Dec 5, 2015 |
Woo hoo…the energy of the Red Rocks in Sedona, Arizona have long been calling my name, and I’m super excited to announce that this Redhead is heading to the Red Rocks and I hope you will join me!
Are you ready for a week of yoga, meditation, kirtan, mantra, healing, energy empowerment, ayurveda, and transformation in one of the most beautiful places on the earth?
If you answered yes, pack your yoga mat and head out to the gorgeous Red Rocks of Sedona, Arizona with Cynthia Mathis and me this March 6-13, 2016 for a yoga retreat that rolls right into the Sedona Yoga Festival. For the first four days you will start the morning with yoga and meditation with Maria in a gorgeous space with floor-to-ceiling windows that provide panoramic views of Sedona’s majestic Red Rocks.
This is the view out the windows of our yoga studio at Agave of Sedona.
Weather permitting we can practice outside on this patio!!
You will also participate in a two-hour workshop where Cynthia teaches you all about the 7 Levels of Energy and how to use them to empower yourself in all that you do. The afternoons are for exploring all that Sedona has to offer, and the retreat includes a group guided hiking tour and a Touch the Earth Vortex Tour with the popular Pink Jeep Tours. After a day of hiking and exploring we’ll end the day with relaxing yoga sessions that will include restorative yoga, yoga therapy balls, meditation, and yoga nidra.
The energy of Sedona’s famous vortices and the spectacular natural beauty of Sedona’s red rocks combine to make Sedona, Arizona one the “Top 100 Places to Visit in the World” according to Trip Advisor. Accommodations for the first four nights will be at the picturesque Best Western plus Inn of Sedona. The hotel’s award-winning terraced design takes full advantage of its hilltop location with promenade decks all around that allow guests to enjoy 360 degree red rock views without leaving the hotel. Take a stroll along the sunrise side as the day begins, and take in the views as you have your breakfast. In the evening, stroll over to the west side to watch a spectacular sunset right from the deck.
Are you interested in our famous Vortices? Well the Airport Mesa Vortex is just across the street, and the hotel’s shuttle can take you there and bring you back!
The view from one of the terraces at the Best Western Plus Inn of Sedona
On Thursday after the morning yoga session and breakfast, we’ll pack up and shuttle to the gorgeous Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock the home base for the 2016 Sedona Yoga Festival! There you will enjoy three nights of accommodations and an all-access pass to enjoy all of the yoga teachers, presentations, workshops, and live kirtan concert events at the Festival.
There will be over 77 presenters and close to 200 workshops over 3 days and 4 nights. In addition to all of the yoga there will be a Heart Center Village with 33 conscious vendors, a dharma talk stage, open playshops, and a conscious cafe to spend time at between all your heart opening, mind bending, conscious expanding, soul awakening conference scheduled activities. I guarantee when you see the schedule of events, you will have a hard time selecting which ones to attend because the offerings will be so rich! I just hope that everyone who attends the retreats will find the time to attend my workshops that will be part of the Sedona Yoga festival lineup!
Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa Offers exquisite two room suites and deluxe guest rooms featuring their own fireplace, flat panel LCD televisions, private balcony or patio and high speed internet access. All accommodations feature small refrigerators, and microwave ovens. At the Hilton you can relax by one of their three sparkling pools and enjoy a sumptuous meal in the Grille at ShadowRock. The Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa is Sedona’s only spa and golf resort. Sports enthusiasts can take advantage of the onsite 18 hole championship golf course or enjoy a game of tennis. The resort’s Spa offers signature body treatments that will take you on one of three unique journeys. Included in your stay will be complimentary access to the spa’s fitness facility. Work out in the resorts 2,500 state of the art Precor fitness room or take advantage of the fitness classes. After the work out enjoy the facility’s gender specific steam rooms, saunas and Jacuzzis.
