Five Elements Harmony Yoga Retreat

Voluntown, CT, USA

SW
Still Waters Retreat
  • Email address verified
24 reviews
Sep 7 - 9, 2018
Group size: 4 - 10
Five Elements Harmony Yoga Retreat
Voluntown, CT, USA

Still Waters Retreat
  • Email address verified
24 reviews

Sep 7 - 9, 2018
Group size: 4 - 10

About this trip

This retreat will help you balance energy and find deeper layers of harmony within your body and also the within the environment through the Five Elements so you can awaken your own healing switch. We will explore Yoga Postures (Asanas), Breathing Techniques (Pranayama) Meditation and Guided Visualization, Essential Oils, Intentions and Affirmations, Mantras (mind freeing sentences) and Mudras (yoga with the hands), Journaling and Creative Activities to harmonize the Elements. We will incorporate the Chakras with the Elements, and each practice will be created to help highlight every element so you will become aware of how you might need an Earth practice to help you ground vs. a Fire flow to increase your transformational power. Healing begins with Awareness. 


Offerings 

    EARTH (walk/hike on local trails)

    WATER (swim/kayak/canoe in the pond)

    FIRE (sunshine)

    AIR (listen to your heart read/journal/rest)

    SPACE (look up/lookout/just BE)


“All healing comes from within oneself~We can help each other turn on one's own healing switch, but the healing capacity is within oneself.” 


Self-care is the new health care. You can only heal what you feel so keep tuning in with Awareness for when you get out of tune.


This intimate weekend event is limited to up to 10 fabulous guests.  Your participation and support help to sustain Still Waters Retreat Center for future groups. Thank you. 

About Carol Shwidock, your group leader

Carol Shwidock, a Yoga Therapist/Reiki Master and owner of Harmony Yoga Studio in Stamford CT is a Kripalu-certified Yoga Instructor since 2004. With additional certifications in Restorative Yoga with Jillian Pransky, Yoga and Ayurveda with Alana Greenberg and Five Elements Yoga with Jennifer Reis, Carol has also studied with Shiva Rea, Embodying the Flow and Yoga for Emotional Balance with Bo Forbes, Five Elements with Todd Norian and more.

Carol has worked in the field of rehabilitation as an Occupational Therapist for over Twenty Five years. She has worked successfully with students dealing with(healing from) diagnoses such as Anxiety, Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, Back Pain, Migraines, ALS, Guillain Barre, Arthritis, Hip Replacements, Breast Cancer and Chronic Tension. She is available for Private Therapeutic Yoga, Yoga parties, Corporate Yoga as well as group therapeutic yoga classes held at Harmony Yoga Studio.


Harmony Yoga has a TV show every morning from 6:30-7 am on Channel 138 in CT or watch on JBS.org. For more information, visit the website here

About Still Waters

A space for people to unplug, think, create, do the inner healing work, connect with nature and each other.  An artist-owned retreat center with your hosts, Tao & Amy LaBossiere.


Still Waters is nestled among 100 acres of conservation forest and a private, 12-acre pond. We offer artfully appointed, rustic and comfortable lodging and retreats for small groups and individuals/couples. Here are just a few of our many attributes:

  • Newly built main house with five guest rooms and 3.5 baths
  • Outdoor water-view dining deck
  • Art & Yoga studio 
  • Private hiking trail in 100 acres of forest with art & sculpture
  • Sunrise yoga platform
  • Beautiful pond-side fire pit
  • Waterfall and spillway

The main house has five guest bedrooms and 3-1/2 guest bathrooms. The eco-friendly beds feature beautiful sheets, blankets, and pillows. Each guest receives one towel set to use during their stay. 


Please bring your environmentally friendly toiletries. We recommend no heavy perfumes as many people are scent-sensitive. 


September is a fantastic time of year at Still Waters. We feel the lingering hints of summer.  For more information, find us on Facebook, Instagram or visit our website here.

What to bring

Comfortable outdoor shoes for unstable ground and hiking

Our main house requires no shoes so please bring house slippers (guest slippers available)

A sweater or sweatshirt (it can get chilly at night)

Your favorite pillow (although our pillows are pretty awesome)

A yoga mat, if you have your own, otherwise we'll provide them

A journal and pen, if desired.

TESTIMONIALS

TESTIMONIALS from Sept 2017 Five Elements Harmony Yoga Retreat


“Practicing Yoga with Carol in nature at Harmony Yoga’s Five Elements Retreat awoke something within me. Carol wove together music, flows, restorative yoga, and poems. We hiked to a waterfall, sang and danced at a bonfire, and practiced together under a huge blue sky. I am home now, but weekend is alive inside me, expansive and open. Thank you for opening doors I did not know were there!”


