Breath of life Retreat
Bragg Creek, Alberta
An immersion into life-enriching, evidence-based breath practices, therapeutic movement, and meditation.
with Julie Seibt
November 3 - 5, 2023
Friday pm- Sunday
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Is your radiance shining abundantly through your eyes, physical body and actions? Or is it time to reclaim all that you are through self-care, personal inquiry and fun?
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Do you yearn to connect with community, your deeper self, vitality, joy, or calm? Maybe your answer is all of these.
When life throws us the tough stuff, like climate change, pandemics, personal loss, physical challenges, and worry, the toll it takes on our nervous system, body, and mind is real. We can lose our lust for life.
Just as real is our essence, which is grounded, clear, trusting, and peaceful. Recognition of our essential nature is like an outrigger that stabilizes a boat. It helps us navigate the waves with confidence, keeps us from 'going under' in otherwise overwhelming conditions, and allows us to open to the flow of life with more trust, ease, and joy.
The tough stuff of life doesn't have to go away in order to feel at ease. With the recognition of our true heart, we can relate to the most difficult circumstances in a way that supports health and well-being on all levels. And, we can more easily open to natural joy, and shine on as we are meant to.
This retreat is dedicated to reconnection to your essential well-being, a return to radiance through:
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Personalized breathing techniques for your wellness goals
Movement: Gentle and purposeful therapeutic, somatic sensing and yoga
Meditation: iRest® Yoga Nidra and forest immersion meditation
Nourishment: Gluten-free, vegan, deeply satisfying. meals with Chef Nikki.
Community: Small and safe. Max 12 guests.
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"A lovely, quiet and healing weekend. It was truly exactly what I needed."
J. Daniels
Flow
The retreat will begin Friday afternoon with a warm welcome, orientation to the facilities, and getting to know your fellow retreat participants. A pot of fall soup will welcome you. Our first practice will include breath discovery and gentle somatic therapy to fully arrive with body, mind, and heart. Then a practice for welcoming sleep will prepare you for a good night's rest.
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Wake up the next morning, prepare a mug of coffee, or tea, or sleep a little longer. Go for a stroll in the woods or chat with friends as you munch on fresh fruit.
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Saturday practices begin with gentle meditation, yoga, and pranayama (breathing practice). Whether you have never "done yoga" before or have years of practice, you will be guided to move from your inner wisdom, with kindness.
Delectable, innovative breakfasts will delight your sense and leave you satiated and light.
In the late morning, as the forest warms, we immerse ourselves outdoors in the extraordinary power of nature with meditative inquiry.
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Forest meditation prepares us to move indoors for deeply restful and insightful iRest® Yoga Nidra, a meditation that can be done lying down or moving.
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A nutritious and delicious lunch will be served by our chef. Your tastebuds and body will love this main meal of the day.
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Digest with a board game, a good book, or nap, walk in the woods, or drive 5 minutes into town if needed.
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Breathing, as a proven stress reliever and a health enhancer, will be the theme throughout the retreat. Afternoon workshops will include:
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How ancient yoga & contemplative practices use breath control for health & spiritual awakening.
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Neuroscience of breathing
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Techniques to begin now to achieve your goals for well-being.
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How to build your practice into a lifelong best friend.
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How to measure the results of your breath work.
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How to attain similar benefits of cold water plunging through breathing without having to get wet.
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How does your breath measure up and where to go from here?
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Then, fall into a therapeutic yoga practice that incorporates yoga for your joints and posture, and a chat about sleep.
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A deeply nourishing, delightful dinner will be followed by evening Satsang and meditation.
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Sunday early morning flows similarly to Saturday, with the checkout at 11 a.m. You might wish to round off your weekend with an afternoon self-guided afternoon, on your own or with retreat friends, in Kananaskis Provincial Park.
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The retreat will be free from alcohol or other intoxicants. Although the Internet will be available, we suggest you take this time for a 'digital detox' as much as it supports your experience. Unplug, kick back and open to the rare opportunity to be held in nature, community, and compassionate leadership.
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"I had a very profound healing in one of our yoga nidra sessions .... and it has carried into my life in the most profound ways. I am truly mesmerized. Oh the power of Julie's guidance!!!" M.C.
