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Mexico Retreat Itinerary 10-19 September 2024

Here is the itinerary draft (there may be some small changes due to weather and such, but this should give you a good idea):Day 1 WELCOME FIRST DINNER Opening Ceremony with cuencos ‪Day 2Sunrise yoga Breakfast Tour to Muyil ruins and lagoon Packed lunch for this trip Sunset yoga (we might skip yoga if we get in from Muyil late) Dinner Free time Sweet dreams Day 3Sunrise yoga Breakfast Free time, bike to the beach, go to the small jungle secret ...

VISITING YOGA TEACHERS

ATTENTION TRAVELING YOGISHelp is required! from  9 April 2024 for 2-4 weeks  . NOTE - THIS OPPORTUNITY IS BEST SUITED TO THOSE WHO VALID TRAVEL DOCUMENTS IN NEW ZEALAND FOR THE AVAILABLE DATES This is your opportunity to join a small private retreat for work exchange. I am seeking applications from yoga teachers or someone who enjoys the yogic way of life and is willing to help for 2-4 WEEKS for the end of New Zealand summer.One of the things that makes WHY Retreat ...

NEW! HONEY MASSAGE

Honey massage is a type of therapeutic massage that involves the application of honey to the skin, followed by a gentle massage. This form of massage has been used for centuries in various cultures, including ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Chinese civilizations. We use natural hand harvested honey from our own hives. A spa before to relax and warm the muscles, and  a sauna afterwards to open the pores for additional absorption of the honey enhance the experience.The Benefits of Honey MassageH...

OUR STONE CIRCLE

When we excavated for our house, we came across 5 huge rocks that could not be moved. These now form a stone circle around the building. They correspond to the 5 elements in the way they are placed. The wood element rock is located at the base of a large Norfolk Pine tree. When I was digging around it I found a piece of amber here, petrified Kauri gum. The wood element signifies new beginnings, and happens to be at the entrance to the studio. The Fire element rock faces to the sunrise. It signif...

OUR LOGO DESIGN

Our logo began with a design from a Maori artist who gave us our own Manaia. We stylized this and turned it on its side, so it became a resting manaia. Putting it in a circle brings to mind the yin/yang symbol and also the symbol for infinity. The triangle represents the mountain, our house, and the healing properties of a pyramid. Visitors will be reminded of the mists that swirl around Mt Manaia in the mornings, and the full moon rising over the mountain at sunset.Manaia - Spiritual Guardian, ...

RECIPES

One of the best things about WHY RETREAT is the food! Not only do you have all your meals prepared for you to your individual dietary requirements, but they are often made with fresh ingredients from our garden and always made extra tasty with a generous helping of love. We are happy to share our recipes with guests, and here are a few of the favorites....

WINTER WELLNESS TIPS

The onset of winter means more colds and flus. Here is my prescription for fending off the dreaded lurgy. 1. Keep the bugs out2. Support your immune system3. Catch any invaders early1. Keep the bugs outIt’s basic - Clean Hands stop the spread of germs. Make sure your hands are clean when touching your face or food. A friend’s daughter did a cool school project using glitter gel to illustrate how easily germs are spread, especially in public places.2. Support your immune systemThis is more co...

WHY has a Health4You Award

WHY RETREAT has an award for Top 25 Most Popular Health and Fitness Services for 2021 from Health4You. We are now one of the top ranking Health and fitness services in New Zealand!Here is how we ranked:#1 Most Popular Health and Fitness Service in Whangarei (0110)#1 Most Popular Health and Fitness Service in the Northland Region#1 Most Popular Health and Fitness Service in the Whangarei Region#10 Most Popular Health and Fitness Service in New ZealandWhat does it mean?The Most Popular ranking hel...

24/7 YOGA

The following article appears in New Zealand Yoga Scene Magazine.One of my yoga teachers said “Yoga was once practiced by men in India to achieve spiritual enlightenment. Now it is practiced by Western women to improve their physical fitness and appearance”. As a Western woman, I would agree that my yoga practice began with the physical, to help me change my posture and allow me to participate in pain free physical activity. But the physical Asanas are only one of the eight limbs of a f...

Yoga Therapy Classes

Our teaching style at WHY RETREAT Learn ancient techniques for the prevention and management of pain, injury and illness. This class offers instruction in traditional holistic yoga. There is a short discussion on the concepts set out in the Yoga Sutras, then Asanas (postures), Pranayama (breathing), and meditation. We finish with Ayurvedic tea and informal discussion. PANCHA KOSHA – THE 5 BODIESANNAMAYA – PHYSICAL/ FOODPRANAMAYA – ENERGY/ BREATHMANOMAYA – MINDVIJNANAMAYA – KNOWLEDGE / ...

Pilates and Yoga

THE SIMILARITIESBoth YOGA and PILATES are considered ‘mind-body’ exercise as they teach conditioning and control, not just of the physical body but also for self healing and emotional calm. They are excellent for toning and balance, strength and flexibility, stress relief, pain management and centering. Both are non-impact and are used extensively for rehabilitation of injuries and postural realignment.YOGA:YOGA has its roots in India from around 3000 BC. Although many yoga students only kno...

STRESS RESPONSE IN THE BRAIN

What happens to us in response to Stress? When we receive a stressful stimulation, the brain triggers a series of biological reactions to put the body on alert. Known as the fight or flight response, this leads to the activation of the adrenal gland to release of cortisol and the resulting consequences of increased hear beat, increased blood pressure, and a hyper active brainwave.This fight and flight response comes from the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and shuts down reproduction, growth, t...

OCEANS BREATH MEDITATION

THE OCEAN Sometimes the ocean is flat, placid, glassy calm like a mirror. The mirror of calm water can reflect whatever is around it, perfectly. It reflects what is real, what is true. In stormy times the surface of the ocean becomes turbulent, with big waves crashing. No reflection is possible. The only thing we can see is the crashing waves. But underneath, the water is still calm. We are like the ocean. When our mind is calm, we can reflect on what is real and what is true. When the crashing ...

FOREST BATH MEDITATION

THE STREAM The stream has much to teach us about life.At times it bubbles and gurgles along merrily.Other times it becomes a torrent rushing past without a care for the destruction it wreaks in its path.Playful waterfalls tumble gently over rocks worn smooth, and oh what fun to be a leaf on that ride.Dangerous rapids and whirlpools can trap us, and at those times there is only trust that the turmoil will pass.It offers calm reflective pools, and the wisdom and clarity of contemplation.One day pe...