Attendees can expect a daily program that includes yoga, iRest Yoga Nidra, Vedanta lectures, silent meditation, breathing practices, creativity practices, vegetarian food, personal reflection time, and community fun with fellow attendees. There will be two days of silence during the week, in which participants are invited to adhere to Mauna (Sanskrit for “silence” throughout the day’s activities.

The focus is on going deep into the practices of yoga and meditation. There will be no difference in participation between veterans, civilians or providers of the retreat. We are all in this together, we will all be doing the practices. We will all be sharing in the experience.

This retreat is open to veterans and civilians who already have a regular meditation and yoga practice and are interested in an advanced retreat. This retreat will maintain a strict retreat schedule. It is rigorous but we are inviting people who are serious practitioners and who from their own personal interest want to experience Advanced Retreat.

6:00 a.m. – Wake Up
6:30 a.m. – Chanting, Pranayama (breathing) & Silent Meditation
8:00 a.m. – Breakfast
10 a.m. – Morning Yoga
12:00 p.m. – Lunch
1:00 p.m. – Outdoor Time or Activities
2:00 p.m. – Yoga Philosophy Talk & Discussion
4:00 p.m. – Afternoon Yoga & iRest Yoga Nidra
6:00 p.m. – Dinner
7:00 p.m. – Evening Program & Meditation
10:00 p.m. – Lights Out

Costs:

Through the generosity of private donor, the tuition for this retreat is covered for both civilians and veterans. Veterans need to cover only their travel expenses and civilians need to cover their travel and accommodation expenses at the Ashram. The Sivananda Yoga Ranch Ashram is a sweet place, which is carefully maintained by beautiful souls and on a gorgeous piece of property. The food is vegetarian and delicious; much of it is grown on the property. Vegan and gluten-free options are available. Please advise of other dietary restrictions. There will be two shuttle buses departing from NYC. Times will be announced directly to retreat participants. If you’re able to make it onto to these shuttles, transport to/from NYC is included. If you cannot make the shuttles, you will need to arrange your own transportation to the ashram.

For more information on accommodation costs at Sivananda Yoga Ranch Ashram, please click here.

To register, please email Alexis Miller, the retreat coordinator, at retreats@warriorsatease.org. 

Please be advised that retreats typically fill up right away and have a waiting list. If you would like to attend, please do not delay!

Facilitators:

Molly Birkholm is a yoga and meditation teacher trainer, professional speaker, consultant and author, She is the co-founder of Warriors at Ease and has helped pioneer evidence-based trauma-sensitive yoga and meditation programs for PTSD in the military and other communities affected by trauma and stress. Molly’s stress management programs, resilience training and trauma treatment programs are used by leaders and top organizations. Molly teaches trainings and retreats around the world and also online on The Great Courses and as the host of the Women’s Empowerment Initiative on Yoga International. www.mollybirkholm.com

Swami Paramananda is the manager of the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch and longtime teacher of Sivananda Yoga Teacher Trainings in the Bahamas, New York, and India. A much-loved teacher admired for his humor, warmth and devotion to the practice, he seamlessly weaves classical yoga teachings into modern daily life.

Hipolito Arriaga was born and raised in the South Bronx. In 2003, at age 19, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps where he served as an Artileryman. Following four years of service, which included two deployments to Iraq, he separated from the military honorably. Post service, he began seeking healing for the various injuries he sustained, both physical and invisible, leading him on an ever-evolving journey of self-discovery. Hipolito is a writer and performer for the Combat Hippies. He’s also trained in Baptiste Power Yoga and Trauma Conscious Yoga. And serves as a wilderness expedition leader with No Barriers Warriors. His performance and writing experience include “AMAL” and “Conscience Under Fire.”