You
are invited to experience Caribbean culture, yoga posture practice,
mediation and Karma yoga, as you enjoy the fulfillment of making
a meaningful and positive difference. This 8-day program provides
an inspiring new type of volunteer vacation that unites humanitarian
work with the underlying mission of selfless service and Karma Yoga.
The program offers adventure, cultural immersion, and the opportunity
to transform the self in Jamaica - a beautiful and diverse island
whose motto "Out of many, one people" reflects the peoples
strength and unity.
The
owners of Bromley, who will be onsite facilitating this retreat,
have had a long and rich history of participation in the community
of Walkerswood, where Bromley is located. They have been heavily
involved in the local community council which took on vital issues
of building a community center, water, employment and low income
housing. They donated land for the primary school and helped
build the pre-school which had no government funding. This
Karma Yoga Journey will partner with the Walkerswood Community Developement
Project, focusing on the pre-school. We will bring needed donations
of school supplies, assist with some basic repairs and volunteer
time reading to, playing with, and even teaching a little yoga to
the kids!
This
volunteer vacation provides us with the opportunity to practice
our commitment to yoga in myriad ways and places, both on and off
the mat. You'll work from your heart through your hands among friendly
people in a beautiful country - this is a journey that transforms
and unites your self and the world. The village of Walkerwood has
a tradition of community action and self-help which the owners of
Bromely have been instrumental in supporting and developing since
the 1940's. Join us on this special journey and become a part
of this tradition.
"Be the change you want to see in the world" -- Mahatma Gandhi
Yoga Instructor: Michelle Barge, RYT
Michelle
has been practicing yoga since 1996 following a life dedicated to classical ballet. She teaches an integrated Vinyasa practice focused on proper alignment and building core strength. Her style fuses her training in traditional Hatha yoga schools – Iyengar and Ashtanga – with her studies in dance and Pilates, combined with a deep knowledge of eastern philosophy and meditation.
Michelle is a graduate of Sadie Nardini's Core Strength Vinyasa Flow program and a 200-hour level RYT through the Yoga Alliance of America. She has trained in some of the top yoga studios in New York City and continues to train under some of the leaders in the field: Dharma Mittra, Paula Tursi, Schuyler Grant of Kula Yoga Project, Sadie Nardini, Bindu Wiles, Alison West and Tao Porchon-Lynch. Michelle is also certified to teach yoga in corporate environments through Balance Integration and does so in some of the top companies in the country. She also teaches in the New York City Public School System through Bent on Learning , which brings the joy of yoga and its benefits to low-to-moderate income and gifted students
Michelle is Board President of Concrete Safari - a Harlem-based, non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the joy of fitness and the great outdoors to inner city youths. She is also the Eco-Living expert at beYOU.tv where she writes on topics related to green, sustainable and organic living. Michelle currently teaches at some of the top studios in New York and Los Angeles including Exhale and East West Yoga.
Michelle's classes fuse Iyengar's focus on alignment and finding the therapeutic value of each pose with Ashtanga's precision and strength building. She provides intelligent hands on alignment and verbal cues to aid the student in learning poses thought beyond reach. This class truly flows, yet poses are held longer and deeper to build strength, and incorporates binds and twists to help in detoxification. Your practice will be heightened by Michelle's eclectic music choices -- from classical Indian tabla to R&B to reggae -- to help take your practice and experience to the next level. Classes open with meditation and close with restorative and pranayama.
Adventures
& Activities:
Monday:
Visit Harmony
Hall Art Gallery, showcasing the finest Jamaican art & craft
since 1981, and Reggae Beach where you can relax and enjoy the sun
& sea! Snorkeling equipment, lounge chairs and umbrellas available
to rent.
Tuesday:
A trip to the neighboriong estate and artist residence Mt.
Plenty. Enjoy a property tour, afternoon tea and enjoy a cool
dip at the source of the White River, so named because the limestone
rocks give the water a white, milky color.
Wednesday: Shopping, beach time and more at Island Village which features duty free and specialty shopping, water sports and entertainment including Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, the Cove Theater and ReggaeXplosion - an evolving exhibit that celebrates Jamaican Music by using images, videos and soundtracks from the 1950's to the present day.
Thursday:
Tour Coyaba
Gardens and enjoy the serenity of a genuine water garden, fed
by streams that rise on the property and the Walkerswood
Jerk Tour - a fun, informative journey into Jamaica's food
heritage taking you “from the field to the table”.
Friday:
A night on the town! Dinner and dancing in Ocho Rios
Note - Only transportation included. Meal, drinks, etc. are not.
