FAQ and A: Most Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

What elements will be the focus of the yoga retreat?

• Gain a foundation in the fundamental principles of yoga—from alignment to living your yoga
• Practice yoga postures to feel grounded with grace and ease of well-being
• Develop functional strength and flexibility—with particular emphasis on moving from core strength
• Cultivate deepened appreciation for body and expression
• Feel renewed and rejuvenated
• Allow time and support for reflection, visioning, and bringing your heart’s desire into focus
• Work skillfully with physical challenges and mental patterns
• Receive support and tools for establishing ongoing yoga practice beyond the retreat

Who will be teaching the yoga classes?
Gretchen Spiro will be our yoga teacher for this amazing week. Gretchen has been teaching yoga since 1987, and has extensive experience in Iyengar yoga and Ashtanga yoga. Primary yoga mentors include extensive training with Judith Lasater, Donna Farhi, Angela Farmer, and others.

Gretchen is a long-time Women’s Quest guide, and participants consistently find her presence calming and inspiring.

In addition to teaching yoga and adventuring with Women’s Quest, Gretchen also teaches Gyrotonic®, a system of core strengthening with a focus on circular organic movement. She also teaches dance, and finds fun ways to inspire rhythm and flow in expressive movement. Gretchen has an MA in Somatic Psychology, and supports of people of all shapes/sizes/ages to cultivate self-understanding, compassion, and to discover their unique way to experience the mind/body connection.

What other Women’s Quest staff will be present?
Colleen Cannon, the founder of Women’s Quest, will offer talks, discussion, and inspiration during the retreat. She will lead hikes, runs, and fun trips to the Cenotes… and of course instigate lots of playing in the ocean.

What style of yoga will be presented?
Gretchen’s unique style of teaching invites each student to discover postures that will most benefit her. She blends the alignment details of Iyengar yoga with the flow of vinyasa styles. A solid foundation in biomechanics underlies the practice, and each class will have a theme for getting to know a part of the body, or type of action. It is hatha (physical practice) yoga, with a contemplative, mindful focus. Both active (strengthening) and restorative (restful, meditative) aspects of yoga will be practiced in this retreat.

Gretchen teaches in a way that is lighthearted and creative, inspiring dance-like flow and delight in the process of deepening into stillness. Gretchen incorporates great music, poetry and contagious delight in discovery!

How much class time will there be?
We will have 2 yoga sessions per day. One session will be more physically vigorous—an informative, inspirational, and invigorating session. The second class will focus on restorative yoga postures, breathing awareness and exercises, and gentle “yin-style” yoga. Students naturally leave each class feeling grounded and calm.

Variations will always be offered for those with different levels of experience and other needs. These are no-pressure yoga classes! You will be encouraged to challenge yourself only as much as feels right to you, and there will always be options.

Gretchen is skilled in pacing each class, and the week in general, so that you will gain strength without feeling depleted, and feel recharged in mind and body.

Classes will also incorporate discussion, personal reflection (journaling, creative exploration), and sharing.

What level is the yoga?
Gretchen will present a practice that is accessible for complete beginners. You don’t have to have ever done yoga before! She will also provide challenges and support for those with an established yoga practice. She will offer personal feedback for all, including (if desired) gentle hands-on assistance to discover more balance and correct alignment.

Do I need to bring yoga props?
We suggest that you bring your own yoga mat. All other yoga props will be provided.

What will I come away with?
We guarantee that you will come away knowing your body better, with an appreciation for the ancient art of yoga. It is our goal to provide you with the knowledge and tools you will need to continue yoga practice beyond the retreat. Gretchen will offer suggestions to each individual for a type of yoga practice that will support their goals and unique personality. You will return home from the retreat with body, mind and spirit nurtured, rejuvenated and inspired.

Besides the yoga classes, what excursions are included in this retreat?
Maya Tulum is an excellent location for activities such as snorkeling, swimming, and exploring. The reef is an invitation to discover an underwater paradise of colored fish, coral, and other marine life. The waves right out your door are perfect for easy body surfing as well. (We call it body massaging!)

Maya Tulum is a fabulous location for long walks on the beach for miles with no one around. Just West of Maya Tulum is a National Park with miles of white pristine beaches. If you enjoy running, there is a flat road there into the National Park that in endless with no traffic.

