Features Editor: Sasha Curry | features@thephoenixnews.com | The Phoenix | September 22nd, 2014
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ohmmmm
people make. What I’ve noticed with this one is that it’s bringing more people to Yoga, to meditation, trying out different ways of eating, as well as bringing awareness back to the environment. Which is awesome! But we need to stay aware that wearing tie die, peace signs, and clothing that says “Namaste” isn’t bringing equilibrium to the current imbalanced world. All collective change starts at the individual level, so if the “modern hippy” intent is to help and heal our society and find peace across the world maybe we need to focus a bit more on what we’re doing with our time and less with what outfit we have on while doing it.” Namaste, UBCO. Oh — hold on. Let me grab my $88 Lululemon yoga mat to do “Downward Dog” this moment - will someone snap a picture for Instagram?
Yogi retreats around the globe Green Gulch Farm Zen Centre Muir Beach, California
Located in a eucalyptus-wooded valley north of San Francisco, off of Muir Beach and the Pacific Ocean, this retreat is primarily a residential facility for serious zazen students, leading to less instruction than most meditation retreats. The 115-acre property includes several meditation and seminar spaces, a yurt, as well as a working organic farm and garden. Guests can also attend workshops in organic cultivation, beekeeping, and edible plants.
The Middle Way Meditation Retreat Loei, Thailand
Surrounded by rolling green hills and northeastern Thailand tropical forest, “The Middle Way” encompasses several indoor and outdoor meditation spaces, waterfall-fed gardens, and an outdoor dining pavilion. In this retreat, guests are expected to refrain from all destructive behavior. This includes telling lies and killing any living creature (even bugs).
Shambhala Mountain Centre Red Feather Lakes, Colorado
Ananda in the Himalayas Uttaranchal, India.
Holy Isle Isle of Arran, Scotland
Osho Meditation Resort Pune, India
Including several meditation & yoga pavilions set among gardens, a 21,000-square-foot Showcasing 600 acres of bospa and the former Maharajah’s tanical gardens, a bird sanctuary, several spacious meditation halls, palace (which now houses a tea as well as the Great Stupa of Dhar- lounge), Ananda provides one-onone as well as group meditation makaya, a traditional Buddhist sessions. A minibar and television shrine; Shambhala also facilitates also come with each suite, ironiworkshops for children, painters, cally. and writers as well as yogis.
Located on Scotland’s coast, Holy Isle is a private, two-milelong island just off the Isle of Arran. Meditation retreats take place at the north end of the island (referred to as the Centre for World Peace and Health). Walking paths follow the coastline and through the island’s hilly, grassy interior. Because of the island’s delicate ecosystem, some areas cannot be explored on foot.
Just outside Mumbai, this retreat includes extensive Zen gardens, a soaring meditation auditorium, and seminar spaces set inside a complex of pyramids. All guests are expected to wear maroon robes during their stay, and “Active meditations” including dancing and vocalizing are the signatures at Osho. Tennis courts, a nightclub, and a mini-mall are also located in the retreat (Hmm..).