puerto vallarta

retreat intensives

with
Ty Chandler & Sharoni Fixler

"Long, uninterrupted, alert practice is the firm foundation for restraining the fluctuations."

- yogasutra I.XIV

THANK YOU Ty Chandler and Sharoni Fixler for accepting the baton that was passed to you from Margot Kitchen and Shirley Daventry French who started the Iyengar yoga retreats about 25 years ago at the Casa Dulce Vida in the charming Centro section of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. With grace and immersion format a la Faeq you led me and my 17 other new Canadian friends to another re-birth. The pacing of the day aligned with the rhythms of Mother Nature, the practices themselves along with freshly prepared local food by sisters Nena and Rosa enjoyed on the terrace (aka Studio B) and gentle kirtan post-dinner/pre-sleep, all within the containment of the villa where we slept with the doors to our rooms wide open to the flora, town and ocean just beyond (no bugs to disturb us, how did you manage that?) swimming pool to cool and support us, natural semi-humid daytime heat and light, clean air, an incredible VIEW and sunsets, friendly participants, easy in and out airport runs-you left me with virtually nothing to challenge my equanimity! Such pleasantries all around! And with no desire to seek what was beyond what was in front of me, and inside of me.
Kristine Bell

registration & payment

$1850 USD per week
Pricing includes classes, accommodation and mentioned meals / refreshments. Limited to a group of 20 students.
Registration Deposit = $850 USD (due upon registration)
Final Balance = $1000 (due January 15)

To secure your space please submit your registration deposit and registration form via the buttons below. If we are at full capacity we will notify you immediately and your deposit will be sent back to you. This retreat tends to fill up quickly. Waitlist names will be taken in the case of cancellations and we will contact you if/when a space becomes available.

Cancellations
Participant cancellations up to 60 days are subject to a $100 USD admin fee and within 60 days of the retreat are subject to waitlist availability and/or a $250 USD admin fee.

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continuing the tradition

Join us in Puerto Vallarta for the annual continuation of an over 25 year tradition of our senior teachers Margot Kitchen and Shirley Daventry French. These retreat intensives are also inspired by the work of Faeq and Corine Biria and their summer intensives in France.

This is an opportunity to disconnect from your daily life and focus on yourself in an enriching and supportive environment. You have the guidance of expert teachers, the camaraderie of fellow practitioners, the nourishment of fresh, healthy meals and the beauty of the surroundings to inspire you. You'll have the time for for inward exploration, contemplation, study and reflection.

about this style of retreat

This retreat format asks us to meet ourselves through sustained practice, sequenced to progressively open the body through concentrated effort and awareness. In the yoga sutras of Patanjali, it's explained that yoga practice should consist of effort or action, self study and surrender or letting go. He goes on by saying that practice should be for long periods of time, uninterrupted and practiced with love and respect. As yoga practitioners we all face starting, stopping, and restarting, irregularity and procrastination. In these practice intensives we aim to create daily structure, high quality Iyengar instruction and a supportive atmosphere and community.

This style of condensed practice gives time to consolidate what has been learned in technical study. It helps a practitioner break undesirable habits and establish positive ones. Through the process we face ourselves. We face challenges and we also unearth our sensitivity and our strength, our inspiration and appreciation through a committed journey.

With the focus being more on practicing rather than learning new techniques and collecting more points, one has the opportunity to be in a more meditative state. Being with like minded practitioners creates a supportive atmosphere to assist in going beyond where we go when practicing alone. And finally, we aim to cultivate love and respect in order to stay the course of a lifetime of practice.

location

The retreats are held in beautiful Puerto Vallarta, a resort town on Mexico’s Pacific coast in Jalisco state. It is known for its beaches, watersports, art, culture and tourism scene. Its cobblestone center is home to boutique shops, art galleries and a range of restaurants. Puerto Vallarta is easy to get to, with most Canadian and American airlines flying direct.

accommodation

Casa Dulce Vida is in the heart of Puerto Vallarta, located just blocks from the El Malecón, the beach, popular shopping and restaurants. There is a private swimming pool onsite and the top deck has one of the best sunset views in town. The Casa was designed after an Italian Villa, with spacious rooms, 14 foot ceilings & tall arched windows. It is a collection of 7 separate unique suites each with a kitchen and private entrance. Accommodations are shared. Wifi is available at the Casa.

To stay at the Casa prior to or post retreat, you can reserve with them directly: www.dulcevida.com
Or try Hotel Cinco 22: www.hotel522.com which is a short walk from the Casa.

choose your week(s)

Week 1: Restoration, Recuperation & Foundations
Monday, February 26 - Saturday, March 2, 2024

Restorative Practice
Helps counter the stresses of daily life by focusing on ease and relaxation. Postures are often practiced using props like bolsters, blankets and blocks to help students stay in postures comfortably.
Recuperative Practice
Moves the practitioner from deep relaxation through the postures that open the body, to progressively energizing poses. Revitalization is cultivated through sequences that remove strain and bring vibrancy.
Foundations Practice
An introduction to the Iyengar yoga principles of action and alignment. Addresses mobility, stability and strength.
Pranayama
The practice of controlling or conditioning the breath. Consists of techniques designed to gain awareness of the respiratory process while recognizing the connection between the breath, the mind and the emotions.

+For beginner students who wish to discover yoga or,
+Those with some experience in the Iyengar method
+Practitioners of other methods of yoga and who wish to know the Iyengar method
+Practitioners seeking deep recuperation and restoration
+Those who have stopped practicing for a while and wish to take it up again

Week 2: Level 2-3-4 Practice Intensive
Monday, March 4 - Saturday, March 9, 2024

Level 2-3-4 Practice
An opportunity for practitioners to work at their level, solidifying the foundation, going deeper and refining their practice.
Pranayama
The practice of controlling or conditioning the breath. Consists of techniques designed to gain awareness of the respiratory process while recognizing the connection between the breath, the mind and the emotions.

