Schedule - Yoga &
Meditation Classes
Hatha
Yoga Classes are scheduled 3 times a day: a wake up yoga class
before breakfast; a more vigorous class to work up an appetite
for lunch; and specialized hatha yoga workshops before dinner.
All classes and workshops are optional for students. Over
8 days we also cover several different styles of meditation.
Most Classes are
taught outdoors on one of the three terraces pictured at left.
Students love to be outside and the weather is ideal. Rain
is almost unknown at this time of year, and the temperatures
are consistently between the low 60's at night to highs in
the low 80's during the day. The Los Naranjos gardens make
an ideal setting for out door Yoga and Meditation classes.
At
right , Charles demonstrates a trust balance pose with the
assistance of fellow yoga teacher Dow Ximones. Charles is
usually assisted on Mexico retreats by a second Yoga teacher.
This helps ensure that students get lots of personal attention,
and also gives a greater depth of knowledge, tradition and
experience to draw upon in meeting the needs of students.
At the November 1999 Yoga and Meditation retreat
Charles was assisted by three teachers, giving participants
access to instruction in Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Iyengar
Yoga, and Ashtanga Yoga.
When
not actually teaching, guest instructors are able to join
in as participants and use this time as a vacation, and to
learn and study with the other teachers present. They are
also available to other participants who wish to have a little
time one-on-one. At left, Mikki Doyel, a teacher from Puerto
Vallarta, Mexico, works with Roni to help her open her shoulders.
Having two or more teachers allows plenty
of flexibility when working with students with a wide range
of ability and experience. Often two classes are run simultaneously,
giving students a choice between a gentle style, or a more
advanced class. This allows beginners to feel safe, and more
advanced students to be challenged.
Occasionally classes are taught by two or
more teachers working together. While one teaches the others
are free to move through the class and work with students
individually. At some point in the retreat there are special
classes offered on partner yoga or other topics requested
by participants.
For
students looking for a quiet corner to call their own, the garden
is full of beautiful places to practice alone. At right, Sue
practices Trikonasana (triangle pose). Below left, Suzanne practices
Vrksasana (tree pose).
There
is always a lot of variety in both the Yoga and in the Meditation
Classes offered. Each teacher brings their own style and tradition
of Yoga to share with the group. All of the Yoga classes will
end with a deep guided relaxation and most will follow up with
a meditation. Over the course of 8 days, participants will learn
and practice the following 
