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14 – 18 April, 2022
Blonay (VD), Switzerland (near Lake Geneva)

An Invitation

This is not your usual yoga retreat. Take a break from everyday life and immerse yourself for an extended weekend into the magical world of Durga’s Tiger School. We are all about experience. In this immersion, a deep connection to yourself and existence awaits you. Feeling it all. Giving it expression. And with everything that is alive, celebrating life together.

We will guide you on a journey deep within yourself, creating a choreography where intensity and expression alternate with silence and stillness, where the doing and the not doing dance together effortlessly. On this journey, we will use many practices – such as Kaula Tantra Yoga, meditation, breathwork, singing, dancing, nature connection, and communication tools. In everything we do, we work with the three tantric keys: Breath Sound Movement.

Kaula Tantra Yoga

The retreat is built around our core practice: Kaula Tantra Yoga. This is a 3-hour yoga sequence that comes from an ancient lineage and is based on the teachings of Bhagavan Shanmuka Anantha Natha. Different to other styles of yoga, this series is practiced in a slow and flowing manner to build patience and awareness. Each asana is held gently for a period of time to allow you to relax into the posture. This way, you can find your own unique way of expressing the asanas without pressure of competing or ‘performing perfectly’.

Tantra Yoga facilitators approach students as whole human beings and discourage ‘isolating’ or forcing muscles. Their priority is to hold a space of acceptance and love, with only little guidance where necessary.

Program: Breath | Sound | Movement

Other than Kaula Tantra Yoga, we will dive deep using the three tantric keys of breath, sound, and movement. During the days we spend together, we will share experiences with the following practices:

• Meditation: We practice active meditations, using movement, our voice and/or visualization to dive deep into a meditative state. A great way to start the day or greet the moon.

• Breathwork: We will guide you into an experience of deep connection to your body, using connected circular breath, movement and self-bodywork.

• Partner Yoga: In this practice, we will support each other to dive deeper into relaxation during parts of the Kaula Tantra Yoga series – by assisting deep stretches and holding space. This is a playful, fun space, and at the same time one of the most relaxing experiences we ever had.

• Forum and Talking Stick: We will use these communication tools where suitable to support the group process - allowing us to show ourselves fully, with everything that is alive in the present moment, and to grow together as a group.

• Nature Connection: Nature is our ultimate teacher, and it is always around us, in us; it is in connection with nature that we experience the magic of life in a very tangible way.

• Cacao Ceremony: In this ritual space, we will connect to the medicine of raw cacao. We will experience an opening of our heart and a deeper connection to ourselves and the group heart. In this space, we will both let go into deep relaxation and dance – giving expression through movement to what is alive right now in our bodies and souls.

• Singing Circle: By sharing songs in a circle, we invite joy, we celebrate life, and we connect to our inner vibration. We will explore songs and mantras from different traditions.

• Dance: At Durga’s Tiger School, we love to dance. Be it to warm up before yoga, or to celebrate life together. No worries if you “cannot dance” – this is simply about intuitively moving your body in any way that feels good.

We will flow with the weather and the group to define exactly when each part of the retreat happens. A typical daily flow may look like this:

7:00 – 8:00 Meditation
8:15 – 11:00 Kaula Tantra Yoga
11:15 – 14:00 Brunch & Nature connection
14:30 – 17:30 Program (breathwork, cacao ceremony, forum…)
18:00 – 20:00 Dinner & Break
20:00 – 21:15 Program (singing circle, breathwork…)

Connection

The foundation of everything we do is a deep connection to ourselves. We guide you to connect to your core, your essence, and to explore what is there when you drop the stories, the “shoulds” and “musts”. And through this, deepen the trust in your inner wisdom.

It is from there that we connect to the group, to nature, to existence itself. To share from our heart, to be seen as who we truly are, to witness others doing the same, holds deep power. Together, we will explore this connection to the group heart in many ways, creating a space of trust built on authenticity and vulnerability. A space where everything is welcome.

A Word on Tantra

Durga’s Tiger School is a tantric school. We celebrate sexual energy as life force and we strive to express ourselves and be in the world as who we really are – and we are sexual beings. However, during this retreat, our focus is not on sexuality. Classes do not involve nudity or sexual contact.

Venue

This residential retreat experience takes place in a chalet in Blonay (VD) in Switzerland. The location provides a spectacular panoramic view over Lake Geneva, the Alps and the Lavaux vineyards. We will live together and share meals, creating a tribal, family spirit. Our group will be small, with a maximum of 18 participants. There are double, twin, and single rooms available. Bathrooms are shared. Bedding and towels are included. For socializing or relaxing outside your room, there is a lounge area with a fireplace at your disposal. The overall standard of the retreat center is cozy, personal, and comfortable. If the weather is friendly, there is a beautiful outdoor area to relax in.

Experiences will be guided both indoors and outdoors.

The seminar center can be reached with public transport (train stop: Fayaux - 5 minutes walking distance). Parking spots are available for free. Also, we will send the link to a table for rideshare coordination to all participants before the start of the retreat.

Food

We will have two main meals a day: Brunch at 11:15 and Dinner at 18:00. There will be a snack bar (nuts, fruit, tea) available all day.

