Retreats Collective is a community that experiences unique immersive retreats with a purpose.
The Manifesto
Our consistent core philosophy is expressed through three principles, so that they color all of our retreats, movement of freedom and liberation practices.
KULA कुल is a Sanskrit word that can be translated as ‘community’ or ‘tribe’.
This word implies a group of people joining forces and the sense of belonging that humans need to flourish and thrive. It is also the physical place, the place of compassion and love where we hang our hearts, offer your anger, jealousy, selfishness, insecurities and fears.
A community offers a stable ground, a home where we can return to, again and again to take refuge. It is a safe, non-judgmental, honest and experimental place where we can allow the most unfiltered, exposed, real and vulnerable expressions of bodymind to blossom. It is an altar where we are called to take back our voices and do things that will leave footprints, in service of the collective well-being of its members. A community keeps us on the path and reminds us that we are not alone in this journey.
SADHANA साधना means ‘conscious daily spiritual practice’ or rituals. This is a steady repeated practice involving discipline, a process said to occur over time. Sadhana can imply many different liberation practices but only filled with a pure
intention. Sadhana prepares us physically, energetically, emotionally, intellectually and blissfully for Moksha, Liberation. When we engage ourselves fully and give our whole heart to any ritual, this will bring us closer to the state of Yoga.
MOKSHA मोक्ष means ‘liberation from all forms of suffering’. Sometimes, we know that we’re not free, but we don’t know why. When we release the blocked areas within our bodies, we are able to take a better glimpse at what Yoga calls the true or authentic Self. This is a big part of why we step onto the mat: we are looking for freedom from the imprints and obstructions that are held in our bodies.
Moksha is the concept of ultimate liberation also known as ‘Mukti’, relating to freedom of the Self. Yoga provides teachings for the bodymind that can liberate and heal the individual soul, jivanmuktih.
Moksha helps us clean the dirt of ignorance - avidya - and desires of a worldly existence. We come to the fact that it is possible to have a beneficial and fulfilling life in the modern world and also grow spiritually - perhaps even attaining a little enlightenment while living.
All these actions will come to us like magical little explosions, leaving a feeling of ‘Oh, I always knew’ because the longing for liberation that we will uncover has always been within us.
Jivamukti Yoga
Jivamukti Yoga is a path to enlightenment through compassion for all beings. Created by Sharon Gannon and David Life, the Jivamukti method is grounded in the original meaning of the sanskrit word asana as “seat, connection” – relationship to the earth. Earth implies all of Life.
At Jivamukti, we use art, music, dance, and poetry to create an environment that inspires people to break out of their small selves and feel the Divine Self flowing through them. Jivamukti Yoga is a vinyasa-based vigorously physical, and intellectually stimulating practice combined with an equally strong foundation in the ancient spiritual traditions of Yoga.
This core philosophy is expressed through five tenets, which form the foundation of Jivamukti Yoga: Ahimsa (nonviolence), Bhakti (devotion), Dhyana (meditation), Nāda (music) and Shastra (ancient yogic teachings).
In the happiest corners of this world, both large and small, you will find a community that follows rituals for expression, self-reflection, connection & healing day in, day out.