March 28th - April 4th 2008

"Presence In Yoga"

with Mary Paffard Meditation as the Heart of the Practice

This week-long retreat consists of two parts. During the week-end Teacher's Training, we will explore Yoga as teachers and peers. Then as we begin "Presence in Yoga" we'll remove our teachers hat and deeply enjoy all of the beauty that a Yoga retreat may bring to our lives.

"Presence in Yoga" is a yoga and meditation retreat that emphasizes the importance of quietness, deep practice, reflection, rest and inquiry. From time to time, we need to let go of the external pressures and commitments we've created in our lives and find a beautiful place with like-minded folks to get back to the source, rediscover ourselves and refresh our being.

During "Presence" the emphasis will be on our own practice and moving between silence and community. It will be a perfect complement to the weekend and will help address the questions that will inevitably arise among us as teachers and practitioners.

• How do we bring the quiet and the still to the most dynamic of asanas?
• How do we explore everything that arises as a place of practice?
• What is true nourishment of our soul needs?
• How can we find community internally and globally?
• What has silence to offer our practice and life?

Who Should Attend

This workshop is suitable for intermediate and advanced practitioners and teachers. Parts of the workshop will be held in silence - see below. Teaching issues may arise and will be addressed but the principle focus of Presence is our personal practice and how in these troubled times we can nourish it as a place of retreat, an infinite resource to allow us to be in the world and share our yoga, and a way to simply come home.

For Presence, first off: throw everything that you can, away! Reading, writing everything? Strip down to the essentials and consider how one can make one's life more simple.

We will be exploring the question of Faith and Desire - What helps you know what's true? What teachers and teachings have inspired faith and why? How does your practice validate your faith? When and how has doubt occurred along the path? A hindrance or a key to deeper enquiry? What is the root of your deepest desire? Are your desires too small? Is there a difference between desire and attachment? Read Sharon Salzburg's Faith and consider what moves you to practiceon a deep level? What have been the carrots and the attachments along the way?

*Please note: This retreat offers the opportunity to study with an extraordinary Yoga teacher in a magically intimate setting. Because of the nature of this retreat (Presence) it will be limited to twenty-two participants. This workshop will fill quickly, please register early!

Certificates will be issued.

About Mary

Mary Paffard began her practice of yoga in England in the early 70's and has taught in Northern California, nationally and internationally since 1985. She is the Director of Teacher Training and Advanced Studies at Yoga Mendocino, a non profit corporation promoting community in yoga and yoga in community. The source of her practice is Vipassna meditation which informs the asana and all aspects of teaching and study. Mary seeks to unearth the inner guru in herself and her students with compassion, clarity and humor. Part of her journey has involved helping the Cuban Yoga Association and she works internally and externally, to bring the spiritual, ecological and political aspects of ourselves into balance.

"I was at Mary's fantastic week long yoga retreat in Mexico. It has revolutionized my practice and I am so looking forward to the retreat at your place- which will be my first time at Gray Bear!"

Love and Namaste, Dorah

Registration

Arrival: Our retreat begins, Fri March 28th with arrival between 10:00 am -12:00. Lunch will be served. If you would like to arrive a day early because of flights/travel schedule to settle in and relax, our space will be ready. Most guests will do this. Please inquire for details. If attending Presence only, please plan to arrive between 2-4 pm on March 30th.

Send a $300 non-refundable deposit to Gray Bear Lodge, PO Box 682 Hohenwald, TN 38462. Cost includes accommodations, meals and full use of the facility.



Cost: $1250 for all 8 days if paid in full by 12/1/07 after 12/1: $1350. Cost for partial only $500 for Teacher Training, $900 for Presence in Yoga if paid in full by 12/1/07. After 12/1 cost is $550 for TT or $950 for Presence. Early incentive: Up to an additional $100 if registered by 6/15/07

This retreat applies toward Yomo 650hr TT program.

Note from Adam: All that I have found to hold so dear about yoga is represented in this exceptional retreat; the ability of yoga to create this timeless quality in our lives, to sit so deeply in meditation that that you feel this presence, this clear connection to something much larger than yourself stirring within you, those rare moments where we experience the profound abilityof silence to deeply resonate within us, and the joy of spending time truly exploring, marveling in the movement of your own personal yoga practice without any other agenda. Don't miss this one, it is a rare treat!

Workshop Sign-up Form