Daily Downward Dog | Sedona Yoga Retreat & Festival| March 6 – 13, 2016
What’s Included:
- 4 Nights at the Best Western Plus Inn of Sedona (Sedona Double Queen – 2 Queen Beds – 3rd Floor)
- 4 Hot Breakfasts at Best Western Plus Inn of Sedona
- Four Morning Yoga & Meditation Sessions with Maria at Agave of Sedona
- Three Sunset Restorative Yoga & Meditation Sessions with Maria at Agave of Sedona
- A 2-hour Energy Leadership Workshop exploring the 7 levels of energy and what they mean to you personally, based on your own energy assessment.
- Guided Sacred Sites Hiking Tour to the Chapel of the Holy Cross, the Labyrinth, and the Amitabha Stupa and Lunch
- Guided Touch the Earth Vortex Tour with Pink Jeep Tours of Sedona and Lunch
- Transportation from Best Western Plus to Hilton on March 10
- 3 Nights at the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock in either a 2-Queen Premium Suite or 1-King 1 Bedroom Suite (see additional details below)
- 1 All Access Pass to the Sedona Yoga Festival (March 10-13, 2016)
About Maria
Maria Santoferraro (E-RYT 200) spent the past 25 years ravaging her body in the crazy corporate world. Needing a detox from an unhealthy Blackberry addiction, boatloads of stress, and an aching back, she sought out a healthier lifestyle and is grateful to have found her physical and spiritual release through the practice of yoga.
Today she is living a balanced and blissful life, teaching yoga, leading international yoga retreats, sharing inspiration on the Daily Downward Dog, creating meditation videos for Hang 10 Meditation, and contributing her writing to Elephant Journal, Daily Cup of Yoga, and MindBodyGreen.
Her playful, heart-opening teaching combines meditation, breath, alignment, and asana in slow-flowing Hatha yoga classes that encourage students to reconnect to their bodies and breath as a means to fill up with joy. Maria incorporates uplifting class themes, music, poetry, laughter, and the spiritual teachings of yoga to create a peaceful environment where students can quiet their minds, let go, and experience a deep sense of calm and well-being.
In 2011 she was able to combine two of her greatest passions – yoga and the beach – to start her own beach yoga “studio” on the beautiful shores of Lake Erie, Ohio, where she has shared yoga with hundreds of students.
About Cynthia
As a Professional Coach and Certified Energy Leadership Master Practitioner, Cynthia helps women navigate their way through transition in their personal and professional lives. Cynthia’s insight will help you uncover your true values and beliefs. You will learn how to link your beliefs with your behaviors and actions to remove obstacles that may be holding you back. Tap into your personal power through this introduction to the unique Energy Leadership program and open up new avenues that empower you to thrive.
Prices:
Single Occupancy $3,250 & $3,350
Double Occupancy: $2,325 & $2,380 per person
Triple Occupancy: $1,975 & $2,000
Quad Occupancy: $1,850
Lower price includes a King, 1 Bedroom Suite at Hilton Sedona Resort
Higher price include a 2 Queen Premium Suite NS at Hilton Sedona Resort
The suites at the Hilton feature two room suites with two queen beds or one king bed and a pull out queen size sofa bed. Enjoy a little extra space with a private bedroom, separate living and dining area and private balcony or patio. Each suite includes a gas fireplace, microwave, wet bar and two flat panel TVs.
What’s Not Included:
- Airfare
- Transportation from airport to and from hotels in Sedona
- Meals not mentioned in What’s Included
- Optional excursions
- Gratuities
- Travel Insurance
Payments and Terms & Conditions
A $500 deposit per-person is required to reserve your retreat space and is non-refundable. Final payment is due on February 1, 2016. Prices include taxes and fees. Airfare and meals are not included, unless noted in the whats included section above. If you would like to attend the retreat portion only (March 6-10, 2016) please contact us for details.
Please review the Terms & Conditions before making your reservation.
