Schedule - Yoga & Meditation Classes

Hatha Yoga Classes are scheduled 3 times a day: a wake up yoga class before breakfast; a more vigorous class to work up an appetite for lunch; and specialized hatha yoga workshops before dinner. All classes and workshops are optional for students. Over 8 days we also cover up to 12 different styles of meditation, including vipassana, detached observation, walking, eating, breath awareness, pratyahara, and mantra.

Most Classes are taught outdoors on one of the three terraces pictured at left. Students love to be outside and the weather is ideal. Rain is almost unknown at this time of year, and the temperatures are consistently between the low 60's at night to highs in the low 80's during the day. The Los Naranjos gardens make an ideal setting for out door Yoga and Meditation classes.

At right , Charles demonstrates a trust balance pose with the assistance of fellow yoga teacher Dow Ximones. Charles is usually assisted on Mexico retreats by at least one, and often 2 or 3 additional teachers. This helps ensure that students get lots of personal attention, and also gives a greater depth of knowledge, tradition and experience to draw upon in meeting the needs of students.

At the November 1999 Yoga and Meditation retreat Charles was assisted by three teachers, giving participants access to instruction in Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, and Ashtanga Yoga.

When not actually teaching, guest instructors are able to join in as participants and use this time as a vacation, and to learn and study with the other teachers present. They are also available to other participants who wish to have a little time one-on-one. At left, Mikki Doyel, a teacher from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, works with Roni to help her open her shoulders.

Having two or more teachers allows plenty of flexibility when working with students with a wide range of ability and experience. Often two classes are run simultaneously, giving students a choice between a gentle style, or a more advanced class. This allows beginners to feel safe, and more advanced students to be challenged.

Occasionally classes are taught by two or more teachers working together. While one teaches the others are free to move through the class and work with students individually. At some point in the retreat there are special classes offered on partner yoga or other topics requested by participants.