3 Day Backpacking Retreat to inspire your connection to nature through yoga, Qi Gong and meditation.
August 4-6th, 2011 in the Sierra Nevada, near Truckee, California.
What’s Included
We will provide you with:
Planning and preparing guidance
Three days of yoga, meditation, and Qi Gong instruction
Backpacking, hiking, and camping support
All necessary permits
Arrangement and assistance of cooking and/or tent buddies
You will need to provide:
All gear and equipment (stoves, filters, and tents can be shared or rented)
All food and snacks
Proper backcountry clothing and shoes
The Hike
We will be backpacking approximately 3-5 miles each way, depending on the group size and ability. Both nights will be spent at the same location, which means that you will only have to unpack and set up camp one time. On day two, the middle day, we will be offering a day hike, with similar mileage. Please remember that this is your retreat – and you have the option to bow out of any activity for rest and relaxation if you choose. A benefit of the location we will be backpacking is that there is plenty of water both along the way and at camp, which will greatly reduce the amount that you will need to carry with you!
The Classes (yoga, meditation, and Qi Gong)
With mindfulness, meditation, and movement, our aim is to help inspire you to the profound beauty of the Sierra. The classes will aim to attune you to the rhythmic cycles of nature through your own experiences. All classes are suitable for every level, and we will encourage you to do what feels good for you. This is an opportunity to dive deeply into nature and begin to tap into the powerful cycles of each day, learning more about supporting your health and integrating these practices into your daily life. In addition to your daily classes, we will encourage times of silence, walking meditations, and awareness practices. Prepare to unwind and nourish yourself in the quite of the wilderness.
The Instructors
You will be led by two top-notch guides sharing their knowledge of low impact backpacking and Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, along with their expertise on yoga, meditation and Qi Gong.
Emily Williams has been a professional backcountry guide for 15 years and is Wilderness First Aid certified and a Master Leave No Trace educator. She has been teaching a blend of Iyengar and Vinyasa inspired yoga for 8 years.
Michelle Turley is an acupuncturist who teaches the deep connection between man/woman, nature and health, and is an avid long distance hiker. For more, visit www.michelleturleylac.com
Participants
The retreat will have no more than 10 participants and two guides – in order to ensure the best backcountry experience. Participants must be able to hike up to 5 miles, with elevation gain and loss, at altitude. In addition, participants must be able to hike with a 30lb pack (and that means very smart packing!). Every level of yogi is welcome to attend.
Participants are not required to have backpacking experience. However, you do need to be in excellent shape. The demands of hiking a half day with a backpack cannot be underestimated. It would be helpful if you have backpacking equipment, or access to backpacking equipment. Most of what you need can be rented from several places including REI, and as mentioned before, group gear can be shared and we will help you coordinate this.
Miscellaneous
Cell Phone – Your guides will have a cell phone each for communicating for emergencies. They will not be available for your personal use. You are welcome to bring your own if you like, but it must remain off at all times.
Because this is a mindful retreat, we ask that you keep the following items at home:
Pets, cigarettes, alcohol, and stress!
Health/First Aid
You will be in the backcountry, and preparedness is our best tool to avoid serious issues. Each of the guides will be carrying an extensive first aid kit, but each of you should bring your own to avoid putting undue stress on it.
The following represents a list of common problems that can occur on a trip like this, and things that your guides need to know to insure the safety of the group.
Stress: It is your job to have a great time and take in all the beauty. We will be travelling at a moderate pace, although we will only be as fast as our slowest hiker. The purpose of our retreat is to immerse ourselves in nature and to enjoy the journey – so if you would like to hike fast and hard, this is definitely not the suitable trip for you. No one will hike faster than the leader, and the sweep will not allow anybody to fall behind her.
Feet:If you are prone to blisters, bring lots of moleskin and all the new great products on the market to prevent them. Prevention is the best course of action. Treated feet are never as good as the original issue.
Insects:If you are allergic to bee stings, wasp stings, or anything else that can induce shock, please ask your doctor for a prescription for an epinephrine kit.
Bring insect repellent, a mosquito net for your head if you are bothered by the critters buzzing in you ears, and consider light-weight, long, loose fitting pants and shirts that you can hike in if necessary, and change into when establishing a camp.
Other allergies:If you are allergic, bring appropriate remedies. You are more likely to enjoy the trip if you can breathe, or aren’t digging and scratching all day and night.
