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Tantra, Yoga and Yoga Nidra: Teachings of the Taravali – A ParaYoga Retreat with Yogarupa Rod Stryker at Seminarhaus Shanti, Bad Meinberg, Germany

Rod Stryker | May 1, 2022 - May 8, 2022

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Against the beautiful backdrop of Seminarhaus Shanti,
we soar to the heights of yoga, tantra and Vedanta.

Scroll down to the bottom of this page to register!
3/23/2022 UPDATE: Coronavirus Restrictions have been lifted for this event,
only a negative COVID test is required, see details below.

In this retreat, Yogarupa leads you through seven days of illumined practice, self-inquiry and thought-provoking ideas. Drawing upon the sacred scripture, The Yoga Taravali, which the great teacher T. Krishnamacharya described as “one of the best poems on the message of yoga,” Yogarupa will expound upon its profound insights. Written in the 8th century by the great sage Shankara, it provides a remarkable roadmap into the techniques of asana, pranayama, bandha, meditation and yoga nidra.

Together we venture into the journey of authentic practice that culminates in the fullest flowering of the yogic journey. Through discourse and practice, Yogarupa will share how its practices are a systematic progression that ultimately leads to freedom and joy in all realms.

Practices will enliven your connection to prana (vital life force). Dharma talks will help transform how you see the terrain of practice, yourself, and life. Experiential sessions weave together asana practice, pranayama, and meditation. In addition, you’ll experience daily yoga nidra sessions: the Yoga Taravali is one of very few written texts that points to a traditional approach into this sacred and sublime technique.

Rod on the Yoga Taravali:
“Given the challenges of these times, the subject matter of my upcoming retreat in Bad Meinberg, Germany—the Yoga Taravali—could not be more relevant. The  wisdom of the ancient scriptures is timeless precisely because they offer us enduring solutions. When external or internal peace becomes so hard to come by, so distant from our everyday life, the wisdom of the scriptures offers all of us a way back to our best selves as well as a clear sense of how best to respond to all of life’s circumstances. 
 

In this context, few of the ancient texts are as pertinent as the Yoga Taravali. Its approach is systematic; its practices (yoga nidra, asana, bandha, pranayama, mudra, and prescribed approaches to meditation) lead to the most profound states of renewal. Skillful application of its wisdom leads to the realization of Self, a return to inner peace and strength, and most significantly, the resolution of fragmentation and fear. 

Taravali means “multitude of stars.” The Yoga Taravali refers to specific yogic methods as the brightest points of light—for tapping into the freedom that comes from remembering that we are always more than our circumstances.    

Throughout our week together, I’ll lead you progressively through these sublime practices, exploring the deepest meaning and guiding wisdom of the text’s timeless teachings. We’ll delve into the key milestones of yoga practice: the healing power of the deepest states of rest, enduring tranquility, soaking in the vast pool of inner joy, and finally, the revelations that effortlessly unfold from resting in the soul’s essence. This retreat will be an extraordinary opportunity to learn and, most importantly experience, a direct path into the depths of yoga—unveiling the boundless potential that we each hold in our heart and mind.

All dedicated practitioners are welcome to join us for this very special immersion—intended to lift the burdens of the world, allowing us to see the often hidden, but essential, glory of human experience. I look forward to seeing you in May.”

 

A background in yoga practice and pranayama is recommended for participation in this retreat. This retreat counts as 40 contact hours toward Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Credits; PDF certificates of completion will be issued upon request by contacting Julie Reid: julie@parayoga.com. For all other questions about this retreat, please contact Kerry Kleisner: kerry@parayoga.com

 

About the Venue

Seminarhaus Shanti in Bad Meinberg is a hidden treasure with powerful spiritual vibrations, located on the Yoga Vidya Ashram campus in the Teutoburger Forest of northern Germany. It is Europe’s largest seminar house, perfect for learning and practicing yoga in a natural setting with like-minded people while enjoying 100% organic and almost completely vegan meals. Yogarupa is looking forward to leading this master training at Seminarhaus Shanti, a serene and sacred location for diving into one of the most profound practices in the yoga tradition, yoga nidra.

Covid Policies: As with most organizations and gathering places, Seminarhaus Shanti’s policies surrounding Coronavirus/Covid 19 are subject to change, but as of 3/23/2022, all that is needed for our May retreat is a negative COVID test upon arrival, regardless of vaccination status. You can find out more on this page on their website.

