Fall Immersion: Awakening the Mind – Jewel of Creation: Oct 21-24, Ely, Mn
Awakening the Mind – Jewel of Creation
October 21-24 – Ely, Mn ~ Fall Immersion w/ Ben Vincent
Our annual Fall Immersion is intended for those looking for in-depth study and practice of yoga in a communal retreat setting. This immersion will delve experientially into Awakening the Mind – Jewel of Creation. We will integrate dharma teachings, holistic practices (asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, chanting, kriya, yoga nidra, self-reflection, etc.), meditative ritual, music and devotion. We’ll share laughter, tears, songs, stories, meals and the joy of sangha. We invite you warmly to join us for this sacred time of practice, teachings and ritual – with abundant time for yourself, in nature and community.
Awakening the Mind – Jewel of Creation
The ancient seers (rishis) of the Vedic tradition sought to understand the nature of life through carefully observing and cultivating the inner and outer worlds. According to Vedic Wisdom, life’s two co-eternal principles are Consciousness and Creative Energy/Power. Consciousness is the limitless source and field of knowing, which expresses itself as the universe through creative power. Consciousness endows every-thing with an essential nature (sva-dharma), and weaves them together harmoniously. Creative Energy/power is the dynamic force through which the web of life has evolved, from the subtlest aspects of the human mind to the physical world of the elements. Amidst the abundance, diversity and beauty of life, the rishis came to understand the human mind as a crown jewel of creation. To be born with a human mind, able to perceive, unveil and illuminate the sacredness of life, is a profound blessing. They called the mind Antahkarana – “the inner instrument”, and knew it to be a tool of incredible power – abridge between the seen and unseen, between the individual and universal. When awakened, the mind is a prism which can reflect and transmit the light of consciousness, and transmit four great powers:
- dharma shakti– the power to see and live in harmony with the sacredness of Life
- jnana shakti- the power to know and discern between what is True and untrue
- vairagya shakti- the power to release self-limiting identities and conditionings that cause suffering
- aishvarya shakti– boundless power to be and to become
When un-awakened, the four great powers of the mind can become adharma (ignorance of dharma), ajnana (inability to know what is Real), avairagya (inability to release that which cause suffering) and anaishvarya (inability to exercise the power to be and become). Under the sway of ignorance (avidya), the unawakened mind is the root cause of much of the suffering in life, on the levels of great nature, human culture and within ourselves.
The ancient seers saw clearly the power of the mind – to be an instrument in service of dharma, bringing freedom and fulfillment, or to ben an instrument of avidya, and cause further suffering. The considered an un-awakened human life to be the greatest loss. The science of yoga is intended to understand, cultivate and refine the mind – so we may make the most of the human birth, and be an instrument in service of life.
The Immersion will delve into:
- The Human Mind: Jewel of Creation – a prism between The Absolute and the World
- Awakening Antahkarana: Four Aspects of the Yogic Mind: Buddhi, Manas, Citta, Ahamkara
- Refining and Empowering Buddhi – The Faculty of Intelligence, Discernment, Wisdom
- Evolving and Dissolving Ahamkara – The Faculty of Identification
- Purifying Citta – The Faculty of Memory, Storehouse of Karma
- Calming and Clarifying Manas – The Sensory and Emotional Mind
- Essential Teachings from the Yoga Sutra for Healing, Awakening and Empowering the Mind
- Essential Practices for Awakening the Mind: Meditation, Mantra, Self-Study, Trustful Surrender
- Integrating Breath and Prana – Master Keys for healing and Awakening the Mind
- Restoring harmony in relationship of prana, nervous system and mind
- Yoga as Self-mastery of the fluctuations of the mind
- The importance of Practice and Non-Attachment in awakening the Mind
- Four stages of Vairagya – removing limiting mental conditions through meditation
- Samayama – Awakening power through meditation
- Ahimsa and the Yamas: uprooting and transforming harmful tendencies of the mind
- Brahma Viharas– Cultivating the “divine abodes” of friendliness, compassion, sympathetic joy, equanimity to purify the heart-mind
- Isvara – The Divine as the Supreme Self, source of all knowing, ever free and wise
- Self-Knowledge and Education for making a life
- Personal and Group Rituals for awakening the mind
- So much more…
The Place: Camp du Nord, near Ely, MN. A stones throw from the Boudary Waters, Camp du Nord is set amongst the pine, maple and birch forest alongside Lake Burntside. It has been a natural place of sanctuary, retreat, reconnection for more than 50 years.
