"I enjoyed this retreat very much - especially the facility. I needed to get away from the city and have some quiet reflective time and include Yoga and meditation. It was just what the doctor ordered. Cara is an excellent instructor and her calm truthful way is an inspiration!! Thank you."
-Anonymous

YOGA AND MEDITATION RETREAT WITH CARA, NOVEMBER 3-4, 2012
See photos of last November's retreat here.
Click here and here for pictures from previous retreats.
Scroll down for details and registration.

YOGA VACATION IN BELIZE, FEB 9-16, 2013
THE ROAD TO BLISS with YOGI KALI OM (CARA JEPSEN)

Escape winter, deepen your yoga practice and heal body, mind and spirit at the beautiful Ak'bol Yoga Retreat & Eco Resort in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

"Ak'bol" is Maya for "Heart of the Village," and this beachfront sanctuary is the country's first Yoga Retreat and Family Eco Resort, located on the tranquil North side of Belize’s largest island, Ambergris Caye, just a quarter mile from the second largest Barrier Reef in the world and a bike ride away from the old fishing village of San Pedro... Isla Bonita.

During this amazing seven-day retreat we will practice Dharma Yoga overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Our focus will be the stairway to bliss - a.k.a. the eight limbs of yoga, including the ethical roots, scriptural study, pranayama (breathing), concentration, and direction towards the true goal of yoga - which is settle the mind into silence so that we can discover our true, peaceful nature.

We will also chant and do plenty of postures - some of which you may not have seen before. We will also do Yoga Nidra, or deep yogic sleep as well as Psychic Development - a special practice to help put power behind your thoughts. There will also be evening satsang.

Dharma Yoga is a classical, flowing hatha system originated by New York City-based yogi Sri Dharma Mittra, creator of the Master Yoga Chart of 908 Poses. Dharma’s energizing Shiva Namaskar sequence focuses on opening the hips, shoulders and upper back and includes variations for every level of student. Poses are repeated so that students may go deeper into them each time. Many options are given, so that all levels will feel challenged/comfortable. The emphasis is on practicing in a playful, relaxed manner.

Kali Om (Cara Jepsen), ERYT-500, is a disciple of Sri Dharma Mittra and was a direct student of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois from 2000 to 2008. She is the senior teacher of Dharma Yoga in Chcago, and continues to study regularly with her guru. Since 1998 she has devoted her life to the practice, study and teaching of yoga. She writes regularly for Yoga Chicago magazine, which is also where her cartoon "On the Mat" can be found.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Private Thatched Cabanas
Your students/guests will feel at one with nature, waking up with the birds, sleeping within one of our 7 thatched cabanas on the sea and within gardens...all with sea view. Each cabana will house 2-3 max students comfortably with one queen bed + two twin beds within our lofts lined with plantain shutters. Outdoor showers, private front porches, hammocks, and 5 gallon hot and cold water dispenser included with mini fridge. Daily housekeeping with no bedding changes, towels changed on third day to conserve water and energy. There are 3 Seafront, and 4 Sea/garden view options.

Seafront Cabanas
Single: $2345
Double: $1735
Triple: $1575

Sea/Garden view Cabanas
Single: $2200
Double: $1645
Triple $1535

Yoga Barracks
Welcome to affordable community living on the lagoon! This building has beautiful gardens and houses 30 single rooms/double room/adjoining room options, with two large island-chic shared bath and shower area/locker rooms...one for men and women or co-ed...private locker per room for toiletries...mahogany sinks and conch shelled faucets...bamboo showers which work great...plenty of toilets...and changing areas...The beds, one/two twins or one queen (limited for couples only), are on top of a wooden stage with plenty of drawers underneath and lockable storage for luggage...chairs/reading lights/fan per room...on either end of the building, first and second floor, are community lounging areas overlooking the lagoon. Great sunsets and bird watching. Daily housekeeping, no bedding changes, towels changed on third day.

Yoga Barracks (shared bath facing the lagoon)
Single: $1350
Double: $1225

Retreat Fee Includes:
+Two yoga classes per day
+7 nights/accommodations +housekeeping+govt. hotel taxes+service charge
+Welcoming Belizean Beach BBQ Dinner first night
+Light breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
+Big Breakfast morning leaving
+drinking water/juice/teas the entire time
+Use of yoga studios/mats/props for two classes a day
+Use of resort grounds, pool and pier
+Transportation to and from San Pedro airport or water taxi on arrival/departure day only

Yoga & Wellness Studios
Two studios to choose from:
+Mandalily: the 16' octagon yoga palapa within the lily garden off the beach overlooking the sea. Soothing vibe.
+Satsang: the grand palaypa at the end of the 300' pier. Sacred feel! 35'X40' with lighting and power.
+Each studio is complete with yoga mats, blocks, blankets, straps (limited).

