WHITE TARA HIMALAYAN TREK, YOGA & SOUND RETREAT

MAY 14 – 28 2015, NEPAL

You have to grow from the inside out. �None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. �

There is no other teacher but your own soul. Swami Vivekananda

RETREAT OVERVIEW SERENITY THROUGH NATURE  

   At stupas we might admire, affirm and pray, at bridges we'll cross and be inspired by the wind while turning prayer wheels that we encounter. We will take each step higher and each breath deeper as we climb the stunning Himalayan region to the infamous Everest Basecamp.    Over the days Jodi Boone will lead a beautiful Hatha Yoga practice with the world’s greatest mountain, Everest in view while Jessica Brookes will run restorative sound bath meditations for our group to stretch, align and connect whilst among these beautiful giants.    We will also have the opportunity to meet with local monks who will illuminate the stories of their culture, land and traditions of their native majestic place while have local Sherpa guides explain the ancient tales of the mountains and the stories of Buddhism that remain the fabric of the ancient community originally of Tibet.

The Shanti Space introduces a truly unique and empowering opportunity to connect with the divine spirit of the Himalayas of Nepal. Over two weeks, we will climb the highest peaks in the world before arriving at the stunning Everest Basecamp. 

Accompanying our trek we will run yoga classes & sound meditations with beautiful yoga teacher Jodi Boone & sound therapist Jessica Brookes.

THE WHITE TARA THE MOTHER OF LIBERATION  

White Tara (Sanskrit, "star") symbolises the Buddhist savior-goddess especially popular in Tibet, Nepal and Mongolia. In Tibet, where Tara is the most important deity, her name is Sgrol-ma, meaning "she who saves."

The mantra of Tara (om tare tuttare ture svaha) is the second most common mantra heard in the region, after the mantra of Chenrezi (om mani padme hum) which is craved in ancient rocks known as mani stones of the region.

The goddess of universal compassion; Tara represents virtuous and enlightened action. It is said that her compassion for living beings is stronger than a mother's love for her children.

She also brings about life longevity, protects earthly travel, and guards her followers on their spiritual journey to enlightenment.

THE PACKAGE A PERFECT HIMALAYAN EXPERIENCE  

What’s included: �

•  14 nights accommodation including 2-3 nights at our hotel in Kathmandu •  Airport transfers. •  Three meals per day & hot drinks during the trek and yoga workshop. •  Best available guesthouses during the trek (single/shared). •  Licensed Local Sherpa English speaking guide. •  Everest National Park permits. •  Return airfare between Kathmandu – Lukla. •  Daily Hatha Yoga Workshop lead by Jodi Boone (mats provided) •  Restorative Tibetan Singing Bowl sound baths with Jessica Brookes. •  Day trips to local villages around the region and to Tibetan Buddhist

monasteries •  Meditations at Tengbouche Monastery & holy landmarks of the region

(optional)

What's not included:

•  Flights in and out of Kathmandu. •  Lunch and dinner whilst in Kathmandu (Day trips). •  Travel insurance. •  Alcoholic, carbonated drinks, laundry. •  Personal trekking equipment.

Price: US$4,930 // £2,999 Earlybird (until 14 Jan): US$4,100 // £2,500

To provide meaningful support for the conservation of this area profits from this trip will go to �

The Greater Himalayas Foundation 

We will also be supporting The Dream Flag Project; connecting the dreams of children from around the world.

JODI BOONE HATHA YOGA & MEDITATION  

Jodi feels that yoga is a precious gift and one of the greatest influences in her life. Initially drawn to yoga for the physical benefits of becoming stronger and more flexible, she soon realized there was something even more profound than the effect it was having on her body. Yoga deeply touched her heart, spirit and mind.

Practicing yoga for many years led Jodi to seek teachers and teachings in many places, close to home in Seattle, as well as in many parts of the world. Yoga became her passion, in addition to the work she was doing with different nonprofit organizations as a grant writer.

With a background in Iyengar, Vinyasa and Ananda yoga, a devotional style of yoga based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, Jodi draws from these traditions to create a fluid and meditative practice. She teaches to inspire others to experience yoga within all aspects of ourselves, creating a sense of wholeness among our hearts, bodies, minds, spirits and hearts. This sense of wholeness or oneness also dissolves our sense of separation from others. She encourages students to go inward; nourishing themselves, deepening their intuition and honoring the divine within.

JESSICA BROOKES RESTORATIVE YOGA & TIBETAN SINGING BOWLS  

Jessica is the founder of The Shanti Space. Her inspirations over the last 4 years have taken her all over the globe working as a yoga & sound therapist, volunteering as a children’s English teacher and for the love of it a photographer and film maker.