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:
- Weds. Oct 21: Check-In 4 pm, Dinner 5 pm, First Session 6:30-9 pm
- Thursday Oct 22: 9-12 am, 3:00-5:30 pm
- Friday Oct 23: 9-12 am, 3:00-5:30 pm, 7-9 pm
- Saturday Oct 24: 8-11am – Option to stay to Oct 25 if available (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 Wednesday October 21. We’ll have a group meal at 5pm, and the immersion will begin officially at 6:30p. Teaching and group practice will end Saturday Oct 24th around 12. There may be the possibility of staying an extra day until Oct 25. to rest, integrate and enjoy, as space allows. Please inquire when registering if interested.
Your Investment (Early Registration discount/ Full Rate):
- $675/ $725 – Twin bed in a communal Loft Space
- $795/ $845 – Shared bedroom space (2 people/room, twin beds or queen bed for couples)
- $975 – Private bedroom space (queen bed)
**As of Aug 1, all loft spaces have been reserved – there are shared and private rooms still available. If you are interested in joining immersion, but the shared or private room rates are prohibitive, please email ben@vincentyoga.com, and we’ll do our best to make something work.
Early Registration Discount- Receive $50 off the shared bedroom or loft rates when you register and pay in full by August 7. 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 registration/waiver form + payment at the same time
- Fall Immersion Registration + Waiver
- Submit a $350 deposit (per-person, non-refundable)or payment in full. Payment are preferred through Venmo (@vincent-yoga), and can also be made through PayPal (bvrocksteady@gmail.com), 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 20. There will be a $50 fee for payments, payment plans and registrations received after Sept 20. For those unable to pay-in-full before Sept 20, payment plans are available through paypal credit. All payments are final, there are no refunds unless the retreat gets cancelled. The non-refundable $350 deposit covers the costs to camp du Nord in the event that the retreat should have to be cancelled for unforeseen reasons. Other discounts and scholarships are not available.
Please contact us with any questions or inquiries
Testimonials:
“I have attended several fall immerisons. Each one has been an enriching, nourishing, and powerful experience through Ben’s thoughtful, insightful, and poetic teachings. The most profound aspect of this sacred time is shedding the noise of the outer everyday world of tasks, to-do lists, and responsibilities to focus on the quietness of the inner self and life for a few days. I leave with a deeper understanding of my practice that I have carried forth in my everyday life and that continues to unfold. Every fall I look forward to reuniting with the astounding beauty of the north woods (especially Burntside Lake!) and the warm, welcoming community.”
“I can still feel such an expansive heart, and such a deep feeling of peace. It was like a horizon of peace, so steady and real, and heart all around me. I can still feel how I felt sitting in circle, laughing and crying, and feeling so grateful to be feeling so deeply.I can still feel the love and support of sangha, totally in awe that it’s possible to feel so known. I can still feel you holding us in that space, trusting us and what might be. I trust you too. I’m still totally in awe that the experience we just had is possible. That it’s possible to connect with one another and with life in such a deep way.”
“The fall immersion was powerfully healing for me. Life had crowded out and overwhelmed my sadhana. I needed a reset and I got one. Thank you!”
Read MoreWomen’s Retreat: Release, Replenish, Recalibrate w/ Angela – August 10-11, 2024
Women, yoga, Meditation, Connection, Food, Nature, Water
Join Angela on this unique 2 day Women’s Yoga Retreat to Release, Replenish + Recalibrate.
To retreat is an opportunity + an invitation to slow down, nourish oneself deeply, reflect, connect with Self and the community that is gathered. Late-summer is an incredible time to take a pause from the hustle of social gatherings + summer festivities to check-in, breath the fresh air + tend oneself on multiple levels.
Welcome ease + enliven your inner vitality through:
~ 2 Yoga sessions each day that will include movement, meditation, guided relaxation + self-reflection
~ Ample time for walking in nature, swimming or simply basking in beautiful Lake Sagatagan
~ Family style meals, community connection + space for solitude
All levels are welcome.
