West Coast Retreat Intensives
with Ty Chandler & Sharoni Fixler

"Long, uninterrupted, alert practice is the firm foundation for restraining the fluctuations."
- yogasutra I.XIV

 
 
 
 

Rejuvenating morning openings, immersive pranayama and energizing afternoon practice with the back drop of the west coast's natural beauty to unplug from the hustle.

 
 
 

Early Bird Pricing on Until May 1 | Receive $50 off each week
Join us for 2 weeks + receive $100 off your total.
Use the promo code PLUS at the checkout. Can be combined with early bird pricing.

 

Can’t get away for a retreat?
Check out a weekend practice with Ty + Sharoni instead.

 

About this Style of Retreat

This retreat format asks us to meet ourselves through sustained practice, sequenced to progressively open the body through concentrated effort and awareness. In the yoga sutras of Patanjali, it's explained that yoga practice should consist of effort or action, self study and surrender or letting go. He goes on by saying that practice should be for long periods of time, uninterrupted and practiced with love and respect. As yoga practitioners we all face starting, stopping, and restarting, irregularity and procrastination. In these practice intensives we aim to create daily structure, high quality Iyengar instruction and a supportive atmosphere and community.

This style of condensed practice gives time to consolidate what has been learned in technical study. It helps a practitioner break undesirable habits and establish positive ones. Through the process we face ourselves. We face challenges and we also unearth our sensitivity and our strength, our inspiration and appreciation through a committed journey.

With the focus being more on practicing rather than learning new techniques and collecting more points, one has the opportunity to be in a more meditative state. Being with like minded practitioners creates a supportive atmosphere to assist in going beyond where we go when practicing alone. And finally, we aim to cultivate love and respect in order to stay the course of a lifetime of practice.

Participants stay off site and gather together for the practice and partial meals. This format provides more opportunity for personal time and reflection.

 
 

“Ty Chandler and Sharoni Fixler are such inspiring teachers, adeptly supporting practitioners in their yogic journey with precision, clarity and delightful humour(!) It was a truly nourishing experience.”

 

Location

The pleasant harbourside village of Sooke on southern Vancouver Island provides a tranquil refuge from the bustle of city life. Sooke enjoys a relaxed, casual lifestyle in a rural setting that also affords many of the amenities of city life.

 

Practice Space

The practice portion of our retreat will be held at the Sooke Community Hall, centrally located in Sooke. The hall is large, well lit with natural light and has ample parking.

 

Accommodation

Retreat participants will be arranging their own lodging. Here is a list of suggested options:

 

Choose your Week(s)

Week 1: Restoration, Recuperation & Foundations
Monday, July 1 - Saturday, July 6, 2024


Restorative Practice
Helps counter the stresses of daily life by focusing on ease and relaxation. Postures are often practiced using props like bolsters, blankets and blocks to help students stay in postures comfortably.
Recuperative Practice
Moves the practitioner from deep relaxation through the postures that open the body, to progressively energizing poses. Revitalization is cultivated through sequences that remove strain and bring vibrancy.
Foundations Practice
An introduction to the Iyengar yoga principles of action and alignment. Addresses mobility, stability and strength.
Pranayama
The practice of controlling or conditioning the breath. Consists of techniques designed to gain awareness of the respiratory process while recognizing the connection between the breath, the mind and the emotions.

+For beginner students who wish to discover yoga or,
+Those with some experience in the Iyengar method
+Practitioners of other methods of yoga and who wish to know the Iyengar method
+Practitioners seeking deep recuperation and restoration
+Those who have stopped practicing for a while and wish to take it up again

Week 2: Level 2-3-4 Practice Intensive
Monday, July 8 - Saturday, July 13, 2024


Level 2-3-4 Practice
An opportunity for practitioners to work at their level, solidifying the foundation, going deeper and refining their practice.
Pranayama
The practice of controlling or conditioning the breath. Consists of techniques designed to gain awareness of the respiratory process while recognizing the connection between the breath, the mind and the emotions.

+Practitioners with more than 2 years of regular practice - Iyengar method
+Practitioners with a regular home practice who can hold sirsasana for 5 minutes with variations and sarvangasana for up to 10 minutes with variations

 

Your Teachers

 
 
 

Schedule

 

Meals

We serve 1 nourishing lunch each day, plus dinner on the last night and brunch on the last day after practice. All meals will be fresh and vegetarian. Retreat participants will be responsible for their additional meals. Chai, tea and coffee will be served at the break before pranayama class.

There will be one afternoon/evening off during each retreat week. Participants will be responsible for arranging their own lunch on this day. We are able to provide options for all dietary restrictions. Please advise us in the registration form if you have any restrictions/sensitivities.

 

Suggested Equipment

Please bring a yoga mat, 4 blankets, 2 wood bricks, a bolster and 2 belts (1 long, 1 short is ideal). Backless yoga chairs will be supplied. If you require additional props, please contact us. A water bottle and writing material is also suggested.