After years in the corporate world, she went in search of inspiration while fulfilling lifelong dreams to travel. She realised that an over-active mind, lazy body and poor diet was affecting her relationships with people around her, the way she perceived the world and especially her relationship with herself.

Since a young age she has had the privilege of learning from inspiring teachers with a steady practice of meditation, yoga and contemplative practices.

Jessica believes that yoga goes beyond asana on a mat to a way of living a free, full and more enjoyable life. Through restorative yoga and Tibetan Singing bowl sound baths she gently guides her clients in to spaces of stillness, integration and renewal.

She encourages others to have faith in themselves, to explore and love oneself unconditionally while uniting with one's creative calling to live a life exceptionally with a heart full of compassion.

ANG DANU LOCAL GUIDE OF HIMALAYAS  

Ang Danu will be our certified English speaking guide during the trip. As one of the original students of Sir Edmund Hillary’s first school in the region, Ang Danu has a deep knowledge of the area and speaks very good English. He will share the ancient tales of the mountains and ensure all our guests feel comfortable and supported as we make our way through the Himalayas.

Ang Danu’s family run a small tea house in Khumjung which we are invited to visit and see how his wife cooks traditional local food; Dhal Bhat. Ang Danu will also guide the group on a number of expeditions during the day such as the new Green Tara (Dolma) statue for a meditation and to visit Khumjung School to run a volunteer program with the children.

THE PROGRAM THE JOURNEY IS THE DESTINATION  

DAY 1: KATHMANDU // 14 MAY �Guests arrive in to Kathmandu. Spend the day exploring the city, visiting the ancient temples and stupas or preparing for the trek.

DAY 2: LUKLA – PAKHDING (2610m) // 15 MAY �Departing for the airport early we fly to Lukla from Kathmandu. Due to the mountain location and the fact that the runway starts on the edge of a cliff, visibility is extremely important hence this flight is subject to delays.

Upon our arrival in to Lukla, we will begin the Himalayan trek to the first stop in Pakhding village to stay at a family run guesthouse. This trek takes approximately 6 hours.

DAY 3: PAKHDING – NAMCHE BAZAAR (3440m) // 16 MAY After some stretches and our breakfast, we start the day early for a challenging trek to market town Namche Bazaar.  This trek will take us through the beautiful valleys and across the river on secure suspension bridges that are decorated with prayer flags.

Upon our arrival and checking in to our guesthouse we can sample Namche Bazaars famous apple pie, visit the local monastery, the hilltop local museum and get the first glimpse of Everest.

DAY 4 : NAMCHE – REST DAY // 17 MAY Visit the local Sherpa museum or the Everest View Hotel for beautiful scenery shots of the ranges. The village also has a street market and beautiful temple to visit.

DAY 5: NAMCHE BAZAAR - TENGBOUCHE 3860M // 18 MAY �We arrive in Tengbouche and to the sound of the conch join the monks for their ancient mantras and meditation in the world’s highest monastery.

THE PROGRAM THE JOURNEY IS THE DESTINATION  

DAY 6/7: DINGBOUCHE 4410M // 19 / 20 MAY Trek to Dingboche with time to acclimatize. One of the characteristics of Dingboche is the kilometers of stone walls, built using the stones of different sizes that cover the entire Valley of Imja.

DAY 8: LOBUCHE 4930M // 21 MAY Lobuche, at an altitude of 4910m, is the highest settlement at the foot of Mount Everest and the last stop before the Everest base camp.

DAY 9: Gorek Shep 5100 via Everest Base Camp 5300 // 22 MAY

DAY 10: PERICHE 4290 VIA KALA PATTER 5500 (the highest point with views of Everest and surrounding mountains) // 23 MAY

DAY 11: TENGBOUCHE 3860 // 24 MAY Exhale as we descend through the mountains making our way through the villages back.

DAY 12: PHAKDING / LUKLA // 25 MAY Our descent back through the villages to Lukla provides us with a wonderful opportunity to see the mountain ranges from another perspective while. We will have the opportunity to make a prayer at the famous Prayer Flag bridge and river puja to say thank you. We will stay overnight at Lukla before our early start the next morning as we return to Kathmandu.

DAY 13: LUKLA / KATHMANDU // 26 MAY �Return flight to Kathmandu (subject to weather conditions) to relax back at the hotel. Guests can use this day freely, whether to relax, explore the city or do some shopping.

DAY 14 / 15: KATHMANDU // 27 / 28 MAY These days are free for guests to explore the city. See Kathmandu Tips for recommendations.

