Mindfulness provides a new framework for exploring your established yoga practice, or a means for observing your experience as you begin a practice. The focus is on waking up to your body and to its connection to Nature. Mother Nature doesn’t mind if you can’t strike the perfect pose. Learn to lighten up and have fun with yoga.

Schedule

I encourage participants to release their focus on time, and go with the flow of each moment. I will guide us through our days. Each day will include a morning yoga practice, on Ho’Okena Beach or the nearby lava fields, which can be followed by a quick dip in the ocean before heading back for breakfast. Most days include a yoga hike, which will move us across the unique terrain of the Big Island, crossing lava, beaches, and grassy fields. An optional afternoon restorative practice will take place in Hale Kai’s open-air yoga studio overlooking the ocean. The schedule allows for your own leisure time in the afternoon to lounge on the beach, snuggle in a hammock, take a nap or do whatever the moment invites. We will have a goup dinner in the early evening, around 6pm. The evening practice will be a self-guided breath practice. 

A highlight of the week will be an amazing outing with Sunlight on Water to swim with the spinner dolphins off the Kona Coast. These are not captured dolphins in a managed aquarium, but rather wild dolphins swimming in their natural habitat. In past years on this retreat, we have swum with pods of over 200 dolphins. It is truly magical being surrounded by the beauty and grace of these friendly beings. The baby dolphins in the pod tend to be the most curious about us. Though I have done this outing many times, I never tire of this experience; it is really unique.  

While I encourage you to participate in the group activities, all of the practices are optional, including the yoga hikes. I invite you to go with the flow of your experience, cultivating a relationship with your body and spirit, and knowing that however that manifests at the time is perfect. There will be no group classes on Friday to allow you to enjoy a more extended day trip or simply unwind at Hale Kai and Ho’Okena Beach.

Accommodations

We will be staying at the Hale Kai, a beach front retreat center in south Kona near Hanoauna Bay, which will be rented exclusively to our group. Hale Kai is an ecologically-conscious, off-grid development that uses 100% solar energy. All meals will be provided by the staff at Hale Kai (primarily vegetarian, with some fish and chicken options). All meals are included in the price of the retreat, except for our departure brunch, which we will eat in a restaurant near the Kona airport. 

The Hale Kai property is nestled in a traditional Hawaiian neighborhood 30 miles south of the busy touristy areas of Kona. The Balinese-inspired accommodations include a large yoga studio, tropical gardens, and both private and shared sleeping accommodations. You will be enchanted by Hale Kai; it truly is a magnificent place to unwind and a perfect size to contain our yoga community for the week. 

Descriptions and photographs of many of the individual rooms and common spaces are presented below. A full listing of rooming options, complete with descriptions, can be found here.

Travel logistics

Group transportation from will depart Kona Airport around 11:00am on Sunday, March 5th. Alaska Airlines offers a direct flight (#883) from Oakland airport that arrives in Kona at 10:40am. The group van will return to the airport on the 12th by 12:30pm for outbound flights. Alaska Airlines flight #826 (direct to Oakland) departs at 2:35pm. You are welcome to make other flight arrangements. Please note that the retreat price includes only the ground transportation described above. 

 If your flights do not correspond to the group shuttle, you’ll be responsible for your own ground transportation to Hale Kai (approximately $125 each way). You may also choose to rent a car, as some find it convenient for tooling around during your free time. Driving directions to Hale Kai, which is about 30 miles south of the airport, will be provided. It may be possible to share the cost of a rental car with other participants. Contact me if you are interested in car-sharing, and I will connect interested parties. Availability of the van will be limited to group activities.

Rates

Complete packages begin at $1600. A complete list of rooming options includes those below; selections can be made on the registration page after clicking "book now."

-Naia or Rose roooms: $1600pp (double), $1800 (single)

-Garden, Gecko, Sanang, Timor, or Bali rooms: $1700pp (double), $2250 (single)

-Ganesha room: $2100pp (double), $2500 (single)

-Matahari room: $2200pp (single), $2600 (single)

Your space in the retreat may be secured with a deposit of $500 plus the cost of any upgrades from the $1600 base package (e.g., $200 for an upgrade of a Naia room from double to single). The date of receipt of the deposit will mark your place in line for room choices. The deposit is refundable until January 1st, less a 15% cancellation fee.

The full balance is due by January 1st. No refunds can be made after this time.  

Testimonials

“There is nothing more enchanting than morning yoga class on a black sand beach watching the waves break and listening to birds sing, while holding poses under a deep blue sky – and guided by Domonick’s wise teaching.” Rhonda Barosvsky

“Practicing yoga on the beach and on lava rocks, in warm water and on trails, opened my mind and body to new ways of experiencing the practice. We swam with sea turtles, did downward dog with waves crashing behind (and into!) us, learned a hula dance, ate delicious food, practiced pranayama and mindfulness, and were spared the distractions of email, phone calls, and media. I am so grateful to Domonick for creating a trip full of adventure and community, yoga and mindfulness.” Debbie Weinstein

“The Hawaii Yoga Hike Retreat is a magical escape from your daily routine to a special, beautiful place for a week of energizing, healthy group practice and hiking, a perfectly balanced combination of exercise and relaxation under Domonick’s expert and caring instruction”. Carol Shen

Questions?

Please email Domonick (domonick@theopener.com) with any questions regarding the retreat. 

-3 meals/day, breakfasts and dinners prepared by Hale Kai staff

-Daily Yoga

-Daily mindfulness hike to local beaches and parks

-Open water dolphin swim with Sunlight on Water

-Ground transportation from Kona airport

-Island transportation to yoga hike sites and to Dolphin Swim

-Any equipment rental, e.g., for snorkeling, diving, etc. (note that snorkeling equipment IS included in the Dolphin Dive) 

-Rental car (if you choose)