Monthly Archives: January 2013

Weekend Getaway Retreat at La Casa de Maria

Weekend Getaway Retreat at La Casa de Maria

Cultivating Mindfulness in Every Day Life.

This exquisite fully booked weekend is now complete. Everyone went home deeply renewed with more friends, greater love for life and a commitment to live mindfully.  Watch this space for next year’s retreat.

Friday May 17 4.00pm till Sunday May 19 1.00pm 2013

Celebrate Springtime in this beautiful retreat setting

Maggie and Holly Sacks of Insight 3.0 invite you to join them on a weekend retreat. Mindfulness is paying attention in a particular way, in the present moment, without judgement. Based on ancient, sacred traditions, Mindfulness provides a path to compassion, equanimity, and wisdom.

Cultivating Mindfulness in Daily Life includes setting intentions for the day, mindful breathing,  moving, listening, eating and journaling, plus various forms of meditation, walking the sacred path of the labyrinth, and the optional morning yoga practice.

We will have informational presentations balanced with direct experience practice, as well as plenty of unstructured time for you to be with yourself in the supportive environment.

Nestled in the elegant hills above Santa Barbara, La Casa de Maria provides the ideal sanctuary for what we know will be an insightful and memorable experience for all.

All inclusive cost, shared rooms, Friday evening  to Sunday afternoon   Cost: $ 395.00

This is the Early Bird price. After April 15th, if there is still place, cost is $ 439.00

Register Now with Paypal




You may also pay by check: Maggie Mellor 2553 Ciro Ave., Thousand Oak, CA 91360

More about Holly Sacks

  • Former senior vice president of marketing and corporate strategy at HID Global
  • BA in cultural anthropology from University of California at Berkeley.
10 years ago, I met HollyHolly when she attended my retreat at La Casa de Maria.
Holly took to the practice of yoga, completed  the Yoga Teacher Training, and soon became a practitioner of Mindfulness.
Together she and I have enjoyed hours of engaged conversation, many international journeys and  delight in conscious living. This  has culminated in a partnership in this program Insight 3.0 dedicated to bringing the practice of mindfulness to groups beyond the yoga studios.
More about La Casa de Maria
This beautiful retreat center provides a sanctuary for personal reflection and communal connection. It is situated in the upmarket area of Montecito and borders the luxurious Santa Ynez Estate. Yet the offerings are simple and very affordable.  I have been hosting retreats here for 10 years and never fail to marvel again at the exquisite natural environment tended by the very kind staff and the welcoming of all who love to take refuge. Oh, and the food is great, fresh, healthy and made with love. Special diets are accommodated.
The photos below taken at earlier retreats:

solitary seat at creek

Pacific Ocean views from Montecito

Unforgettable journey to Burma now complete.

Unforgettable journey to Burma now complete.

January 2nd 2013 – Jan 16th 2013

Temples at Bagan

This journey is now sold out.

Join us on a journey to a country where the clock of development has stood still for many years.
Where the main city traffic is made up of thousands of bicycles. Where  stilted villages float on lakes and people never leave the water; where the sound of the dharma bell rings over the peaceful farmlands. Come to the Golden Land where red robed monks and a serene smiling people will enchant you with their grace and hospitality.

Also known as Myanmar, Burma is a land where Buddhism is the way of life. Courageously, having been repressed by a military regime for many years, the people have continued the path that leads to the End of Suffering. Thankfully, change is happening and there is democratizing of the infrastructures. Now this destination has been named as one of the Top 10 in the world.

Some of the highlights: Soaking up the peaceful air at Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset.

Exploring ancient temples of Bagan in a horse and cart.

Floating on a long boat on the serene Inle Lake.

Cruising down the Irriwady River through remote villages.

Exploring limestone caves at Pindaya  filled with hundreds of Buddha Images.

Savor the excellent Shan cuisine of fish from the lake,

Shopping in the bustle of crowded markets and shops in colonial Rangoon.

In keeping with the request of Nobel Peace Laureate Aung Suu Ki, we are avoiding large hotels owned by the military junta and will stay at carefully chosen properties to ensure that our visit brings benefit to locals.

We visit all the most important places: Yangoon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake. We travel by road, air and by boat.   All kinds of boats! From a river boat cruise on the Irrawaddy River an all-day experience with lunch on board, to sunset canoes on the lake. We walk, hike and are taken around in horse drawn buggies!  Temples, markets, scenery and great food.  This is not to be missed!

We are hosted by highly experienced and knowledgeable Engish-speaking guides

With all the eagerness of visiting a whole new culture, we practice Mindfulness on our Sacred Journey. We  tread lightly as we go. A short daily meditation together will keep our focus and our energies aligned with Present Moment Awareness.

A small group of friends in a foreign land: what can be better?

The dates include flying time from Los Angeles. If you are coming in from elsewhere, know that we begin in Yangoon on January 4th.  We return home to LAX on January 16th early in the morning.

Visas are required to visit this country, and so airtickets must be purchased immediately.

To book your flight: contact Laurel at: lspottl@aol.com. Call her at  805 5853721 direct.  We carefully researched  the best price, shortest route and most comfortable airline!

Cost of the two week all incl journey: $ 2,895.00

All local meals, transport and entry fees.  Not included drinks, tips, visa fee and international airfare.

For details and full itinerary email Maggie@easeintoyoga.com.

     A photographer’s heaven, we will experience sunset and   sunrise in spectacular  places.

 

 

 

Meditate in the temples, participate in prayerful practices or simply enjoy the wonder evoked by the place.

 

 

 

 

And in the end:  Seize the Day!