TREK FACTS ONE OF THE BEST TREKS IN THE WORLD  

While you will be walking at a gentle pace we do recommend feeling strong in yourself, particularly your core as you will be carrying your own bag. To make the trek more comfortable for you we suggest you have trekking experience, in order to increase your endurance and pranayama breathing for greater lung capacity.

Starting from: Lukla Ending at: Lukla Type of trek: Teahouse Grade: Moderate-difficult Culture: Sherpa Highest access of the trek: 3,880m Himalayan Sightseeing: Everest, Amadablam, Lhotse, etc Walking: Maximum 6 - 7 hours walking each day (day visits to nearby villages and temples during the workshop).

WEATHER (LATE MAY / EARLY JUNE) February-May is the tail end of the dry season: visibility is not so good because of dust, but the weather is warm and many of Nepal's wonderful wild flowers are in bloom. Mornings are bright and clear with the air slowly becoming hazier as the day progresses. Some days may include rain showers and hazy skies.

AIRPORT VISA ($25) Ensure passports are a year before expiry. It can take over an hour for the Nepal entry visa that is $25 for 15 days. Have a photo ready.

ALTITUDE SICKNESS We will be taking the trek slowly, drinking ample water and ensuring that symptoms of altitude sickness are addressed immediately. We strongly recommend guests secure insurance that provides cover for high altitude trekking.

ABOUT KATHMANDU AN ANCIENT CITY OF THE GODS  

Kathmandu is a busy Asian city and can take one by surprise when coming from overseas. Cows loiter on the roads, the streets are noisy with the sound of horns while others are bustling with Nepali craft shops and trekking stores. Mornings are the quietest time of the day when the city awakens to pujas and bells.

Durbar Square a plaza around a royal palace. Towering over the square, you will see the Taleju Temple. This three-roofed temple was built in a typical Newari architectural style and is elevated on platforms that form a pyramid-like structure. Puja’s can also be made. (video)

Boudhanath stupa a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the largest stupa in Nepal and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet. It is the center of Tibetan culture in Kathmandu and rich in Buddhist symbolism. The stupa is located in the town of Boudha, on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu.

Bhaktapur: An Ancient Newar Town (out of the city) Once the seat of the powerful Malla Kingdom that ruled Nepal until the second half of the 15th century. Also known as Khwopa or Bhadgaon, it was part of the ancient trade route to Tibet, and has been beautifully preserved.

Pashupatinath Temple Located on the banks of the Bagmati river, Pashupatinath Temple is one of the biggest in the world of the Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is the seat of the national deity, Lord Pashupatinath. Non-Hindu visitors are allowed to have a look at the temple from the other bank of the Bagmati river. Cremations take place here all the time so only Hindus are allowed into the temple premises.

Swayambunath Stupa - The Monkey Temple of Kathmandu Built around the 5th century, this temple is one of the sacred sites in Kathmandu for both Buddhists and Hindus it offers one of the best panoramic views of Kathmandu. Hundreds of pilgrims ascend the 365 steps of the temple to worship. It is known as the Monkey Temple because of the hundreds of monkeys in residence.

WHITE TARA TREK & RETREAT NEXT STEPS: HOW TO BOOK  

We are limiting this retreat to 12 guests to ensure we have the ultimate intimate experience together.

To confirm your booking please email Jessica at info@theshantispace.com

Once we have received your booking request, you will receive a response supplying you with our bank details / PayPal link to make a £500/$800 deposit (or full balance) to secure your place on the retreat. Once this deposit has been paid, your place will be guaranteed on the retreat. Full payment will be required 7 weeks ahead of the retreat.

Finally, book flights, send us a copy of your passport with two passport photos for your trekking permits and pack your bags to prepare for this trip of a lifetime. You’ll be met at Kathmandu airport to begin this epic adventure.

MORE INFO INSPIRATIONS FROM THE HIMALAYAS  

Read Jessica Brookes’ article on her first Himalayan trip in 2011: http://www.theshantispace.com/blog/8/y/humility-of-the-himalayas

Interview with Jeffrey Harlon on the Dreamflag Project in Nepal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3KABYSgVcY

The Guardian’s write up on Everest Base camp and the region: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/jul/16/-sp-mount-everest-the-go-slow-guide-to-base-camp-with-a-fast-ride-home

Inspiring interview with zen priest Joan Halifax who after visiting the Solu Khumbu area of Nepal launched a Nomads clinic in the region.�http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/travelers-of-the-year-2013/joan-halifax/

White Tara Event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/471824559583677/