“Harmony Yoga’s Five Elements Retreat taught me poses with a purpose! Not just going through the motions but going through the motions to get to the emotions!”


“One of the best overall Yoga experiences! You will walk away with the tools to implement in your daily life. Carol is clearly a passionate expert!”


“Being part of the Five Elements Yoga Retreat had many levels for me…a sense of spirited community, relaxation and learning in depth about how we connect to the Five Elements…I had a profound shift!”


“I have slowed down, silenced the noise and become more aware of the Elements missing from my life!”


“I’m leaving having made a shift to a deeper sense of calm and wellbeing, feeling of connection, openness, and body well being!”


“I highly recommend Five Elements Harmony Yoga Retreat. It simply gives deep meaning to every pose you’ve ever done and didn’t know why.”


“Carol provided us with poses and a purpose, giving peace and tranquility in a place filled with natural beauty. Fabulous weekend from the moment we drove in to the sad moment we had to leave.


“Traveling through the Elements with the connection to the Nature around us, you provided an opportunity to LIVE each Element and reflect on how we can balance them within us. I learned about Awareness and the importance of the poses and time needed to create balance within..I will take time everyday!”


“Carol doesn’t just teach yoga,,,she LIVES it!”


“It was a well thought out cohesive workshop and even thought I missed some of the classes(elements) I came away with a better understanding of the Elements/Chakras. When I entered the room where we practiced, I felt like I was entering a sanctuary where time slowed and “busyness” melted away.”


“Fantastic Weekend! Carol you were organized, professional, warm, supportive and motivating! Thank You!”

What’s included

  • All Meals
    Served family-style in our dining room. Healthy homestyle meals with vegetarian options. GMO-free, locally sourced and organic whenever possible.
  • Bonfires
    Weather-permitting, we'll gather around the fire to tell stories, release intentions, let go of what no longer serves. This is where the connection happens.
  • Hiking
    Take a self-guided or group hike on our fire road in the private woods. See sculptures thoughtfully placed as you commune with nature.
  • Accommodations
    Shared accommodations. Ultra comfortable beds with two guests per room, delicious sheets and bedding in a newly built main house (2017 construction). Shared bathrooms. One towel set per guest.
  • All taxes
    Includes CT State Occupancy and Sales Taxes as required by law.

What’s not included

  • Travel
    We are 30 minutes from Westerly, RI; 1 hour from Hartford, CT; 45 minutes from Providence, RI; 1.5 hours from Boston, MA; and 2.5 hours from New York City
  • Insurance
    Personal, medical or trip cancellation insurance

Available Packages

Trip Price
$650
Deposit: $200

Available options

Itinerary

Itinerary
Five Elements Harmony Yoga Retreat

Offerings 

    EARTH (walk/hike on local trails)

    WATER (swim/kayak/canoe in pond)

    FIRE (sunshine)

    AIR (listen to your heart read/journal/rest)

    SPACE (look up/look out/just BE)


Friday 

Check In 4pm Still Waters 

5:30 -6:30 pm EARTH ELEMENT YOGA CLASS

7 pm Dinner

8:30-9:30pm Ground into the Earth and Land with Restorative Yoga


Saturday

6:30-7 am Wake up Walk

7:30-8:30 am WATER ELEMENT YOGA CLASS

8:30-9:30 am Breakfast

10 am options: Hike~Water Sports~Explore~Rest~Journal~Create

12:30-1:30 pm Lunch

2 pm Let's talk about Yoga, Ayurveda and You (interactive quiz/questions)

4-5:30 pm FIRE ELEMENT YOGA CLASS/Creative Activities

6 pm Dinner

8 pm-10 pm BONFIRE and Surrender Ceremony


Sunday

630 am -7 am Wake-up Walk

7:30 am -8:30 am AIR ELEMENT YOGA CLASS

8:30 am Green Smoothies

9:30 -11 SPACE ELEMENT YOGA CLASS AND CLOSING MEDITATION

11 am Brunch 

12-2 Check Out

Your Organizer


SW
Still Waters Retreat
24 reviews
An artist-owned retreat center with your hosts, Tao and Amy LaBossiere. Still Waters is nestled among 88 acres of conservation forest and a private, 12-acre pond. We offer artfully appointed, rustic and comfortable lodging and retreats for small groups and individuals/couples.