Please bring comfortable and casual clothing. Shorts or tights and t-shirt/tank for practice. While July is typically a warm and dryer month in Sooke, it can be cool and rainy in the morning, evenings and throughout the day. Warmer clothing, a rain jacket and an umbrella is recommended.

 

Travel

Sooke is a scenic one-hour drive, taxi or bus ride from Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia on Vancouver Island, which is served by BC Ferries from Vancouver (Tsawwassen) or by flight to Victoria International Airport. For international travelers, the closest international airport is Victoria. Some international carriers may not fly directly into Victoria, the closest airport then would be Vancouver (travel from Vancouver to Victoria can be done by BC Ferries). National carriers such as WestJet and Air Canada fly direct from several Canadian cities to Victoria. For travel options into Sooke, please click here.

If you have questions about travel, please contact us for support.

 

Explore Sooke

Wednesday is an afternoon/evening off for rest and sightseeing after the morning openings and pranayama practice. Participants will be responsible for arranging their own lunch and dinner on this day.

Sooke is a hidden gem on Vancouver Island and a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the rugged west coast. Below are some recommended areas of interest.

Sooke Potholes Provincial Park: Visit the rural community of East Sooke, home to the 3,512-acre East Sooke Regional Park. One of the more spectacular parks in the region, encompassing natural and protected coastal landscape. The ten-kilometer Coast Trail takes you through lush rain forest, along windswept bluffs, and down to the ocean’s edge.

Roche Cove Regional Park features a secluded cove off the Sooke Basin, forested trails, numerous beaches and beautiful vistas. Whether you’re out for a casual stroll or an invigorating hike, the extensive network of walking and hiking trails in the park will provide hours of enjoyment and exercise.

French Beach Provincial Park, west of Sooke, is a pea-gravel beach where you can picnic, swim, beachcomb, and watch for wildlife. The beach is protected from the full force of the Pacific Ocean by the Olympic Peninsula, and the waters here are a favourite feeding ground for migrating gray whales.

The picturesque multi-use Galloping Goose Regional Trail, formerly a railway line, moves through urban, rural and wilderness scenery on its 55 kilometre journey from Victoria to Sooke. You can cycle, stroll, run, or even ride a horse through the rural sections.

Jordan River: The tiny logging community of Jordan River offers a terrific view of the open Pacific Ocean. Although the epicenter of surfing on Vancouver Island is in Tofino, there is a hard-core clique of riders centered in Jordan River.

Juan de Fuca Point: Gentler trails lead for shorter distances along the coastline, and often offer sheltered viewing of the ocean in the Juan de Fuca Strait, even during storms.

Whiffin Spit Trail is a small natural peninsula with a short and scenic trail which leads to a small lighthouse at the end of the Spit. Popular with locals and offers gorgeous views of the Olympic Mountains in the distance.

Point No Point: From the little teahouse at Point No Point, which has occupied this location west of Sooke since the early 1900s, a pathway runs downhill. The salal grows so tall and thick that it forms a canopy above the trail as it leads towards the beach.

Hire a kayak or stand-up-paddle (SUP) and explore the Sooke Basin. The best way to spot local marine life and explore the scenic shoreline.

Whale watching is one of the best things to do in Sooke. The southern tip of Vancouver Island is home to an abundance of marine wildlife, including resident orcas. These orcas feed exclusively on salmon which is why they tend to remain inland or in nearby coastal waters.

Sheringham Point Lighthouse is a designated National Heritage Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is owned, operated and cared for by the Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society, a non-profit charity based in Shirley, BC.

Sooke Country Market is a small, local market with with vendors selling farm fresh veggies, eggs, crafts, baking, art, jewelry and more! About a 15-minute walk from the community hall.

Learn more about Sooke here.

 

Additional Info

Every participant will receive a retreat intensive t-shirt. We’ll be in touch with you closer to the retreat date regarding details and sizing.

Connect with other fellow students! Share accommodation, photos, arrange ride sharing, etc. Join the West Coast Retreat Group on Facebook.

 

Registration + Pricing

$1250 CAD + gst per week

Pricing includes classes and mentioned meals / refreshments. Students are responsible for finding their own accommodation and additional meals.

Registration Deposit = $625 CAD + gst (due upon registration)
Final Balance = $625 CAD + gst (due June 1)

Promotions
Early Bird Pricing on Until May 1 | Receive $50 off each week
Register for 2 weeks and receive $100 off your total. Use the promo code PLUS at the checkout. Can be combined with early bird pricing.

To secure your space please submit your registration deposit and registration form via the buttons below. Once we receive your deposit, your space is confirmed.

Cancellations
Participant cancellations up to 60 days are subject to a $100 CAD admin fee and within 60 days of the retreat are subject to waitlist availability and/or a $250 CAD admin fee.