Yoga Retreat to New Harmony, Indiana
Join instructors Ahna Hoke, Chuck Crosby and Amy Peddycord from Invoke Studio in beautiful New Harmony, Indiana this fall for a weekend of relaxation, exploration, yoga, meditation, nature, and gourmet food. New Harmony ambassador, Merri Leffel will lead the group through meditation sessions and historic tours around New Harmony.
New Harmony is a 200-year old community located on the banks of the Wabash River. It began as a spiritual sanctuary and evolved into a haven for international educators, scholars, and scientists who sought equality in communal living. This serene environment is a true Indiana treasure not to be missed. The trip is perfect for those who want a peaceful getaway complete with opportunities to learn about history, art, philosophy, spirituality, and architecture.
September 28th – Meet at Invoke Studios at 9am to carpool to New Harmony. Arrive at the MacLeod Barn Abbey for check in and an introduction. This unique, historical structure will serve as your home for the weekend. Equipped with beds for 30 guests, a large gathering room and fireplace, and a full kitchen and dining room, the MacLeod Barn Abbey will be an unforgettable overnight experience. Explore New Harmony on your own until the evening as we wait for all participants to arrive. Special evening yoga session, introduction to New Harmony, and dinner via candlelight! (D)
September 29th – Morning yoga session at the MacLeod Barn Abbey. Breakfast to follow. Embark on a golf cart tour of New Harmony in the morning visiting sites such as The Atheneum Visitors Center, Thrall’s Opera House, the Murphy Auditorium, Beal House, Rapp-Owen Granary, the West Street Log Cabins, as well as shops and art galleries. Enjoy a picnic lunch at Swan Lake. Afternoon yoga session on the grounds of the Roofless Church with instructors from New Harmony. Proceed to Fragrant Farms for a tour of the gardens and farm and then see the Harmonist Labyrinth. Dinner and a wine tasting will be at the Red Geranium Restaurant on the grounds of the New Harmony Inn this evening. Overnight at MacLeod’s Barn Abbey. (B,L,D)
September 30th – Morning yoga session at the MacLeod Barn Abbey. Breakfast to follow. Take a hike to enjoy the beautiful scenery around New Harmony. In the afternoon embark on a journey through the town to explore the beautiful art and sculptures – from the Chapel of the Little Portion to the Fountain of Commitment to the Shalev. Visit the Cathedral Labyrinth for a time of meditation. Enjoy lunch and yoga by the waterfall in Our Lord’s Wood. Depart in the late afternoon for Indianapolis. (B,L)
Inclusions:
2 nights accommodation at the MacLeod Barn Abbey
All meals
Golf cart rental
Guided tour of the city
5 yoga sessions with Invoke Instructors
Meditation session with Merri Leffel
Visit to Fragrant Farms
Wine tasting
Art and Sculpture Tour
Nature Hike
Register here: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=2357&stype=41&prodid=817
What to get excited about:
The Roofless Church - The Roofless Church is an architectural monument designed by renowned architect Philip Johnson. It was commissioned by Jane Blaffer Owen, a New Harmony resident, passionate about preserving nature. Johnson and Owen envisioned a church where the only roof large enough to encompass a world of worshippers was the sky. The church was dedicated in 1960 and is maintained by the Episcopal Diocese of Indiana.
Harmonist Labyrinth - The Harmonist Labyrinth was originally built around 1815. The maze was reconstructed between the years of 1939-41 on the site adjacent to the original Labyrinth. The hedges were planted according to a pattern established by the Harmony Society: a concentric circular design with only one path. A small stone building called a grotto is placed at the centre, an authentic restoration of The Harmonist grotto. For the Harmonists, the labyrinth symbolized the difficult path of life to reach true harmony and perfection.
The Atheneum - Designed by internationally acclaimed architect Richard Meier, the Atheneum has received numerous design awards, including the Progressive Architecture Award for 1979, the American Institute of Architects Award in 1982, and the Twenty-five Year Award in 2008. The stunning building, which serves as the Visitors Center for New Harmony, houses exhibits on the communal history of New Harmony, a large theater where an orientation film on the town is shown, and the Museum Shop.
Fragrant Farms - In 1814, Father George Rapp and the Harmonists settled in the Wabash Valley because the climate and soil conditions were perfect for establishing a vineyard, an orchard, and grains to sustain the communal Harmonist Society. For the next decade, Harmonie agricultural products were grown on fertile river land, including a 15-acre vineyard, a 35-acre orchard of apple and pear trees, and a 5-acre vegetable garden. The Harmonists marketed their produce across the United States and around the world. Today, Fragrant Farms is located on 24 acres of New Harmony land once tilled and harvested by the Harmonists. A vineyard was reborn in 1994, and the most treasured of the farm's cut flower crop, the peony, was established in the same year. Companions were planted for the peonies: a variety of flowers, vegetables, herbs, and fruits, with naturally grown agricultural practices.
The Cathedral Labyrinth- This labyrinth is in the same design of that at the Chartres Cathedral in France. Conceived by Jane Blaffer Owen and Kent Scheute, the marble labyrinth is in a beautiful park setting designed to emulate the architecture of the Chartres Cathedral Nave. The Cathedral Labyrinth provides a space for meditation and restoration.
