Adirondack Connections            Inner Quest Yoga            Northbrook Lodge

		Nurture Yourself Body, Mind & Spirit In the surroundings of the beautiful Adirondack Park  Yoga, Paddle & Hike Weekend Retreat Northbrook Lodge, Paul Smiths, NY Thurs. - Sun., June 19 - 22, 2008
The opportunity for a unique and relaxing Adirondack vacation awaits you.  UNIQUE experiences available at our retreat include... - Waterside lodging at an Adirondack Great Camp - - Quiet water paddling in the popular Adirondack built Hornbeck Solo Canoe - - A massage therapy session to soothe tired, tight muscles - Retreat co-hosts, Mary Bartel and Lynn Malerba (photo left), invite you to join them for a lodge-based yoga and paddling retreat at Northbrook Lodge, an Adirondack Great Camp in the beautiful Adirondack Park.  This is a wonderful opportunity to rediscover yourself and connect with the natural world.  Allow the distractions, obligations and responsibilities of your everyday life to fade away while participating in a variety of activities offered by Mary and Lynn, including gentle yoga, paddling and hiking in the tranquility and beauty of water and forest, knowing you have a cozy cottage and delicious meals waiting for you each day.   This special 4 day Adirondack yoga adventure retreat vacation offers opportunities for a unique Adirondack experience.  Nurture yourself in an atmosphere of rustic charm while spending 3 nights at Northbrook Lodge on Osgood Lake in Paul Smiths, NY.  Enjoy 4 days filled with yoga, paddling, hiking, nature walks, massage therapy, good people and relaxation.  There will be opportunities for leisurely foot bound exploration and discovery with yoga and paddling being the main activities for the weekend.  Not only will you have a Great Camp experience, you will also have a unique Adirondack paddling experience.  Hornbeck ultra light double-paddle solo canoes are provided for the paddling trips.  “Flow & float” in the most popular Adirondack built canoe – a delight to paddle for both the canoeist and kayaker.  No previous yoga or paddling experience is necessary to participate in this special Adirondack event. Enjoy the comforts of the peaceful, friendly and informal atmosphere of Northbrook Lodge.  All cottages face the lake and are just a few steps from the water’s edge.  All rooms have a separate entrance and bathroom.  Some command a superb view of the mountain peaks that ring the horizon.  Excellent meals are served in the dining room with a varied selection of menu choices offered.  Click here to read more (pdf 365 kb) about Northbrook Lodge’s history as an Adirondack Great Camp. Northbrook Lodge sits on a 10 acre peninsula that extends into spring-fed Osgood Lake with ¾ mile of private shoreline in the very scenic Adirondack Park.  Constructed in the 1920s, Northbrook was built in the tradition of the Adirondack Great Camps of its time.  The charming architectural style of the era is evident in the Boathouse/Lounge or “Great Room,” a perfect place to watch the misty morning sunrise or listen to the serenade of loons as the day comes to a close.   So much more than either a paddling escape or a yoga retreat, our weekend program weaves the disciplines of yoga and paddling together for a thoroughly refreshing and fulfilling experience.  Yoga sessions will energize the body, refresh the mind, and relieve tight muscles.  In the morning, we'll wake up the body with gentle flowing movement linked to the breath in preparation for the day’s adventure.  Breakfast will be served before setting out to spend a few hours becoming one with your canoe and nature.  Upon returning to Northbrook Lodge you’ll have time to relax by the water overlooking the lake, swim at the sandy bottom beach, chat with friends while reflecting on the day's adventure, schedule an extra massage therapy session, catch up on a good read, journal or whatever you desire before dinner is served.     The evening will provide opportunities to relax on your own, take a nature walk, spend more time on the water or partake in gentle, restorative yoga and guided discussion before retreating to your lakeside cottage for the night.  The yogic theme for this retreat will be: “to flow with divine power”.  It will be a great time to consider what your capacity is to …..    - go with the flow of life    - assimilate new ideas    - accept change, movement    - give and receive love    - connect with your true desire    - tap into your creative self    - surrender to your higher power Yoga, the ancient science of self awareness, takes you on an inward journey to put you in touch with your soul, the root of your being.  Mary Bartel, Professional Level Certified Kripalu Hatha Yoga Instructor and owner of Inner Quest Yoga & Wellness Center, will guide a.m. yoga sessions and p.m. fireside discussions that can help you get in touch with what might hold you back from fully experiencing your true nature.  Yoga classes will be meditative, gentle, invigorating and restorative and will include seated centering meditation, pranayama (yoga breathing techniques), stretching and warm-up exercises, slow flowing asanas (poses), ending with relaxation pose and an inspirational reading.  Classes are designed so all levels of experience may participate – including beginners.  “How do you do yoga in a canoe?”  Easy, allow guide Lynn Malerba of Adirondack Connections Guide Service, to take you on a journey.  Discover the peacefulness and mindfulness that can be experienced when paddling in a solo canoe on quiet water, a different sensation than paddling with a partner in the same boat.  Paddling can be yoga off the mat - meditation in motion.  Yoga, paddling and hiking are complimentary activities.  All provide opportunities to establish a sense of grounding and experience being one with that which is around us - in this setting that would be the natural world.  As with our yoga practice, we will focus on each moment and learn to meld yoga relaxation principals into our outdoor activities.   Before taking to the water, we will review paddling safety, provide necessary instruction and allow time for you to familiarize yourself with your solo canoe.  Everyone should feel comfortable and prepared for each day’s adventure.  The paddling and hiking treks will be leisurely paced and should take you on both an inward and outward “journey”, as we meander through an area modified by the last advance and retreat of the glacial age.  All retreat activities are optional.  You may participate in the activities being offered or take the opportunity for self exploration and relaxation on your own.  Adirondack Connections Guide Service will provide Hornbeck solo canoes for this retreat experience.  These ultra light canoes are used exclusively by Adirondack Connections for their guided trips and are not available at local outfitting establishments in the area.  They combine the best features of a canoe and a kayak.  We think you will find that they are less restrictive that sitting in a kayak and require much less effort to paddle.  This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time in the most popular light weight Adirondack solo canoe.  Click here for more information about Hornbeck solo canoes - our choice for this special Adirondack experience.   What better way to find oneself than by spending time on and around the water, mingling with the wild ones of the shores and forests... nature’s perfect creation.  Our Adirondack Yoga Adventure Retreat will be a fun exploration.  Our hope is that you will absorb the peacefulness of the outdoor world and come to appreciate its many gifts, that which are often missing in our busy lives.  We invite you to join us and experience the simple splendors of life!

