Fall Immersion: Karma and the Journey of the Soul, Oct 8-11 ~ Ely, Mn
Karma and the Jounrey of the Soul
October 8-11 – Ely, Mn
Our annual Fall Immersion is intended for yogis looking for deeper study and practice of yoga in a communal retreat setting. This year we will be delving into ” Karma and the Journey of the Soul.” The immersion will explore in-depth teachings and practices individually and collectively through dharma teachings, holistic practice (asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, chanting, yoga nidra, self-reflection, etc.), meditative ritual and time in nature and community.
I will post much more information about the content of the immersion in the coming weeks.
The Place: Up the Echo Trail from Ely, MN, and a stones throw from the Boundary Waters – Camp du Nord is nestled among birch, maple and pine forest alongside Lake Burntside. This Northwoods sanctuary has been a place of retreat, relaxation and reflection for generations.
Lodging & Meals: Our lodging will be communal in modern wooden cabins, beautiful and simple. Each cabin features a full kitchen, indoor bathroom, fireplace, living & dining room, bedrooms, sleeping loft and wireless internet. You will be responsible for your breakfast and lunch. Dinners will be communal, each participant will be part of the cooking group for one evening meal. We’ve done this for years, and it works wonderfully. Preference for lodging requests will be given in the order in which registrations are received. To view one of the cabins, please click here
Activities:
Hiking, Canoeing + Kayaking, Sauna + Lake Plunge, Massage, Relaxing lakeside and fireside and the occasional hootenanny singalong ( *massage not included in the price of the retreat)
Daily Session Schedule:
- Sunday Oct 8: 6:30-9 pm
- Monday Oct 9: 8:30-11:30 am, 2:30-5:30 pm
- Tuesday Oct 10: 8:30-11:30 am, 2:30-5 pm, 7-9 pm
- Wednesday Oct 11: 8-11am – Option to stay to Oct 12 (more info below)
Chanting and Silent Meditation M-W from 6-7 am (recommended, but optional)
Transportation, Arrival & Departure
It is about a 4.5 hour drive from the Twin Cities. You are responsible for your own transportation. We encourage carpooling, and will assist in finding you a carpool if you like. For Directions, click here
Arrival time is anytime after 4pm On Sunday October 8. We’ll have a group meal Sunday at 5pm, and the immersion will begin officially at 6:30p. Teaching and group practice will end Wednesday Oct 11 around 12. Based on the feedback of past participants, I highly recommend staying until Oct 12. The extra day will allow for processing and integration of the immersion through time in nature, community, shared meals, sauna, massage, etc. The prices below are for the nights of Oct 8-11. If you wish to stay til Oct 12., please add an additional $40 for a loft space, $60 for a shared room and $80 for a private room.
Your Investment:
- $645 – Twin bed in a communal Loft Space
- $725 – Shared bedroom space (2 people/room, twin beds or queen bed for couples)
- $850 – Private bedroom space (queen bed)
Early Registration Discount- Receive $30 off the shared bedroom or loft rates when you register and pay in full by July 31. Yoga Studies grads receive $50 off with early registration. Early registration discount does not apply to private rooms or cabins.
All rates are per person. This is a small group immersion and space will be allotted in the order in which registrations are received.
Rates are inclusive of:
- Lodging: For more information on accommodations and activities, visit the fall retreat page.
- Immersion Tuition
- Use of Camp du Nord facilities (sauna, hiking trails, canoes + kayaks, etc.)
Massage will be available during breaks. Please note meals are not provided. Each cabin has a fully equipped kitchen for all your cooking needs. We will plan to eat dinners communally, with groups taking turns preparing food if the group size accommodates eating/cooking together.
To reserve your space: please submit all registrations materials + deposit at the same time, via email to [email protected], with a copy of:
- Fall Immersion Registration + Waiver
- Submit a $250 deposit per-person (non-refundable). Payment are preferred through Venmo (@vincent-yoga), and can also be made through PayPal ([email protected]), check (see directions below), or CC. Venmo is free when paying as a friend.. There is a 3.5% fee for paypal, CC or when paying for “goods and services” through Venmo to cover costs. Contact us directly to pay via CC or paypal.
All payments are due by Sept 7. There will be a $50 fee for payments, payment plans and registrations received after Sept 7. For those unable to pay-in-full before Sept 3, payment plans are available through paypal credit. All payments are final. The non-refundable $250 deposit covers the costs to camp du Nord in the event that the retreat should have to be cancelled for unforeseen reasons If you’re unable to attend the immersion due to serious illness or emergency, you may receive a 30% credit to future Vincent Yoga events good for 1 year. Other discounts and scholarships are not available.
