AYP retreat in Southeast Asia

25. Member Announcements - Classes & Retreats
1

Hello everyone,
Perhaps some of you have already read about it in the “AYP Member Announcements” section of the forum:
We (Christi, Swan and myself at this moment) are looking towards an AYP retreat in South-East Asia. It started with a simple longing here and a question on a thread where participants of the UK retreat shared their experience ([url=“http://www.aypsite.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13377”]).
The retreat can take place if
(1) At least 10 candidates will register for the retreat
(2) We find a suitable venue (with meditation hall, kitchen and rooms for the participants)
Christi, who has quite some experience with AYP retreats already (both on his own and leading in the UK: http://www.secretsofyoga.org/aypretreats.html), is willing to lead on the Asian continent also.
We are still open on the country, though India seems to be a likely choice already at this moment unless people who are interested in a Southeast Asian retreat show more interest in another country.
If you are interested in attending or contributing to an AYP retreat in Southeast Asia, please let us know here.
Also, please specify:
(1) Which country would you prefer?
(2) Do you know a suitable venue in your country of preference?
(3) How flexible are you in terms of dates?
Thank you!
Omsat

2

Hi Omsat, thanks for the initiative you’v taken up, I am already waiting for it :slight_smile:
I would prefer India, and would look around for a suitable venue. Till November it will be bit hard as my leaves are used up, so December onwards is better for me. But I can try and work around so let’s hear from other participants first. How many days you have in you mind?

3

Hi Swan,

Happy that you’re enthousiastic to make it happen also :slight_smile:
Thank you for your support. Being from India and speaking some of the language(s) is probably a very valuable asset for researching venues.
Perhaps you will get some help here from your brothers and sisters from India.
How many days? It seems that so far most AYP retreats have been 3 to 5 days (most were 3 days). I have not yet attended an AYP retreat, so would prefer to let Christi decide on the retreat-specifics. He can make choices based on his experiences…
If it’s only 3 days, I guess that makes it easier for more people to attend; the retreat could then be taking place on a week-end and one week day only to ask for leave from work.
Looking forward also to see this unfold… :slight_smile:
Omsat

4

Hi Omsat and Swan,
In terns of days, yes, 3 to 5 days is a good number. Personally I would be more inclined to go for 5 days as most people attending would probably have to travel a fair distance to get there. But I would be happy to do a long weekend if that was preferred.
In terms of dates, Jan/ Feb of next year would be the earliest I could do. Jan/ Feb is also a good time to do a retreat in Central and South India as it starts to get very hot during March. April is a good time to do a retreat in the Himalayas.
Also, a retreat centre which does catering for groups would be ideal.
Christi

5

5 days is perfect with me (and less or more also; with favouring more over less): It’s a long travel indeed…

6

Agree with that, so let’s proceed with the location after having a tentative date. I think a long notice will be more convenient for people to plan and join. Should we call it a retreat in Himalaya in the summer?
Five days will be wonderful…

7

Sounds good to me… :+1:

8

Hi Omsat,
I would be very interested in a retreat in SE Asia :slight_smile: I am itching to travel this part of the world and have been on a UK retreat with the wonderful Christi, so this sounds great. To answer your questions:

  1. Thailand is my first choice. Followed by Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia… all popular backpacking destinations!
  2. I’m afraid not! But happy to do some research.
  3. At the moment fairly flexible with enough notice. A xmas retreat would be amazing but I understand that would probably be too soon!
    Hope we can get something together :slight_smile:
    Queen
9

Oh and if Himalayas is decided upon then that sounds great too!

10

Hi Queen,
Happy to hear you are enthousiastic about a SE Asia retreat!
As for the timing, it would definately be after the Christmas period as Christi is not available before.
Also, sufficient people showing interest is important before the retreat is being organized as the latter is time-consuming for the leader of the retreat and a number of people are needed to keep the price of the retreat affordable while covering all costs.
Thank you for posting your interest.
I hope more interested people will come in sharing their preferences so we can take further steps… :slight_smile:
Btw, I’ve lived in Thailand for a year (without travelling too much in the country though). If you happen to decide to go there and would like some info, let me know (you can send me a personal message by clicking on omsat)
Warm wishes,
Omsat

11

Count me in!
Preferred location - India / Himalayas
jan/Feb - also perfect
5 days sound good
:pray:
Sey

12

Great… that makes five of us so far :sunglasses:
Hi Sey, looking at the climate factor, we were planning a March/April timing for Himalaya retreat as it would be very cold around Jan/Feb there. Do you think March/April will work for you?

13

:slight_smile:

14

Hi guys,
Interest in a South Asia retreat seems to be growing. It is beginning to look like the Himalayas in the Spring (April/ May) could be the most popular location and time of year.
We still need more people who are interested in joining, and we still need a venue to make it happen.
Where there is a will… :slight_smile:
Christi

15

i might come but cant give a final answer until the date and location become clear :slight_smile:

16

Regretfully I don’t think I would be able to make Himalayas in April/May due to work commitments :frowning: But it sounds amazing, I hope it happens for you all :slight_smile:

17

Hi Christi,
Did you hear from people interested whom did not post here?
For Himalayas in the Spring I’m most likely to bring someone along with me, so that adds another participant… Potentially also some of my friends in India whom are not familiar with AYP may be interested if I tell them (though this is very insecure as I did not ask anyone yet). Would it be ok to have people whom are not yet familiar with AYP practices on the retreat?
Omsat

18

Hi Queen,
Thanks for letting us know you may not be available in the Spring… Nothing is fixed yet… Let’s wait and see more responses…
Received your email and answered…
Omsat

19

I will probably be x2 - My partner will mostly likely want to join. Not yet an AYPer but he is interested.
Oh and yes… I hate cold, so April/May should work just as well for me
Sey

20

Hi Omsat
Nobody has contacted me outside of this forum, only on this thread.
Yes, it is absolutely fine for people with no previous AYP experience to come on an AYP retreat. At the beginning of every retreat I lead I give full instruction on the practices involved. I also encourage people who are new to AYP to read the relevant lessons on this site and have a go at least of Deep Meditation and Spinal Breathing Pranayama before the retreat starts so they have some experience before the first day. On the U.K retreats we always get a few people coming who are new to AYP and they always get on fine.
At the moment I am looking for a suitable venue.
Christi