Sun:There will be lots of it. It is hot. It burns. Bring sunscreen. Burned skin leads to more problems than just pain. Don’t forget to bring sunglasses.
Personal Hygiene:Please bring only scent-free products. If you smell like a flower, you will attract insects and bears, among other things. On the other hand, if you smell very badly (which is known to happen in the backcountry) it might prevent someone else from enjoying their trip.
Water: We recommend consuming a total of, not less than, one gallon of water per day, including what you cook with. That means drinking at least 3 Liters per day. There will be plenty of water along the hike as well as at camp.
The Sierra Nevada backcountry should be considered a harsh mountain environment and a threat to the healthy and fit. To approach the backcountry any other way is foolish. Preparedness is our key to success. We intend to stick together as a team, rely on good equipment, not exceed the abilities of our reasonably weakest link, and always exercise good judgment.
Sample Schedule:
Thursday, August 4th:
8:00am For those coming from the Truckee area, we will meet in Truckee to carpool
9:00 Meet at the trailhead
9-10:00 Welcome, pack checks, sort out group gear
10-12:00 Backpacking begins, with a break for Qi Gong along the way
12:30 Lunch, either on the trail or at the camp location
1:00 Set up camp
2:00 Yoga and meditation
4-6:00 Personal time
6-7:30 Dinner
8:00pm Evening Qi Gong & community circle
Friday, August 5th:
7:00am Morning meditation
7:30 Yoga
9:00 Breakfast
10:00 Leave for day hike
12:00 Lunch, play time & Qi Gong
2:00 Hike back to camp
4:30-6:00 Yoga
6:00-7:30 Dinner
8:00pm Evening Qi Gong and community circle
Saturday, August 6th:
7:00am Morning meditation
7:30 Yoga
9:00 Breakfast
10-11:00 Pack up and depart from camp
12:30 Lunch & Qi Gong along the way
2-3:00 Return to trailhead
Reservation and Cancellation Policy
Deposit
The cost of the retreat is $250 before July 1st and $300 after.
A deposit of $100 can be given to hold your space in the retreat. Your enrollment will be complete upon receipt of your final payment and your completed application forms; which are required no later than July 15, 2011. If you make your reservation less than 30 days before the trip starts, the full trip fee is due when you register.
Confirmation
When a space is available and you pay for the trip deposit, we reserve a confirmed spot for you and will e-mail you a confirmation and registration packet. Your confirmation packet includes important forms regarding your ability to participate in this trip. Please return your registration forms within 7 days to get approved for this trip.
Payments
Full payment of your trip fee is due no later than July 15, 2011.
Cancellations and Refunds
You must notify us directly if you need to cancel from this trip. Cancellation fees apply as follows:
Time of Cancellation
Cancellation Fee
A
30 or more days prior to trip start date
None- you will receive 100% back
B
14-30 days prior to trip start date
50% of trip fee
C
0-13 days prior to trip start date
80% of trip fee
D
“No-show” at the starting point or you leave at any time once the trip begins – for any reason
Awaken to the Wisdom of Nature Retreat
3 Day Backpacking Retreat to inspire your connection to nature through yoga, Qi Gong and meditation.
August 4-6th, 2011 in the Sierra Nevada, near Truckee, California.
What’s Included
We will provide you with:
You will need to provide:
The Hike
We will be backpacking approximately 3-5 miles each way, depending on the group size and ability. Both nights will be spent at the same location, which means that you will only have to unpack and set up camp one time. On day two, the middle day, we will be offering a day hike, with similar mileage. Please remember that this is your retreat – and you have the option to bow out of any activity for rest and relaxation if you choose. A benefit of the location we will be backpacking is that there is plenty of water both along the way and at camp, which will greatly reduce the amount that you will need to carry with you!
The Classes (yoga, meditation, and Qi Gong)
With mindfulness, meditation, and movement, our aim is to help inspire you to the profound beauty of the Sierra. The classes will aim to attune you to the rhythmic cycles of nature through your own experiences. All classes are suitable for every level, and we will encourage you to do what feels good for you. This is an opportunity to dive deeply into nature and begin to tap into the powerful cycles of each day, learning more about supporting your health and integrating these practices into your daily life. In addition to your daily classes, we will encourage times of silence, walking meditations, and awareness practices. Prepare to unwind and nourish yourself in the quite of the wilderness.
The Instructors
You will be led by two top-notch guides sharing their knowledge of low impact backpacking and Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, along with their expertise on yoga, meditation and Qi Gong.
