Fire & Water: An Elemental Retreat
Taos, New Mexico
August 13th-16th, 2020

Join us for an immersive retreat into the ancient wisdom of the elements. In this late summer retreat, we’ll explore the elements of Fire and Water through the overlap of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, daily tea meditation, yoga, dance, food and the local land. Each day brings to life each element through a sensory experience, inviting slowness and a reconnection with nature while exploring the rich landscape of New Mexico. 

 

THE RETREAT PACKAGE

 
  • 4 days // 3 nights at Casa Gallina Organic Bed & Breakfast

  • Handmade organic vegetarian meals, snacks, elixirs & tea

  • Daily yoga & meditation classes

  • Five Elements Tea workshop with Wao Tea

  • Hands-on Ayurvedic cooking class & farmer’s market trip

  • Hiking, hot springs and excursions around Taos

  • Wellness Kit with Ayurvedic supplies, tea & local gifts 

  • Experience Add-Ons: Ayurvedic Massage Treatments, Ayurveda Lifestyle & Nutrition Consultations and Yoga Therapy Sessions

 

TEA MEDITATION

Tea or "chá" in Mandarin is an ancient medicinal beverage consisting of water poured over the leaves & buds of the plant Camellia sinensis, a sacred tree that has been appreciated in rituals since the dawn of time for its meditative quality. The practice of tea has been shared for many centuries in China and Japan.

Ceremonial Tea Meditation is a time-honored container shared as an occasion to celebrate stillness and mindful presence in a conscious act of reverence. The energy of tea is facilitating balance and harmonious presence, the mind to clear, the heart to expand, patience, space and a sense of connection and oneness with the way of nature.  This offering will be shared in silence in the morning, in the form of a guided meditation. Tea will be shared in a ritual influenced by Chinese and Japanese traditions. 

ELEMENTAL LIVING

How do you take a vast body of knowledge like Ayurveda or Chinese Medicine and turn it into a living experience? This retreat is designed to take you into an immersive process of uncovering the elements in your own life and creating spaces where you can embody this wisdom in daily practice. Each day we guide you through meditation, movement, sensory experiences and self-care that connects you to the elements within and around you.

YOGA & MOVEMENT

Whether you're new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner, our daily classes are designed to integrate fluid movement, alignment focus, breath awareness, meditation, mudras and mantra that are all centered around the five elements and doshas. No previous yoga experience required, we offer variations for every experience level. We also offer private yoga therapy sessions during the retreat for those looking to boost their personal practice or navigate healing an injury. Taos is surrounded by some incredible hikes in the mountains and on the mesa, we’ll be offering optional hikes during the retreat and other opportunities to get your body moving throughout the weekend!

INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS

We’ve curated a series of interactive workshops and ceremonial spaces to immerse you into the experience of the elements and their corresponding senses. Sit in silence with the wisdom of the water element in a traditional tea ceremony. Explore the vibrant farmer’s market and dive into the sense of sight and six tastes of the southwest in a hands-on cooking class around the fire element. Soak in the mineral springs and learn abhyanga, the art of nourishing self-care. Experience the wisdom of the Vedic fire ceremony, Agni Hotra. Rest & reset with evening Yoga Nidra.

HANDMADE MEALS

This isn't your typical retreat menu. We see food as the foundation of our wellbeing and pride ourselves on the intentional details that go into each handmade meal at our retreats. Our aim is to provide nourishment prepared with an attitude of love and reverence, in alignment with the seasons and the local environment. Our plant-focused menus use organic and locally-sourced ingredients, that are fresh and alive - nothing ever frozen or from a can. This retreat, we have Claire Ragozzino and Erin Johnson teaming up in the kitchen sharing their culinary magic and guide us through a sensory experience of eating, from the food to the fine details around the table.


