Sukha Yoga Retreats

Unwinding Pain and Re-building Strength

2011-05-10T08:47:00.000-07:00

Join Sybil for an hour long practice working on fundamental stability without strain or stress.
In this practice, Sybil uses pranayma to move any stagnant energies as winter flows to spring. The asana stays within a realm of pain-free movement. Working towards unwinding old movement patterns and rebuilding stronger ones.
What would it be like to live your life and walk around in your body with ease and without pain?

Use this as either a mediation practice, listening to insights, or fully integrate the asanas. Do what you will, trust your practice, ask and you shall receive.

You can play the class from here
or
right click here (control click apple users) to download this class for later.

**And please visit www.sukhayogaretreats.com for updated listings of retreats and new therapeutic workshop series**

Living in the small moments to appreciate the big world.

2010-12-08T08:19:00.000-08:00

A small child takes her first airplane ride with her grandmother, and as the plane through the clouds, the little girl shrieks with joy at the sight of the sun. She asks her grandma, "is it always sunny up here?"
"Yes sweetie, it is. Isn't it lovely?" her grandmother replies.
"Oh, I want to live here."
As we enter into winter, hold onto the small things: a little ray of sun, the joy of a child, the love of a grandmother.
This full hour long practice focuses on hips, hamstrings and opening ourselves to the little appreciations we can find each day.

Use this as either a mediation practice, listening to insights, or fully integrate the asanas. Do what you will, trust your practice, ask and you shall receive.

You can play the class from here
or
right click here (control click apple users) to download this class for later.

**Also we have a ton of exciting new retreats, and some of the recurring favorites scheduled for the upcoming year! Check out: SukhaYogaRetreats.com for the latest and to register.
AND the Vision Quest is starting again in March. Click HERE to find out more about this amazing journey deep into yourself. **

Finding your Truth in Silence

2010-10-22T18:33:00.000-07:00

As spiritual seekers we can discover our own unique ways finding silence amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life. In that silence lies truth. For this class have a blanket or bolster at hand.

Staying Present In Each Unique Moment

2010-10-07T20:21:00.000-07:00

Each moment is unique unto itself. When we muddle this moment the past and future that moment's meaning is changed. This 40ish minute practice honors that continuous reevaluation of that simple and profound thought. Stay present; be in each moment, which is unique unto itself.

Space to See the Wisdom in Others

2010-09-13T17:03:00.000-07:00

This class continues with the mini-series of focusing on the abundant capacity of others. When we quiet our own minds, it allows for a new space to open for seeing the wisdom in those you encounter. The movements are moderate to advanced in this hour long class of backbends and inner mid-line strength and stability.

Opening the heart to offer respect

2010-08-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

A lovely 40ish minute practice focusing on heart openers. This session has a special intention set towards opening our hearts' awareness of understanding others in their own fullness and beauty, with our respect and without our judgment.

Use this as either a mediation practice, listening to insights, or fully integrate the asanas. Do what you will, trust your practice, ask and you shall receive

click here to play this weeks class
or
right click (control click apple users) to download the class for your later enjoyment.

The Temporal Nature of Beauty

2010-07-28T23:28:00.000-07:00

Enjoy this 45 minute gentle supportive class to sustain our active and busy summer days.

These classes are designed to be used either as mediation practice, listening to insights, or you can fully integrate the asanas. Do what you will, trust your practice, ask and you shall receive.

You can play the class from here
or

right click here (control click apple users) to download this class for later.

If you have a few minutes please leave a comment as to how it went for you, thanks!

Offering Pride with Gratitude

2010-07-21T12:30:00.000-07:00

Yoga Delivered!

Welcome to the very first audio experience from Sybil. This is a full hour and 10 minute class beginning with breath work and prana, followed by gentle vinyasa and finishing with meditation.
These classes are designed to be used either as mediation practice, listening to insights, or you can fully integrate the asanas. Do what you will, trust your practice, ask and you shall receive.

