Spring Awakening — Vernal Equinox Retreat | Aryaloka Buddhist Retreat Center

Event Information

This event is currently full. Please email info@aryaloka.org to be placed on a waiting list.

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We look forward to hosting you! Please visit aryaloka.org/about-your-visit for relevant information regarding your stay.

Aryaloka Cancellation Policy

If a cancellation is made 11 days or more in advance (counting the start date of the event), the deposit will be refunded minus an administrative fee of $25, or the whole fee can be transferred to a future event. If the cancellation is made within 10 days or less of the event, the whole fee can be transferred to a future event, or half the fee will be refunded. If there is a no-show for an event without cancellation prior to the start time of the event, no refund will be made. Exceptions to this policy may be made at the discretion of the Center Manager who can be contacted at info@aryaloka.org.

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Checks can be made out to Aryaloka and sent to 14 Heartwood Circle, Newmarket NH, 03857. Or call 603-659-5456 to give your credit card info to the Center Manager.

Event Description

Spring Awakening — Vernal Equinox Retreat — 
yoga | meditation | mantra | community

“Homage to you, Tara, the swift heroine, 
Whose eyes are like an instant flash of lightning, 
Whose water-born face arises from the blooming lotus 
Of Avalokiteshvara, protector of the three worlds.”*

Join us for a weekend of energizing renewal as we wake our winter bones and lift our bodies into the light of spring. The Vernal Equinox will be celebrated with stillness, mindful movement, mantra and meaningful ritual. In our practices we will evoke <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tara_(Buddhism)">Green Tara</a>, the Bodhisattva of compassion and action.

With yoga and meditation we can cultivate a beautiful tranquility in the body and heart. We will explore how each practice enriches the other, contributing to a sustained calm that can change the way we live, and our perception of the world around us.

We will explore ancient Buddhist meditation techniques that lead to an energetic stillness, as well as the mindful movement of vinyasa. Vinyasa emphasizes the importance of breath with movement, and develops a strong foundation for any yoga practice. Meaningful ritual and the chanting of mantras will bring participants into a more direct engagement with their imagination as we explore the relationship between the inner and outer world. No prior experience is necessary. Suitable for complete beginners, or those looking to go deeper in their practice.

*Please bring a yoga mat. We have plenty of props, but If you prefer your own props like bolsters, straps, or cork or foam bricks, please feel free to bring. Meditation cushions and chairs provided.

Led by —

Suddhayu has been teaching meditation and Buddhism and leading retreats since 1998. He has a deep love of the processes of meditation practice, as well as poetry, myth and creative ritual. He currently works full-time for Dharma initiatives as Chair at the Portsmouth Buddhist Center and Manager of Aryaloka.

Lona Kovacs, certified yoga instructor, has been a yoga and meditation practitioner and teacher for over 30 years. Still in her forties, Lona has just recovered from a total hip replacement. She is passionate about teaching restorative yoga, therapeutic yoga, yoga for meditation, and the breath and movement practice that has guided her recovery.

*Excerpt from ‘Praises to the Twenty-One Taras’ Trans by Lama Thubten Yeshe and edited by Sylvia Wetzel

Safety:

How are we coming together safely?

<ul>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">We are requiring that all in-person participants be fully vaccinated vs Covid-19, including a booster, and will ask for a photo or scan of vaccination cards.</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">Please plan on taking a covid-19 rapid test on the day of the event. A negative rapid test is required for entry.</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">Masks are optional unless otherwise stated.</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">If you have cold or flu symptoms, we ask that you do not attend.</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">We have installed new air purifiers with virus-destroying technology!</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">We will have the same few people working in the kitchen.</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">We will practice social distancing in the shrine room.</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">There will be some new cleaning and sanitation protocols.</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">There will be one-person per bedroom unless already sharing a household.</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">The retreat population will be limited.</li>
</ul>

*Please let us know if you have questions or concerns about how we’re coming together.

A Culture of Generosity and Support 
In the tradition of passing on the Dharma freely, our Dharma retreat and workshop facilitators offer their work without charge and are not paid. We recognize the value in what they do and want to thank them for their time, energy and wisdom. A financial gift can help support our facilitators to afford them the opportunity to lead. Please consider making a donation towards their support.  
There is often a cash collection and a thank you card that is passed on the retreat, though one can also make a donation directly to facilitators with a check, and some use money transfer services such as PayPal or Venmo. 
Thank you for considering this.

At Aryaloka, we strive to make our programs available to everyone regardless of their financial circumstances. Our fee structure allows you to pay according to your means.

The Event Rate is our actual fee for the event. It is for people paying their rent or mortgage, and who can afford occasional or regular leisure expenses such as dining out. Any payment above the advertised fee is a tax-deductible donation.

The Mid-Level Reduced Rate is for those who are paying their mortgage or rent, though experience a consistent tightness in budget that makes extras like leisure activities or unexpected expenses difficult or impossible.

The Base-Level Reduced Rate is for those without an income or with an income low enough that making ends meet is a challenge.

Those whose circumstances are not included above can email the office to make other arrangements. info@aryaloka.org