Ben Vincent (not Vincent Yoga)
5354 40th Ave S.
Minneapolis, MN, 55417
Please contact us with any questions or inqu
Read MoreTaking Refuge: The Ritual of Retreat as Sanctuary for the Soul – Begins March 2023
Taking Refuge
The Ritual of Retreat as Sanctuary for the Soul
March 2023 – January 2024 w/ Ben Vincent
It has been a joy, calling and honor to lead yoga retreats for more than 15 years. Retreat is a sacred space from which to see ourselves and life clearly. A time to re-commune with the timeless. Retreat is a ritual of honoring our inner call: to slow down, find rest, reflect upon, reconnect with and recommit to what is most important in life. For many years, I’ve had a slowly gestating vision for a year long program of quarterly retreats set around the solstices and equinoxes. Like a seed buried deep in the snow, while the vision seemed dormant, slow and meaningful changes were unfolding. Leading retreats during the pandemic and upheaval of our world over the last 3 years has been rite of passage and preparation for this program. We’ve explored challenging and relevant topics to find healing, meaningful connection and dharmic response amidst troubled times. Our retreats have evolved organically to integrate many essential elements or “primary satisfactions” that have sustained the human spirit and culture over the ages:
- Spiritual practice + study, rooted in Yoga ~ integrating many traditions
- Time in solitude, community + nature
- Creative expression (music, poetry, art, etc.)
- Sacred ritual for healing and awakening
- Myths and stories
- Shared meals, conversations, laughter and tears
Upon returning from fall retreat and immersion in October, the seed of vision sprouted during a morning meditation practice. I was transported back to the Oratory (pictured at the top) at the Episcopal House of Prayer where my yoga journey began (this time around) 25 years ago. Immediately, there was a flash of inner knowing: this is the place and now is the time.
I was reminded of Krishna’s teaching in the Bhagavad Gita (4.7):
When Dharma falters and chaos rises up, then I manifest and give forth of mySelf.
What is taking refuge?
Taking refuge is a vow to a life of dharma – living in alignment with our true nature – through all the phases of life. It is a ritual of returning to sanctuary, to what truly nourishes us, especially during troubled times. We are living through a period unprecedented change and challenge in our lifetimes. From the natural world to human culture, the layers of life are being overwhelmed by overlapping crises. Old wounds and ways of being that cause suffering are surfacing, individually and collectively. This is not the first time humanity has gone through a collective dark night of the soul. Many ancient cultures and spiritual traditions understood that periods darkness are an essential part of the cycles of worldly life (samsara). When faced consciously, they can be an initiatory rite of passage in the life of the soul, the awakening the world and the re-creation of dharma. In this painful, yet necessary time of dis-integration, lies the hidden potential for healing, meaningful transformation and life coming forth a new – if each of us do our part. The wisdom traditions of ancient India (yogic/ buddhist/ tantric) venerate Three Jewels for taking refuge amidst samsara:
- Teacher (inner and outer)
- Teachings + Practice (dharma)
- Sacred community (sangha)
Each of these plays an essential role in sustaining us. When interwoven, they form the fabric of our spiritual lives: supporting our healing journeys, helping us return to our essential nature, and bringing forth our unique dharma for the healing and awakening of ourselves and the world. Taking Refuge will be rooted in:
- Cultivating deep connection thru teachings/ practice, teacher (inner) and sacred community.
- Practices + tools from Yoga, Tantra and Ayurveda for balance through life’s seasons
- Re-investing in “primary satisfactions” of life
- Spiritual texts, myths and stories for understanding these times
- Times of crisis as initiatory rites of passage
- The sacred power of ritual for healing and awakening
- Answering the call of our Soul’s dharma to heal, awaken and contribute
Structure of the Program
- Seasonal Weekend Retreats
- March 25-26 – Spring Equinox
- June 24-25 – Summer Solstice
- September 16-17 – Autumnal Equinox
- December 9-10 – Winter Solstice
These small group (15 people) immersive weekend retreats (two-days, one night* – 9 am Saturday – 5 pm Sunday) will consist of:
- Two sessions of yoga practice + spiritual teachings daily
- Morning / Evening chanting + meditation
- Time in solitude, community + nature
- Seasonal sacred rituals
- Seasonal Yoga + Ayurveda Practices for balance and well-being
- Shared meals, stories/myths, songs, tears and laughter
- * Those wishing to lengthen their retreat stays may add extra nights as available (more below)
2. Quarterly Satsangs in Minneapolis: Teachings, practice and community time.
- Spring Satsang, Saturday, May 13
- Summer Satsang, Saturday, August 12
- Fall Satsang, Saturday November 4
- Winter Satsang, Saturday January 6, 2024
Satsangs will be recorded if you are unable to attend in person.
