

Withdraw | Stress Relief, Yoga andMeditation Retreat
January 27-30, 2023 sold out
Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center
7415 E Elbow Bend Rd, Carefree, Arizona 85377
Yoga philosophy teaches that 'pratyahara' is the 'withdrawal of the senses'. Withdrawing the mind from external sensory objects and internalizing awareness is the first step when embarking on a contemplative, meditative path. Join me in the beautiful Sonoran desert for four days and three nights as we withdraw from daily life, turn inward and uncover stillness the within.
Each day of the retreat will include a Yoga asana (posture) session with a focus on improving strength, balance and the release of physical tension. On days two and three we will gather for an afternoon session of discussion, mindful, somatic movement, and and meditation to focus and calm the mind. Evenings will be filled with gentle, restorative and yin yoga followed by a guided meditation to help you rest and restore through the night. The final evening will include a special treat when a guest teacher takes us through a healing crystal bowl sound bath and gong meditation.
Studies have shown that if we feel control over a situation the level of stress experienced is far less. My intention in each session of Yoga and meditation throughout the retreat is to create meaningful experiences that will help you learn to withdraw from the external stimuli in your life when you choose to, gain control of your thoughts and responses to stress, and send you home with practical skills you can use anytime. All levels of meditation and yoga experience are welcome.
Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center is a peaceful, quiet setting in the beautiful Sonoran Desert. Located 36 miles from the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and is on nine acres. There is a heated swimming pool, hot tub, meditative walking paths and labyrinth for guests to enjoy. Guests will have a private room with two queen beds, private bath and fireplace. Occupancy may be single, or up four guests per room. Additional occupants in each room must register together. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be prepared by in-house chefs. Vegan, vegetarian, dairy free and gluten free diets can be accommodated.
Daily Schedule


DAY ONE
Friday
3:00 Arrival, Check In
4:00 Yoga for Opening the Hips
5:30 Dinner
7:00 Restorative Yoga & Yoga Nidra Meditation

DAY TWO
Saturday
7-8 AM Open Sunrise Meditation Hour (optional)
8:00 Breakfast
9:30-11:45 Discussion & Yoga
12:00 Lunch
3-5 Yin Yoga w/ Tish, Naada Yoga with Shreyas Iyer
5:30 Dinner
7-8:30 Gentle/Somatic Yoga with Tish, Yoga Nidra Meditation with guest teacher, Deborah Hutchings

DAY THREE
Sunday
7-8 Open Sunrise Meditation Hour (optional)
8:00 Breakfast
9:30-11:45 Discussion & Yoga
12:00 Lunch
3-5 Gentle/Somatic Yoga & Meditation w/ Tish
5:30 Dinner
7-8:30 Restorative/Yin Yoga w/ Tish, Gong Meditation with guest teacher

DAY FOUR
Monday
6:45-8:00 Sunrise Yoga
8:00 Breakfast
10:00 Check Out of Room
10:15-11:30* Question/Answer & Discussion with Final Silent Meditation
*Bags will need to be brought in to the practice space, with you or stored in the car, during the questions/answer & meditation session as check out from the rooms is at 10 AM
"The willingness or unwillingness to withdraw attention from sensory experience
is a significant dividing line between those who experience true meditation and
those who experience only physical relaxation."
~Swami Jnaneshvara
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Registration Includes
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Yoga and meditation instruction
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Private room and bath for three nights with two queen beds, fireplace and terrace
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All meals (dietary requests can be accommodated for an additional 2.00 per meal)
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Nine Yoga classes
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Gong meditation and sound bath with guest teacher
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Naada Yoga, Sound Meditation & Kirtan w/ Shreyas Iyer
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Guided and Silent meditations
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Retreat booklet with instruction, tips, inspiration and space for taking notes during classes
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Quiet room for open, silent meditation at sunrise
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Heated pool & hot tub
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Reflective walking paths and meditation labyrinth
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Lounge and kitchen use in guest lodge
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All props for yoga classes, except a yoga mat. Please bring your own mat.
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Welcome gift
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Wifi
Registration Does Not Include
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Travel costs
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Transportation from the airport to Spirit in the Desert
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Yoga mats

Disconnect. Breath. Reconnect.
Learn the skills and benefits of being present, focusing your energy, and reconnecting with yourself. Slow down your mind, bring clarity to your thoughts, and experience personal growth.
Single Guest in a Room: 1499
Two Guests per Room: 1387/guest
Three Guests per Room: 1321/guest
Four Guests per Room: 1288/guest
Multiple guests per room must register at the same time. You will not be paired with a roommate.
Please see Covid-19 precautions below
Deposit: 500.00 per person, non-refundable. Deposit can be used a credit toward a future retreat, private sessions, classes or workshops should you need to cancel. Balance due Nov 27, 2022
Special Dietary Requests: An additional 2.00/meal surcharge is added for special dietary requests (ex: vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, etc.)
COVID PRECAUTIONS
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All rooms and public areas are sanitized using an electrostatic sanitization system that kills germs, bacteria, and viruses.
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Pillows are sterilized after each guest stay using an intense UVC lighting system.
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Keys are sterilized using an intense UVC lighting system.
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All Yoga props will be sanitized in between classes.
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Hand sanitizer stations are installed throughout the campus.
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All “high touch” areas are cleaned often using appropriate chemicals to disinfect the area.
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Public restrooms feature no-touch soap dispensers and no-touch paper towel dispensers.
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Individual soap bars have replaced liquid soap dispenser in the showers.
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Employees of Spirit in the Desert take and log their temperature before starting work each day.
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Employees of Spirit in the Desert will wear masks when interacting with guests, working in guest rooms or public areas or serving food.
As of March 2021, masks worn by retreat participants is optional. A negative test for Covid prior to the retreat is not required at this time. Depending on the Covid numbers in the future, this may change. A non-refundable deposit cannot be returned in the case of an unforeseen change in the pandemic and a requirement for submitting a negative Covid -19 test be should be implemented. Should a negative covid test be required, it will need to taken within 72 hours of the retreat start date, with proof of the test provided.
REFUND POLICY
Your room and space in the retreat can be reserved with a 500.00 non-refundable deposit per person. Should you need to cancel your reservation your deposit may be credited toward a future retreat, workshop or classes.
CANCELLATION
120-91 days prior to retreat start date, full refund minus the deposit
90-61 prior to retreat start date, 75% refund minus the deposit
60--31 days prior to retreat start date, 50% refund minus deposit
30-0 days prior to the retreat start date, no refund.
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