Backpacking and Yoga Retreat
May 15-18 2008
“Integrating Yoga into a preexisting lifestyle” tm
Submerge yourself into a different kind of practice, one that includes a walking mediation, yoga and nature.
Your backpacking retreat will be lead on a trail known as the Squaw-Lost canyon loop. This is a 9 mile backpacking trail in the region known as the needles in Canyonland national Park. The Needles District forms the southeast corner of Canyonlands and was named for the colorful spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone that dominant the area.
Surrounded by towering Canyons of sandstone Spires or fins, you will find the landscape is hauntingly beautiful. Dotted with gnarled juniper trees, sagebrush, Yucca and Cacti the flora is strikingly.
We will set up a base camp and enjoy small surrounding hikes. Juniper trees surround your campsite, red sand, vast valley’s of sagebrush, sandstone beds and blue sky fill what seems to be never ending space.
This backpacking and yoga retreat will open you not only to the beauty of the desert but the beauty of self.
You will be guided by Mike Imperiale. Mike is a wilderness first responder (WFR) as well as certified in wilderness CPR and is equipped with 4 years of guiding experience. Mike has been living in, and enjoying the mountains and deserts of Utah for about six years, and can often be found climbing the walls of the cottonwood canyons, skiing the peaks of the Wasatch. Recently Mike has taken his adventures to the Eastern Sierra in the heart of California's high country. Mikes real desert experience comes from his year of guiding the canyons around the Zion National Park where he also fell in love with the lure, and spirit of the desert. Mike has backpacked extensively through the desert of the moab region, and climbed many of the desert walls in and around Indian Creek. Mike looks forward to seeing you on a trip in one of his favorite places!
Your Yoga will be taught by Elisabeth Lilja, Elisabeth has studied yoga for 7 years and has taught for 2 years. She has studied under Dana Baptiste, Anna forest, Rolf gates and many other amazing instructors. Elisabeth has a 500 hour certification and teaches at Centered City in Salt lake City Utah as well as a rehabilitation center for woman with eating disorders. Elisabeth goal is to open people threw understanding, compassion and nature. “ Nature shows us a side of ourselves. When we are striped raw, we have no other option than to find our beauty”. Elisabeth has been exploring the desert from a very young age through backpacking, hiking, rafting, climbing and living in moab.
“ I wonder what walls we have constructed to keep our true erotic nature tamed. And I am curious why we continue to distance ourselves from natural sources.”
-Terry Tempest Williams ~ from the book RED passion and patience in the desert
What will be provided?
o 3 nights privately guided backpacking retreat with Mike Imperiale
o Organic food and Fuel (cooking is communal***)
o 1 morning Pranayama (Breath work) or meditation a day
o 2 Yoga classes a day with Elisabeth Lilja
o Evening Dharma or wilderness talks
o Information and clinic on how to backpack in the desert
o A life changing experience…
*** All of our backpacking retreats have communal cooking. This means that this is a community-oriented experience, not only a bonding experience with nature but your community as well. Everyone will be responsible for cleaning their mess kits as well as contributing to preparation of meals. We feel that this will help you better understand what backpacking is about!
Upon registration you will receive an information packet with a gear list as well as other helpful information.
Frequently asked questions:
What will my day look like?
May 15:
Arrive at needles visitor center by 12:00
Afternoon
1:00 head to the trail and pack in
4:00 arrive at destination and base camp and set up camp
5:00 orientation
6:00 dinner
7:30 Dharma or wilderness talk
May 16-17:
Morning:
8:00 Pranayama
9:00 Light breakfast
9:45 practice
Afternoon:
12:00 Lunch and free time or hike!
4:00 PM practice
Evening:
6:00 Dinner
7:30 Dharma or wilderness talk
May 18:
Morning
8:00 pack camp
9:00 closing practice
10:30 late breakfast
Pack out
***Please note that scheduled itinerary is subject to change due to the ebb and flow of life!
When will I need to arrive and when do I leave?
You will need to arrive by 12pm at the Needled District visitors’ center April 3, 2008. The retreat will end late afternoon on April 6, 2008.
How do I get to Moab Utah if I fly?
You can either:
Rent a car at the Salt Lake City airport (a 4 hour drive from Moab), or fly into Moab Utah. The website is www.airportrentalcar.com. We suggest renting a car if you plan on doing some site seeing on your free time, or plan on staying a day or two before or after.
How do I get to Moab if I drive?
Go to: http://www.mapquest.com/maps-directions
Enter Moab Utah
Can I fly out a day early or stay a day after?
Yes you can. We actually advise it. Because we will be meeting by 12:00 pm in the park we suggest that you stay in Moab the night before. We would be happy to give you some ideas on where to stay.
How do I get to the needles?
On US Highway 191, drive 40 miles (60 km) south of Moab or 14 miles (22 km) north of Monticello, then take Utah Highway 211 roughly 35 miles (56 km) west. Highway 211 ends in the Needles, and is the only paved road leading in and out of the district.
CLICK HERE TO SEE A LIST OF REQUIRED GEAR AND EQUIPMENT YOU MUST BRING
Disclaimer
Do understand that by voluntarily choosing to backpack in the backcountry you are vulnerable to nature and other risks. This is not to detour you or scare you but to advise you of the risk involved. Understand that large amounts of water may need to be carried at a time. We do however choose trails that are known for having a consistent water source. Water will be filtered and treated. Weather can be unpredictable. We consistenly check weather conditions days before a retreat, and will inform you of a weather change. Conditions are primitive. You will be hiking in washes as well as slick rock, you may need to negotiate steep terrain as well as ladders, drop-offs and narrow areas.
Our guides have Wilderness first aide survival training as well as CPR training.
We look forward to your registration! You are in excellent hands!
Click to Register