MYANMAR KARMA RETREAT: Gratitude and Grace

11 – 16 JUNE 2020

Join us on a six-day retreat in a special remote location, south of Myanmar’s famed Inle Lake, to reset your sense of purpose. Seva, or self-less service, and local community interaction is a central component of this unique experience. Through explorative workshops that will challenge you to look deep into your personal lifestyle choices and involvement in a community outreach program, these six days will shake up your notion of gratitude and giving. We’ll offer you tools to balance a life that is more giving with one that continues to nurture and soothe your senses.

THE YOGA RETREAT

Yoga is a practice that allows us to see ourselves clearly; to uncover our fears, passions, desires, and our relationships with the people and world around us. Who we are in each moment continuously evolves, as does the shape of our purpose and the course we take in fulfilling this purpose.

During this retreat, you will learn how to apply various techniques of mindfulness, uncover deeper states of stillness which allows you to become more perceptive. We’ll introduce you to breathing techniques and meditations that can easily be incorporated into your daily routine, and show you how to apply these to your movement practice. Afternoon workshops on the concept of karma and finding balance will tie into the work that we will do with the students of the local monastery.

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THE EXPERIENCE

Central to your experience on this retreat is your participation in a women’s menstrual health program through Seva Seed. We will be hosting a reusable pad-making workshop for over 200 girls, with the intention of offering them a healthier, sustainable and affordable alternative to single-use pads that are increasingly difficult to dispose of and damaging to Inle Lake’s delicate environment.

Prior to participating in this community outreach program, you will receive a basic overview on the pad-making process so that you can lead the groups of girls that you will be assigned to. Our daily morning yoga asana, meditation and pranayama (breathing) practices, as well as our afternoon workshops and reflections will prepare you to be present-minded givers and receivers in this unique and inspiring interaction. As a group, we will also be leading a short yoga practice in the village, and you will have the opportunity to chat with local monks, nuns and other volunteers over tea and light snacks.

Throughout this experience, we will share our personal reflections with each other as a way of offering support and guidance, and to ensure that your cup continues to be filled as you offer yourself in service, you will be nurtured each evening to a singing bowl sound bath. Our final evening meditation and closing ceremony will be held at a special temple complex that is accessible by boat.

THE DESTINATION

A remote location on the south of Myanmar’s famed Inle Lake which remains largely untouched by mass tourism. For anyone seeking peace and natural beauty, the resort offers one of the most breathtaking views of Myanmar. The six spacious, luxury stilt houses, built on a pier jutting out into the middle of Inle’s three lakes, have unrivalled views of the water and surrounding hills. The Eco lodge is powered mainly by solar energy, sources all food locally, and supports development in the neighboring village and monastery.

Each of the lodges has been built to the highest standards using traditional and locally sourced materials such as hardwood and bamboo. Guests can look out over the lake through large picture windows or from loungers on the outdoor deck. The sunrises and sunsets are stunning and at night the deck is the perfect place to view the stars.

THE PROGRAMME

• Daily morning yoga practice including pranayama and meditation
• Two afternoon workshops on the concept of Karma and Balance
• Afternoon Seva Seed women’s health workshop at the local monastery
• Afternoon yoga session at the local monastery
• Daily evening gentle yoga practice and/or reflections and meditation
• Daily evening singing bowl sound bath
• Closing meditation at a remote temple (weather permitting)

THE COST

Twin Share
Early bird (up to 30 days in advance): S$1500*
Regular price: S$1700*
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Single occupancy
Early bird (up to 30 days in advance): S$2800
Regular price: S$3015
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​*Bookings and payments must be made in full in order to receive the early bird price. Spaces are limited on this retreat.

PACKAGE INCLUSIONS

• • 5 nights accommodation in twin share bungalow at Inle Sanctuary
  • Roundtrip airfare from Yangon to Heho
  • Minivan transfer from Heho Airport to Inle Sanctuary
  • Roundtrip boat transfer to meditation temple on final evening
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • Daily Yoga & Meditation classes and yoga workshops (full attendance is requested)
  • Exclusive Urban Yogis Goodie Bag
    Wifi accessibility
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EXCLUSIONS

• • Travel to and from Myanmar
  • Snacks in between meals
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Any activities you choose to do on your own outside of the retreat schedule e.g biking, trekking, those that are not listed in the itinerary
  • Travel Insurance

Your retreat will be led by Urban Yogis founders, Julie Moksim and Kathy Gabriel