From Seminarhaus Shanti, these policies will be in place starting April 2nd:

  • Everyone can come, even those who are not vaccinated.
  • However, all guests need a negative corona test in order to arrive (regardless of vaccination status, i.e. all including vaccinated, recovered, boosted, etc.).
  • We continue to keep a distance of at least 1 meter in the yoga rooms.
  • Masks are no longer compulsory
  • Guests should not arrive with cold symptoms. Anyone who has cold symptoms before arrival (which are not due to hay fever, asthma, chronic bronchitis) should not come to the ashram.
  • Should anyone get symptoms of a cold during their stay, they should no longer take part in lectures, yoga classes, satsangs, etc.
  • If a federal state passes a Corona regulation that goes beyond this, this state Corona regulation will of course apply. Of course, hotspot regulations can also come into force if this is necessary.
  • As always, the following applies to guest groups: All cancellations for guest groups are free of charge and amounts already paid will be refunded.

Recommended Reading

It is not required to read the Yoga Taravali in advance, but if you’d like to download a version of it (actual texts are very hard to find) you can click here to be directed to the most essential elements of it: Yoga Taravali Part 3

Cost

Program Cost: $695  This price covers the cost of tuition only. It does not cover your room and board at Seminarhaus Shanti.

Important: ParaYoga books your room directly through Seminarhaus Shanti, independent of the tuition for the course. You can then pay for your room/board when they email you a confirmation.

Here’s how it works, PLEASE READ: When you register and pay the tuition, please let us know in the “Notes” section of your order which room category you prefer, the name of your roommate if you have one, and your arrival and departure dates. Room category details are on this event page. If you would like us to pair you with a roommate, please let us know that as well. We will communicate this information to Seminarhaus Shanti and they will send you a booking confirmation email with details about your stay and payment options (wire transfer in advance or cash upon arrival, they do not accept credit cards).

The $100 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is due at time of registration. When you register, you may pay in full or only pay the deposit; the option to pay only the deposit appears at the final payment screen. Balances are due by March 2nd, 2022. After March 1st, new registrants must pay the regular pricing in full.

Cancellation Policy: PLEASE READ!

Early bird rate requires all tuition costs to be paid in full no later than 60 days prior to the event.

Any cancellations done 30 days or more prior to event start: The deposit of $100.00 is non-refundable and non-transferable. The balance (total cost minus the deposit) is not refundable, but it is transferable to future ParaYoga sponsored events as well as the ParaYoga online trainings.

Any cancellations done 30 days or less prior to event start: All payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: Should we need to cancel the event due to the pandemic, please rest assured that you will receive a full refund less credit card processing fees (3%). 

Trip Insurance: We suggest purchasing trip insurance that covers the total cost of the retreat at the time of registration.

Venue

Seminarhaus Shanti
Campus Yoga Vidya e.V., Yogaweg 1
Horn-Bad Meinberg, 32805 Germany
+ Google Map

Lodging

Important: ParaYoga books your room directly through Seminarhaus Shanti, independent of the tuition for the course. You can then pay for your room/board when they email you a confirmation.

Here’s how it works, PLEASE READ: When you register and pay the tuition, please let us know in the “Notes” section of your order which room category you prefer, the name of your roommate if you have one, and your arrival and departure dates.

 

If you would like us to pair you with a roommate, please let us know that as well. We will communicate this information to Seminarhaus Shanti and they will send you a booking confirmation email with details about your stay and payment options (wire transfer in advance or cash upon arrival, they do not accept credit cards).

This page on their website has a video in English which shows the room categories:
https://www.yoga-vidya.de/seminarhaus-shanti/english/

 

Rates for May 1-8, includes dinner on May 1st, brunch on the 8th, and all meals (brunches and dinners) in between:

Single Room (with private bathroom) 52,75 x 7+10 (weekend fee) = €410,75

Double Occupancy Twin Beds (with private bathroom) 40,75 x 7 +10 (weekend fee) = €295,25 per person

Dorm (4 person dorm with private bathroom) 31,75 x 7 +10 (weekend fee)  = €232,25 per person

Camper/Tent 26,25 x 7 +10 (weekend fee) = €193,75 per person

Omitting:(*There is a €5 surcharge during weekend nights, added to your bill)
*Bed linens and towels can be rented for a small fee or you can bring your own.

