Peru Yoga & Eco Adventure
Telluride Yoga Festival presents:
a journey to the heart of the sacred valley - hosted by Life Force
We are thrilled to be bringing this extraordinary retreat and opportunity of a lifetime! Join us for a truly magical and extraordinary adventure into the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This is a trip with meaning and purpose and is bubbling with adventure, beauty and rich history as well!
DATES - November 3-11, 2017
SLEEP - 8 nights at an eco-chic lodge
YOGA - Daily asana yoga classes, meditation & breath work
EAT - 3 daily Andean inspired meals
SEVA ("SELFLESS SERVICE") - Seva project with Ninos Del Sol
TREKS
Trek to ancient ruins of Moray
Hike to sacred Mt. Chicon with local shaman guides and traditional shamanic purification ceremony
Train ride through the Andes to Machu Picchu with overnight in and explore the magical ruins of Machu Picchu
EXPERIENCE
Shamanic Sound Healing Journey (live instrumentation and crystal work)
Welcome Despacho Ceremony (traditional Incan)
Traditional Shamanic Purification Ceremony
Live demonstration of artisan textile work
Details
Combine Trekking in the Andes Mountains, yoga each day, a beautiful seva project with Ninos del Sol and sacred ceremonies and you have a recipe for the trip of a lifetime!
SACRED TREKKING
Matchu Picchu
Visit one of the seven wonders of the world arriving via train ride through the Andes. Explore the magical ruins of Matchu Picchu and enjoy Meditation and Sun Salutation at the Sun Gate. We will overnight 2 nights in Cuscoovernight in and explore the magical ruins of Machu Picchu
Apu Chicon Hike
Apu Chicon is a sacred mountain that sits at the top of the Chicon River Valley. It is one of the tallest in the valley reaching nearly 16,000 feet. This spectacular display of nature is capped with glaciated peaks and underlying native Keuena Forest filled with ancient trees. This is the perfect place to meditate, relax and reflect.
Moray & the Salt Mines
Visit one of Peru’s most well preserved ruins sitting on a high plateau of over 11,000 ft. This area is home to a highly sophisticated Incan agricultural system with stunning views of the Sacred Valley. From here we will hike on to the Mineras de Sal, a spectacular natural wonder. Our journey will take us along an age-old crossroad where time stands still and the scenery is epic. This passage is still the preferred route for local indigenous Quechua.
YOGA
Longing to feel of service to the world? Join us in Peru while we practice guided meditation, asana, and journaling to respark or redefine your seva soul purpose. Connect with yourself, then leave your mat ready to be the change.
Practice will be central to our time in Peru. We will practice in our retreat yoga studio, a room with 3 walls made of windows that look out over the sacred grounds. We will also venture outdoors to practice in nature. Our yoga practices will include daily practices as well as shorter meditations and activations when we are visiting sacred sites. We will be honoring the natural environment and the circadian rhythms of the day, emphasizing grounding, seated yoga and pranic breathwork to compensate for the high altitude and thin air. Asana practice will emphasize gentle movement and we will explore energy work to support each participant’s journey through this sacred experience.
Yoga Teacher - Alyssa Saunders
A local favorite, Alyssa has been teaching yoga in Telluride, CO for 16 years. What started off as a love of movement led her to her career as a Personal Trainer, Yoga Instructor, and now an owner/operator of a fitness studio. She holds a BS in Exercise and Sports Science and holds many certifications in the yoga world.
She refers to herself as a yoga "mutt" as she joys extracting from many styles and lineages, although most of her studies and teachings are rooted in Anusara yoga. She feels the focus on the alignment and action in each pose help each person to find their own best version of themselves. Her approach to teaching yoga is usually a slow, deep flow that is light hearted and fun. She loves to apply her knowledge of the body to help each person reach their highest potential, both on and off the mat.
SEVA PROJECT - We will support the Children of Ninos del Sol for 3 days 1/2 days of service - an amazing local orphanage
Niños del Sol is home to a lively family of 23 Peruvian children in a beautiful home on a large lush magical piece of land. These children came to Ninos del Sol alone in the world, orphaned or abandoned. Nearly all of them have been abused and arrived with trauma of some sort. Viviana and Avishai, the directors and caretakers of Ninos del Sol, are providing these orphans with a home, a family, education, organic food, and a chance at a future.
Our work will be with Ninos del Sol on a special, customized project based on the current needs of the organization. We plan to maximize our group resources to improve the lives and opportunities for growth of this beautiful family. In the afternoons after school we will have the chance to connect with the children.
CEREMONIES
Pago a la Tierra / Despacho
The Incans honor Pachamama or Madre Tierra (Mother Earth) as the divine protector and provider of life. This shamanic ritual invokes Madre Tierra to honor Her for all that She gives. It is a traditional ceremony of Gratitude and Personal Blessing.
Shamanic Journey
Experience alchemical transmutation, chakra alignment, the awakening of awareness and intuition and a greater sense of connection as we take a shamanic journey with our Peruvian guides.
Musical Shamanic Healing
We will gather for an evening of music and healing with Peruvian sound healers. This one of a kind experience is a deep meditative journey of healing and visions.
LOCAL CUISINE
Healthy Food from the gardens of Avishai
Avishai (of Ninos del Sol) is an artisan chef and avid organic gardener and will be providing us with nourishing food at the retreat center. The meals are delicious & healthy (mostly organic, vegan and vegetarian) cuisine and include a mix of local Andean ingredients, with Peruvian and
Middle Eastern fusion.
TRIP LEADERS
David Bernstein - Founder of Life Force
Following a three-year global exploration and journey of self-discovery, David created Life Force with the dream of curating experiences of a similar nature. Life Force is David’s modality to create environments conducive to mindfulness through connecting with inner and outer nature, expanding our potential by being “present” and evolving into infinite possibilities of life. Simply to Connect. Expand. Evolve.
When David is not traversing the world he resides in his home town of Denver and enjoys his family, friends and the amazing outdoor playground of Colorado. David is an active supporter of The Nature Conservancy, Plant a Billion Trees, and Ninos Del Sol Foundation.
Erika Henschel - Telluride Yoga Festival Co-Owner Director
Forever a lover and student of yoga, Erika and has benefited from the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of yoga for over 19 years. Erika purchased the Telluride Yoga Festival with co-owner, Albert Roer in 2013 and has enjoyed watching the Telluride Yoga Festival community grow.
While she’s got a ton of event management & office skills, her passions are travel and just about any activity in which she is able to get into nature and draw inspiration from the mountains around her including skiing, hiking, mountain & road biking, camping and as an aspiring triathlete. She is excited to be helping lead the first TYF retreat to Peru with LifeForce.
COST
$2300 Shared Room
$2750 Private Room
Deposit: $750