 

TESTIMONIALS

The retreat was truly a life-changing experience. Before my trip, I’d been struggling with terrible anxiety. With the practices that I learned from the retreat I have been able to clear away the anxiety. I also feel like I can handle anything that comes my way. From beautifully prepared meals and thoughtful workshops, to impromptu dance parties and jumping into giant ocean waves –
I left with a full heart, amazing friends and a newfound strength to take on the world.
— Krystle L, Detroit
The way of tea was an inspirational, transformative experience that has led me to a new mindfulness tool and perspective. Jade is a comforting and compassionate guide, rich in knowledge and wisdom. Each session felt like a gift, both the information and the tea itself brought me new insights.
— Sami B, Australia
I’ve been on many retreats with Claire and Vidya Living Retreats, and I keep coming back for more. From Malibu to Sonoma to Portugal, she knows how to curate the most beautiful and healing experiences. The days are filled with enriching education, outdoor adventure, exquisite food and peaceful space for relaxation. The retreats always attracts incredible women and I leave meeting great friends and feeling deep restored. If you want a great retreat with beauty, heart and soul, then this retreat is for you.
— Alexa G, Los Angeles
The Way of Tea has been a journey into connection with myself, the earth, and the elements and I couldn’t have asked for a better guide than Jade. Jade’s teaching is vast and tender, and our sessions felt like a gift. Her deep meditations are truly inspiring and will stay with me as I continue to move into my own exploration of tea and tea ceremony.
— Amanda H.
 

 
 

 

ACCOMMODATIONS & PRICING

Located on the edge of town in a quiet, pastoral setting, Casa Gallina’s five adobe casitas provide an authentic Taos experience and cozy nest for our retreat. Each casita is decorated and appointed with furniture, art, antiques and textiles from New Mexico and Old Mexico from the owner’s travels. Take an afternoon nap in an outdoor hammock or cozy up to a wood burning kiva fireplace or wood burning stove as you drift away under the starlit night sky. Breathtaking views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains set the backdrop for our retreat, while dreamy desert sunsets and moonrises illuminate our daily yoga and meditation practice. Explore Casa Gallina in a 360 virtual tour here.

EL GALLO GRANDE (QUEEN BED & SHARED BATH)
Three bedroom with queen-sized beds / two bathrooms in a traditional old adobe home with private courtyard garden, view this room.
$1,650 Single // $1,150 Double

EL GALLO GRANDE (QUEEN BED & PRIVATE BATH)
Three bedrooms with queen-sized beds / two bathrooms in a traditional old adobe home with private courtyard garden, view this room. 
$1,750 Single // $1,250 Double

BARRED ROCK ADOBE (QUEEN BED & PRIVATE BATH)
Two bedrooms with queen-sized beds / two bathrooms adobe casita with a full country kitchen & wood-burning stove, view this room
$1,750 Single // $1,250 Double

LEGHORN CASITA (QUEEN BED & PRIVATE BATH)
One large studio casita with queen bed, private bathroom, kitchen & kiva fireplace for total privacy and sanctuary, view this private casita.
$1,950 Single // $1,350 Double

BANTAM ROOST (QUEEN BED & PRIVATE BATH)
One bedroom two-story historic casita with private bathroom, kitchen, roof deck & kiva fireplace, view this private casita.
$1,950 Single // $1,350 Double 

ART HOUSE CASITA (KING BED & PRIVATE BATH)
Private casita with king bed, private bathroom and kitchen. 
$1,950 Single // $1,350 Double

COMMUNAL ART HOUSE (QUEEN BED & SHARED BATH)
The communal house includes 3 queen beds and a shared bathroom, great for those on a budget who don't mind sharing space with other travelers.
$1250 Single

Note: These rates include your room, all meals, workshops, listed excursions, gift bags and other goodies during the retreat. This rate does not include airfare or other travel expenses in getting to the retreat center. “Single” rates means a room all to yourself, “Double” rates are for two friends/partners traveling together who would like to share a room and queen sized bed, priced per traveler.

LOCAL RATES
Are you local and want to join the retreat? Traveling nearby and want to join our experience for the weekend? We offer a discounted local rate to attend the full retreat while staying offsite. This option is also available both for locals who live nearby and for those looking to book their own accommodations nearby but attend the full retreat. 
Full Retreat Attendance: $800 (4 days) 

 

 

Ready to join us in Taos? Complete the bookings form to select your room package and place your initial deposit. A $500 deposit is required to reserve your spot in this retreat. Full registration due by August 1, 2020. We offer flexible payment plans.

Questions about travel and transportation to the retreat?
We are here to help you with your trip logistics! Please contact us to schedule a time for a phone chat to
map out your retreat details together.