Retreats will be held at the Episcopal House of Prayer, in Collegeville, MN – 75 miles NW of Minneapolis. For over 30 years, they’ve been welcoming groups for retreat and spiritual practice. Recognized for it’s potent sacred space, natural and architectural beauty, it is a sanctuary designed to support deep connection.
The House of Prayer is nestled on the edge of Saint John’s Abbey and University – amidst the remarkable beauty and sanctuary of 2,700 acres of extensive pine and hardwood forest, wetlands, lakes, oak savanna, restored prairie, and hiking trails. Its been a place of learning and spiritual refuge for over 165 years.
Accommodations and Meals
The retreat house is designed to support both community and solitude. There are single and double rooms with twin beds, individual sinks, desks, chairs and reading lamps. The larger living/ dining spaces and restrooms are shared. The oratory and prayer room are available as quiet, contemplative spaces. In the spirit of community, we will eat meals communally. Each person will be assigned to a group responsible for planning and bringing/ preparing one meal per retreat. Meals will be vegetarian and we’ll do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions. We’ve done meals this way for years on fall immersion, and they are always wonderful!
Your investment
This small group program is limited to 15 people. Spaces + accommodation preferences will be allotted in the order in which payment and registration are received. Rates for the program are as follows (inclusive of program tuition and lodging):
Private Room – $2750 Shared Room – $2450
Early Registration Discount – $150 off the above rates when paid in full by Feb 7. Payment Plans may be available on an individual basis for those unable to pay in full by March 7.
Optional Add-ons
Quarterly Private Session w/ Ben: $400 for the year ($100 x 4, a $40 discount/ session) *Extra night stay: $75/night (paid separately as available), for those wishing to add Friday or Sunday night to any retreat weekends,
To reserve your space:
- Please email the completed the registration form to [email protected]
- Submit a $500 deposit (non-refundable). Payment is preferred through Venmo (@vincent-yoga). Payment can also be made through cash, check, PayPal ([email protected]), CC. There is a 3.5% fee for paypal or CC to cover costs. Please contact Ben directly to pay via cash, check or CC.
All payments are due in full by March 7. There will be a $75 fee for late payments. All payments are final and non-refundable, unless your reserved space in the program is filled. If you choose to withdraw from the program, your payment will be forfeited. Other discounts and scholarships are not available.
Please contact [email protected] with any inquiries about the program, registration or payment plans.
Read MoreFall Immersion: The Yoga of Darkness and Light – Oct 2-5 2022 Ely, Mn
The Yoga of Darkness and Light
Holding the Whole of of Life with Reverence
October 2-5, Ely, Mn
Our annual Fall Immersion is intended for yogis looking for deeper study and practice of yoga in a communal retreat setting. This year we will be delving into “The Yoga of Light and Darkness: Holding the Whole of Life with Reverence.” The immersion will explore in-depth teachings and practices individually and collectively through dharma teachings, holistic practice (asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, chanting, yoga nidra, self-reflection, etc.), meditative ritual and time in nature and community.
Let me share with you a story, or rather weave together a few into an origin myth that brings perspective to these times. Various traditions speak of a primordial essence or void before the universe emerged. At the dawn of existence, the universe burst forth from its mysterious origins, composed of complimentary opposites (dvandvas): chaos and cosmos, creation and dissolution, darkness and light, form and formless, energy and consciousness, finding form as the five great elements. This dynamic interplay of the dvandvas has been referred to as yin and yang, and the gunas in the Taoist and Yogic traditions respectively. These opposing forces both form one another and also allow for balance amidst constant change. If this story doesn’t seem relevant yet, stay with me and it will.