Adirondack Yoga, Paddle & Hike Weekend Retreat Vacation Package Information:

Package price:  $785.00 per person USD  This event has filled.

NOTE:  Tax and gratuity are included in the package price for wait staff and chamber maids.  
Reservations are recommended by May 23, 2008.  This event has been confirmed.  There was a waiting list for this retreat in 2007.
 

Retreat package includes:

 

o   4-days/3-nights waterside lodging at a former Adirondack Great Camp - arriving 12:00 PM Thurs. with departure by 3:00 PM Sun.

o   Excellent dining room meals Thurs. dinner – Sun. lunch

o   Afternoon snacks Fri. & Sat.

o   Guided paddle & hike trips Thurs. – Sun. w/ instruction provided as necessary

o   Hornbeck ultra-light solo canoes and paddling gear (NOTE: You may bring your own PFD if you prefer.)

o   Yoga and meditation sessions Fri. AM – Sun. AM

o   One 60-minute massage therapy, shiatsu or reflexology session (Additional sessions may be scheduled for an additional fee, based on availability.)

o   Plenty of time for relaxation & rejuvenation, enjoying beautiful scenery, wildlife and other recreational activities available at Northbrook Lodge 

 

Not included:

 

o   Transportation to Northbrook Lodge

o   Alcoholic beverages, soda and gratuities for personal services. 
NOTE:  Gratuity is appreciated for outstanding personal services for our masseur/masseuse.  Such helps to ensure quality services for our future events.  As a guideline for tipping, consider $5-10/session appropriate. 

Priced accommodations are based on double occupancy.  All rooms have a separate entrance and private bath.
Private rooms may be available for an extra charge.  Call to check on availability.

Driving directions, a recommended clothing & gear list, a medical form and release of liability waiver, along with other information to help you prepare for the weekend will be provided once the deposit is received. 

 

Reservations & Cancellation Information:
Deposit of $395.00 is due upon registration with the balance due by May 29, 2008.
Deposit is non-refundable unless we are able to fill the space.  
This event will be held with a minimum of 6 people. EVENT CONFIRMED 4/20/08