You can play the class from here
or

right click here (control click apple users) to download this class for later.

If you have a few minutes please leave a comment as to how it went for you, thanks!

Mt Shasta Powerful Powerful Mt Shasta

2010-07-21T10:22:00.000-07:00

Late June and early July was the time of preparation and drawing in of all those who participated in the gathering at Stewart Mineral Hot Springs. We were a collection of women from California Bay area, Ashland Oregon and Vancouver Island. I was the only resident of the Hood River area. The women were wonderfully all dedicated to lives of service. Be it social work, corporate restructuring and developing sacred commerce models, to yoga teachers and healers.

What became so gently reminded was our role in the shift from the male centered times of the past and the nurturing women centered and heart centered ways of NOW

We committed in our hearts to be of service to all , to practice with the possibility of freedom for those we have no understanding of freedom, for those who at this time can not see, or even begin to imagine their own freedom. We know now in a deeper way our role is so very beyond our own lives experiences on the mat , but that our time on the mat is a practice of service for others. We were able to share and open in ourselves a deeper level of vulnerability to feel the global pull for heart, love, kindness and a sacredness that none of us had experienced before.
Kokoro.....when heart and mind are together, when the mind is still and the heart is open.
We closed our time together with an hour long meditation with Anita , although what happened that morning July 4th 2010 will be powerfully remembered by the seven of us, it will never be adequately describes as it was really something to be felt and not meant to be described. You will know by reading this that the commitment was etched into all of us to continue to open ourselves through our hearts and to live our lives shifting from any place of ego and self into a place of service. The call to us as women of opening up the doorway for others is here.

The seven of us will meet again next year Mt Shasta women's retreat July 1-4th annual event, if you are touched by this work you will be called to join us next year. My thanks and love to all the women and men of this world who are called to be the living pillars of light nurturing and guiding us into this next phase of our human experience.

living in the polarity

2010-05-28T12:42:00.000-07:00

My teachings have been varied this month. At the sports club we studied the Yamas last month and the Niyamas this month. I was very struck by the teachings of satya truthfulness this past two months and I must say it has been the underlying vibe coming through in my classes. Discovering again that if we partake in half truths and fantasy we dissipate our energy and the forces of nature can no longer flow though us unless we remain centered and truthful. Looking at intentions and then the undertone of our counter intentions that often on a subconscious level block us from moving with ease into our intentions.....giving us that roller coaster ups and downs of seeing some our intentions coming into reality and some painfully rejected. This has lead me to a deeper level of asking how to live in the polarity of what we hope for and what we seem to be somehow blocking from happening. Awareness and the cooperation have been two very powerful words to guide me peacefully into this "sticky place"

In my awareness of things, conversations, emails, interactions, and circumstances that feel uncomfortable or a bit off to me......if I cooperate with them and allow them to stay with me long enough to familiarize myself with them I have seen some wonderful shifting.Cooperation with the inevitable is where I am living, most of what I am living is already happening....so in its inevitable unfolding I am no longer resisting it.

Divine order is a concept of great importance to me. Last summer while on retreat in Mt Shasta area I asked the universe for an alchemy shift. I was unable in my mind to understand the divine order of things. In this time of meditation I was able to come out with a greater understanding and appreciation for the Divine order with in me.

Each Thing, situation, feeling action or reaction has a counterpart. That counterpart is there to teach me, balance me , harmonize me. My opinions washed away very quickly.....knowing deeply the existence of its opposite. Living with the blessings of every struggle is the beauty of the opposing force.

All of this came into a wonderful expression this past week when I knew from my life's experiences that the divine order shows us our perfection....and this perfection is the simultaneous rising up of the polarities, seeing them clearly in all situations brings us to an explosion of JOY and Harmony with in. This place gives birth to compassion and service. This place this reality lived does not have room for self action self interest...rather is is the home for Service and community. Yoga is union service and community! I am again brought back full circle to the origin and roots of my teachings ....the yoga within me and with in you.