If you are ready to make your reservation, please click the Buy Now button below to make your secure deposit via PayPal. You will be contacted in regards to your room type.
Questions, Additional Info & Contacts!
For more information or questions email maria @dailydownwarddog.com or call (330) 289-7026.
Oct 21, 2015 |
I couldn’t come back from my yoga retreat in Greece without a bunch of stories, and here is one I’d like to share about a restaurant owner on the island of Naxos. It is a story about trust, kindness, selfless service – and has an added bonus of a helpful little mantra to guide you through life.
After the Santorini retreat was over, I got to take a few days’ vacation, ferrying to Naxos with several of the women who attended the retreat. We all went out to dinner one night in the port town of the island at a restaurant called Meze Meze (or Meze2), which was recommended to us by the owner of the villa we stayed at. Unbeknownst to us, after dropping us off at the restaurant, our taxi driver Petros ran into the restaurant, found the owner, and told him he better take good care of us.
When it came time to order, a man who was not our waiter approached the table and told us his name was Panagioti, the owner of the restaurant, and that he had promised Petros that if we didn’t like our meal, he would not charge us for it. I need to tell you that Panagioti (who I later found out is nicknamed The Boss), was a big man and had quite a presence about him. He explained that his restaurant was unique because they offer small plates that are perfect for sharing. The menu is full of seafood and local specialties that we may not be familiar with, and because of this he proceeded to say, “I’d like you to trust me to order for you, so you can sample all the best we have to offer.”
Meze Meze is right on the water overlooking a marina full of fishing boats –
so you don’t have to ask if the fish is fresh!
I looked around the table at the women who were with me and the looks on their faces told me they were in no mood to trust this man. I turned back to look at Panagioti, and his face held the same proud and friendly expression that he brought to the table, which I’m sure was a difficult task after seeing the expression on my group’s faces. I really felt for him because here it was late September, the end of a long season of tourists, and if I were him my patience for finicky tourists would be about as thin as the octopus tentacles hanging out to dry as we walked along the marina to the restaurant.
Listening to my gut, I had to break the awkward gap of silence and blurted out, “Panagioti, I trust you. I’m adventurous, and I would love to try whatever you want to order us. Bring it on!” And then, I looked at the rest of the table with a pleading look to get them all on board.
Aahhh that word TRUST, it can be a very tricky thing, but I have to tell you that by far, the dinner that Panagioti and his staff served us that night was my favorite meal the whole time I was in Greece and also one of the most reasonably priced. I know it isn’t always easy to open your heart to trust, but sometimes you have to let go of things like attachment, control, and expectations to simply open your heart to trust. We did, and got rewarded with a delightfully unexpected culinary adventure of all the best seafood, cheeses, greek salad, olives, pasta, and fresh vegetables that Naxos has to offer.
I wish I had more pictures of the awesome dishes we had. If you want to see pictures of the Meza2 food go to this page on Trip Advisor…and get ready to drool!
One of the things that I will always remember about Greece is the kindness of the people. I found out while I was in Santorini that most of the people working there come to the island in early May and don’t leave until the end of October. They work in the service industry, seven days a week, with no time off. My group was there in mid-September, so very near to the end of the season, when I have to admit if I were in their shoes I would not be real pleasant, especially to strangers who don’t speak my language. The people who work at the hotels, restaurants, and as tour operators had every right to be fried, but every single person I met was not only kind and helpful, but pleasant and truly interested in making sure we enjoyed all that Greece had to offer.
Our waiter kept us smiling all night!!
After dinner I sought out Panagioti, because I wanted to thank him and let him know how much I enjoyed the meal. When I found him I started to gush about how delicious all the dishes were and thanked him for being so assertive in ordering for us. In a totally self-effacing manner, this huge guy thanked me for coming and told me that it was his pleasure, that he loves what he does and sharing the food from his country, and then he looked up from what he was doing, looked me right in the eye and said, “Enjoy your life.”