The retreat begins at 9:30am on Saturday, August 11, 2024 + closes at 4pm on Sunday, August 11, 2024.
The setting is the House of Prayer nestled amongst the maple trees on the edge of St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN. Approximately 1.5 hours from the Twin Cities of MN.
Accommodations: Private or shared rooms (all single beds)
1 light breakfast, 2 lunches + 1 dinner included. Delicious meals provided by House of Prayer + Eat for Equity. Although meals are provided, we will set tables + do meal clean-up as a community. Thank you in advance for your contribution.
Your Investment:
Private Room – $545
Shared Room – $495
Discounts –
Early Bird : $25 off the above rates when paid in full by June 7, 2024.
Register with a friend : $25 off each registration.
Kitchen / meal helper : $50 off. Kitchen helpers will be assisting with light food prep + oversight in the kitchen. Email angela@vincentyoga.com if interested.
Space is limited. Room preferences will be allotted in the order in which full payment and registration are received.
Add-on an extra night : Friday, August 9 or Sunday, August 12
$75/night (paid separately), email angela@vincentyoga.com to receive details on how to secure your additional space.
To reserve your spot on Retreat:
- Please complete the registration form. Currently all spaces are filled, email me to join the waitlist. angela@vincentyoga.com
- Submit a $200 deposit (non-refundable). Payment is preferred through Venmo (@vincent-yoga). Payment can also be made through cash, check, PayPal (bvrocksteady@gmail.com), CC. There is a 3.5% fee for paypal or CC to cover costs. Please contact Angela directly to pay via cash, check or CC.
Payments due in full prior to retreat. All payments are final and non-refundable, unless your reserved space in the retreat is filled. If filled, you will receive paid amount minus deposit.
Angela Vincent is a guide, coach, facilitator and teacher in Minneapolis. She is committed to supporting growth + connection throughout all of life’s journey. She has been teaching Yoga for 20 years + loves weaving in other modalities to inspire students to harness their inner vitality + trust their inner knowing. She’s offered retreats for 15 years + is always struck by how a unique collection of individuals can come together to create something magical as inner insights arise, community is created + people tend themselves + one another with great compassion.
Please contact angela@vincentyoga.com with any inquiries about the retreat or registration.
Fall 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 ben@vincentyoga.com, 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 (bvrocksteady@gmail.com), 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 MoreThe 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 MoreSpring Renewal – Day Long Retreat: April 20, Minneapolis
Spring Renewal Retreat
April 20, Minneapolis
Spring is a time of cleansing, renewal and rebirth. As the days get longer and warmer, the dregs of winter melt away, the Earth thaws, and the flowers and animal life begin to stir! Human life is no different. Many observe the transition to spring through time-tested rituals: Spring cleaning, Lent, tending and planting the garden and tuning-up bicycles. Yet how many of make a conscious effort to cleanse and rejuvenate our bodies, minds and energy? The changing of the seasons is an auspicious time for reflection, honoring the cycles of life and transformation. This day long retreat is an opportunity to do just that – a guided process integrating tools, teachings and practices for cleansing, revitalization, and bringing new life forth. The retreat will include:
- Practices appropriate for Spring (Asana, Pranayama, Meditation)
- Dharma Talk, Q + A
- Receive Guidelines + Resources for Ayurvedic Spring Cleanse
- Journaling and Self-Reflection
- Yoga Nidra
- Recordings of the practices and teachings to support your Home Practice
Location + Schedule: 9:00-5:00 with a 75 minute lunch break. The Retreat will be held at River’s Way Meditation Center in the Ivy building for the Arts- 2637 27th Ave S, Suite 201, Minneapolis, MN
Your Investment: Full Rate – $135, Early Reg- $108 (registered and paid by 4/1). Yoga Studies Grads – $10 off the above rates
To Register: Pay online via PayPal (bvrocksteady@gmail.com), Venmo (@Ben-Vincent-9) or bring cash or check to ben in person. The retreat will be limited to 20 people in the order in which registration + payment is received.
Email ben@vincentyoga.com if you have any questions.
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