Emily Williams has been a professional backcountry guide for 15 years and is Wilderness First Aid certified and a Master Leave No Trace educator. She has been teaching a blend of Iyengar and Vinyasa inspired yoga for 8 years.
Michelle Turley is an acupuncturist who teaches the deep connection between man/woman, nature and health, and is an avid long distance hiker. For more, visit www.michelleturleylac.com
Participants
The retreat will have no more than 10 participants and two guides – in order to ensure the best backcountry experience. Participants must be able to hike up to 5 miles, with elevation gain and loss, at altitude. In addition, participants must be able to hike with a 30lb pack (and that means very smart packing!). Every level of yogi is welcome to attend.
Participants are not required to have backpacking experience. However, you do need to be in excellent shape. The demands of hiking a half day with a backpack cannot be underestimated. It would be helpful if you have backpacking equipment, or access to backpacking equipment. Most of what you need can be rented from several places including REI, and as mentioned before, group gear can be shared and we will help you coordinate this.
Miscellaneous
Cell Phone – Your guides will have a cell phone each for communicating for emergencies. They will not be available for your personal use. You are welcome to bring your own if you like, but it must remain off at all times.
Because this is a mindful retreat, we ask that you keep the following items at home:
Pets, cigarettes, alcohol, and stress!
Health/First Aid
You will be in the backcountry, and preparedness is our best tool to avoid serious issues. Each of the guides will be carrying an extensive first aid kit, but each of you should bring your own to avoid putting undue stress on it.
The following represents a list of common problems that can occur on a trip like this, and things that your guides need to know to insure the safety of the group.
Stress: It is your job to have a great time and take in all the beauty. We will be travelling at a moderate pace, although we will only be as fast as our slowest hiker. The purpose of our retreat is to immerse ourselves in nature and to enjoy the journey – so if you would like to hike fast and hard, this is definitely not the suitable trip for you. No one will hike faster than the leader, and the sweep will not allow anybody to fall behind her.
Feet: If you are prone to blisters, bring lots of moleskin and all the new great products on the market to prevent them. Prevention is the best course of action. Treated feet are never as good as the original issue.
Insects: If you are allergic to bee stings, wasp stings, or anything else that can induce shock, please ask your doctor for a prescription for an epinephrine kit.
Bring insect repellent, a mosquito net for your head if you are bothered by the critters buzzing in you ears, and consider light-weight, long, loose fitting pants and shirts that you can hike in if necessary, and change into when establishing a camp.
Other allergies: If you are allergic, bring appropriate remedies. You are more likely to enjoy the trip if you can breathe, or aren’t digging and scratching all day and night.
Sun: There will be lots of it. It is hot. It burns. Bring sunscreen. Burned skin leads to more problems than just pain. Don’t forget to bring sunglasses.
Personal Hygiene: Please bring only scent-free products. If you smell like a flower, you will attract insects and bears, among other things. On the other hand, if you smell very badly (which is known to happen in the backcountry) it might prevent someone else from enjoying their trip.
Water: We recommend consuming a total of, not less than, one gallon of water per day, including what you cook with. That means drinking at least 3 Liters per day. There will be plenty of water along the hike as well as at camp.
The Sierra Nevada backcountry should be considered a harsh mountain environment and a threat to the healthy and fit. To approach the backcountry any other way is foolish. Preparedness is our key to success. We intend to stick together as a team, rely on good equipment, not exceed the abilities of our reasonably weakest link, and always exercise good judgment.
Sample Schedule:
Thursday, August 4th:
Friday, August 5th:
Saturday, August 6th:
Reservation and Cancellation Policy
Deposit
The cost of the retreat is $250 before July 1st and $300 after.
A deposit of $100 can be given to hold your space in the retreat. Your enrollment will be complete upon receipt of your final payment and your completed application forms; which are required no later than July 15, 2011. If you make your reservation less than 30 days before the trip starts, the full trip fee is due when you register.
Confirmation
When a space is available and you pay for the trip deposit, we reserve a confirmed spot for you and will e-mail you a confirmation and registration packet. Your confirmation packet includes important forms regarding your ability to participate in this trip. Please return your registration forms within 7 days to get approved for this trip.
Payments
Full payment of your trip fee is due no later than July 15, 2011.
Cancellations and Refunds
You must notify us directly if you need to cancel from this trip. Cancellation fees apply as follows:
A