December 27, 2008 - January 4, 2009

New Year's Retreat

The Art and Practice of Kirtan in Guatemala

Jai Uttal with Daniel Paul

Villa Sumaya
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

Price: $2,150 - Lakshmi Package (includes training, food and accommodations at Villa Sumaya) *space limited to 14 people in double occupancy
$1,600 - Ganesh Package (includes training and food)
Deposit: $800.00 (non-refundable) by October 1st. Balance due by December 10th.

Pay deposit now with Paypal, click button below.

 

Or send check or money order, and a personal letter to:
Jai Uttal
10 Elm Court
San Anselmo, CA 94960

Contact: Nubia
Contact Phone: 415-963-3551 (please leave a msg)
Contact Email: registration@jaiuttal.com

Bring in the New Year in a wave of prayer and song with a joy-filled study of the yoga of chanting known as Kirtan! We will deeply explore this ancient devotional practice, weaving together our hearts and voices in celebration and invocation of the Divine. On New Years Eve, we will enter the mandala of 2009 with an ecstatic moonlight Kirtan by the lake! This retreat includes daily yoga classes with Nubia Teixeira, as well as full gourmet meals, prepared fresh with locally-grown organic fruits and vegetables. Thai, Swedish and deep-tissue massage are available. There will also be time for swimming, and hiking, or you can relax under the sun or stars in the outdoor hot tub.

The training will be held at the stunning Villa Sumaya, right on the shores of Lake Atitlan, called by Aldous Huxley, "the most beautiful lake in the world." Ringed by three volcanos, Lake Atitlan is in the heart of the Guatemalan highlands "where earth meets the sky and the stars literally tumble to the horizon.

Subjects to be covered in these trainings:

*Kirtan*
As the essential practice of Bhakti, Kirtan will be the main focus of this training. We will spend many hours singing together, taking turns leading, sharing melodies, and sharing our hearts.

*Bhakti Yoga*
Understanding the path of Bhakti and Kirtan, as a journey of surrender; an offering of one’s entire being to the the Divine will.

*Mantras*
Experiencing the invocational power of the ancient Sanskrit syllables and names in ecstatic song and silent contemplation.

*Gods and Goddesses*
An exploration of the energies embodied by the different deities of Hinduism. Understanding the spiritual beings on the mythological, archetypal and deeply personal levels.

*Ramayana*
Studying and reciting the multi-leveled epic adventures of Ram, Sita and Hanuman; and how this story relates to our daily lives.

*Saints*
Drinking from the waters of Bhakti by reflecting upon the lives of some of the saints of modern India, particularly Neem Karoli Baba.

*Vocal Training*
Opening the voice and learning to love the sound that comes from our bodies.

*Rhythm*
Beginning to understand the rhythms associated with Kirtan; the rhythms of trance, the rhythms of ecstasy, the rhythms of contemplation.

For information on travel in Guatemala click here.

For airline and travel information: Scandia Travel Unlimited San Francisco, CA 94102
(800) 536-4359 (voice) (415) 552-5300 (voice) (415) 552-5076 (fax)
E: travel@scandiatravelsfo.com

*NOTE* Please make your travel plans early as space becomes limited and more expensive closer to the holidays.