Workshops, Trainings and Retreats

• Retreat Description
  
• Program and Daily Schedule
  
• About Sancha and accomodations
  
• Fees

"Opening Up" Retreat with Cameron Tukapua and Yoga Yard: April 18 - 23, 2013
“Opening Up” is the natural response to the season of Spring. Taking a retreat at this time literally supports us to refresh and rejuvenate at the deepest levels. Like a spring shoot emerging from the ground, at this time of year we are capable of bringing to life fresh vitality and a rejuvenated sense of being, body, mind and spirit.  Tapping into the deep inner resources and strength of our whole being enables us to release and engage with potentials we never knew existed. Sometimes people are afraid of what they might find ‘down there’ which is why you need a steady guide for inner work. Working with hundreds of people across many years, I can attest that what you will find is TREASURE! Everyone has a pure heart on the inside, this is our true nature. We have such great riches inside us. They are far greater than our perceived weaknesses, self-doubts and insecurities. Our inner knowing of what is right for us is always available, though it might be muted down if we are not used to listening. Our intuition is always sending us signals, many of us don’t take the time to listen. Learning how to listen to the quiet whispers of the soul is a joy and a delight. Opening our hearts to hear what we know deep down has distinct steps and stages. In this retreat we explore the simple ways of attuning to our open hearted knowing. Cultures all over the world acknowledge the role of the heart by referring to it in everyday language. A good person is often associated with being open-hearted, kind-hearted, full-hearted, warm-hearted, big-hearted, happy-hearted, and soft-hearted. All of us know instinctively that the heart’s role in our lives is central to our existence, wellbeing and happiness. Just as the earth is the physical home of the people on this planet, the heart is our common spiritual centre, and the communal home of our universally shared longing to love and be loved. Deep in our hearts we always know what we need, no matter what’s going on in our lives. As we start opening up to the deep wisdom within us, we will discover that our heart is always there to guide us – we just need to tune in. The retreat process of sharing with others, who are all on individual journey and yet united by the similar challenges of life and learning, mirrors back to us how we are evolving and growing. Learning from life’s experiences and challenges is the common quest of all people. As we discover that ultimately all humanity is truly motivated by the deepest desire to love and be loved, it naturally leads us to opening up to relationships where we share from the heart. This experience of heartfelt sharing can shift and enhance your perspective of your life and world. Going on a retreat is one of the greatest gifts you can ever give yourself. Join us to refresh your view of yourself and your life
Quotes from past participants... “Cameron introduced me to a beautiful new world of spirituality, awakening a light in me that I hadn’t felt in many years. Through Cameron’s teachings, wisdom, love and friendship, I have a greater sense of enthusiasm for yoga, spirituality and life.” – Aaron Kuo-Deemer, 2006, 2007, & 2008 retreat participant "I see life from a different perspective since the retreat. My experiences and relationships have deepened. I am stronger physically, mentally and spiritually. The retreat recharged my batteries and has given me life-long lessons I give to others on a daily basis." – Marie Shieh, 2007 retreat participant
About Cameron Tukapua: My name is Cameron Tukapua. Cameron is my original family name. When my father passed away, I took this as my first name to honour the land-based legacy of my family heritage. Tukapua is my married name. My husband is Maori. Tu means “to stand,” kapua means “the clouds/ heaven”. I am proud to have married into Maori culture because like all indigenous cultures, Maori people honour our relationship with nature. Living by what is natural to us, we find the way to fulfill our destiny.Healing is my path that began formally three decades ago when I began learning naturopathy. Soon after I was led to acupuncture and ever since I have studied, practiced and taught others and myself the art of being whole. For ten years I was the Founding Owner and Principal of a New Zealand Qualifications registered Acupuncture College. These years of practice and community leadership taught me a lot about helping people to access their deep inner resources and grow strength. For the past six years, I have been leading nature-based retreats in China, Australia and New Zealand. The feedback and changes I have seen in the lives of people attending these retreats have shown me what a powerful way this is to help people reconnect to their deeper sense of self and grow into their potential. “I have had the honor and good fortune to have received acupuncture and healing treatment from Cameron Tukapua for almost a decade. Like any authentic healer, her knowledge has a depth and breadth that addresses the complexity of the human condition. Underlying this knowledge is the absolute commitment to being present for her clients, a presence which is in and of itself the basis for deep healing.”– Donna Farhi, Yoga Teacher and Author of Bringing Yoga to Life: The Everyday Practice of Enlightened Living
