Baja Wellness & Yoga Retreat

YOGA WILDERNESS ADVENTURE FOR WOMEN IN BELIZE

Walking the Path of the Maya - Doorway into Divine Consciousness

A Full Moon Wellness & Yoga Wilderness Adventure for Women

November 7– 14, 2008

The Adventure

Join HERIZEN Tm Yoga for Women on a magical, mystical Women's Yoga & Wilderness Adventure in Belize. Walk the path of the Maya and Immerse yourself in the Mopan and Kek'chi culture.

There is a heightened consciousness that is emerging, a new higher order of Being and the land of Maya Mysteries in Belize can help with the vibrational shift that humanity is going through now.

BE a part of this shift and nourish your body, mind and soul in the heart of the Belizean rainforest at our jungle eco-lodge in southern Belize. The eco-lodge sits on 100 acres of mostly nature, forested resort property in the jungle. It was mostly built with the help of residents of the Mayan villages nearby. The owners have integrated the lodge with the surrounding area and have taken the steps towards creating an eco-friendly existence.

Drawn from nature, we will create space for renewal, cultural awareness and reflection.

About our Accommodation & Destination

Our jungle eco-lodge is located on the Moho River. There are 10 private river front cabanas. The eco-lodge only uses solar energy for all basic electrical requirements. There is an organic garden and they have recently begun a reforestation program planting teak and mahogany trees.

Another notable feature of this lodge is the composting system. The lodge uses traditional flush toilets and return nutrients to the soil through bio-remediation and phyto-remediation. Instead of a traditional leach field, the use a self contained reservoir planted with banana palm trees. The banana plants actually absorb the liquid. The smell is free and clear and pleasant. These banana trees are used only for this purpose.

The Experience

Be a part of the ocean of cosmic transformation flowing with nature and Hatha

Awaken the spirit with intimate encounters with Belizean water falls, jungle plants, animals and birds during interesting Jungle Hikes, Discovering Hidden Mayan Temples, River Kayak Adventures, Cave Explorations and visits with local Mayan Villages.

Each morning we will attain an ever deepening command of our inner life force (chi) through an ancient sequence of rejuvenating, balancing and healing movements and sounds through Chi Gung. We energize our youthfulness with Pranayama and keep our spine supple as we strengthen our body, mind and spirit through Hatha Yoga.

Discover the Heart of the Secret – “The Power of Clarinyms”. Learn to visualize and create your ideal dream and the life you most love through playful exercises using the creative power of our verbal focus to bring into our life what brings us JOY! Through the use of this evolutionary gift, we can cultivate happiness within ourselves and others living the life you love.

Experience the positive effect of sound vibration and movement through a Sound and Dance Meditation as a way to calm the mind, settle the emotions, balance the body, and uplift the spirit.

During our wilderness eco retreat, wholesome local Belizean Chi-infused favorites as well as the chef's own creative cuisine will be served. All of our food will be mainly organic and always fresh. A variety of local fresh seafood is always plentiful and locally grown fruits and vegetables will satisfy the most discerning vegetarian diet.

Valma is a transformational trainer. She discovered Kundalini yoga 11 years ago while working in Chile. Within a short time, Valma noticed that the benefits of her yoga practice raised her level of awareness, allowed her to stay focused, healthy and present in her physical body. This was important to her as she had lost the use of her legs temporarily in the recovery of a spinal injury some years before. In her continued exploration of yoga and other healing modalities she found her practice to create a bridge between the body and the spirit and she believes this will also play an important role in the global awakening. As an E-RYT in Iyengar & Ashtanga based Hatha yoga, Iyengar precision & Ashtanga Hatha Yoga and Chi Yoga flow are practices that Valma incorporates in her daily life as well as offerings in her women only adventure programs. She is a certified Chi Gung Master and believes yoga, Chi Gung and movement gets people into their bodies, deeply connects them to themselves, and more openly connects them with nature and others. It is truly a transformational practice. Valma is a sea Captain and has been sailing, boating and kayaking for up to 25 years in the West Coast of Canada, Chile, Europe, Belize, French Polynesia and a host of other locations throughout the world. “My purpose”, says Valma "Is to be a mirror for other women, to share my knowledge and wisdom of life and empowering them to reach their desired dreams, reach their fullest potential and live their best life. To inspire them to create miracles in their lives and be open to the present moment… creating balance through awareness, self-confidence, intention and faith. I invite you to celebrate personal success and well-being through awareness, motion and nature. Join me on the journey of freedom & magical adventure through Yoga / Chi Gung, hiking, jungle exploration, Mayan culture a deeper connection with nature and let your Spirit fly!