Retreat Fee Does Not Include:
+Airfare (approximately $600-$900
+Local transportation to/from Belize International Airport and the resort (approximately $128 round trip by air or $80 round trip by taxi)
+Activities, hikes, tours, snorkeling or scuba diving
+Tips for staff (recommended: $50 cash)

To Register
Please complete the following form. Your spot is not guaranteed until we receive this form and a non-refundable deposit of $500. 40 percent of the remaining balance is due by September 22, and full payment is due on or before January 8, 2013. Payments should be made by check, payable to Cara Jepsen, P.O. Box 60401, Chicago, IL 60660. If you have any questions, please e-mail carajepsen [at] yahoo [dot] com. Conformation of your registration will be sent to you via-email within two weeks of registration

NAME:

E-MAIL:

MAILING ADDRESS

ACCOMMODATION REQUEST (BASED ON AVAILABILITY)

NAME OF ROOMMATE(S) IF APPLICABLE (NOTE: EACH PERSON MUST SUBMIT A REGISTRATION FORM AND FEE)

Cancellation Policy
Deposits will be refunded (less a $250 handling fee) for reservations canceled in writing on or before January 1, 2013, if the space can be filled. Cancellation made after January 1, 2013 cannot be refunded. Refunds will be made within 30 days.

Airlines Flying to Belize City (BZE), Belize:
American, United, Delta, US Airways, Taca.
Please book your flight early and plan to arrive any time on Saturday, February 9. We will start with a welcome dinner that evening. You may depart any time on Saturday, February 16. You wll need a passport, and it should be good for travel for at least six months after the date of travel.
Please forward a copy of your flight itinerary and a photocopy of your passport to carajepsen [at] yahoo [dot] com.

Local Transportation (from Belize City to San Pedro)
Two Options:
+Fly Directly from Belize City International Airport (15 minutes via Tropic Air, approximately $64 one way or $128 round trip)
+Taxi Cab (25 minutes to the water taxi terminal for approximately $50 round trip. Water taxi travel time is one hour 15 minutes and is $15)

Meals
Eat together as a community within our private dining palapa overlooking the sea for breakfast, lunch and dinner and flow from class with more leisure time...will be ready by schedule...amazing views and breezes...
Fresh Vegetarian Caribbean-Belizean style meals
Welcoming Belizean BBQ and Creole Night
All fruits & veggies are locally grown & specially cleaned.

Optional Activities (fee-based):
Kayaking, snorkeling, trip to Hol Chan National Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, night snorkeling, sunset cruise, bird watching, day trips, parasailing, scuba diving, cave tubing, sailing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, ultraglider or helicopter rides, Massage ($75), Tropical facial ($65) and more. Contact Ak'bol to book: Email: info@akbol.com, Telephone: 011 (501) 226.2073, Cell: 011 (501) 626.6296

YOGA AND MEDITATION RETREAT WITH KALI OM (CARA JEPSEN), NOVEMBER 3-4, 2012
Early Bird Price ends September 15

Deepen your yoga practice and heal your body, mind and spirit at the peaceful Portiuncula Center for Prayer in Frankfort, 36 miles southwest of Chicago. Enjoy gourmet vegetarian meals and walk a sacred labyrinth in the magical, meditative setting of St. Francis Woods. The 50-acre campus of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart includes peaceful sitting areas, grassy knolls, fountains, a creek, and hiking trails.

This retreat will focus on the eight limbs of yoga, including the ethical roots, scriptural study, pranayama (breathing), concentration, and direction towards the true goal of yoga - which is settle the mind into silence so that we can discover our true, peaceful nature. We will also chant and do plenty of postures! Saturday evening’s session will end with Yoga Nidra, or deep relaxation – which Sri Dharma Mittra calls the greatest antidote to impurities. We will also do Psychic Development to put power behind your thoughts. On Sunday we will do a special Maha Sadhana yoga practice, followed by lunch.

Suitable for all levels, this retreat starts Saturday at 9AM and ends Sunday at 1PM.

Cost for the one-night retreat (including lodging, vegetarian meals and instruction) is $200 before September 1 ($185 for low income). Please add an additional $75 ($70 low income) if you wish to stay over on Friday night (Friday meal not included). The commuter fee (including all meals and instruction) is $175.

Space is limited; please sign up early! To reserve a space, mail a check or money order ($200 for one night, $275 for two nights or $185/$255 for student/low income [$175 for commuters] payable to Cara Jepsen, along with your name, address, e-mail and phone number to Cara Jepsen, P.O. Box 60401, Chicago, IL 60660.

You may also sign up online with Paypal:

Students are asked to bring their yoga mat and any necessary props to the retreat. If you have any questions about the use of the neti pot or mala beads, please bring these items with you.

Massages, facials and reflexology sessions are available on-site at the Povorello Holistic Center and must be booked in advance at 815.464.3808 or 815.464.3840. (There is free time from 1-4 on Saturday, and after the retreat on Sunday).

Click here for directions to the retreat.

*Retreat Cancellation Policy: Cancellations 30 days or more prior to the event receive a 50% refund. For cancellations less than 30 days prior to the event, a 50% credit will be applied toward any future retreat. No refunds or credits for cancellations less than one week prior to the event.