Join me in classes this next month as we just live our lives knowing that life itself and its inevitable unfolding will provide us with everything.

Hugs to everyone as we wander into memorial day weekend

Orcas Island Reflection

2010-05-02T20:16:00.000-07:00

Orcas Yoga retreat started this year on Earth Day April 22nd.

Our first activity was to journal a few leading questions to ponder throughout the day.
What is earth day to You?What does it stir in you?
What can you welcome today? What can you release today?
Where can you unite and have union today with the earth?

During our first Yoga practice we opened ourselves to the Powerful Pranic Flow. We experienced the state of Flow when we drop into the trust and merging of action and awareness by focusing on the task at hand(difficult pranyama exercises) By focusing our attention in a pure involvement without concern for outcome,and a sense of self forgetfulness and a heightened state of Flow was obtained.

Welcome
When we know that we are full and complete is when we there is both everything and nothing residing together.
The emptiness is so full, that all wants and desires linger until they are nothing.
It is in the state of Flow, it is in the full presence of Welcome.
Welcome without condition.
The place that does not ask why or how.
The place where life is allowed to unfold
It does not stand in the way of life, nor try to change it in any way.
Give yourself Love to all that you wish to change and alter,even if it dresses up as a "goal" or an "intention". Give it Love and let it BE!
To all the ideas and identities we hold close,we grasp and cling to.
Give them room to transform you into the unknown of welcoming tomorrow.
Welcome everything we love and hate, everything we dislike and enjoy, everything we have as a mere preference. Keep going until you can be neutral. Welcome all
you are not to play here, you are not to fix or change here, this place is reserved for you when you are ready to just BE

TO * JUST * BE * TRUTH

Day two we got down to business with satya truthfulness, looked inward to the places we hold back, half truths , deceit in any way....and then Emptying .....total commitment to emptying ourselves. More Prana...udiyda Bhanda.

Be like the earth

Its beauty evident each and every day.
Great diversity of
Color
Texture
Form
Always content, Always here to be of service and to be appreciated.
Patiently orchestrating the NOW
Not wanting change simply flowing with its inevitability.
We call to you today Earth to speak to us so we can each hear and know our likeness.
So we can be in our human Form with you more intimacely from this day forward and into tomorrow.
Our final few days were moving into the teachings of Dyhana the stay of ease and flow as we emptied into our most intimate selves. we spoke, dance, shared cried and moved together ....just a few steps deeper into our intimate relationships........WOW so sweet and so necessary!

The Water that washes me Deep

We live on the rivers and by the Sea.
Knowing the essential nature of water to our physical existence.
Here now this morning feel the eventual washing and emptying of our conditioned thoughts and identity in the presence of the great Ocean waters.
Our minds create a constriction and our hearts close in and weaken the FLOW.
With Grace, laughter, Joy, movement we gossle and free up what has to move along and dissipate into the emptying we know is essential.
Emptying and Emptying so that the restriction, the tightness, the closing in, and edginess is smooth, open, calm and flowing wide with intimacy deep!
Our Practice is for You Great Pacific Ocean!

MY GOODNESS

This rereat was an amazing time for me ...working with Jen, Connie, Anna, Vickie and Karen......enriching and deepening our willingness to step into the STATE OF FLOW.
Dance, song, food, tears and hugs.......I could not ask for more

Full and empty all at the same moment!

Thank you all for being so open willing and very, very special!
Sybil

Orcas Island Retreat November 2008

2008-12-08T21:06:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone for the collective wonderful experience of being at Orcas retreat fall 2008. We have had such a wonderful time keeping in touch and waiting and receiving the beautiful gift of Kris's photo's. This took us all back there instantaneously and renewed and rekindled our personal commitments.

Here are the poems and wrings I promised to post.