Your magical yoga & wellness retreat eco-wilderness adventure begins as you step off the plane in Punta Gorda. We will meet you there and take you on the last leg of your journey by boat. It’s a beautiful trip along the coast and up the Moho River.

Punta Gorda lies in the southernmost region of Belize, the Toledo District. Take the 45 minute flight from the International Airport in Belize City (BZE) to Punta Gorda on either Maya Island Air or Tropic Air.

"The jungle week was quite interesting, food great, accommodations fantastic & the tours were quite varied & well presented. The chocolate & tortilla tours were a good insight into Mayan culture past & present. The cave & waterfall tours were a nice way to get wet (especially with the downpour after we swam). However, my favorite tours were still the mayan ruins. It was great that we could see 'untouched' as well as partially reconstructed' sites. I loved both the jungle and the sailing adventures" Paula, Toronto Canada

This all-inclusive Women's Yoga & Wilderness Retreat on a beautiful jungle river in southern Belize includes :

* 8 nights / 7 days shared accommodation in private riverfront cabanas. Awaken to the song of exotic birds and the roar of howler monkeys in the distance.

* Transfers to and from Punta Gorda airport to the jungle eco-lodge on the Moho River

* 3 meals per day including water, juices and soft drinks– start your day with fresh tropical fruit from the organic garden and sample chocolate made from the organic cocoa grown on site.

* 2 yoga classes per day including Meditation and Pranayama – Awaken & Energize

* 1 or 2 Chi Gung and other breath work exercises per day Envision Chi infusing the entire Being with Radiant Health and Vitality.

*Introduction to the Heart of the Secret “The Power of Clarinyms “ Learn to visualize and create your ideal dream and the life you most love through playful exercises using the creative power of our verbal focus to bring into our life what brings us JOY!

*Sound Meditation: Experience the positive effect of sound and vibration as a way to calm the mind, settle the emotions, balance the body, and lift the Spirit.

*Daily guided excursions to the surrounding area including: boat trips or road trips to Mayan ruins, Mayan villages, Tamash Sarstoon National Park, Chocolate Making, Rio Blanco Falls, Blue Creek Caves and more

*All activities at the eco-lodge including paddling in dugout canoes,kayaks, horseback riding, swimming, rainforest trails, hiking and much more

To enhance your life enriching experience, you may select further options at an additional value:

*Energy Healing treatments by Valma Brenton – certified practitioner of Energy Mirrors $80/ USD/hr

The Moho river is clean and offers a refreshing dip any time of day or night. You can swim right from the cabana or swim out to the floating dock, lie out in the sun or catch a nap in the cool shade by the river bank.

There are dugout canoes and kayaks available for you to take a paddle anytime. Along the Moho River you will find howler monkeys, iguanas, turtles and a rich variety of birds on the forested banks. Local Indian children fishing or just drifting by on their way down stream are also a common sight along the river.

Hop onto a horse and head out into the jungle where you experience low handing vines into the deep jungle, where you may have a chance to encounter with mountain cow, wild turkey or wild peccary. Listen to the birds and howler monkeys in the tree tops. The horses are friendly and safe for riding.

The realm of the Maya covered much of Central America during the first millennium and included many magnificent cites such as Tikal and Copan. And only recently have archeologists started to appreciate the significance of caves to the ancients, who viewed them as portals to the underworld where the spirits of the dead would dwell. And while the Maya were wary of the underworld, referring to it as "the place of fright," they also used caves for ceremonies and rituals to communicate with the gods.

To experience one of these amazing caves, we will drive inland along a road bordering the Mayan Mountains. As we come into the tiny village of Blue Creek, we leave our vehicle and begin our journey by foot. The cave is a 20 minute hike from the village. Following the river's edge, we make our way further upstream as we begin to recede into the mountain gorge. Either side of the gorge is covered from high above with a blanket of emerald green vegetation cascading down to the blue creek's source.

This is Hokeb Ha Cave. From here the true adventure begins. As we swim into the caves opening, through a pool of emerald blue cool water, we soon come into darkness. We have entered into the underworld of the Maya. The Maya name for this cave is "Hokeb Ha" or "Where the water enters the earth". We light our lanterns and the magic of this place begins to appear.