Our earthly life is governed by the dance of the dvandvas: birth and death, persistence and evolution, nature and culture, masculine and feminine, joy and sorrow, etc. These unfold amidst cycles of time and causation: day and night, seasons, years, generations and eras. According to the ancient seers (rishis), the era we are living in is the Kali Yuga or “long dark”. In this time, human consciousness has become darkened, fragmented, lacking understanding of its own essence, interconnectedness and place in the cosmos. This is not end times – rather a time of endings. A time in which our shadows are becoming more clear, our deep wounds are surfacing, and the ways we are living that violate our interconnectedness and desecrate the web of life are becoming unavoidable. In the karmic realms, the pain we are experiencing is deeply connected to the essence that brought us into life. This incredibly challenging and painful time also holds the potential to be a rite of passage to profound healing, awakening and transformation – individually and collectively. How we face this darkness will influence whether it deepens our divides, or allows a new, life affirming human culture to emerge, honoring our place in the order of things. If humanity is to survive these times and not irreparably damage the web of life on Earth, we must learn how to hold both darkness and light with reverence.
In this immersion, we will delve into:
- Learning to be in the dark, understanding the nature of these times
- Exploring the shadow individually and collectively with compassion
- The shadow as “pure gold” – how facing darkness can reveal our dharma/ genius
- Self-Compassion: Holding shame from a place of love, belonging and acceptance
- Holistic Yogic practices for living fully in the Kali Yuga
- Meditative rituals for healing, awakening and transformation
- Myth as wisdom stories for greater perspective in the cycles of light and dark
Daily Session Schedule:
Sunday Oct 2: 6:30-9 pm Monday Oct 3: 8:30-11:30 am, 2:30-5:30 pm Tuesday Oct 4: 8:30-11:30 am, 2:30-5 pm, 7-9 pm Wednesday Oct 5: 8-11am
Optional Chanting and Silent Meditation M-W from 6-7 am
Covid Safety Protocols
Your safety and enjoyment of the retreat is our highest priority. We will continue to monitor the conditions of Covid and adjust safety precautions accordingly. As of now, we will be requiring proof of a negative PCR test, or 2 negative antigen home tests taken within 72 hours of the beginning of retreat. We will have air purifiers as an additional layer of protection for the practice space. We will re-assess all safety precautions based on CDC guidelines and the state of the pandemic in MN at that time.
Your Investment:
- $595 – Twin bed in a communal Loft Space
- $675 – Shared bedroom space (2 people/room, twin beds or queen bed for couples)
- $775 – Private bedroom space (queen bed)
Early Registration Discount- Receive $25 off the shared bedroom or loft rates when you register and pay in full by July 31. Yoga Studies grads receive $50 off with early registration. Early registration discount does not apply to private rooms or cabins.
All rates are per person. This is a small group immersion and space will be allotted in the order in which registrations are received.
Rates are inclusive of:
- Lodging: For more information on accommodations and activities, visit the fall retreat page.
- Immersion Tuition
- Use of Camp du Nord facilities (sauna, hiking trails, canoes + kayaks, etc.)
Massage will be available during breaks. Please note meals are not provided. Each cabin has a fully equipped kitchen for all your cooking needs. We will plan to eat dinners communally, with groups taking turns preparing food if the group size accommodates eating/cooking together.
To reserve your space: please submit all registrations materials + deposit at the same time, via email to [email protected], with a copy of:
- Fall Immersion Registration + Waiver
- Submit a $250 deposit per-person (non-refundable). Payment are preferred through Venmo (@vincent-yoga), and can also be made through PayPal ([email protected]), check (see directions below), or CC. There is a 3.5% fee for paypal or CC to cover costs. Contact us directly to pay via CC or paypal.
All payments are due by Sept 3. There will be a $50 fee for payments, payment plans and registrations received after Sept 3. For those unable to pay-in-full before Sept 3, payment plans are available through paypal credit. All payments are final. The non-refundable $250 deposit covers the costs to camp du Nord in the event that the retreat should have to be cancelled for unforeseen reasons If you’re unable to attend the retreat due to covid exposure, you may receive a 50% credit to future Vincent Yoga events good for 1 year. Other discounts and scholarships are not available.
Ben Vincent (not Vincent Yoga)
5354 40th Ave S.
Minneapolis, MN, 55417
Please contact us with any questions or inquiries
Read MoreTANTRA: New 9-Month Program Begins in April 2020!