+Practitioners with more than 2 years of regular practice - Iyengar method
+Practitioners with a regular home practice who can hold sirsasana for 5 minutes with variations and sarvangasana for up to 10 minutes with variations

afternoon / evening off for rest

Wednesday is an afternoon/evening off for rest and sightseeing after the morning openings and pranayama practice. Participants will be responsible for arranging their own lunch and dinner on this day. In previous years, participants have ventured to Boca, Yelapa, San Sebastian, Sayulita and Bucerias. There is also a beautiful garden and a great lunch spot at Vallarta Botanical Gardens. Puerto Vallarta has a number of interesting shopping places, market choices and dining options. There is also a recommended massage studio nearby that participants have enjoyed on the day off. We are happy to organize reservations or ride shares for those who would like to see the area.

meals

We serve two nourishing meals each day, lunch and dinner (fresh and vegetarian) to sustain practice.

Participants will be responsible for arranging their own lunch and dinner on Wednesday after the morning practices. Dinner will be served on the arrival day and brunch will be served on the departure day after the openings practice.

Fresh, washed fruit is available throughout the day along with self-serve tea and water. All fruit, vegetables and food is washed/cooked with filtered water and microdyne. We are able to provide options for all dietary restrictions. Please advise us in the registration form if you have any restrictions/sensitivities.

suggested equipment

Please bring the following for practice: 1-2 dense blankets (Mexican blankets can also be purchased at the Casa for approximately 400 Pesos ($20 USD) each - pesos preferred), yoga mat, water bottle and writing material. if you don’t have the props listed, please contact us.

The climate is tropical and semi-humid with an average temperature of 29C. Please bring comfortable, casual and light clothing. Shorts or tights and t-shirts for practice. It can be cool in the early morning and in the evening, a light sweater may be required.

additional info

Retreat T-Shirts! Every participant will receive a retreat t-shirt. We’ll be in touch with you closer to the retreat date regarding details.
Connect with other retreat participants. Share photos, travel to/from the airport, etc. Join the Puerto Vallarta Retreat Group on Facebook.
Laundry can be taken to a trusted contact we have been using for years - a 5 minute walk from the Casa.
We collect a group tip for the Casa staff and chefs (approx. 950 Pesos/person).
Karma duties are asked of each participant and include meal set up/take down.
Please bring insect repellent (if you are sensitive to mosquitoes) and sunscreen.

travel

March is part of the high season in Mexico. WestJet and Air Canada flies direct from several Canadian cities to Puerto Vallarta and Air Transat has charter flights. Seat sales do come up every so often.

After clearing customs at the Puerto Vallarta airport, look for the airport cab/ transportation kiosk in the terminal just before exiting. Use official taxis only, do not go with anyone saying they can give you a free ride. Purchase a one-way fare per person to the address below. Please show this address to the cab driver, as much can be lost in mispronunciation. The fare will be approximately $20 USD. You will be provided with a Mexican Tourist document upon arrival. Please keep a copy and store in a safe place as you will be asked to provide it to Mexican customs when you depart.

Casa Dulce Vida
Calle Aldama #295
El Centro
Tel: (011) 52-322-22-210-08 or from Canada: 780-628-2908
Email: liveit@dulcevida.com

Health Insurance: It’s recommended that travel insurance be obtained. Some credit cards automatically cover you with travel insurance.
Immunization: Please check with a travel clinic in your city about recommended immunizations.
Money: The official currency is the Mexican New Peso. USD is accepted in most places. There are ATMs close to the Casa. We recommend bringing some Pesos or USD as ATMs periodically run out of money.

registration + pricing

about your teachers

TY CHANDLER

Ty has been studying yoga since the late 80s and brings her years of dedicated practice, precision and devotion to her teaching. Her vibrant, warm personality and generosity along with her focus and discipline bring light to her students and her community. Ty resides in Victoria where she studies, teaches and also serves on the PD and Teacher Training committee at the Iyengar Yoga Centre of Victoria. She is a long time student of Shirley Daventry French and continues her training by making trips to Pune to study with the Iyengars and to France to study with Corine and Faèq Biria. Ty serves on the PD board for the Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada and is a national assessor. Ty holds a Level 3 Iyengar yoga teaching certification.

SHARONI FIXLER

Sharoni is the founder and co-director of CIY. Beginning her third decade of practice and study, Sharoni took her first workshop with Faeq Biria in 2007, who profoundly inspired her in the subject. Sharoni has a Bachelor’s degree in philosophy. She completed teacher training with Margot Kitchen in 2009 and has also practiced locally with Norman Sjoman and internationally with Faeq and Corine Biria. Sharoni continues regular training with Corine Biria and Jawahar Bangera. She has taken multiple trips to Pune, India, to study with the Iyengars and is an Assessor-In-Training for the Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada (IYAC) and served a term as Membership Chair. Sharoni is a mentor for apprentices who are training to become certified teachers. She was on the editing team and was a demonstrator for Eyal Shifroni's book, Props for Yoga IV: Backbends. Sharoni brings intensity and heart to her classes and encourages dedication and insight. She holds a Level 3 Iyengar yoga teaching certification.

Lead me from the unreal to the real.
From the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge.
From the mortality of the body to the immortality of the Self.

AUM
Peace, Peace, Peace