Straight to the Heart
Go Straight to the Center of your Own Heart!
Exotic Island Paradise: Gota do Mar, Ilha Grande, Brazil
Immersion Dates: March 21-27, 2010
Dear Friend,
If you are like most people, the holidays and the winter can be challenging and depleting. Not to mention that these past few years have been intense and full of transitions on both a personal and global scale.
As the corporate and banking powers of the world collapse and leadership changes, all of us are called now more than ever to return to our inner resources and strengthen them. We are reminded that we cannot rely on what felt like external stability, but instead have to create and reinforce our internal stability- finding our personal and collective center.
It seems we are being called to reevaluate the values that have guided us in the past and operate from a different place. Each of us is asked to discover and investigate that place for ourselves.
During this week, away from the stresses and responsibilities of life, I invite you to move deeply into the question of what lies at the center of your heart. That which is most precious, most sacred and most important to you.
Come dive in.
When we stay close to what is at the center of our hearts, we weather the storms of life with grace. We are happier, not because everything is great, but because we have an internal unshakeable anchor.
We will all arrive from different places with our internal connection and strength.
Maybe you are not sure what this means.
Maybe you would like to feel more connected to your deep desires but don’t know how to.
Or maybe you have a deep internal faith but long to have a quiet respite and group practice to strengthen it.
This intensive will offer everyone rich opportunity to deepen the connection to his or her internal resources- one’s that we all have, even in the darkest times.
This week will be rife with chances to reconnect with yourself on every level. Active hikes into untouched rainforest and crisp cleansing waterfalls. Down-time to read or write or cloud-gaze in a hammock. Kayak past plate-sized starfish in crystalline waters. Cultural presentations of capoeira and samba.
And I haven’t even mentioned the yoga yet.
During this course we will have twice daily yoga practices at sunrise and sunset. Each practice will be aimed at developing a diverse tool kit of meditation and movement practices to enhance your sense of self-connection. Some practices will be active and challenging, others will be quiet and introspective. All will be balanced, individualized and unique.
What style of yoga is this?
I teach alignment-based vinyasa yoga with intelligent and creative sequencing. My classes are diverse and varied but each has a strong focus, requiring full attention. Each person will be challenged at his or her level.
Here’s Why This Course is So Special:
The location I’ve chosen is a dreamlike paradise. There are no cars, no pollution, and no more excuses. It is the perfect environment to step away from our usual routines and establish new ones that support a vision of wholeness and health. The vibrance of the island assists in a natural letting go of what is not useful in our lives. The life force of the rainforest is palpably powerful and healing. Cradled by incredible support in a potent, lush and untouched environment, we will deepen our yoga, meditation, and renewed sense of connection to our hearts and our lives.
Your Yoga Teacher:
Kimberly Johnson
Rooted in the Krishnamacharya lineage, I have deeply explored Viniyoga, Iyengar yoga, and Ashtanga yoga, and find the heart of my practice to be a continual return to self-inquiry. My classes are informed by my background in dance, Structural Integration, the Feldenkrais method, Advaita Vedanta, and Sanskrit.
I myself experienced a huge awakening of the heart on Ilha Grande, which led to the birth of my daughter Cecilia, who is now 2 years old. I now live in Rio de Janeiro where I live with some of the warmest people on earth. And I am always just a day away from the island!
I have guided hundreds of students and adventurers through an intensive yoga experience on the Ilha Grande. It is because of the incredible results- the open faces, weight lifted and renewed commitment to health and a heart-filled path- that I continue to lead retreats on the island twice yearly.
I have been teaching yoga all over the world (in New York City, San Diego, Chicago, Boulder, Thailand, Malaysia and Brazil) for the past ten years.
Meals:
This exotic and delicious vegetarian-based diet combines the harmony and benefits of natural foods with the fantastic flavor of Brazilian cuisine.
Savor fresh tropical fruits (bananas, mangos, pineapple, açai, papaya), organic vegetables, regional grains, and locally-caught fish will all be featured.
We will have a celebratory feast on the final night of the retreat.
**Specific dietary requests can be accommodated.
Getting There:
Flights to Rio de Janeiro International Airport (Airport Code: GIG) are available from major US, European and South American cities. Book your flights now because there are some very low fares and the sooner the better.
The intensive begins on Sunday. Plan to arrive to Rio International Airport Sunday morning before 11:30 at the latest. We will meet you at your arrival gate. The program ends Saturday, and we will transport you back to the airport by 5 PM Saturday evening.