Reviews

This was such an unexpected great trip for me and my boyfriend. We were referred to Stillwater last minute trying to book accommodations for a wedding close by, and it was the best referral I have gotten to date. We had to come in late our first day due to festivities, but we wish we were able to able to spend a full weekend at Tao and Amy's bed & breakfast and retreat center. The two of them were so accommodating to us both. The house as a whole was beautifully rebuilt by Tao and Amy since a fire in 2014, and each room used objects from the first house- including as much wood as possible. They were decorated in a way that made me want to photograph them and put them in a magazine. Before even talking to them about their lives, we knew they had to be artists. The room we stayed in was awesome to the point where I needed to ask about the pillows and bedding. Amy and Tao went out of their way to make breakfast for four guests, as if we were a retreat-sized group, which was so kind of them. We got to meet the other guests over breakfast and try Tao's famous savory corn cakes- something I will try to recreate for years to come. When it was almost time to go, we were lucky to get a tour of the property and cabins from Tao, who has lived here is entire life! Words don't do Stillwater justice, from the space they created, the trails they have for hiking, the accommodations for weddings, retreats, or special events, and the beautiful pond and landscape surrounding the main house. As a found object / mixed media / installation enthusiast myself, it was very exciting to hear and see what went into building pretty much everything at Stillwater. Each cabin on the property was unique, and felt like being in one of Tao's own installations. I could totally see my friends and family coming here for a wedding, retreat, or weekend to hang, and loving every second of the relaxation and environment they would be staying in! Staying here felt like we were truly immersed in something peaceful, artistic, and refreshing. We definitely would like to return for a weekend where we have no plans, as you could spend the entire day relaxing on the property or chatting with Tao and Amy. Thank you again for such a lovely visit and the chance to meet you both. We look forward to seeing you again and sharing word on our time here with friends and family.
By Danielle L for Overnight stay for Danielle Dimond on Oct 04, 2019
As always, Amy and Tao outdid themselves to make our retreat something truly special. Wholesome, delicious food beautifully presented, superb accommodations, and wonderful grounds to enjoy. I loved being out on the kayak and I appreciated the opportunity to create fresh flower arrangements with cuttings from the property. Can't wait to return!
By Julie W for Silent Meditation Retreat with Thay Doji on Sep 30, 2019
TD
we had a wonderful retreat. Thanks to Still Waters, our every need was met, from dietary concerns, cleanliness, comfortable beds and linens, quiet ,. this is by far the best place I have held retreats , both in the USA and Europe. There was very little energy needed for logistical concerns, which offered us as organizers of the retreat, to focus on the nature of the retreat. We will be back! Tom Duva
By Tom D for Silent Meditation Retreat with Thay Doji on Sep 29, 2019
A beautiful location tucked away in the woods in Connecticut Pristine location on a beautiful lake ideal for Kayaking and canoeing The property is very well manicured. With tall majestic evergreens and maples. The cabins are very well maintained, clean and modern. Inn-keepers Amy and Tao are a delight. This was the perfect weekend get away to unplug and recharge. We came from Eastern Long Island, hopped on the Orient Point Ferry and was there in no time. Very conveniently located. We stayed in the main house and took advantage of the meal services and was delighted with every service. Wholesome home cooking made with love. Big portions and great selections. 4 Stars all around. We definitely want to come back in the Autumn to see the foliage colors - I bet its amazing. A truly glorious retreat -
By Christina F for Private Couple's Retreat for Chrissy & John: Deposit only on Sep 10, 2019
KM
My second retreat at Stillwater's Retreat Center and it continues to be a restorative and heart-opening experience. Peaceful environment, comfortable accomodations, excellent meals and great and welcoming hosts in Tao and Amy. Highly recommend this retreat center for established groups of 10-12 people for weekend or weekday retreats.
By Ken M for Befriending Everyday Life: A Buddhist Retreat on Aug 06, 2019
Show More Reviews

References

I had the opportunity to co-lead a Buddhist retreat at Still Waters this past weekend. We could not have found a better place for our retreat. The accommodations were wonderful. The grounds were beautiful, but most beautiful and important was the love we all felt from Amy and Tao. They really go beyond being good hosts. I could tell that they cared about what we were trying to achieve at our retreat. Two of the topics of our retreat were love and spiritual friendship. Learning how to love and develop spiritual friendships are very important life lessons. Tao and Amy are fine examples of both.
By Michael G on 29 Jul, 2019
My experience at Still Waters Retreat was beyond words. The atmosphere, the food, the hospitality of Amy and Tao was more than welcoming, it was a graced experience. You can tell that the essence of the fantastic people they are is in every aspect of this home, the food and the grounds. Andrea M.
By Andrea M on 13 May, 2019