The Knowing
I have been waiting DEEP because of a knowing
I feel an anticipation,a longing a sense of I can't wait.
And now I am here!
I have been waiting SECRETLY because of a knowing
My body that supports me and yet sometimes fails me,has brought me to this place.
I have been waiting DEEP,SECRETLY,and with LONGING
My emotions that take me to the edge,to the edge so I can touch hope,wonderment and the aliveness feel to be here NOW.
I have been waiting with HOPE because of a knowing
I have been waiting DEEP,SECRETLY,with LONGING and with HOPE for this
For Now, not someday,but right now,and the knowing, the knowing is knowing who I am!

The Thread
There is a line
I feel a thread, a very delicate, venerable, safe yet fragile line.
This thread, this beautiful golden thread is my Balance.
Where I live is here. In the space of my most recent past,I have fully experienced my fault,and openly had to admit my blame. The following day I sat next to a friend and just held my hands on her chest on her cancer scars.
So that we could breath into her fear, so we can find the soft sweet release of being in our pain and not let the story turn it into suffering.
Here we found the stillness.
In my greatest moments of joy there is the same tear I cry in sorrow.
The salt from my body the same.
From the balance, from the hammock I lay in that sways me, in the balance and it lets me be me.
living Here.
Living Now.
Living so I can know me.
I choose to live on that Golden thread that sways.

Lessons from Paula

How do we be both the observer and the participant!
In this struggle lies Madness!
It divides us it splits us
To dwell on the next activity when the truth is right in front of us splits our capacity to feel.
To dwell on our own body while making love to another splits our capacity of two hearts bonding as if one.
To dwell on our own reward while preforming a kindness splits us from our chance to be authentic.
When we are looking into the eyes of a dear one.......we look into the eyes of a dear one
when we sit in our cars at the bus with our daughter, we are doing just that sitting in the car with our daughters

Trust

I am standing high on a mountain of trust
Looking back over all the hills and valleys in the distance.
I trust because I have been scared, I trust because I have felt the panic in the moments of unknowing.
Now I know this far along my walk of life that I will journey on.
To walk with trust in my pocket.
That I will remember that in the deepest moments of pain,confusion,disbelief,fear and sorrow that I have trust and I know Freedom!
On the mountains close to the heavens, where the winds of all life's experiences touches me most.
This is where I go.
This is where I trust
this is where I know me.
I surrender, to the stillness and the silence, the willingness to trust my beingness and I know FREEDOM
High on my Mountain of Trust!

My Passion

To be in a life so connected to others.
So entwined with just looking into another's eyes, the knowing, the seeing, the being
So in love and so loved

And yet the yearning for solitude
The yearning for the place where the whole world stands still.
Where my greatness, my passion lives.
Here no one can touch it, talk about it, judge it or even describe it.......and yet
To share my expression of it is to be in the world.
To be in this world is my greatest service and my greatest work.
To be the reflection to let the wisdom shine though and allow others to be inspired,
To have them know themselves in the place where their whole world stands still
This is my passion and OH
what a Juxtapose I live.

welcome to my Blog

2008-10-03T22:42:00.000-07:00

Welcome to October, I am just so amazed that this wonderful website is here! It has come together like a favorite recipe or a spontaneous walk with friends.... such ease and synchronicity....its magical. My friends and neighbors have supported me in so many ways that I can just feel such a deep gratitude.

We are here to collect our thoughts and share in the teachings that are around us in every way, and in everything! I am here to proclaim that I have had many profound teachers in my life.....but what inspires me most is the everyday people in my life. The middle aged man struggling up the road on his first week of his new fitness regime, the little child stopping to really look at nature on a trail, a friend who looks deep into your eyes and pushed away all distractions and agendas to truly listen to your concerns.....this is what inspires me, and teaches me each and every day.

I believe we can read and we can digest knowledge and hear wisdom from those who have gone before us....but to me the greatest wisdom comes through those who live their lives, with Passion, Compassion and Integrity.

I look forward to posting blogs often so we can chew on some thoughtful ideas and share some light from your own experiences and passions.

These blogs will also give those of you attending my retreats a forum to discuss and visit and share your experiences to help deepen and maintain the connects we develop in our time together.

We share in Sukha

Sybil