The association of breath with spirit, with the divine, is deeply rooted in so many of our ancient indigenous cultures, including Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, the meditative and spiritual core of yogic traditions, Christianity and Judaism.  This knowledge has been preserved and is practiced today by shamans, mystics, yoga masters, healers, medicine people, meditators and available to all of us should we choose to learn.

I’d like to share with you a translation from Sanskrit of one of the many beautiful Yukti verses of the ancient yoga meditation teachings that I find inspiring — the first written version apparently appeared around AD 800:

Breathing is the flow of the divine,

Where the rhythms of life turn into each other –

The eternal exchange.

Pour one breath into the other,

Outbreath into the inbreath

Into the outbreath.

Awaken to calmness . . . to equanimity 

At peace in the play of opposites.

Translation by Lorne Roche in his book The Radiance Sutras.

If you’re new to the Haven or to personal work:

This weekend will be a gentle yet profound entry that offers the essential foundation of consciously breathing for embodiment, heightened awareness, and healing.

If you’ve already been to the Haven:

You’ll know that breath is core to initiating and integrating your physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual Self.  This weekend is intended to be a refreshing immersion into refining and deepening your capacity.

If you’ve participated in this Breathe! program previously:

In response to requests, I’ve expanded it by one day to allow time for increased depth, discovery and invigoration.  Each time I offer Breathe! I incorporate different dimensions of conscious breathing.  In November’s iteration we will include exploration of the consciousness expanding, soul nourishing aspects of breathing.

If you are working in a helping profession:

The Breathe! program will be supportive not only for your own wellbeing and self-care, it will offer healing, grounding, regulating, life enhancing, liberating breathing practices and techniques that may be useful professionally

Whatever your reason, I’ll be delighted to share this body and soul nourishing weekend with you.

Format:

In this program you will be offered physiological information, guidelines, coaching, and practice with a variety of forms of breathing. Come to Breathe! and rediscover your amazing, embodied being.

Read Linda’s reflections On Breathing.

Investment:

Our Earlybird tuition price of $525 is available up to one month prior to the program start.  Full payment is due one month before the program start date regardless of tuition price.

We are offering private and shared room options.

You can find our cancellation policy here

Schedule:

Your program begins with dinner at 6pm and your first session at 7:30pm

Daily schedule:

• Breakfast 8:00 – 9:00am
• Morning session 9:15am to noon
• Lunch noon to 1:00pm
• Afternoon session 3:00 – 6:00pm
• Dinner 6:00 – 7:00pm
• Evening session 7:30 – 9:00pm

Your program finishes with lunch on the last day.

Transportation:

If you are travelling to Gabriola as a foot passenger on the Gabriola Ferry a shuttle to The Haven can be requested.  Information on this option will be included in your pre-arrival email.

Admission requirements: The student must have the desire and ability to learn.  Must demonstrate a capacity for responsible self care, responsible self organization and sound mental health.  The student must understand and speak English.

This program does not require approval by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.  As such, the registrar did not review this program. What does this mean? Click here to learn more.