Become a fan on FacebookYoga Vacation Retreats
People from around the world have found Brigitte's 5-day Yoga Retreats a wonderful opportunity to relax, renew and rejuvenate themselves through the grace of yoga, the beauty of Mexico and the majesty of the ocean.
It is simply the perfect combination of yoga and vacation.
The retreat begins in the morning and includes Meditation and Pranayama (breathing techniques).
Following breakfast, the yoga continues with deep relaxation into alignment followed by the practice of Asanas.
The afternoon is yours.
Plunge into the Pacific. Play in the waves. Bask in the sun. Walk on the beach. Marvel at the sunset. Or just hang out in your hammock with a book or your journal.
Back to yoga class the next morning, each class builds upon the next, in a slow and consistent progression that allows you to succeed. The postures are explained with attention to each student, and every level. In this manner, everyone in every class increases their understanding and skill level.
- People of all ages and physical abilities are welcome.
- Instruction given in English and Spanish.
- Yoga mats and props are provided.
Yoga Program
The retreat is appropriate for people of all skill levels. Beginners will be offered a wonderful introduction to the practice of yoga and more advanced practitioners will be able to deepen their practice. No matter what your skill level, individual instruction and attention within the class setting will ensure that you enjoy a safe yet challenging experience.
The retreat offers four distinct areas of practice in the course of the morning from 5:30 am until 11:30 am. The four distinct areas are: meditation, pranayama, "relaxation as practice", and asanas.
Meditation
In the quietness of the morning you will practice a technique called "anapana" - awareness of the breath in the nostrils. It sensitizes the skin, refines the concentration and stills mental traffic. This is a particular form of meditation that is done in silence and with the eyes closed. You will be given full instruction on how to hold yourself and various options for sitting.
Pranayama
After meditation you will practice "pranayama" - the changing of the rhythm of the breath. By practicing pranayama, you will become aware of chest-, stomach- and collarbone breathing and the use of your diaphragm. A correct way of breathing is a fundamental for good health; it gives space to the organs and strengthens the nervous system. After pranayama, a short break is taken for a light breakfast and a chance to rest before returning to class.
Relaxation as Practice
Every asana session begins with various postures working with a prop called the BackMitra. Guy Hamaekers created the BackMitra in collaboration with Brigitte. Meaning "friend" in Sanskrit, the Mitra helps students enjoy a deep and profound relaxation in the neck, shoulders, back and hip area. The relaxation allows for great mobility and inner energy for the asansas. Brigitte calls this approach to asana "relaxation as practice." This follows her teaching that a calm body makes for a calm mind and a calm mind is the optimal mind for practice.
During this yoga week attention is given especially to the back. A strong and relaxed back makes for a strong nervous system.
Asanas
Asanas are the physical practice of postures. They are the gateway that most westerners enter yoga practice. They can be flowing or held in active stillness. 
Developed over thousands of years, they purposefully exercise and reach every muscle, nerve and gland in the human body in a dynamic manner that links body, mind and breath.
When the "relaxation as practice" is complete, students will go through a progression of these asanas or postures.
Classes usually include: standing asanas, sitting asanas, forward bends, twists, inversions, back bends in addition to lying, "passive" poses.
Props are used for some postures including: bolsters, blocks, straps, headstand aids, and backbend arch.
Throughout all the postures, correct body alignment is emphasized along with the use of the breath to relax into the pose.
The sequences of postures are carefully designed to build one upon the other. In other words, the postures in the beginning of class help you become warm and flexible to achieve the postures at the end of the class. In the same manner, each class will build upon the work of the day before.
All students discover the path to the greatest benefit with the least effort. Individual adjustment and guidance is provided to each student. Students learn how to optimize their personal practice and capture a new sense of energy, "lightness" and ease within their body.
As a result of the practice of asanas, the body becomes strong yet elastic, light yet grounded.
Daily Schedule
| 5:00 am | - | Tea |
|---|---|---|
| 5:30 - 6:30 am | - | Meditation |
| 6:30 - 7:30 am | - | Pranayama |
| 7:30 - 8:30 am | - | Breakfast |
| 8:30 - 11:30 am | - | Asanas |
| 12:30 pm | - | Lunch |
| 1:30 - 7:00 pm | - | Afternoons are free |
| 7:00 pm | - | Dinner |
Retreat Calendar
| 2012 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| December 18 - 23 | Winter Solstice Retreat |  |
 |
| December 26 - 31 | Christmas Retreat Vacation | |
|
Arrival and Departure
Arrival can be anytime on the published start date.
Your accommodation will be ready for you after 1:00 pm. A welcome dinner will be served around 7:00 pm.
The yoga program will start early next morning.
Departure is on the published end date after lunch at about 3:00 pm.
Note! Accommodation will be available for extended stay.
Accommodation & Pricing
The retreats take place at La Loma Linda ("the beautiful hill"), an eco-chic retreat and refuge overlooking the Pacific. It is tucked away on a large hillside in the middle of the charming beach town of Zipolite on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.
The Yoga Studio offers a gorgeous view of the surrounding hills and the ocean, all under the protection of a high palm roof. It is surrounded by beautiful, handcrafted cabanas of varying sizes.
During your retreat, you'll enjoy creative and delicious vegetarian meals that feature a stunning range of fruits and vegetables obtained fresh daily from local growers and markets.
Retreat prices include:
- accommodation for 5 days + 5 nights
- daily breakfast, lunch and dinner
- 5 hours daily of yoga classes
- 2 'Awareness through Movement' classes
- 1 massage
- 1 afternoon excursion
Retreat prices* depend on the accommodation of your choice:
Choza / Studio 
--Single occupancy: $ 900 USD
--Double occupancy: $ 770 USD (in 1 double bed)
(The Studio is only available for Winter Solstice, Christmas and Easter Retreats)
Mar / Torre / Papaya
--Single occupancy: $ 850 USD
--Double occupancy: $ 720 USD
--Triple occupancy: $ 670 USD (only in Mar)
Casita
--Single occupancy: $ 1,000 USD
--Double occupancy: $ 800 USD (in 1 double bed)
Sol / Luna
--Single occupancy: $ 1,070 USD
--Double occupancy: $ 820 USD
--Triple occupancy: $ 740 USD (in 2 double beds)
--Cuadruple occupancy: $ 700 USD (in 2 double beds)
Colibrí
--Single occupancy: $ 950 USD
--Double occupancy: $ 770 USD
Mango
--Single occupancy: $ 800 USD
--Double occupancy: $ 700 USD (in 1 double bed)
* Per person.
Reservation
To book your retreat and reserve the accommodation of your choice please contact Katia 
at La Loma Linda to check availability.
An impression of the "Start of the Season Retreat, December 2010" by Alejandro and Martha (Arati, Querétaro).