All food will be vegan, organic, and prepared with love by our chef, Beat. With an open and curious mind, he keeps diving into the realm of the plant-exclusive cuisine. Always striving for great flavors that don't have to give way to unhealthy practices. Sometimes, simplicity is key. Having gained valuable insights and experiences while cooking for larger seminar centers and communities, he is excited to treat us with some of his favorite recipes. You can find him at ekesto.com.

Language

The retreat will be guided in English. German translation on the side is possible, please talk to us about this if you feel the need.

Dates and Time

We start with dinner on Thursday, April 14, and end with brunch on Monday, April 18, 2022.

Start: Thursday, April 14, 2022, at 18:00 (check-in from 17:00)
End: Monday, April 18, 2022, at 12:00

Investment

Per person in a twin room: 850 CHF
Per 2 people sharing a double room (French bed): 1500 CHF (750 CHF each)

This price is all-inclusive, with retreat program, lodging for four nights, two organic vegan meals per day and an all-day snack bar (fruits, nuts, tea, pleasant surprises).

Talk to us if this price keeps you from participating. We will find a way together.

Great that you want to be on this journey with us! Please sign up using this form. After completing the registration, we will contact you regarding payment and further information.

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at durgastigerschool.switzerland@gmail.com.

About Your Guides

We are Carmen and Christian, part of the worldwide team of Durga’s Tiger School teachers and holding point for activities in Switzerland. Together, we co-founded and taught at Kaula Tantra Yoga Zürich.

We hold space for joyful transformation through soft power – inviting gentleness and self-love into the process of diving deep into our inner worlds, our shadows, and our light. We act from a place of loving kindness, with authenticity and vulnerability. Our core mission is to support you to find your own truth, and to live that truth in your actions. We follow our curiosity for what makes us and others come alive, and how to truly nourish body and soul.

Carmen has a passion for challenging herself and others to move beyond their comfort zone, letting curiosity and love guide the way. In this retreat she brings together her experiences in Yoga, Tantra, intentional communities and art as well as her own deep connection to nature. She received her teacher training at Durga’s Tiger School® in Ecuador, Switzerland and Germany and is a certified YA RYT-500 teacher. She also co-founded a conscious community near Zürich, integrating personal development into daily co-living.

Christian creates experiences that connect people to their inner wisdom, their magic, and their personal power – based on his own journey in Tantra, Yoga, breathwork, music, dance, bodywork, and writing. He received his YA RYT-500 certification from Durga’s Tiger School® in Ecuador and is part of the school faculty both in Ecuador and Europe. Christian is a co-organizer of the Wild Love festival in Switzerland, a bodyworker and a breathwork facilitator.

We are guides on a journey, and you may choose to travel with us for a while. But ultimately, only you know what is right for you, what feels good in your body, what you need. At any moment, we will support you in your sovereignty.

About Durga’s Tiger School

This retreat is based on the teachings of Durga’s Tiger School® in Ecuador. Our core offering is a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, based on Tantra, Yoga, Arts and Shamanism. In 2021, we have brought this training to Switzerland for the very first time. In a small, beautiful, intimate group of courageous souls, we have spent three weeks in the mountain world of Guarda, diving deep into personal power and magic. Now, we are thrilled to offer retreats based on what we do in the teacher training, but solely focused on experience. Find out more on durgas-tiger-school.com.

In case you want to dive deeper: We will host another 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training with a bigger team from Durga’s Tiger School in Switzerland: May 11 – June 1, 2022, at Schloss Glarisegg. You can find out more at durgas-tiger-school.com.

What to Bring

• Yoga mat

• Meditation cushion (unless you are comfortable sitting directly on the mat)

• Yoga belt or some kind of strap

• A blanket for yoga

• Blindfold

• Comfortable clothes for yoga and movement (make sure to pack layers, it may be cool at night; bring a warm pair of socks)

• Outdoor clothes (according to weather forecast)

• Slippers / indoor footwear

• Toiletries

• Water bottle

Towels and bedsheets are provided.

Covid-19 Policy

Switzerland has lifted all restrictions relevant for this event in February 2022. Everyone is welcome. At this point (written 23.02.2022) we still recommend a self-test or quick-test applied just before you arrive at the retreat. However, this is your self-responsibility, and not mandatory. We will not check nor ask for the results.

Cancellation Policy

You secure your spot with an upfront payment of the full price. In case of cancellation by us, you will receive a full refund. In case you have to cancel your participation, the following policy applies:

• Cancellation more than 60 days before the start of the event: You will receive a refund of 80% of what you paid.

• Cancellation more than 30 and less than 60 days before the start of the event: You will receive a refund of 50% of what you paid.

• Cancellation more than 7 and less than 30 days before the start of the event: You will receive a refund of 30% of what you paid.

• Cancellation less than 7 days before the start of the event: You will not receive a refund.

If you can provide a replacement, i.e. someone who is willing to take your spot for the same conditions, you will receive a full refund irrespective of timing.

We recommend cancellation insurance (“Seminar-Rück­tritts­ver­si­che­rung”). Please note our disclaimer with contraindications.

Let’s dance together!