TANTRA 
April-December 2020
Tantra is an ancient branch of Yogic science for awakening to the sacredness of life. Greatly misunderstood in the West, Tantra (“to weave, to expand beyond limitation”) is a vast spiritual system of philosophy and practice intended to help humanity realize greater freedom, empowerment and enjoyment in life. Tantra is rooted in the understanding that there is a singular, all pervading reality which has two primary aspects: Consciousness (Shiva, the transcendent aspect of the divine, eternal, illimitable consciousness that is the ground of Being) Creative Power/Energy (Shakti, the immanent force of the divine, from which the entire universe, in all its diversity and multiplicity manifests)
Tantra sees life as a profound gift and human beings as living temples of shakti, composed of the same creative force from which the universe was born. Our bodies, energies, mind and heart are tremendous tools for awakening and realizing freedom, empowerment and enjoyment in this life. With ancient roots that have continued to grow, Tantra is very much a living tradition. Its inclusive, life-affirming worldview and powerful practices are said to be the best system of yoga for our modern age. Much of what we have come to know as Yoga actually has deep roots in Tantra, including: asana, pranayama, cleansing practices, mudra, mantra, chakras, kundalini, yoga nidra, kriya, many forms of meditation, ritual and more.
This unique nine month program is a deep dive into the living tradition of Tantra – intended for those who have completed yoga studies or comprehensive teacher trainings, study and practice and want to go deeper. The program will include master classes, guided home study and practice, personal guidance and support, weekend residential retreat, opportunity to receive initiation in the Himalayan Tradition, guest teachers and more.
Master Classes will consist of Dharma talk (teaching), discussion and practice.
Weeknight/ Weekend Program: The program will begin in April 2020. It will be a combination of two Tuesday nights / month (6-8:45p) and one weekend day (Sun. 10-5). There will also be a full weekend retreat at at the Himalayan Institue in Honesdale, PA Sept 17-20. Program Dates: April: Sun. 5, Tues, 7, 21 May: Sun. 3, Tues. 5, 19 June: Sun. 7, Tues. 9, 23 July: Sun. 12, Tues. 21 August: Sun. 9, Tues. 11, 18 September: Tues. 1, 15, Sun. 20 October: Sun. 18, Tues. 20 (Possibly 4-7 for retreat in Ely) November: Sun. 1, Tues. 10, 17 December: Sun. 6, Tues. 1, 15
Residential Retreat – Pilgrimage to a Living Tradition Himalayan Institute – Honesdale, PA Sept. 17-20, 2020 Set amidst the rolling hills and mountains of the Pocnoco Mountains in eastern Pennsylvania, The Himalayan Institute (HI) is an international non-profit whose mission is “To inspire, educate, and empower all who seek to experience their full potential.” It does this through transmitting the Wisdom of the Himalayan Tradition (Yoga/ Sri Vidya Tantra) and global humanitarian work. Founded in 1971 by Sri Swami Rama, it is a vibrant yogic community, ashram, publishing, residential and retreat center distinguished by its authentic, living connection to the ancient wisdom tradition of the Himalayan Masters.
The Himalayan Institute’s picturesque 400-acre campus offers breathtaking views, scenic hiking trails, and peaceful spaces for reflection and contemplation. It also home to the PureRejuv wellness center (Ayurvedic Services and Massage), Sri Vidya Shrine (image below), Sacred Grove Cafe, Himalayan Institute Bookstore + Press, Moka Origins bean to bar speciality Coffee and Chocolate (Yum! Tantra…delighting in the senses :-), and Yoga International.
Our retreat will focus on the Himalayan Tradition / Sri Vidya Tantra, consisting of:
-Daily group practice + teachings -Personal meditation and chanting in the Sri Vidya Shrine -Living and meals in the Himalayan Institute community -Free time for reflection, hiking, Ayurvedic treatments, massage, etc. -The opportunity to receive initiation into the Himalayan Tradition Lineage thru receiving a personal mantra.
Our in-depth study will include:
Essential Teachings + Practices of Tantra:
- What is Tantra? How does it relate to the Yogic tradition?
