Overview Workshops · Blissouts · One Day Retreat (Immersion Day) · Mother and Baby Teacher Training Workshop Retreats · Tasmania Easter Retreat · Queensland Week-long Retreat	Upcoming Workshops, Intensives and Retreats: Meditation Evenings – Blissout! "Bliss Out": A chance to sit for three hours in meditation. No Charge The real discipline of YOGA lies not in body movements, but in learning to observe the mind and getting out of the habit of identifying with the things the mind fancies. The route is through stillness meditation. You won’t know how good it is unless you try it!! Short breaks to stretch the muscles - and it’s ok to wriggle or adjust if you need to!! Forthcoming dates for Blissouts are · Friday 26^th February, 2010. 7.00 – 10.00pm · Friday 21^st May, 2010. 7.00 – 10.00pm Contact the College for bookings or further information about Blissout evenings
	One-Day Retreat (Immersion Program) What is a Classical Yoga Immersion Program? This is a full day to give you a good taste of the whole discipline of Classical Yoga. You will learn a lot more about meditation than in a regular class. You will learn about the ancient texts on which Classical Yoga is based, and learn some of the other less common aspects of Yoga, such as dharana, or mind stretching exercises. You will certainly learn the difference between an ordinary mental outlook and an enlightenment-oriented outlook. Along with that, you will get work in asana, to keep the body comfortable during the day. I don’t want to do heaps of physical yoga! Can people come who are interested in the enlightenment teachings of Classical Yoga but who are not interested at present in the physical work of asana? Or those who can do some hatha yoga but not too much? Yes! There will be alternatives for those who do not wish to work in asana. What about prospective Teacher Trainees? This will be an excellent sampler of the Teacher Training course. Although it is not in itself teacher training material, the immersion program will give you a very good insight into the discipline of Classical Yoga. Current Yoga Teachers or Teacher Students are encouraged to take these programs, too. Your understanding of Yoga will increase significantly. How many Immersion Programs are there? The programs are all self contained but vary from one to another in focus. Every time you come to one you go away enriched by deeper understanding of self, being and reality. How much time does it take? The program starts at 7.30 am concluding at 4.30 pm, and includes complimentary breakfast at 8.30 (BYO lunch). If you do not want to start early at 7.30, you could start at 9.00 for the first session after breakfast. Where can I attend? Melbourne Only. Australian College of Classical Yoga. How much does it cost? Fee $135 (includes GST) Forthcoming Immersion Days: Sunday 28^th February, 2010 Theme: Feeling Good! We are all capable of experiencing profound peace and love – though there are many reasons why we don’t. One is unrealistic assumptions – that reality ought to be subject to our whims, for instance. Another is that we are used to clutching at feelings of dissatisfaction and discontent. We all invent a limited idea of ourself, and then imagine that it is real. This retreat explores some of the ways we can develop the habit of feeling good. The day includes · Discussions on feeling good with Swami Shantananda · Asana – the healthy movements of Yoga · Meditation – stillness of mind and is YTAA approved for 8 points of CPD for Yoga teachers The program will be led by Swami Shantananda (Mataji) and Ma Sally Dawson Contact the College for bookings or further information about Immersion Days.
	Mother and Baby Yoga Teacher Training Workshop A workshop for Yoga teachers wishing to expand their knowledge. This workshop is suitable for yoga teachers or trainee teachers who want to have the background information and toolkit of techniques to be able to teach safe and compelling mother and baby yoga classes. This workshop includes: The postpartum body – eg. common weaknesses, countering breastfeeding posture, countering tiredness, cautions for c-section, and much more Development of baby – stages of development, specific movements, dealing with common problems, having fun and much more The yoga class – how to keep it flowing, how to incorporate yoga for both mother and baby, helping mothers to cope and much more Comprehensive course notes and practical training included. This workshop will be conducted by Sally Dawson who was trained at ACCY, currently teaches Asana and Anatomy for the Diploma of Classical Yoga and also co-developed the ACCY Postgraduate Yoga Teacher training course. Sally runs Waverley Yoga Studio and has been teaching Mother and Baby Yoga for 7 years. When: 26^th– 27^th June, 2010 Where: 1^st floor, 6 The Highway, Mt. Waverley. How Much: $195. A deposit of $100 is required to secure your place. Contact the College for bookings or further information about ACCY Retreats
	Easter Retreat – Huon Valley, Tasmania ACCY Silent Retreat What is a silent retreat? The most obvious answer is a weekend where all retreatants are silent! A closer look reveals a lot more to it. Silence is demanding. Silence is a discipline. The habits formed by the mind dictate our desire to break a silence and fill it with often meaningless conversation. The insecurity of the ego dictates our desire to put ourselves into the scene, to meekly or boldly announce our presence. The discipline lies in stilling the desires of the mind and ego. The longer the silence, the more demanding these facets of ourselves may seem. But the rewards are substantial Why have a silent retreat? The mind’s natural tendency is to create a sense of I, and then regard it as a person separate from its own processes. The mind considers itself a separate identity, and interprets the world through that filter of ‘I’ – likes and dislikes, or good and bad, for example. We look at the world through a lens of perception, instead of reality. In Yoga, this is called Maya – the veil of illusion. As we go about our daily lives, the mind constantly reinforces ‘Maya’, this veil of illusory perception. But how does it do this? Most of us would be hard pressed to explain the ways the mind reinforces our concepts of self identity, and limits us to a small field of self-prioritising perceptions. We can’t explain because we have never learned to be still and notice what the