"Opening Up"  Retreat: Program and Daily Schedule.
Yoga practices will be led by Robyn Wexler, Sean Ren and Joo Teoh. All other programs led by Cameron Tukapua.   Day one Thursday, April 18, 2013 3:00 pm Departure from Yoga Yard 5:00  Arrive Sancha 6:00  Dinner 7:00  Introduction and Orientation Days Two-Five Friday, April 19 - Monday, April 22 7:00 am Morning Yoga 8:15  Breakfast 9:30  Morning session on “Opening Up” with Cameron 12:30 pm Lunch 2:00 Introduction to guided contemplations & time in nature, afternoon session with Cameron 3:00 Free time (recommended for guided contemplations) 4:30  Afternoon yoga 6:15  Dinner 7:30  Talking circle Day Six Tuesday, April 23 7:00 am Morning Yoga 8:15  Breakfast 9:00  Final morning session with Cameron 12:00 noon Lunch 1:00 pm Time in nature, closing circle 4:00 Departure for Beijing 6:00 Return to Yoga Yard
"Opening Up" Spring  Retreat location
Location: Sancha is located two hours from Beijing by car, on the boarder of Huairou and Yanqing Counties. It is nearby Huanghuacheng, an older section of the Great Wall. About Sancha: "Sancha" in Chinese means "three crossings." The village is situated in the intersection of three mountain valleys and springs. There is a lower as well as upper village; our retreat center is in the upper village. Sancha is tucked in the hillsides of Huairou. It lies at the foot of an unrestored section of the Great Wall, and has lovely hiking trails (free from tourists or ticket collectors) that fan out from the village's center. The population of Sancha is quite small--only 398 residents, including the upper and lower villages. , Mimi Yoga Yard co-founder, has been renting a cottage in this village for many years; she knows the villagers well (all are surnamed Wei), and sees Sancha as her personal place of retreat to compliment Beijing's urban energy. Springtime in Sancha awakens streams and invites a landscape of apricot tree blossoms to unfold across the mountainsides. You would hardly know that Beijing's roaring metropolis lies just two hours south from this peacefully undisturbed village, rocking quietly in its seasonal rhythms. Accomodations and Facilities: There is a bed and breakfast opened recently in the village by Mimi's landlord, Wei Ziqi. He and his family have built a number of guest rooms adjacent to their home to accomodate overnight visitors. Their house is the highest in the village, offering a view from their terrace that overlooks the valley below. In the springtime, the views are splendid, with apricot and peach trees in full bloom. The Wei's guesthouse has 5 rooms available: Three doubles, two triples, and a common room with a traditional "kang" bed that will sleep up to six. A "kang" is heated bed used by many northern Chinese village homes as a source of heat as well as common gathering spot. Hot showers are available, as are western-styled toilets and bathroom facilities. The Weis and most of the villagers are still farmers, though--so don't be surprised to rise to the sound of roosters crowing and donkeys breying. Read a story about Sancha by New Yorker writer, Peter Hessler.	Sancha village Retreat accommodations
"Opening Up" Retreat with Cameron Tukapua and Yoga Yard: April 18 - 23, 2013
Double room (4 spaces; one room with one queen; one room with two twin beds): 5,000 RMB Triple room (three spaces; three twin beds): 4,700 RMB Common rooms (11 spaces; co-ed, shared “kang” beds -- five or six to a kang!): 4,200 RMB All fees include:         •   All sessions with Cameron Tukapua         •   All yoga sessions, with Robyn, Sean and Joo         •   Roundtrip transportation between Yoga Yard and Sancha.         •   All meals, starting with dinner on the 18th through lunch on the 23rd of April.         •   Accommodations for five nights         •   Retreat workbook Rooms available on first come, first serve basis. Please register using the form below, and bring payment to Yoga Yard for space reservation confirmation.
Opening Up Retreat Registration Name: Date of birth: Phone: Mobile: Email: Comments or questions:     Double room Triple room Common room