Yin/Insight Yoga and Inquiry Silent Retreats with Sarah and Ty Powers

Entering the Silence with Psychological Inquiry

Bringing clear, kind attention to our inner and inter-personal life.

On retreat we will practice Yin/Yang yoga, pranayama, mind training, and methods for awakening the heart. The talks and meditations will focus on the Buddhist teachings of Mindfulness as well as inviting experiential insights with inquiry both in solitude and at times, with a partner. The Sanskrit word for Mindfulness is Smritti, translated as non-forgetting. Mindfulness practice develops a quality of presence in which we remember to pay attention to the immediacy of experience while letting go of all motivations to manipulate the moment, developing the clear capacity to observe inner and outer experience without willful interference. While Mindfulness is a receptive attitude, generative heart based meditations develop a more generous spirit of love and compassion through envisioning what might be possible for us, were we to live from our deepest nature.

For the body we will engage in both self-led and teacher led yoga sessions each day. We will enjoy both receptive and active (Yin/Yang) asana practices that are designed to develop and maintain pliancy in the muscles as well as the joints, to increase strength and vitality in all the systems of the body, and to cultivate a sensitivity and cultivation of the pranic body – the gateway to an energetic ease of being.

For the heart and mind we will practice several meditation sessions a day, mingling both concentration and Insight practices with a mood of Maitri or loving-kindness. Working specifically with our inner protective and vulnerable parts through guided meditations will also help us include and integrate more aspects of our system, strengthening a capacity for self therapy that we can draw from in our everyday lives.

To enhance the contemplative atmosphere, social silence will be sustained throughout the retreat outside the practice hall. As in ancient times, retreat is not only a place to learn new methods, but to cultivate qualities of being. This is also an opportunity to take a journey away from one’s daily responsibilities and preoccupations with worldly events. With this in mind, we require everyone to turn off their computers and phones for the duration of the retreat in order to genuinely connect with oneself in a less distracted inner and outer environment. This will undoubtedly deepen everyone’s experience. We feel unplugging from technology in retreat life is essential and will benefit all the attendees. There will be an emergency contact provided for students to give loved ones.