- History of Tantra: Periods, Types, traditions and its evolution
- Why is Tantra the appropriate practice for modern yogis
- The paths of Tantra: Right and Left Handed, Internal, External and Mixed
- Study of Traditional Tantric texts, philosophies and chants
- Essential Tantric Texts of Hatha Yoga: Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Gherand Samhita
- Sun, Moon, Fire: Hatha Yoga for awakening the forces of prana, mind and kundalini
- Training in Essential Tantric Practices Including:
- Asana (posture)
- Ayurvedic diet + lifestyle
- Shatkarma (cleansing practices)
- Pranayama (energetic breathwork)
- Mudra (Sacred gesture)/ Bandha ( Energetic seals)
- Tantric Meditation: Kriya (Active forms of meditation), Laya (The yoga of dissolution), Mantra Japa and more
- Mantra + Chanting (invocation of sacred vibration)
- Yantra (sacred geometry)
- Yoga Nidra (awakening through deep rest)
- Sacred Ritual + pilgrimage
- Diksha: Initiation into the Himalayan Tradition through receiving a personal Mantra
- Teachings and practices for the energetic body
- Chakras: The vortexes of Consciousness and Energy
- The Heart Lotus – the ultimate place of pilgrimage
- Swara Yoga, Nadis and Marma: Energetic rives and confluences in the body
- Kundalini Shakti: Awakening your life to the power of the infinite
- Granthis + Karma: The obstacle is the way
- The Tantric Understanding of Divinity and ultimate reality
- The living mythology of Tantra: Dieties, Gods and Goddesses as Shakti
- Guest teachers (Indu Arora: Vijnana Bhairav, Chanti Tacoronte Perez: Yantra, Rolf Sovik: Initiation and the Himalayan Tradition)
Your Investment: Program Tuition + Payment Option
Full Price – $2850. (Paid in full by the beginning of the program )
Early Registration Discount – $2695. (Paid In full by Feb 15)
***Books, retreat travel and accommodations are additional expenses. If you are interested in participating in the program, but are unable to attend or afford the retreat at the Himalayan Institute, you may attend the Fall Immersion in Ely, MN Oct 4-7, 2020 as an alternative. Space is in this program is limited and will be allotted in the order which deposit ($300) is received. Once accepted, your deposit is non-refundable, and will be applied toward the cost of the program.
Payment plans are available through Paypal Credit. This option is the cost of tuition + a 4% credit card fee. You would then have 6 months to pay paypal without interest. Please email [email protected] or visit paypal credit for more information about payment plans.
To register, please submit a $300 deposit via:
Venmo (@ben-vincent-9) Check or cash in person or via mail to:
Ben Vincent 5354 40th Ave S. Mpls., Mn 55417
Please note there will be a 4% fee for all credit card payments to cover the additional cost of credit card fees.
Read More
The Yoga of Emotions – Fall Immersion: Oct 6-9, Ely, MN
The Yoga of Emotions – Nava Rasa Sadhana
October 6-9, Ely, MN
Our annual Fall Immersion is intended for yogis looking for deeper study and practice of yoga in a retreat setting. We will explore the in-depth teachings and practices of through dharma, meditation, asana, pranayama, mantra, kriya, chanting, yoga nidra and self-inquiry. This year we will be delving into: The Yoga of Emotions and Nava Rasa Sadhana.
Yoga sees humans as multidimensional beings, composed of physical body, prana, mind, emotions, intelligence (all subject to change) and the Eternal Self. How we experience life is based largely on the fluctuations of our bodies, minds, energies and emotions. These are interwoven and powerful – yet emotions (“that which moves outward”) hold a unique role in shaping our experience of well-being and suffering, of ourselves and life. Our culture teaches us little about how to navigate and channel the emotions of life. This immersion will be based on traditional yogic and tantric teachings about Nava Rasa Sadhana: The Spiritual Practice of Nine Emotions. They are: Courage, Fear, Love, Anger, Joy, Sadness, Wonder, Disgust and Peace. From a dualistic view, each of these emotions come in pairs of complimentary opposites, each with pleasant and unpleasant aspects. From a non-dual perspective, each of them is sacred and may be channeled skillfully for the fulfillment of our dharma. As a defining aspect of human life, how we feel, witness, process, understand and channel our emotions profoundly shapes us. We will explore teachings and practices for relating to and using our emotional energies to awaken, including:
- Understanding the Nine Emotions/ Nava Rasas experientially and conceptually
- How and why do emotions arise? What is their purpose?
