It’s the end of May, and here at Shanti Retreat we are all feeling so lucky to already be enjoying the herb garden, as well as some harvest from the permaculture beds. Often times, herbs are only used as garnish (if at all) and their high nutrient profile is forgotten about. However, we definitely recognize their nutritious and healing properties and have been infusing as many of our meals as possible with these superfoods.
Since some herbs start to come up early spring, it can be an exciting time and the first taste of organic, seasonal, home grown food! Herbs can be used in a variety of ways and contain high amounts of important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to improve digestion, protect against cancer, boost mood and reduce inflammation, to name a few.
Today we present to you – mint, parsley and sage. Below you can read about the health benefits of each herb, as well as the different ways we have been included them in retreat meals.
Benefits of Mint
- Promotes digestion
- Relieves Nausea
- Fights fatigue (try diffusing peppermint essential oil to boost mood and energy levels)
- Relieves headaches
- Cleanses palate, improves oral care
- Clears congestion, helps asthma
…ways we have been using mint:
- Homemade herbal tea
- Yogurt Dips like Greek tzatziki (with lots of garlic and lemon!) or Indian raita
- Fruit salad topper
- Mango and pistachio salsa (for enchilada night)
- Fennel and apple salad
Benefits of Parsley
Parsley, often used as a garnish, is an under appreciated superfood full of many healing properties!
- Extremely high in vitamin K which is important for bone healthy
- A rich source of immune boosting antioxidants, mainly vitamin C and A
- Kidney cleanser
- Anti aging / anti – inflammatory
- High in iron
…ways to have been using parsley:
- Greek salad and quinoa tabouleh
- Herbed yogurt dip
- Herb garden hummus
- Minestrone soup
Benefits of Sage
Sage is another super herb which has been used medicinally and spiritually for thousands of years.
- Promotes healthy digestive system
- Reduces depression
- Relieves asthma
- Improves memory and alertness
- Eases menopausal symptoms, especially hot flashes
- Lowers inflammation
- High in antioxidants
- Strengthens bones
….ways we have been using sage
- Creamy cashew,garlic and sage sauce (for buddha bowls)
- Sage cornbead (with veggie chili!)
- Rustic cheese and nut loaf
- Homemade herbal tea with slices of fresh ginger root.
…Written by Lacey Budge, Shanti Retreat Coordinator and Registered Holistic Nutritionist
Goddess Tara Retreat with Antoaneta Groeta
Monday August 21st – Wednesday 23rd, 2017
Attune with the energy of the heart and invite in the healing power of truth, love, kindness and compassion.
This transformative 3-day Tara Retreat includes:
Presentation of Goddess Tara • Hatha Yoga Practice (Heart Opening) • “Heart Breathing” Methods • Tara Mantra Chanting • Tara Mantra Japa • AUM Chanting • Tara Visualization Practice • Blowing Upon the Embers of the Heart • Awakening Compassion Meditation (Metta meditation)
Antoaneta will guide you through a variety simple and effective empowering practices to awaken the power of compassion within yourself {and toward others!).
Plus, enjoy all Shanti has to offer during the summer months like swimming in the St- Lawrence River, canoeing, kayaking, jumping on the water trampoline, reading lakeside under the warm sun, taking a nap in a hammock, cycling around the island, or driving out to Big Sandy Bay beach.
Antoaneta Gotea is a senior yoga teacher and the co-founder of Hridaya Yoga. During the last 20 years she has led meditation retreats, yoga courses and workshops on Tantra, Mystical Relationships and the Divine Feminine in Europe, Asia and North America. She spends many months of the year serving, teaching and practicing at the Hridaya Yoga headquarter in Mazunte, Oaxaca in Mexico. She is skilled at holding the space for sacredness and transformation. She creates an intimate atmosphere in which participants feel comfortable going deeper into themselves.
Click here for weekend schedule, rates, registration and more information
Come explore, play and transform the way you view sexuality, partnership and love!