“Wow,” I thought, what a simple, yet profound message to share.
At the Gate of Apollo on Naxos Island, Greece.
Over the next few days after we had dinner, on two separate occasions members of my group stopped back into Meze Meze to buy a bottle of water while sightseeing in town. In both cases, Panagioti greeted them, gave them the bottle of water for free, told them if they were looking for a nice place for dinner that night to stop back and visit him, and then offered up his mantra, “Enjoy Your Life!” As Panagioti gave away those free bottles of water, I don’t believe he attached any expectation on the gift, but rather was offering a selfless act of service.
As I was flying home and thinking about all the incredible adventures I had in Greece, I kept thinking about Panagioti. I wondered how many free bottles of water he gave away this summer. I wondered how many people he inspired with his kind words and reminder to enjoy life. I wondered if Panagioti practiced yoga. The only thing I didn’t wonder about is the fact that Panagioti is a man who is fully present, loving what he does, and enjoying the gift of each and every day of life. It doesn’t matter if he ever pulls out a yoga mat and practices his downward dog or meditates for five minutes every morning, because he practices yoga every day in the way he lives his life.
I did enjoy every moment I was in Greece, even when my luggage didn’t show up in Santorini, but that’s a story for another time, so stay tuned I’ve got lots more Santorini stories, inspiration, and 2016 retreat announcements to share here on The Daily Downward Dog.
Jul 21, 2015 |
I am in the midst of my 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training, knee deep in yoga texts, self study, and special projects, and loving this incredible journey to becoming a certified 500-hour Yoga Teacher. One of my homework assignments this month comes straight from a book we are reading called Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing, by Caroline Myss.
I’m digging this book for two reasons:
1) It provides a deeper understanding into the energy associated with each of the chakras.
2) Caroline Myss is an awesome storyteller and uses a ton of real life stories in the book to illustrate her points…and who doesn’t love a good story!
In the chapter that covers the fifth chakra (vishuddha – the throat chakra) and the power of our will, Caroline covers the challenges of surrendering our own willpower to divine guidance. She puts forth five rules to live by to open up our ability to let go and honor the divine. So, for the month of July my yoga teacher, Mary Pat Murphy, gave me the assignment of trying to live daily with these five rules:
1) Make no judgments.
2) Have no expectations.
3) Give up the need to know why things happen as they do.
4) Trust that the unscheduled events of our lives are a form of spiritual direction.
5) Have the courage to make the choices we need to make, accept what we cannot change, and have the wisdom to know the difference.
Wowza, that is a pretty challenging homework assignment!
In my yoga classes this week I’m inviting my students to try out these rules as well. If you want to try it out with us give it a go. If you think it might be too challenging, I would highly recommend trying out #1. I always knew I put a lot of judgment on myself, but I never realized how quick I am to judge others and putting this rule into practice has been an eye opening experience. As yogis if we want to practice yoga off our yoga mats, we must let go of judgment and open our hearts to love all beings.
This sign should be posted on the door of every yoga studio.
If you want to free up a huge amount of wasted energy, I highly suggest the practice of #2. I am the queen of putting too much expectation into activities like vacations and concerts. When you go into a trip or event with no expectations, the unexpected occurrences will hopefully be a delight (like when your car’s air conditioning goes out on a 90 degree day on a 3-hour road trip).
My life over the last seven years has given me the opportunity to put into practice rules #3-5, and this week I am sharing a real-life story in my classes of how a big unscheduled event in my life was truly a form of spiritual direction. In fact, when I look back I now realize that I have been the recipient of divine guidance many times and that is how I received the call to begin practicing yoga and to becoming a yoga teacher.
If you thought summer was a time when there’s no homework, here is a huge honking homework assignment, if you choose to accept it. I’ll write more about my experience of practicing these rules, and please feel free to share your experience as well in the comments.
