Winter Wellness Yin Yang Retreat at the Inns of Aurora

IDEAL FOR VALENTINE'S DAY COUPLES or COME ON YOUR OWN!
Saturday, February 17th, 9:30 am - 5 pm

YOGA - TAI CHI - CHI GUNG!  Come spend a rejuvenating day (or days) at the historic Inns of Aurora exploring the world through the lenses of Yin and Yang energy flows which can appeal to both the masculine and feminine qualities inherent in all of us.  Here’s a chance to spend some time in good company with your sweetie or with new friends while you get relaxed and re-energized in a beautiful and serene location with outstanding options for dining as well.  While enjoying the beautiful new studio in the Loft at the Inns, you will have the opportunity to explore various styles of Yoga and Tai Chi Chi Gong that have distinct but overlapping concepts regarding the cultivation of energy in our bodies. The day will consist of sessions that are an exploration of the more gentle yin flows, including seated and moving meditation, and more vigorous yang forms found in both systems.   No previous yoga, tai chi or chi gung experience is necessary.

The Winter Wellness Program:

  • 9:30 - 10:30 - Introductions and Chi Gung foundations - Get up and get grounded onto your feet and into your breath
  • 10:45 - 11:45 - Yang style Yoga flow - Warm up your body with a well guided and slightly more vigorous yoga sequence
  • 12:00 - 1:30 - LUNCH BREAK
  • 1:30 - 2:30 - Yin style restorative yoga and stretching - Rest and digest as you practice some active, yoga based stretching
  • 2:45 - 3:45 - Tai Chi flow - Learn a standing, flowing and meditative Tai Chi flow
  • 4:00 - 5:00 - Restful and restorative yoga including Yoga Nidra, the Yoga of Sleep - Time to slip off into a deeply peaceful and meditative state of being as you are guided through some supported yoga postures while lying on the ground.

Instructor bios:  Sessions will be led by wife and husband team, Astrid Jirka and Christian Przygocki, who have been living together for nearly 20 years in a constant discussion of the overlapping traditions of the Indian yogic and Eastern martial arts traditions.  They live in Ithaca, NY.

Astrid has been teaching yoga in the Hatha, Vinyasa and Restorative traditions for over 10 years. She organizes and leads yoga workshops and retreats in the Finger Lakes and overseas via her business Vahana Yoga & Eco-Tours. Her classes seek to create physical strength and flexibility, along with calmer minds and a more heart centered approach to life, through both Yin and Yang sequencing. She is also deeply concerned about the state of the world and seeks to integrate yogic principles into her teachings that illicit a sense of connection among people and the earth.

Christian Przygocki has been a student and instructor within the martial arts traditions for over 30 years. He has delved deeply into the worlds of many traditions including the foundations of Tai Chi and Chi Gung as methods to increase body awareness and mental control. He is a certified martial arts instructor and a licensed massage therapist and currently works as a surgical RN. He has a deep understanding of both the physical and spiritual energetic bodies which he continues to explore with great passion.

COSTS:   Includes all 5 wellness sessions.  You don't have to do them all, but we hope that you will!
Deadline to Register:  February 14th - Valentine's Day

Early bird Prices - before January 13th - CLOSED

  • $108 per individual
  • $199 per couple

Regular Prices - starting January 13th

  • $119 per individual
  • $219 per couple

Add-ons!

Please make your reservations separately for the following opportunities to personalize your weekend of wellness! 
Please also note that lunch is not included in the retreat day price.   However, there are options for eating a great lunch within walking distance of the Inns.

Stay at The Inns of Aurora! The Inns of Aurora are one of the Finger Lake's most historic destinations, situated in the town of Aurora on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake.  Four mansions, built in the mid 1800s in various architectural styles iconic of the times, are now beautifully restored and welcome visitors all year round.  The Inns also manage a high end dining hall, a pub and a yoga studio and spa.  Whenever you are at the Inns, you are also at the edge of the water, looking out over one of the widest areas of Cayuga Lake, enjoying sunset views and the quiet of the rural town.  All rooms have one queen bed.  If you are coming to the Winter Wellness Retreat, we highly encourage you to book a room for a night or two to take full advantage of this super charming location. 
Rooms must be booked separately HERE. 

