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"Om Mani Padme Hum", meaning, "Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus" is the sacred mantra of the Tibetans. *1

vision

Dates To be announced. the vital essence of being "Relaxation begins from the outer layer of the body and penetrates the deep layers of existence." -BKS Iyengar Grant yourself the permission to indulge in an opportunity to relax, restore and rejuvenate your "vital life energy". This special retreat is a carefully designed combination of yoga, holistic wellness treatments and nutritious spa cuisine, in the lush, tropical and inspirational setting of Koh Samui, Thailand. Two daily intensive yoga classes are taught by certified senior level BKS Iyengar method instructor, Rajay, at Kamalaya's Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa Resort. The retreat is a blend of dynamic yoga aasana practice in the morning and restorative postures, pranayama and meditation in the evening. The classes focus on the "vital essence", and "energetic dynamics" of the postures from various levels. The blend of the sequences of postures will be different in each class depending on the aspects being focused upon. The work is adapted to each individual's level of experience, from beginner to advanced practitioners. The essential technicalities of various frontiers of "yogasana", postures and "pranayama", breathing techniques, are explored in depth. Starting from the skeletal muscular body, the physiological and geometric approach, to the hatha yogic asana stimulus of toning and rejuvenating the organs, further exploring the cellular, sensory and vibratory levels of awareness in the asana and the pranic processes, finally, to the reflective state of mind and the intelligence, culminating each evening silently with "dhyana", meditation. The approach of the hatha yoga teachings in the retreat are based on the expertise of the teachings of Rajay's teacher, Prasant Iyengar, the son of BKS Iyengar. His teachings are well known for the theory, practice, philosophy, religion, psychology and mysticism of yogic sciences. Sri Prashant Iyengar, a musician, philosopher and Yoga teacher par excellence continues to unfold esoteric truths of Yoga philosophy and practice through his intense researches of the connections of body and mind. Prashant Iyengar is extremely well versed in the classical scriptures and shares his unique gems of insight with Yog-Sadakas from all over the world. His latest work, released in November 2006, "Chitta Vijnan of Yogasanas" is a series of 11 discourses on the science, esoterics and mysticism of yogasanas. Time is specially allocated in the afternoon for Holistic Spa treatments included in the retreat package to have the opportunity to relax and to consciously release old habituated patterns of physical, emotional and mental conditioning that have been causing subtle vibrational or apparent manifestations of imbalances in the "vital life energy" of the practitioner. An after dinner time slot will be allocated daily to listening to "Chitta Vijnan of Yogasanas" by Prashant Iyengar, a series of 11 discourses on the science, esoterics and mysticism of yogasanas. Paricipants may also choose to listen to these discourses in the privacy of their own rooms. The retreat is designed as a multilevel "holistic wellness journey", to evoke the awareness and support the process of the participant to experience an evolution of the soul's journey to further integrate the process of union of the body, mind and spirit. Unification with the One, yoga, (from Sanskrit "yuj" to yoke or unite) when our false ego dissolves and the practitioner enters the state of unification with the whole, the union of the individual soul "atma" with "Paramatma", the universal soul, evoking the inspirational sublime suggestion.... "Meditation is a fine, supreme consciousness in which there is no duality."-BKS Iyengar

Kamalaya Koh Samui provides an inspirational setting for such a retreat. Located on an ultramarine lagoon along the island's southern coast, Kamalaya's white sand beach, cascading streams, and rich, terraced gardens evoke remembered wellness and provide a serene setting where life's full potential can be rediscovered and health in all dimensions cultivated and enhanced.
Its superb facilities are nestled amongst rocks, trees and nature, with breathtaking views of the sea and mountains. The Monk's Cave, which once served Buddhist monks as a place of meditative retreat, further accentuates the special energy of this already stunning place. The cave is available for personal meditation practice or simply as a place to sit and reflect.
The natural open-air, wood-floored Yoga Pavilion overlooks a pristine coastline. Kamalaya's other facilities, such as the Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa, offer boundless opportunities to relax and enhance your well-being. The Yantra Hall, designed with principles of sacred geometry, offers an ideal space for yoga, music, dance, other types of events and meetings.
The cuisine is healthy, varied and creative to support you on your retreat, and additional, optional classes are included with Kamalaya in-house instructors in practices such as yoga, tai chi, meditation and spirit dance.

[*1] In the East, the Lotus flower is viewed as a symbol of spiritual enfoldment. The lotus has its roots in earthly mud, but as it grows upward in aspiration toward the light, its petals open out into a beautiful flower. The Lotus flower is a symbol of the sun, of creation and rebirth, at night the flower closes and sinks underwater, and at dawn it rises and opens again.