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"I arrived at Julie's Bragg Creek Retreat exhausted and left feeling rested, rejuvenated, and relaxed . Julie led us through breathing exercises, meditation, and various yoga practices, while tuning into each participant’s needs, with magical results. The chef fed us delicious, nutritious vegan food. A fantastic experience!" M. Jones
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Home Away from Home
Private forested land, with two large and cozy log cabins will be your home away from home.
Share a room with a friend or enjoy as a single.
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Think sunny, welcoming and whimsical spaces to hold you.
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Relax by the fireplace, or in a living room with picture windows and every-changing views.
Stretch out in the solarium style yoga area or curl up in your cozy log-framed bed.
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Slip into a bath after a relaxing massage or stroll through acres of forested trails.
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Location: At the edge of the foothills, 5 minutes from Bragg Creek, Alberta. 55 minutes from Canmore, 30 minutes from Calgary, One hour to Banff National Park or the heart of Kananaskis Provincial Park.
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We will gather on Traditional Treaty 7 land in the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and truth. We appreicate this opportunity and acknowledge the traditional territory and oral practices of the Iyarhe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations and the Blackfoot Confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Metis Nation of Alberta, Region 3, within the historical Northwest Metis homeland. We acknowledge all Nations, Indigenous and non, who live, work, and play and help us steward this land and honour and celebrate this territory.
Nourishment
Meals provided by Yummi Yogi's Green Cuisine Chefs, Founder Nikki is a health advocate-pixie-fairy you'll surely fall in love with.
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All meals are vegan, gluten and diary free and oh-so satisfying.
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The Yummi Yogis teams shows us that feeling good in your skin is not about deprivation but about nourishing with delicious, whole foods.
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Costs
Pricing: *EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT $100 pp off listed price, book by May 15!*
Single Occupancy $1000 + tax
Double Occupancy $750 Per Person + tax
Note: most rooms have 1 queen bed, and a few have an extra bed. There are 9 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms in total, accommodating 24 guests, but we will limit numbers to 10 participants.
Included:
Light meal on arrival
2 nights' accommodation in a private or shared room
2 breakfasts, 2 dinners, 1 lunch, all snacks, tea, coffee, drinking water
All sessions
Parking
Access to trail systems and private grounds
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Not included:
Transportation to the venue
GST (5%)
Tips for chef and staff at your discretion
We recommend purchasing trip cancellation insurance
Payment terms:
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Deposit: $250 to save your spot. The deposit is refundable except for a $125 admin fee.
Full payment is due by October 3, 2023, is non-refundable.
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If the provider has to cancel the retreat for any reason, any paid amount will be refunded.
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In order to support Julie's goal of making retreat more accessible, please contact Julie to request guidelines for applying for financial subsidy.
We will gather on Traditional Treaty 7 land in the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and truth. We appreciate this opportunity and acknowledge the traditional territory and oral practices of the Iyarhe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations and the Blackfoot Confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Metis Nation of Alberta, Region 3, within the historical Northwest Metis homeland. We acknowledge all Nations, Indigenous and non, who live, work, and play and help us steward this land and honour and celebrate this territory.
"Beautiful combination of teachings taught by Julie in the most beautiful place of harmony surrounded by kind people and gorgeous nature. Life changing experience to open up and trust in myself again." H.H.
Facilitators
Teachings: by Julie Bohonos (previously Seibt) I.A.Y.T Certified Yoga Therapist, iRest®Meditation teacher, mentor and supervisor, lead teacher of the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School, and over 10 years of providing retreats around the world.
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Julie Bohonos is an Internationally Certified Yoga Therapist. Julie has been studying and teaching about the breath for over a decade. She is in her 2nd year of intensive pranayama studies with Dr. Richard Miller, co-founder of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Breathing techniques continue to inspire her (pun intended) as she notices increased vitality, clarity of mind, and improved sleep.
If you've had the chance to be on retreat with Julie, you know the grounded, responsive, and supportive energy she brings to the group. If you are new to Julie, we trust you'll soon know why folks around the world seek out her retreats.
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Mitch McNeil, Retreat manager
Mitch makes each retreat a little more magical with his natural kindness, humor, and perceptivity. He oversees the smooth operations of the retreat facility and ensures participants are comfortable.​
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