mind is doing. Silent retreats offer us a chance to still the outer voice, and begin to notice what the mind gets up to all day when we are usually not really noticing it at all. In silence, we learn to listen. In silence, we learn to trust. In silence, we are part of the mystery of the world. A chattering mind chases away the hearing, the trust, and the mystery. What are the benefits of a silent retreat? The thinking mind is not reality based. It creates an altered sense of self. It may be critical and judgmental and reflect a negative view of self. This may give rise to feelings of low self esteem and reduced self confidence. Alternatively, a mind-generated idea of self may be overly confident and assertive, a strong personality type which will also affect one’s everyday experience. Such thoughts may influence social circles, work choices, relationship choices, etc. To have a sense of self without the biases and involvement of the thinking mind would mean to have a more accurate understanding of the true self, the real self, one at peace and harmony with one’s true nature. This can lead to inner calm and happiness, freedom from ego driven attachments, desires, and judgments. Without such mind/thought involvement one could live more harmoniously, accepting others for who they are without the prejudices or inflictions of our personal perceptions on others or ourselves. We learn to simply accept what is. No matter where you lie on this developmental line, a silent retreat offers the opportunity to notice the desires and drives of the mind, and to practice stillness. You may find yourself with an increased awareness of how the thinking mind can distort reality and assert control over your life. You may discover new things about yourself, once the mind’s chatter has been slowed. You may simply find some peace and ease for a weekend – a benefit not to be dismissed! Do I just sit quietly for a weekend? No! There will be periods of satsang – discussion or question times – amongst the quiet mindful times throughout the weekend. Swami Shantananda will share the wisdom of her long spiritual life, as well as readings and explorations of the Sages of Yoga. She will guide you throughout the weekend, gently prompting you to notice new things about the mind and ego. Her natural intelligence and strong affinity for language give her the rare ability to describe subtle complexities in a simple, straightforward manner. She will steer you through the mind’s quibbles and objections, sometimes illuminating, and sometimes challenging you to drive your own explorations further. While silence pulls us into the aloneness of being, satsang brings us into personal contact. True spiritual life embraces both human contact and love, and the austerity of the quiet mind. We are, after all, humankind-spiritkind. Ma Sally Dawson will provide asana sessions. It may be a unique experience for some to experience the physical side of Yoga in a deeper, more aware state encouraged by the extended silence. The retreat includes: Meditation Asana Mindful awareness Mindful movement Contemplation Satsang Exploration of yogic wisdom When: Easter Weekend – Friday 2^nd – Monday 5^th April, 2010 Where: Niche Retreat, Abels Bay, Huon Valley, Tasmania How much: $540 (Includes full accommodation and meals). A deposit of $200 is required by March 10, 2010 Contact the College for bookings or further information about ACCY Retreats
	Mission Beach Week Long Retreat, Queensland 7 days and 8 nights at beautiful Sanctuary Retreat. Join us for a week’s retreat in yoga and meditation. Explore the ancient wisdom of Yoga, in an eco-rainforest setting looking out over the beach, with private accommodation, that takes you right into the forest amongst the sounds and activities of the Australian bush. There is a profound, heart-enriching difference between a retreat and a holiday, and you will feel the stirrings of an inner wisdom that you have somehow known all your life. Asana with Ma Sally On this retreat we will melt away the distraction of compulsive busyness as we take time to explore the asana and observe how our bodies respond to the fresh clean environment and healthy food. We will practice a blend of dynamic style asana along with some slower work, each person working at their own level. Explore Yogic wisdom with Swami Shantananda While we are unwinding and relaxing in this beautiful setting, and tuning into the rhythms of nature, we can let go of our conditioning that covers over Truth, so that we shine with the light of the Self. We will explore this authentic self day to day, and figure out how to integrate this Being into our daily relationships, discussions, workplace, family. If we have found a transformed way to ‘Be’ does this leave us at odds with everyone else? We will explore compassion and empathy and the ability to allow others to be on their own path too. Also on this retreat Along with Meditation you will contemplate the wisdom of Yoga and see how this ancient understanding brings you joy and greater fulfillment in your life, relationships and work. Walking through the rainforest and along a pristine beach you will feel refreshed and in touch with nature. Eating delicious, nutritious vegetarian food and drinking clean spring water, you will feel the well-being that ought to be natural. Your accommodation is in a comfortable secluded rainforest hut to connect you with the sights, sounds and scents of the rainforest. This untouched environment is an Eco-accredited sanctuary- a beautiful break from the busyness of your daily life. Leisure time is included to allow you to make the most of your time in the tropics. Sight seeing, the Great Barrier Reef and White Water rafting, swimming and walking are amongst the many temptations, or use your free time for self study. We have an onsite masseur to allow you to let go further. Enhance your wellbeing and have a chance to pamper yourself with other treatments available. Enjoy exploring this beautiful sanctuary in your free time or just put your feet up! Beat the Winter blues and spring into Spring feeling fit, healthy and peaceful. When: 10^th – 18^th July, 2010 Where: Sanctuary Retreat, Mission Beach, Queensland. How much: $1050 A deposit of $250 is required by 1^st May, 2010. Bookings are essential. Contact the College for bookings or further information about ACCY Retreats
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