This retreat offering (and its facilitators) has been so well received the past 2 seasons at Shanti, that we have decided to offer it twice this season: Summer and Fall!
We are absolutely delighted to welcome back, dear friends and inspiring facilitators, Tiffany and Kristof!
Monday, June 26th – Wednesday, June 28th for a retreat exploration and introduction to Sacred Relationships.
“From the moment you pull up to the picturesque property, you feel your daily stresses begin to wash away. Myself being the yogi, my partner didn’t know what to expect, but he was quickly reassured by the number of people ‘out of their comfort zone’. The inspiring and real teachers guided us through meditation, open communication and partner yoga exercises with sincerity and acceptance. Everything is optional so you’re free to experience the waterfront, water trampoline, kayaks, canoes, hammocks or lounge at you leisure. The yoga was guided and accessible to everyone and the session on tantric sexuality was super interesting. All you need to bring is an open heart and mind, and you’ll leave recharged and inspired with a better vision of yourself and your relationship! We will definitely be heading back to the sacred relationships retreat!” ~ Kat, Retreat Guest
Some of the topics covered will include:
~ Tantric Sexuality – How do we remember the Sacredness of Sexuality? This will be an exploration and an unlearning of some of the conditionings and limiting beliefs we hold around sexuality, relationships and the sexes.
~ Sexology – Mechanics, tools and practices for more pleasurable, sensual, prolonged and orgasmic lovemaking for both men and women. We will also discuss the importance of the sexual energy for health and well-being and the benefits of channeling and directing this energy.
~ Ayurvedic considerations – Ojas (Vigor/Vital force); Maintaining and replenishing sexual energy; Simple aphrodisiacs and reproductive tonics; Dietary & Lifestyle considerations
~ Yoga practice – You will learn ‘partner yoga’ and the beauty of practicing, playing and connecting as one on the mat. We will also introduce a series of specific yoga asanas that will assist in the control, movement and awareness of the potency of the sexual energy, as well as their healing potential for the reproductive organs.
~ Meditation – Together we will explore meditation practices that focus upon opening our hearts to connection, pure love and deep intimacy with ourselves, our lovers and in our general relation to others.
~ Breathwork/Pranayama – An introduction into specific breathing techniques that can bring deepened presence and connect with our own life force and that which resides in our partner. These will also offer the benefit of amplifying sexual energy and guiding it to flow harmoniously through our system.
~ Compassionate Communication – We will offer ways to remember and maintain empathic, loving and connected communication with your partner, how to deeply listen and honor your own needs and the needs of the other, and how to move forward without blame or shame from times of discord and disconnection.
About the Facilitators
www.livingintheself.com
Tiffany Nicholson-Smith (E-RYT 500, RPYT) is a radiant Yogini, an Ayurvedic Practitioner and a lover of life who is known for bringing her clarity, abundant energy and aspiration for truth into everything she shares and offers.A world citizen and sacred activist, she approaches life with an open heart and an inspired mind. Tiffany has studied and retreated extensively with various teachers in India and around the world, immersing herself deeply into Tantric Hatha & Kundalini Yoga, Advaita Vedanta, Spiritual Nutrition, Ayurveda, Compassionate Communication & Sacred Sexuality. Her students appreciate her art of drawing upon the wisdom of these approaches to offer their truths in ways that are both accessible and highly applicable.
Kristof Wittstock (E-RYT 500) is a down-toearth spirit who is known for his clear dedication to truth and his humble heart. He has had the opportunity to study for the last 20+ yearswith various teachers and schools, most situated in India, and steeped in the traditional, classical wisdom of Hatha, Laya, Kriya and Kundalini yoga. Kristof also has a deep respect and love for Buddhism and has retreated extensively in the Theraveda tradition. His offerings are always infused with this revolutionary edge of Tantric Yoga, Meditation and Buddhism. His students often comment on his artful blend of focus, precision, laughter and joy, and enjoy his mindful invitations to live a life of true alignment and awareness.