Shalev - For twenty-five years, Tobi Kahn has been making miniature sacred spaces he calls "shrines." The first full-scale shrine, Shalev, is in New Harmony, Indiana, commissioned as an outdoor sculpture for Jane Owen and the Robert Lee Blaffer Trust. This gleaming bronze figure stands within a 12-foot high rose granite arch, within view of the Macleod Barn Abbey. Several small stones are placed nearby for meditation.
Invoke Yoga Studio Instructors:
Ahna Hoke:
Ahna began practicing yoga fourteen years ago in central Pennsylvania. After suffering from chronic stress and back pain, her holistic physician suggested incorporating yoga and shiatsu (Japenese acupressure) into her life. After her first hatha class, yoga began to change her life forever. She has had a daily yoga and meditation practice ever since. In 2001 Ahna received her 200 hour teacher certification from Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Massachusetts. She is currently just a few hours away from completing her 500 hour yoga teacher certification at Kripalu. Over the years she has trained with many world renowned teachers, receiving over 700 hours of training in different modalities of hatha yoga. Ahna's path eventually lead her to Anusara Yoga. She has studied with many senior Anusara teachers over the last several years and has close to 500 hours of study in the Anusara system. She has completed the teacher training program and is an Anusara-Inspired teacher. The life affirming philosophy of Anusara Yoga along with its elegant principles of alignment have influenced her personal practice to become more graceful and heart centered. In addition, she has over sixty hours of advanced pranayama (yogic breathing) training. She feels strongly that the breath is the link that brings the mind, body, and spirit together. The practice of pranayama, proper alignment, and the guidance of grace are an integral part of each of her classes. She will guide you through a practice which will uplift your mind and strengthen your body, inviting the wisdom of your heart to direct you into a state of self awareness. Ahna has been teaching for over nine years now, and is also an instructor of anatomy and physiology, meditation, and pranayama with Invoke Yoga Studio's Yoga Alliance accredited 200 hour yoga teacher training program. She enjoys instructing beginners as well as advanced practitioners.
In addition to teaching yoga, Ahna is a massage therapist, shiatsu practitioner and thai massage therapist. She loves any outdoor adventure and sport, and is inspired by mother nature. She grew up on a farm in Pa and has a huge passion for animals. Music, dance, and travel are also a big part of her life. Ahna loves to share her passion for life and yoga with her students.
Chuck Crosby:
Chuck Crosby discovered Ashtanga and Vinyasa yoga in 2001 and he has trained intensively ever since creating a hybrid style of vinyasa yoga drawing from the teachings of senior yoga instructors Larry Schulz, Rodney Yee, David and Doug Swenson, Rolf Gates, Paul Grilley, Gary Kraftsow, Todd Norian, Desire Rumbaugh and Doug Keller. Chuck is registered at the 200-hour level with the National Yoga Alliance and he has been teaching since June, 2002, first in Columbus, Ohio where he taught at It's Yoga and Balanced Yoga and currently in Indianapolis at IUPUI, 15toFit Yoga and Pilates, Cathedral High School and Invoke Yoga and Pilates. His regular classes and special workshops are popular throughout the Indianapolis area.
Chuck believes in the power of yoga to open the heart, strengthen the mind and body, and help remove the obstacles around who and what you want to be in your life. His teaching inspires students to reach for greater physical, spiritual, and emotional awareness, but his classes are also known for laughter and good times and not taking yourself too seriously. Off the mat, Chuck enjoys spending time laughing with his wife, Ahna Hoke, biking, golf and playing guitar in the band The Echo Hounds. He also records music at his home recording studio and has performed as a dancer with Motus Dance and People Paint and Percussion in Indianapolis. Chuck brings a sincere commitment to his practice and teaching, and constantly seeks to grow as both an instructor and a practitioner.
Merri Leffel
Merri Leffel has a long relationship with New Harmony and was a personal friend of Jane Blaffer Owen, New Harmony's supporter and benefactor who passed away in 2010. Merri will lead daily non-denominational meditation sessions and will share her historical and personal knowledge of Mrs. Owen's legacy.
Amy Peddycord:
Amy Peddycord, Invoke Studio owner and yoga & pilates teacher, returned to the Indianapolis after years in New York City and California with the intention of opening an appealing and accessible yoga and pilates studio in Indianapolis. Over the last six years, she has watched the studio grow and continues to be amazed by the compassion, diversity and energy of Invoke students and fellow teachers.
Amy teaches an energetic, vinyasa flow class in a light and playful style. She also teaches dynamic pilates classes that include ballet bar and some yoga fusion. Amy began her yoga practice in 1998 attracted to the fluidity and diversity of yoga. She has studied Bikram, Vinyasa and Ashtanga. She is also a student of Core Fusion. Amy is a graduate of OM Yoga’s renowned (200 hour) teaching training program and has completed pilates mat work through Balanced Body and IM=X. Lululemon recently welcomed Ms. Peddycord to its Ambassador program. She holds an MBA from Columbia University.
Cost of Retreat:
$390 per person (all accommodations on sharing basis)
Deadline for trip registration is July 1, 2012.
Contact Information:
Village Experience Contact: Kelly Campbell
Kelly@experiencethevillage.com * 317-602-3696
Invoke Yoga Studio Contacts:
Amy Peddycord * Amy@invokestudio.com * 317–525-6965
Ahna Hoke * ahnahoke@gmail.com
Chuck Crosby * seecrosby@gmail.com