 

A La Carte Prices 2022: If you plan to arrive earlier than May 1st or stay on at the ashram after the training ends, they will provide you with separate pricing for those days (they will send you two different booking confirmations and therefore two invoices, one for the training dates and the other for the additional days). Here are the a la carte prices, per day:

Arriving one day earlier (including weekend fee):
Single room: €95
Double room: €77 per person
Dorm: €60
Camper/Tent: €47 per person

Staying one day longer:
Single room: €87
Double room: €69 per person
Dorm: €53
Camper/Tent: €39 per person

 

From Seminarhaus Shanti:

“We invite you to stay in a peaceful environment where you can gain new insights, access to your intuition, and rediscover your inner resources of happiness. Enjoy the rejuvenating tranquillity and closeness to Mother Nature as you replenish your energy and relax completely. In addition to lectures and workshops, there are two meditation sessions and two yoga exercise classes offered daily.

Seminarhaus Shanti also offers many leisure activities such as cycling (bicycles can be borrowed without charge), hiking in the adjoining forests and valleys, swimming, sauna, excursions that you can take to a variety of local points of interest. It is suitable for retreats, workshops and conferences with spiritual and/or alternative topics, idyllically located at the edge of a big forest to give you a break from everyday life. 

We offer a purely vegetarian diet and an alcohol-free and smoke-free environment. Enjoy the food at one of Germany’s biggest certified organic and vegetarian/vegan dining facility and treat your guests and yourself to delicious meals.

We aim to save resources. Our warm water and electricity for our entire campus is generated by the solar panels on the roofs and a nearby biogas plant.

You can make use of the professional services offered by Europe’s biggest yoga conference center, some of which are free and others can easily be booked for an additional fee.”

 

Link to learn more about Seminarhaus Shanti at Haus Yoga Vidya:
https://www.yoga-vidya.de/center/haus-bad-meinberg/start/

How to get to Seminar House Shanti, Haus Yoga Vidya: https://www.yoga-vidya.de/center/haus-bad-meinberg/start/wegbeschreibung/

Getting to “Horn-Bad Meinberg” by train:

https://www.bahn.com/en/view/index.shtml

then:

To go by train: comfortably travel by train and then take the bus line 782
www.stadtverkehrdetmold.de/images/pdf/Linie_782_Fahrplanbuch1.pdf.
The bus brings you from the station in Horn-Bad Meinberg almost to our entrance.

The access of the bus is at the bus station “Abzweig Bahnhof”. This you will find when you get out of the train, and the station and turn left. After approximately 100 meters it is on the opposite side of the next crossroad.

The station stop is “Kurzentrum”. From there it takes three minutes walk. Please follow the signs for directions to Yoga Vidya.

After the first right hand bend the Seminarhaus Shanti is the first building on the right side.

For detailed information about departure and arrival times please check www.bahn.de.

Taxi from the station in Horn-Bad Meinberg: Taxi Brandl: 05234-98805/0160-98101101, Taxi Wienke: 05234-

98147, Taxi Blomberger/Henke: 05234-9555, Taxi Prasse: 05234-89933. Please call in advance. They are not

waiting at the station because this is a small village.

Arriving by plane:

Paderborn is the nearest: here is the English link: https://www.airport-pad.com/en/

 

Looking for someone to share a ride to Bad Meinberg or a roommate during the training? Read on…
The best place to seek or offer ride or room share information for ParaYoga events is on the Facebook group page specially created for your training. This ParaYoga group page also serves as a forum for discussion and sangha (community) after the training.  ParaYoga room or ride share information will be available only on the Facebook group page, not on the website. After we have opened registration, we will email the group with a link to join this page.
If you’re not using Facebook, we recommend that you sign up for this free service since this is the only place where ParaYoga room or ride share information will be available and because this private group is a great place to continue discussing what you’ve learned. Please note that the ParaYoga office is not responsible for connections made on these Facebook pages or for their content.

To join our pages on Facebook:
We have two main pages on FB.  To stay up to date with all Rod Stryker and ParaYoga events as well as to receive a steady stream of inspiration for your practice, be sure to search for and then like the following pages:
www.facebook.com/ParaYogaFB
www.facebook.com/RodStryker

Daily Schedule

Sunday May 1: A Welcome Gathering after dinner

Monday-Saturday:
8-10:30 and 3:30-5:30pm (15:30-17:30)

Saturday after dinner: Meditation & Closing

 

Meal Times:

Brunch 10:30-12:00
Dinner 17:30-19:00 (5:30-7pm)

 

Please note: After the retreat, students are eligible to receive a certificate of completion. However, it is not rewarded on the basis of enrollment. Attendance at all sessions and completion of all contact hours is required. Certificates can only be issued on the basis of hours completed by the close of the training.

Germany 2022 Tuition - $695.00 Buy Now