Stalactites and stalagmites lead us from one chamber to the next as we explore this seldom visited world. Archaeologists have found many Late Classic ceramics and an altar inside the cave, leading them to theorize that the Hokeb Ha cave was used specifically for ceremonial purposes.

The calm water at the main entrance is perfect for us to take a leisurely swim. An unforgettable experience! After we exit the cave we'll relax and enjoy a picnic lunch with a local Mayan family. Before heading back to the lodge, we will walk back to the village and we'll stop and see some local Maya selling crafts.

Mayan ruins are also found throughout Belize as a testament to this vibrant culture of the past. If you choose, we can explore the mystery and wonder of ancient Mayan civilization in the buildings left behind. Some of what you can experience:

For something really different, this is the adventure you won't want to miss! Pushila is a Mayan ruin partially excavated in the 1920s then abandoned. It is known principally for its many carved monuments dating to the Classic period and has a unique architectural feature: a triple-span bridge. The ruins can only be reached by boat, therefore, we will launch into our canoes paddling a short distance up the Moho River. The plaza contains about two dozen carved stelae.

In the Maya Kekchi language, Nim Li Punit means "the big hat," which is inherited from a carving on the longest of the site's twenty-six stelae, depicting a figure wearing a large headdress.

Lubaantun is the largest Maya archaeological site in the south and one of the last major settlements built in Belize. Temple walls were constructed of cut stone and fit without the use of mortar. A controversial Crystal Skull was found here in 1926. The skull is said to show no tooled markings and is composed of pure crystallized quartz--fact or fiction, you decide.

You will also have the opportunity to visit the local villages, make tortillas, chocolate and much more.

FAQ for your Women's Yoga & Wellness Retreat Eco-Wilderness Adventure in Belize

What should I bring on my trip? Belize is a tropical climate, therefore, bring clothing that will keep you cool and shaded from the sun. Before your trip, you may want to visit www.belizenet.com, a helpful website on Belize that can keep you abreast of the weather. For clothes, make sure to include lightweight long sleeve shirts and long pants, a bathing suit, a rain poncho, a light jacket, and a hat. Aside from clothes, you’ll need good walking/hiking shoes, suntan lotion, beach towel, bug repellant, flashlight, binoculars, a yoga matt and extra film/batteries for your camera.

Is the lodge near a town? The lodge is about 15 miles (by either road or river) from Punta Gorda, a town of 5,000 people. There are the small Mayan villages of Santa Anna and San Felipe each with 350 inhabitants just a couple of miles a way. Still, when you are at the lodge you are immersed in the jungle and we will make sure that all requirements are met right on the property.

How do I get to and from the lodge? All transfers are included between Punta Gorda and the lodge. You will be met by our staff upon arrival at the Punta Gorda airport and taken via boat up the Moho River to our lodge. The daily excursions include transportation either in our van or boat.

What health precautions should I take? Vaccinations or medical clearances are not required. It is recommended that you bring your own prescriptions and anti-malarial pills for extended jungle stays. A good bottle of bug spray (with deet) goes a long way in aiding your comfort and keeping the air free and clear. Look for natural products. You will also find that good walking shoes are a tremendous asset.

What will I be eating? The lodge restaurant will feature Belizean favorites as well as the chef’s own creative cuisine. We’ll give you the opportunity to try the traditional dishes like rice and beans with stewed chicken, cabbage salad, coconut rice, fry jacks, and of course plenty of fresh fruit and seafood. Each meal we will also offer cuisine geared toward the North American palette, with house specialties similar to what you might find at your favorite bistro.

What if I have a special diet? The lodge will be happy to accommodate your dietary preferences and routinely provide vegetarian options. Let us know beforehand of any dietary requirements and the chefs will plan appropriately. You can also store special foods that you may want to bring with you.

Is the river by the lodge a good place to swim? The Moho River is a great place to swim. The water is clean, the current is gentle, and there are rarely any boats going by. There is a rope swing and the water’s 30 feet deep!

Drinks other than water served outside meal times. Alcohol which can be purchased at the lodge. Personal items such as telephone calls, laundry and gifts.

Insurance of any kind - we recommend and offer both trip cancellation insurance and medical insurance.