- Yogic Science of Emotion, mind and their karmic roots
- Western Science of Emotion, Brain and Nervous system
- Cultivating Witness Consciousness, emotional equanimity and peace
- Learning to feel and process emotion skillfully
- Yogic Practices for Emotional Healing and Transformation: Asana, pranayama, ayurveda, mantra, meditation, kriya, chanting, yoga nidra, self-reflection, relationship and more
Daily Session Schedule: The immersion will begin Sunday Oct. 6 and conclude Weds. Oct 9
Sunday Oct 6: 6-9 pm Monday Oct 7: 8:30-11:30 am, 2:30-5:30 pm Tuesday Oct 10: 8:30-11:30 am, 2:30-5 pm, 7-9 pm Wednesday Oct 11: 7:30-10am
Optional Chanting and Silent Meditation M-W from 6-7 am
Your Investment:
- $535 – Twin bed in a communal Loft Space
- $575 – Shared bedroom space (2 people/room, twin beds or queen bed for couples)
- $675 – Private bedroom space (queen bed)
Early Registration Discount- Receive $25 off the above rates when you register and pay in full by August 6. Yoga Studies grads receive additional $20 off.
Rates are inclusive of
- Room
- Immersion Tuition
- Use of Camp du Nord facilities (sauna, hiking trails, canoes + kayaks, etc.)
Massage will be available during breaks. Please note meals are not provided. Each cabin has a fully equipped kitchen for all your cooking needs. We will plan to eat dinners communally, with groups taking turns preparing food if the group size accommodates eating/cooking together. For more information on the accommodations, visit the fall retreat page.
All payments are due in full September 15, with a fee of $45 for late payments, payment plans & registrations received thereafter.
To reserve your space, please send your Fall Immersion Registration + Waiver copy and $150 deposit per-person (non-refundable) Payable via Venmo (@Ben-Vincent-9), Cash or Check. Checks are payable to:
Ben Vincent (not Vincent Yoga)
5354 40th Ave S.
Minneapolis, MN, 55417
Please contact us with any questions or inquiries
Read MoreFinding balance in Fall – tools and meditation for returning to center
In the traditions of Yoga + Ayurveda, fall is known as the season of vata dosha- the time when the elemental energies of air and space predominate. As the warmth (fire) and humidity (water) of summer dissipate, the inner and outer environments become increasingly cool and dry. in this season of harvest, daylight decreases (there’s no saving it!), summer’s abundance wains and all animate things draw energy back toward their core. For many, this time of transition can be challenging – the body may become stiff or achy, stress and anxiety can elevate, we struggle to re-create schedules, and mourn the passing of summer and what is to come. Balance- the ability to remain centered amidst change- is the foundation of well-being.
Essential to re-establishing balance in the fall, is to return to healthy life rhythms. Here are a few tips and a free guided meditation to support you well-being this fall.
Healthy Rest + Sleep: Return to regular patterns of sleep and rest. For most people 10pm – 5 or 6 am is ideal. Prepare for sleep by unplugging (1 hour before bed) and releasing stress. Soaking your feet and oiling them with warm sesame oil is extremely helpful, as is herbal tea. Make time for physical and mental rest everyday. Yoga nidra is a perfect practice.
Regularity in Diet: Make the most of harvest season. Do a cleanse of whole cooked foods (nuts, grains, seeds, legumes, fruits and vegetables and healthy fats). Eat food that is mostly warm and wet, hree regular meals per day, with lunch most important. Have a lighter dinner by 6 to allow for full digestion before bed.
Recommit to Self-Care: You are responsible for maintaining the well-being of your body, mind, energies and heart. No one can do it for you. the more you care for yourself, the more fully you will show up for what is most important in life! Yoga offers a holistic means for self-care.
Yoga Practice: Emphasize steadiness and ease in practice. Forward bending postures, twists, extensions and postures which work the core muscles are excellent. Same Vrtti (1:! breathing) Nadi Shodhana, Ujjayi Pranayama are all recommended. Agni Sara kriya is helpful for physical and mental balance, centeredness and digestion. Golden Egg meditation kriya will help you to gather scattered energies and mind. When you do this meditation, begin at your navel in the mornings and early afternoon, at your heart in the late afternoon or evening.
Non-Attachment: What is unnecessary or unhelpful in your life that can be let go of? This can be an activity, a responsibility, a thought or any way you use energy. Lessen screen time. Moderate consumption of food and beverages, especially those which dull or overstimulate you. Even as you recognize what can be let go of , focus primarily on returning to what is essential in your life. Focus on the relationships that are most important: with yourself, your loved ones and the greater whole of life. re-commit to wats of being that allow you to thrive. Non-attachment is the natural result of returning to your center. Superfluous things will fall away at the right time, like autumnal leaves.
Feel free to email [email protected] with questions or comments. Wishing you all the best in this season of the harvest!
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