For most of us, joy can be such an ephemeral experience, something that comes upon us unexpectedly, but perhaps not something we know how to make a part of our daily lives – especially during stressful times or when life has been handing us a lot of those so called learning experiences.
Joy can also be frightening – how much is okay? If I’m too happy, when will the other shoe drop? If I have this much, shouldn’t I be doing more for others? Finally, it’s tough to enjoy life if you’re exhausted, worn down, or out of touch with your self. Is it possible to infuse joy into all of life, your daily commute or yet another trip to the grocery store, as well as taking care of the kids, the parents, the dog?
We say YES YES YES! Your life can be joyful, enjoyable, joyous – no matter what.
It’s not all about giggles and glitter – we’re talking creating a deep,
rich, sustainable joy, one that is as close and true as your own heart.
Join us in June for the Creative Joy retreat, where we’ll experience and expand the JOY in our lives in delicious, safe, and creative ways. You’ll refill your joy well through the flow of yoga, the stillness of meditation, the thrill of writing and the creativity of photography, practicing ways to ground yourself into the present moment, cultivate gratitude and tap into the stream of JOY that lives within you all the time.
“I’ve been yoga-phobic my entire life. Marianne Elliott changed that (and my life in the process). She’s one of the best teachers I’ve ever experienced (and I’ve been a teacher for many years). She customizes your class to meet your physical and emotional needs while staying totally mindful of your available time. If you want to do something extraordinary for yourself, I can’t think of a better teacher!” – Dr. Brené Brown
“Jen, bless you. Bless your expansive, all encompassing smile that wraps itself around everyone like a comfortable blanket that never ends. You opened doors to desires in my heart I have never given voice to. You brought me full circle back to my being. I hope to be part of your wonderful magic again soon!” – Dianne Bonny
You will come away from this retreat feeling rested, resourced, expanded and centered, with simple practical ways to keep the joy flowing, and deeply aware of the potential for JOY in your own life no matter what.
The retreat will flow through yoga, meditation, writing and photography each day with all sorts of small surprises and a community of like-minded people and love love love. We will send you the exact retreat schedule about four months before we convene but please know the days will be a lovely balance of learning, hanging out, connecting, resting, and reflecting. Please plan to stay on site during the entire retreat.
Writing is both a way to notice joy, a way to remove the obstacles to joy, and yes, it’s possible to write with joy. Everyday we will play with writing, with words, for the sheer joy of self-expression – not product! We are also going to use writing to help us understand our personal style of joy, our limits and edges and fears, and how to love ourselves into more self-love.
Yoga sometimes gets the reputation of being terribly earnest and serious, and there is a serious side to yoga. But for this retreat our focus will be on JOY. Can yoga help us reconnect JOYfully to our bodies? Can it help us play more freely and joyfully with our writing, and our photography? And can it support our meditation practice? The practices at the JOY retreat will be designed to do just that. Marianne will lead a series of joyful yoga practices suitable for all levels of experience and all bodies. You don’t need to have any previous experience of yoga; if you are an experienced yogi, come along and play with us as we rediscover the joy of the fundamentals.
Amid the memories of the past and the uncertainty of the future, true JOY is found right here in the present. We’ll be using our cameras as tools that bring our attention squarely back into the moment, exploring the woods and grounds of the Garrison Institute, and working together to tap into our capacity for kindness as we explore portraiture and share our stories. You’ll come away with a new way to mindfully access your creativity and intuition, all through the simple magic of the camera lens. No previous photography experience is necessary. DSLR, compacts and iPhones are ideal for this work. Bring your laptop if you have one.
When: June 28 – July 2, 2012
Where: The Garrison Institute, Garrison, NY, USA
Price: $700 for tuition (accommodation NOT included — see below)
How to register for the Creative Joy Retreat
First, you must register with us and pay for tuition. You have two options: pay the full amount now, or pay in two instalments of $350 (the second instalment will be billed 90 days after we receive the first.)
Second, and equally important, you need to book your accommodation direct with the Garrison Institute. This is not included in the tuition you have paid, and must be done separately.
You have several options for your accommodation at Garrison:
• A single room costs $120 per night
• A double room costs $105 per night
• A triple or dorm room costs $90 per night
These prices are per person per night and include three meals per day, tea/coffee and fruit throughout the day. Once you register for the retreat with us, you will receive an email describing in more detail how to book your accommodation with Garrison.
About the retreat leaders
Jennifer Louden is a personal growth pioneer who help launch the self-care movement with her first book The Woman’s Comfort Book. She’s the author of five more books on well-being and personal wisdom that have inspired more than a million women in 9 languages. She helps creative people who want to change the world get to it, and that includes herself. She believes self-love + world-love = wholeness for all.
Marianne Elliot is a writer, human rights advocate and yoga teacher. She created 30 Days of Yoga to help people take care of themselves so they can do their good work in the world. She’s the author of Zen Under Fire (forthcoming March 2012) about her work with the UN in Afghanistan, where she found joy in yoga even in the midst of war. She is RYT 200 with the Yoga Alliance, and Regional Leader for
Off the Mat, Into the World.
Susannah Conway is a photographer, writer and the creator of the Unravelling
e-courses. A Polaroid addict and very proud aunt, her first book, This I Know: Notes on Unraveling the Heart (Globe Pequot Press), launches in June 2012. Co-author of Instant Love: How to Make Magic and Memories with Polaroids (Chronicle Books, 2012), she’s passionate about helping women reconnect to their true selves,
using photography as the key to open the door.
About The Garrison Institute
The home of the Garrison Institute is a former Capuchin Franciscan monastery of 77,000 square feet that was restored and renovated in 2002. Originally built in 1932, it overlooks the Hudson River just over an hour north of New York City.
Set in a beautiful environment ideal for walking, the Institute has two enclosed courtyards for use as meditation gardens and a large walled rear garden. Located in the rear garden they have a beautiful labyrinth available for walking meditation, which was built in the summer of 2010.
"I just wanted to thank you, Susannah, for the best treat I’ve ever given myself. I have never felt such a creative awakening as I have taking this class. It’s such a great environment that you’ve created – this amazing tribe of women sharing their stories, their beautiful photos and felt safe in the space to tell their most personal stories. I still have a lot of work to do in terms of my own confidence, but you have set me on the most beautiful path towards it." – Kelly Williams
"Jen, your retreat was the most wonderful, needed, joyful, mindful and juicy ‘event’ I have been to in 5 years. I felt the most taken care of and supported then I ever came close to feeling at others’ retreats and events. I am so grateful to you, to your work and to your spirit. Just in the short time I have known you, you have impacted me in profound ways and I feel lucky to have crossed your path." – Melani Ward
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