Jun 22, 2015 |
I’ve had many requests to lead a yoga retreat on a beach that didn’t require securing an international passport, or being far from family for a whole week. For those of you who want to get away from it all, dip your toes in the sand, and relax and recharge at a really awesome vacation destination, I’ve heard you. This summer I’ve got the perfect yoga retreat for you.
The weekend of August 28–30, 2015, I will be leading a yoga retreat at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Pack your bathing suit, yoga mat, and sense of adventure, and take a road trip to one of the coolest summer vacation spots in the Midwest – the newly restored and absolutely beautiful Hotel Breakers resort for Top Thrill Yoga.
The Hotel Breakers has just undergone an extensive transformation, and when you step into the lobby of this iconic hotel you will feel like you’ve been transported to a Cape Cod beach resort. Step outside of the lobby to find an expansive beach and pool deck where you can lounge. There are endless options to relax in between beach yoga and meditation sessions, including the thrilling amusement park rides at Cedar Point.
I’ve got a special weekend of themed yoga classes that will help you prepare your body and mind not only for the roller coasters in the park, but the roller coaster of life. We’ll breathe, stretch, meditate, relax, feed the soul, and find our bliss on a gorgeous one-mile stretch of sandy beach. No passport required!
Here are a few great reasons why you should join us for Top Thrill Yoga at Cedar Point:
1) Top Thrill Yoga! Cedar Point is known for its thrilling roller coasters like Top Thrill Dragster. In less than 4 seconds, the ride takes you from zero to 120 MPH and then shoots you 420 feet into the air for a power-packed adrenaline rush. During the weekend yoga and meditation sessions, I’ll be teaching a special Top Thrill Sun Salutation along with pranayama breathing exercises to prepare your heart and mind for the excitement you’ll find in the park – or anytime a stressful situation arises. This is not my first trip to Cedar Point, so I’ll teach you exactly how I’ve used the power of my breath to calm me down before taking a spin on Top Thrill Dragster!
2) FullMoonAsana. We’re starting the retreat class on Saturday night a little later. That gives you plenty of time in the park; plus it will be dark enough for us to practice moon salutations under the light of the full moon. The evening beach yoga class starts at 8:30 PM, and it is going to be a truly magical yoga practice under the stars, bathing in the expansive light and energy of the full moon.
3) Day-tripper. You don’t have to come for the whole weekend. If you like, you can head to Cedar Point for the day and attend individual yoga retreat classes. There is an early-bird discount if you purchase the weekend package of all the yoga and meditation classes before July 15, but each yoga class can also be purchased separately. If you purchase classes through the Daily Downward Dog you will have the opportunity to purchase discounted one-day and weekend Cedar Point tickets and parking passes. Click here for more information about purchasing the retreat weekend or individual class passes.
4) Community. One of the highlights of my past summer yoga retreats is hanging out by the fire at night simply relaxing, sharing laughter, and getting to know all the other yogis. The pool deck at Hotel Breakers has an awesome fire-pit with lots of chairs overlooking the lake, and I can’t wait to hang out there and make new friends on Friday and Saturday night.
5) Yoga with a View! Mother Nature is providing the perfect yoga studio for the weekend with views overlooking Lake Erie, as well as gorgeous sunrises, sunsets, and the full moon rising. You’ll hear the sound of the waves lapping up on the shore, birds chirping, and maybe even a few squeals of delight from the roller coaster fanatics. If by chance there is rain, we’ll have a wonderful space inside the Ceder Point Convention Center next to Hotel Breakers to practice yoga.
6) Food! You’ll enjoy all the perks of a full-service resort at Hotel Breakers, including Starbucks coffee, pancakes for breakfast at Perkins, Japanese food at TOMO Hibachi Grill, and frothy beverages at the Surf Lounge Rotunda Bar.