We have two excursions planned this week:
One day we will take an afternoon and take you to a fresh water Cenote, which is truly an amazing experience. The water is so clear and lovely for swimming and snorkling.

Another day we will board a boat and head a short ways out to the barrier reef. The captain will stop for snorkeling before the Tulum ruins and after the Tulum ruins. We will pass through the cut in the reef rumored to have been made by the Mayans to reach the walled city of Tulum.

Will there be talks or other activities?
Yes, in the evening we will gather for talks about mind/body health, discovering and manifesting your dreams, and balanced physical training. The Women’s Quest staff has been leading motivational and informative retreats for over 17 years, and loves to pass on valuable and practical tips for women.

Will I have free time?
Absolutely. It takes time to unwind from our busy lives, and we will pace this retreat with spaciousness in activities. You will have time to walk on the beach, swim in the healing ocean, get a massage read, and sleep. Ahhha...

What time does the retreat begin and end?
The retreat will start at 4:00 pm on November 1, 2008 and end after breakfast on November 8, 2008. Please arrange your travel accordingly.

How do I get to Maya Tulum?
Fly in and out of the Cancun airport (airport code is CUN). We will arrange the shuttle for your 2-hour drive to Maya Tulum. When you let us know your flight schedule we will partner you with women from the retreat coming in around the same time. Retreat fees do not include the shuttle cost to Maya Tulum.

Shuttle Transportation:
Rates: 1-2 people in a vehicle: $102 USD
3-6 people in a van: $120 USD
7-8 people in a van: $156 USD

You should bring cash for the driver.

What types of spa services are available? (see mayatulum.com for full information)

ENRICHMENT OPTIONS

Deep Tissue Massage targets muscles, tendons, and ligaments while striving to release tension in overstressed areas. The many benefits of this massage include the alleviation of minor aches and pains, reduced body stiffness, decreased anxiety, and restful sleep. . 50 min. $80

Joyful Feet begins with an exfoliation of the feet and calves followed by the application of a refreshing gel. Reflexology points are then addressed to release tension and hot towels are used to achieve further relaxation. The treatment is completed with a mint hydrating cream that leaves your feet feeling thoroughly refreshed and absolutely joyful. 50 min. $70

Reflexology is based on the theory that points on the bottom of the feet are energetically connected to specific areas of the body. By stimulating these points the corresponding body parts are benefited. Reflexology neutralizes the effects of stress by inducing a deep state of relaxation that calms the nervous system and allows the body to achieve a state of equilibrium. 50 min. $70

Shiatsu (non-oil) is a pressure point massage that balances the body. Your therapist will gently rock and stretch the body while at the same time applying finger and thumb pressure to certain points. Shiatsu invigorates as well as relaxes and is excellent for stress and pain management. Please wear loose fitting clothing. This massage is performed on a cushioned mat on the floor. 50 min. $70, 80 min. $90

Swedish Massage thoroughly relaxes tense muscles with a variety of classic massage techniques, such as kneading, percussion and long strokes. The benefits of this massage include increased circulation, relaxed nervous system, and muscle detoxification. 50 min. $70, 80 min. $90, For Children: 25 min. $40

Holistic Massage is a form of massage therapy aimed at treating the physical, energetic and emotional aspects of a person - not just parts of the body in which symptoms occur. This massage strives to create harmony and wholeness by restoring the balance between the inner self and the environment and rebalancing the flow of energy in the body. Each person is unique and therefore each treatment is suited to the needs of the “whole person”. 50 min. $70, 80 min. $90

Facials

CV PRIMARY ESSENCE Used in all facials, these products are a complete line of Aromatherapy Facial Treatments to which special importance was given to the cosmetic textures, the most ideal for each skin type, mixing the natural essential oils of maximum purity and the biological extracts of plants. We will apply aroma emulsion, aroma lotion, peeling, mask, serum, and a hydra cream according your skin type:

• Sea Essential Hydrant, 50 min. $70
• Sea Essential Purifying, 50 min. $70
• Sea Essential Sensitive, 50 min. $70
• Sea Essential for Men, 50 min. $70

The above enrichment options can be prescheduled with a credit card number. A cancellation policy does apply. Please contact Megan Werth via email, spa-mgr@mayatulum.com for scheduling.

"There is no end, believe me, to the happiness your body is willing to bear."
--Mary Oliver