Please e-mail your flight itinerary so that we can organize your transportation.
Accomodations:
Your stunning accommodations are in the Gota do Mar lodge which sits at the mouth of the Blue Lagoon. There are several options ranging from super deluxe to simple elegance, all with serene ocean views.
Your Brazilian Yoga Intensive includes:
- Two 2-hour yoga classes daily
- Six nights of accommodations with private bath and veranda overlooking the ocean!
- All meals, juices, fresh filtered water and snacks (natural spa cuisine, developed by on-site nutritionist)
- Two full body massages!
- Airport transfers
- Daily outdoor activities (trekking , kayaking, snorkeling) supervise by professional guides/trainers
- Brazilian cultural events
Here are some FAQs frequently asked questions:
How will I get to the island?
We will pick you up at your arrival gate in Rio. We will transport you by van down the beautiful Brazilian coast to a local port where we will transport you by boat to Ilha Grande.
What are the best times to arrive and depart?
We suggest that you land in Rio International Airport on Sunday morning between 10 AM and 11:30 AM and that you plan to depart the following Saturday anytime after 7 PM. We will pick you up from the airport Sunday morning and provide your transportation back to the airport Saturday afternoon. You should be back at the airport roughly around 5 PM.
Is Brazil a safe place to travel?
Statistically, Ilha Grande is one of the safest places on the planet.
What if I am new to yoga?
Immersing yourself in yoga is a great beginning.
If you are new to yoga, you will be guided through the right practices for you and then at times you will probably observe and rest while we continue into more difficult options for the experienced practitioners. Intensives are an awesome way to jumpstart your practice and it can be very inspiring to practice with all levels of practitioners.
How many people will be at this intensive?
The intensive will be limited to 25 students.
What if I want to come to Brazil a couple of days earlier, or spend more time in Brazil after the Island Experience?
Coming to Brazil a couple of days earlier is a great idea. Rio has a lot to offer. We will pick you up at your hotel on Sunday to transport you to the island. If you are staying in Rio after your Island Experience, we will provide transportation to your hotel on Saturday.
What is the weather like on Ilha Grande in March?
The tropical weather is hot and humid. The medium temperatures of the air are between 72F – 84F. The medium water temperatures are between 65F – 75F.
What kind of clothes do I need to bring?
Think tropical. You could probably get by at this event with a bikini! You will want yoga clothes, t-shirts, mostly short sleeved, but one or two long-sleeved, tank tops, shorts (for hiking and swimming), hiking socks, tennis shoes or hiking boots, bikinis, sunglasses, hat.
What do I need to bring besides clothes?
We recommend you bring a camera, a journal, toiletries, an extra pair of contacts if you wear them, insect repellent, and sunscreen. If you plan on hiking, we highly recommend you bring a 70 oz. Camelbak.
Do I need to bring my yoga mat?
You are welcome to bring your own mat. We will have yoga mats that you can use.
Can I bring my partner, who does not want to participate in the yoga? Yes, we will provide you with a special rate for a guest who does not want to participate in the yoga.
If you have any other questions, we would love to talk with you. You can call Kimberly via Skype at kajyoga, or at 858-481-7306. You can also shoot us an e-mail us at brazilyogaretreats@gmail.com. We look forward to talking with you.
To register:
- Download the Registration Form
- Make a payment. You can pay with check, direct bank deposit, or credit card/Paypal invoice (subject to a 3% service charge within the USA /4% international). Contact us for more details.
Your space will be considered filled when we receive your registration form and your payment has cleared.
Contact Kimberly with any questions at brazilyogaretreats@gmail.com or at 858-481-7306.
Investment:
Payment Policy:
Early-bird discount: 10% discount to those who register before February 1st or register with a friend!
Deposit: A $500 dollar deposit will reserve your space. Balance must be received by March 1st. All payments are non-refundable.
“Kimberly is amazing at finding the perfect alignment for my body and partnering with me to break lifelong postural habits. She makes yoga practice a joy and I'm very grateful I could bask in her amazing light and energy. She also sings like a true goddess.” 
“Kimberly is a selfless and committed teacher, she has an incredible eye for detailed biomechanics and the ability to encourage an embodied, spiritual practice. Her classes are rich and rewarding, drawing you to a deeper understanding of the practice and ultimately of yourself. The icing on the cake is that she has a great sense of humour and a beautiful voice.”