7) Adventure! If you stay at Hotel Breakers, you get to enter Cedar Point a whole hour before the general public– that means no lines for some of the most popular rides! You will also be able to purchase discounted park passes. Cedar Point has 71 amusement park rides (17 of those are roller coasters), the Soak City Waterpark, live entertainment, and Lake Erie activities like wave runner rental, parasailing, and boat charters. In between yoga classes you can have an afternoon of adventure, or just dip your toes in the sand and relax at the pool.
Don’t delay – Get your reservations for Hotel Breakers, check out all the activities to pursue at Cedar Point, purchase your yoga retreat classes, and then kick back and daydream until it’s time to enjoy Top Thrill Yoga! Click here for more information about the retreat weekend and links to purchase retreat accommodations and yoga class passes.
Woo Hoo! I hope to see you in Ohio this summer for Top Thrill Yoga!
May 22, 2015 |
How about making this your mantra for the summer: Less Stress, More BEACH! That shouldn’t be hard to do with the summer beach yoga schedule I have planned.
I am thrilled to say that tomorrow (May 23) kicks off the fifth year of bringing beach yoga to the beautiful Lake Erie shores and I’ll be back at Main Street Beach and Linwood Beach in Vermilion, and Firefly Beach in Huron again this summer to help you go from stressed out to blissed out! Soak up some sun salutations and let the sound of the waves wash away your stress at one of these classes:
In case you are wondering, yes, there will be yoga on Memorial Day at Main Street Beach!
Sunsets Help Reduce Stress!
I don’t know if anyone has ever done research on this, but I have to believe that watching a sunset over the water has got to reduce anxiety, decrease blood pressure, and generate calm and peaceful vibrations. I’m going to commission my own study, and if you would like to help me with the research, take a drive up to Vermilion for a sunset beach yoga class on Tuesday or Wednesday evening this summer. Mother nature puts on a spectacular show for us every night and you get a front seat view from your yoga mat while flowing through sun salutations. Come a little early or stay after class so you have time to take a relaxing walk along the beach and maybe even find some sea glass. Tuesday night Sunset Beach Yoga at Linwood Park starts on May 26, and Wednesday nights at Firefly Beach begin on May 27 at 7:30 PM.
Full Moon Beach Yoga
Wootie woo hoo the first full moon beach yoga class with be Tuesday, June 2 at Linwood Beach. The evening will start out with sunset beach yoga from 7:30 – 8:30 PM and be followed by the full moon class from 9:00 – 10:00 PM. Come do your moon salutations and soak up the vibrations of the full moon energy on the beach. Mark your calendar for July 2, July 31, and August 29 for additional full moon beach yoga classes.
Festival of the Fish Beach Yoga – June 19
Every year the city of Vermilion puts on an awesome weekend of food, fun, fireworks, and fish! This year the Festival of the Fish is June 19-21. I’m super excited to be on the agenda again, so join me for a free yoga class on Friday, June 19th at 9:30 AM at Main Street Beach.
Beach Yoga Bliss Retreat & More!
Save the date, the weekend Beach Yoga Bliss retreat will be August 28-30, and I’ll be announcing the location and details very soon. If you would like to receive email alerts about summer beach yoga classes, the weekend retreat, and news about standup paddleboard yoga classes, please leave a comment below or email us at info@ dailydownwarddog.com and we’ll get you set up!
Hope to see you on the beach this summer!!
Beach Yoga schedule and location details.
If you can’t make it to a beach this summer you can still stress less and get outside for any kind of outdoor yoga or check out one of my Hang Ten Meditation videos and meditate to the sound of waves!
Relax image from goodwp.com
As a Professional Coach and Certified Energy Leadership Master Practitioner, Cynthia helps women navigate their way through transition in their personal and professional lives. Cynthia’s insight will help you uncover your true values and beliefs. You will learn how to link your beliefs with your behaviors and actions to remove obstacles that may be holding you back. Tap into your personal power through this introduction to the unique Energy Leadership program and open up new avenues that empower you to thrive.
