Nova Scotia: Yoga & Multisport Retreat

From a peaceful yoga studio overlooking St. Margaret’s Bay, explore meditation, asana, and yogic philosophy, balanced with bicycle and kayak forays, and the nourishment of great food.

Freewheeling’s home base is in a coastal paradise on the beautiful Aspotogan Peninsula. No wonder we were inspired to build a yoga studio on the edge of the ocean here. We watch whales, seals, gulls, eagles, and, occasionally, fishermen, kayakers, and sailboats in Virabhadrasana (Warrior posture), staring out at the always changing ocean in Padmasana (Lotus posture) and are lulled into blissful Savasana (relaxation pose) by the sound of waves.

From our doorstep, we can enjoy quiet and picturesque cycling through fishing villages and past beaches, we can meander along the granite and wooded coastline in ocean kayaks, walk on the pretty wilderness trails of the Aspotogan Peninsula, and spend precious solitary time gazing at the ocean. Accommodations are simple - dormitory style or camping. Vegetarian meals are served on the premises, prepared for us daily using locally grown, organic ingredients whenever available.

Yoga teacher and Freewheeling’s co-owner and founder, Cathy Guest, is your guide and facilitator for the retreat. In addition to her skills on her bicycle and in the kayak, she has training and expertise in writing, dance, chant and mantra, shamanic studies, and philosophical and religious enquiry. She is also a great cook!

Monday, Day 1: We meet at Freewheeling Headquarters at 2 p.m. and after settling into our accommodations, we tour the grounds and get an overview of the next few days while we have a late lunch/early dinner (“tea”). Our group discussion will focus on our expectations and goals for the retreat, and special interests we would like to pursue. Besides our program of daily meditation, asana practice, and philosphy, we can choose to explore extra study in yoga and dance, chant and mantra, and journeying with the heartbeat drum. Those who wish to practice silence, for all or certain parts of the retreat, may state their intentions at this time. At 7 p.m. participants are invited to attend Cathy’s regularly scheduled hatha-flow all levels yoga class, and meet other yoga students in the community. Afterwards, we will have a light lunch, indulge in some rock sitting or night swimming, weather and temperature permitting, then settle in for the night.

Tuesday, Day 2: We meet in the Sail Loft Studio, or outside on the rocks, for an early morning meditation and gentle yoga at 7 a.m. After breakfast at 8:30 a.m., we will ride our bikes, hike or kayak together for the rest of the morning (these activities are optional; bicycle and kayak rentals are available, and should be reserved at the time of booking), working up an appetite for a light lunch around noon. After a siesta and some quiet time, we will meet again for yoga at 2 p.m., exploring some of our favourite postures and discovering which ones we try to avoid. At 4 p.m. we will have “tea” and some discussion on yoga theory. Participants are all invited to attend Cathy’s regularly scheduled Ashtanga yoga class at 7 p.m., followed by tea and snacks, rock sitting and swimming, and finding our way into our cozy bunks.

Wednesday, Day 3: We will meet again at 7 a.m. for yoga and meditation, and discuss over breakfast the weather conditions and our own energy levels to determine how we might proceed with our scheduled cycling, kayaking, or hiking activities. After lunch, we will embark on a yogic journey, exploring asana practice, pranayama, and chant or dance (or both!) After our “tea” at 5 p.m., we will have some quiet time to prepare for a drumming ceremony at 7 p.m. at the Look Off (or in case of bad weather, we can drum in the Sail Loft Studio). After our drumming, we will enjoy some tea and snacks as we have some discussion about how the last few days have been, and how we might spend our last hours together on Thursday. It is likely that we will sleep very well tonight with the primordial rhythmic drumbeat sounds still vibrating in our hearts.

Thursday, Day 4: We will meet at the Sail Loft Yoga Studio at 7 a.m. for a walking meditation, in silence, to the Look Off and back, rain or shine. Afterward, we will break the silence and share our insights as we enjoy a light breakfast at 9 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., participants are invited to join Cathy’s regularly scheduled hatha-flow all levels class. At 12:30, we will have our lunch together, and talk about our intentions and goals as we leave to return to the regular world and our work on the “outside”! Participants will have the afternoon to pack up and arrange transportation to your next destinations.