Join Astrid and Christian for a fancy Saturday Night Dinner!  Surrounded by rolling farmland where heritage farms cultivate wine grapes, grow organic vegetables, produce artisanal cheeses, and raise grass-fed beef, the Inns are located in the center of a thriving farm-to-table culture. They host a wine & beer dinner series to showcase the incredible work of the region’s winemakers, brewmasters, and farmers.  For each of these special dinners, their Executive Chef Patrick Higgins (recently honored by the James Beard Foundation) creates a five-course menu, designing each unique dish to showcase and enhance the featured wine or beer pairing. During dinner, both Chef Patrick and the featured guest act as your culinary guide, revealing the story behind each sip and every bite.  On Saturday the 17th, the special guest will be French winemaker Marinette Garnier who lives and works in Bourgogne, France.   More info HERE.
$85/per person.  Pre-dinner reception begins at 6:30 p.m.; dinner is at 7:00 p.m.
Please call 315.364.8888 to place your reservation and mention the CODE: YIN YANG when you do so, if you'd like to sit at a table with Astrid & Christian. 

Treat yourself to a Massage!  Through a partnership with Ithaca’s premiere Rasa Spa, you can indulge in a single or duet’s massage in the comfort and privacy of your room or in the massage spaces next to the Yoga Loft, on Friday - Sunday of the retreat weekend.   Many modalities, including partnerduet massage, hot stone treatment or aromatherapy can be requested.  More information about options and pricing can be found HERE.   Call 315-364-8888 to arrange a massage.

    REGISTRATION:

    Payment and Cancellation Policy
    All registrations are final. 

    Vahana Yoga & Eco-Tours reserves the right cancel or to make changes to any and all aspects of this Retreat (which may include changes to the types and/or timing of activities during the Retreat, items and/or services included with the Retreat, and/or the itinerary) if it is deemed necessary to do so due to conditions that may be hazardous, dangerous, or otherwise adverse or threatening, or if an act or omission of a third party prevents any such aspects of the Retreat or any portion of the Retreat from occurring, or for any other reason considered commercially necessary.  Should cancellation be necessary due to any such unforseen circumstances, 50% of registration payments will be reimbursed to retreat participants as soon as possible.

    Vahana Yoga & Eco-Tours reserves the right to cancel the retreat prior to the start date if the minimum number of participants is not met.  100% of registration payments will be reimbursed to retreat participants if this should occur.  Additional travel expenses incurred by participants will not be reimbursed.

    It is highly recommended that you consider purchasing travel insurance to compensate you if you run into any travel problems such as lost luggage, weather delays, personal emergencies or other unforseen circumstances.

    WAIVER AND LIABILITY RELEASE

    In consideration of participating in this Retreat, I agree to assume full responsibility for any risks, injuries, losses or damages, known or unknown, which I might incur as a result of participating in the retreat, including any and all activities done with the retreat group, or as an individual during the trip.

    I acknowledge that I will be participating in activities during which I will receive information and instruction about yoga, body movement and health and that yoga requires physical exertion that may be strenuous and may cause physical injury, and I am fully aware of the risks and hazards involved.

    I understand that it is my responsibility to consult with a physician prior to and regarding my participation in the Retreat. I represent and warrant that I am physically fit and I have no medical conditions that would prevent my full participation in the Retreat. I acknowledge that I will inform Astrid Jirka, in writing, of any medical conditions I have which are of concern to me, before the retreat start date.

    I knowingly, voluntarily and expressly waive any claim I may have against Vahana Yoga & Eco-Tours or its staff for injury or damages that I may sustain as a result of participating in the retreat. I, my heirs and legal representatives forever release, waive, discharge and covenant not to sue Vahana Yoga & Eco-Tours or its staff for any injury or death caused by their negligence or other acts.

    I give permission to Astrid Jirka and Vahana Yoga & Eco-Tours to use photographs or videos taken during this trip for promotional purposes.

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

    By registering for this retreat, I understand that my registration acts as my signature and thereby acknowledge and agree to all of the policies noted above.

    Thank you for reading through these details.  Now on to the fun stuff ...


    Please contact Astrid Jirka with any questions at astrid@govahana.com