together.
Some meals are included:
- a delicious vegetarian dinner on Friday evening
- the famous Briar Patch breakfast and a homemade vegetarian lunch on Saturday
- and the Briar Patch breakfast on Sunday.
Optional Housing:
Tuition does not include accommodations. Make your own housing arrangements directly with the Briar Patch Inn, or, opt to stay in the writing cabin; you'll need to sign up for that - the cost is $250 for shared lodging for two nights (there are 4 bedrooms and 2 baths - limited space is available - sign up for this when you register for the retreat).
Retreat Hours:
- Friday 4:30 pm – 9 pm
- Saturday 9 am – 5 pm. Dinner on your own, free evening
- Sunday 9 am – 11:30 am
Call 928.204.0067 to register, or click the blue button and download the registration form (pdf).
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Facilitators
 Sarah McLean:
Along with my 20-year daily meditation practice, I've had some unique opportunities: I served as the founding education director of Deepak Chopra’s Center, and as director of Byron Katie’s international School for The Work, and assistant to Seat of the Soul author, Gary Zukav. Not only were each one of these pioneers great company, each was also a best-selling author.
My aim is to make meditation accessible to anyone who wants to learn as well as to integrate it with creative practices and everyday life. I’ve explored world spiritual traditions: I was a 2-year resident in a Zen Buddhist monastery, lived in an ashram in India, bicycled along the Silk Route through Pakistan, and trekked the Golden Triangle in Asia. I wrote about each experience and continue to express myself in the practice of writing as a meditation. Writing is a tool I depend on to really listen to myself.
I teach meditation throughout Arizona and wherever I am invited. I am also an avid writer of personal stories and have worked professionally as an editor. My columns on mind/body health are featured regularly in the Frontdoors, Earth Odyssey, Green Magazine, and other publications. I am regularly featured on many Arizona Morning Shows as well as many radio programs. I look forward to being with you, tapping into creativity, and expanding our awareness together. My new book, Soul-Centered: Transform Your Life in 8 Weeks with Meditation, is due out in May 2012 with Hay House.
Victoria Nelson:
Whenever I find myself in museums or reading a great book, I become alive in ways I had never experienced in board rooms or business gatherings. After my mother died at the age of 59 in 1993, I followed my secret ambition to learn to paint and write fiction. Her death gave me the courage to quit a successful business career to become a full time artist. It was her final gift to me. And since 1994, I’ve given my heart and time to both endeavors equally.
I was born in the Dominican Republic, an Island in the Caribbean Ocean. My father was extremely political, and in 1972, his career led my family to migrate to the United States. Two years after we settled in New Jersey, my father died unexpectedly of heart attack at the age of 43, leaving my mother, me, and my three siblings to figure out how to navigate this foreign country on our own. I focused on achieving the American dream of material success, and in 1985 I graduated with a B.S. in Economics from Arizona State University in Tempe. I successfully climbed the corporate ladder in the computer industry for ten years. When I quit my high powered job to pursue painting and writing, my family and friends thought I had lost my mind. In a way I had. My soul demanded that I pursue my dream of becoming an artist.
It’s been 14 years since I took that leap into the unknown. I plan every day around meditating, spending time in nature, writing and painting, and my life as an artist has exceeded all my expectations. In the fall, winter, and spring, the light and the contrasting colors of Sedona are a daily source of inspiration to me. In the summers, the sea and the dramatic light of Monhegan Island in Maine, are my muses. I am a self-taught painter and writer. In 2007, my poem “Ancient Elements” was published in the Northern Arizona Poetry Anthology Collared Piccary and my paintings were exhibited at the University of New England Museum’s “On Island” show featuring women artists of Monhegan Island. My paintings are shown at the Lupine Gallery in Monhegan Island and by appointment in Sedona. A book of short stories will be published in 2012.
 Melissa Karolides
I have always been a seeker. I spent three decades searching for peace of mind, surviving only by over-scheduling my time to distract my attention from my inner turmoil. In college I earned a BA in Psychology, hoping that delving into the mind would uncover the secrets of happiness. Then, finding joy in exercise, I obtained a master’s degree in exercise physiology. While these fields brought understanding and vitality, I yearned for more, and this led to the connection of mind-body-spirit created through the yogic path.
When I took my first yoga class in 1989 while in graduate school, I found an oasis of calm amidst my stressful life. Gradually yoga became a life path. In 1996 I fulfilled a long quest, and learned to meditate while working at Deepak Chopra’s center for Well-Being. Meditation brought tremendous transformation---settling the inner storms, lifting a lifelong depression, bringing weight balance, and finally---the capacity for joy emerged. I became a Chopra-certified meditation teacher in 1997. Deepening my yoga practice seemed like a natural next step, and I completed ashtanga (eight-limbed) yoga teacher training in 1998 at Mount Madonna Center. Also helpful on my path of growth was my experience working with Anthony Robbins, where I learned practical tools to integrate beliefs and values for discovering one’s life purpose and following one’s dreams.
Writing has always been a big part of my life. My journey began with journaling in childhood, continued with newspaper writing and editing in college, and my first book Focus on Fitness was published in 1994. Writing and editing are exciting for me, like a puzzle with all the pieces swimming around in my mind, which brings great satisfaction to put together. For me, the process of writing personal stories evokes integration, healing, catharsis, and personal exploration. Currently I am completing a memoir.
With abundant gratitude to be working in a field I love, and enthusiasm for sharing my commitment to wellness, I currently teach Yoga in a beautiful park through my Meetup group “Yoga & Meditation Adventure” and for college credit at Grossmont College in the San Diego area. My passion is leading yoga, meditation and writing retreats in beautiful natural locations around the world. In my spare time I cook, travel, ski, rock climb, bike ride, walk in the park, and write about life transformation.
My yoga teaching style is a meditative blend of vinyasa flow and yin yoga with a focus on connecting deeply to the Self to get to the place where alignment of desires, dreams, values and talents naturally arises. From here we discover how we can use our skills and passions to serve others. This is our Dharma, our virtuous path, our highest purpose. This is yoga---union of body, mind and spirit.
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Latest CD Release
Sarah McLean delivers captivating instructions for the beginner, reminders for the seasoned meditator, and three soothing guided meditations. A selection of crystal bowl healing sounds makes this CD perfect for anyone seeking a soulful companion for meditation. More
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