Rejoice & Relax. 5-day Kundalini Yoga Women's Retreat

'What causes pain in our life is that we do not know how to live as relaxed beings. When you are not relaxed, the spirit will not prevail through you. If you are not relaxed, you are unable to communicate and you cannot understand, so you don't live. There are two ways of living: living and existing. When you exist, you don’t live; when you live, then you exist in a graceful manner.' – Yogi Bhajan

'[Y]ou should not think of learning much more—just be pure, relax, and get enchanted. That will be enough. […] I am asking you to make your life's motto: rejoice and relax; relax and rejoice. Stop playing games, and you will start enjoying life; it is so much needed.' – Yogi Bhajan, 25 July 1982, Khalsa Women’s Camp


There is one thing of utmost importance to any woman. And it’s the hardest thing to do for most women. Relaxing. Switching off. Stopping the nurturing that is not just a part of our nature, but that IS our nature. Taking care of ourselves, thinking of ourselves first, ourselves only. We hardly ever get the chance to do so in our daily lives – and hardly any of us succeed in doing it guilt-free. But our health and creativity depend on it, our sanity depends on it, and our entire family – those people we take care of day in day out – they too depend on it!

'When that feeling of attachment overwhelms you and that sense of longing blinds you, these teachings give you the tools to relax, breathe, and remember who you are—and come back into relationship with your soul and your Self. Throughout a woman's life, she must balance these roles and relationships, along with her hormones and her body's changes.' (Yogi Bhajan)

So for 5 ½ days we will retreat into a truly welcoming oasis of peace in beautiful Mediterranean surroundings, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, where we will embark on a guilt-free journey of relaxation, revitalisation and profound rejoicing in an intimate circle of sisters (we only have space for 10 participants in our location). We will spend several hours per day practicing Kundalini Yoga (including pranayamas, powerful meditations and kriyas specifically intended to help us women relax, some with beautiful relaxations of up to 62 minutes) as well as yoga nidras (yogic sleep); we will watch videos with Yogi Bhajan; and we will learn simple techniques and tools to help us efficiently deal with stress and tension once we get back home. We will of course also go out and explore Gozo’s & (the uninhabited tiny neighbouring island) Comino’s stunning natural surroundings, hike along the coastline and salt pans, and practice yoga and relax on Gozo’s beaches. There will also be space for Closing the Bones rituals in the evenings – a profoundly nurturing and healing experience for any woman (http://www.shuniya-yoga.org/closing-bones-ceremony/ ).
We will be staying in a beautiful centuries old Gozitan farmhouse with indoor and outdoor yoga spaces, very spacious and beautifully themed suites – all with their own en-suite bathroom, private lounge area and outdoor terrace or courtyard with fantastic views! – ; an outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, dry & steam sauna, and options for massages, aromatherapy, reflexology, Indian head massage, bicycle hire, guided walks and treks, etc.


Why did I choose Gozo for this retreat?

From the dawn of civilization and Mother Goddess worship, down to the modern day Catholic Marian cult, Gozo has always been enshrouded in a mystical matriarchal energy. It is also the home for the world's oldest free standing structure, the neolithic temple complex of Ggantija. Gozo is the smaller of the Maltese islands: it is just 14km long and 7.25km wide and only counts 37,000 inhabitants. It’s often called the Mediterranean's ‘best kept secret'. It’s beautifully green and rural, featuring dramatic cliffs, salt pans, hidden coves and sandy beaches, and life on this jewel of an island is very laid-back – in short, it’s the perfect setting for what this retreat wants to achieve.

Gozo and it’s bigger sister island Malta are characterized by a deep (Maria) devotion and charged with a very powerful spiritual energy, and ever since I first visited Malta and Gozo I’ve been drawn to run a women’s retreat in this enchanted place. I’m very excited that this is finally manifesting!

'This entire universe around you is at your service, if you call. If you know who you are and what your relationship is with the universe, you can always call. Otherwise you are crazy. Sometimes you are so afraid; you don't even believe that nature can help you. Nature is a woman. That's why they call it Mother Nature. Nature is a giver, a helper, a true friend, a sustainer. Nature is nothing but constant harmony. Therefore, if you are an aware person, then you must learn the attitude of calling. Just do it very systematically. Sometimes you may not know what to do, just relax and ask, “What should I do?” You will immediately find that Mother Nature, in the form of consciousness and awareness, will start talking to you.' – Yogi Bhajan, 30 June 1977, Women’s Camp
'If God knows you can relax, He will love you.' – Yogi Bhajan


Teacher: Dr. Japjeet Rajbir Kaur Khalsa

Dr. Japjeet Rajbir Kaur Khalsa is a KRI (Kundalini Research Institute) and IKYTA (International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association) - certified Kundalini Yoga teacher ('Aquarian Teacher Level 2'). She is also an Intern Teacher Trainer of the KRI Aquarian Trainer Academy, through Karam Kriya School under lead trainer Shiv Charan Singh. From 2008 until 2011 Japjeet taught KY in Belgium; since January 2012 she has been teaching KY in the UK and running retreats in mainly the UK and Belgium. Over the past years she has specialised in, amongst others, KY for stress-management, burnout, depression and anxiety; addiction recovery; pre- and postnatal yoga; and men’s, women's and relationships teachings. Japjeet is also a nutrition & health coach, life-coach and spiritual counselor. ThreeBestRated nominated her Shuniya Kundalini Yoga enterprise in October 2017 as ‘Best Business of 2017’ for Leicester, UK and awarded her their ‘badge of excellence’. More information about Japjeet and her classes can be found on www.shuniya-yoga.org.

Japjeet has a strong reputation for her incredibly rich yogic knowledge and her ability to bring deeply complex teachings in a way that is very easy to understand and grasp for all, whether students have any prior knowledge or not. She is deeply spiritual yet at the same time very down-to-earth and ‘real’, and she knows how to make the yogic teachings practical, tangible and easy to integrate in a modern Western life. She is very open and direct in her teachings and cuts to the essence, but does so with a lot of love for and always in service of the students.


Location

We will be staying in a marvelous centuries old Gozitan farmhouse with indoor and outdoor yoga spaces, very spacious and beautifully themed suites – all with their own en-suite bathroom, private lounge area and outdoor terrace or courtyard with fantastic views, tea and coffee making facilities, air-conditioning and fan, hair-dryer, towels and toiletries – ; an outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, book and DVD library, communal kitchen, several lounge areas and wifi throughout. At an additional (reduced) charge you can enjoy the sauna/hammam or book deep tissue massages, aromatherapy, reflexology, Indian head massage, bicycle hire, guided walks and treks, etc. You can also take fresh fruit and biscuits in the dining room to take to your room.

We are a 20 minutes walk from the beach and 7 minutes bus ride from Gozo-capital Victoria, from where the whole island can easily be explored on local buses and a hop-on hop-off bus.


Our Hosts

A Psychiatrist by profession and a ceramic hobbyist, Peter Muscat is a bon-viveur, a good listener and a natural host, as well as a trained EFT practitioner, Masseur and Tibetan Singing Bowls Therapist. Peter worked as a General Practitioner for 8 years in Manchester in the UK where he completed his studies, specializing in Psychiatry, before moving back to Malta with his family to lecture at the University of Malta and work as a Consulting Psychiatrist.
Warren Joseph Bugeja has worked with various entities within the Maltese Civil Service, local and foreign NGOs and private agencies in the fields of Tourism, Video Production, Public Relations, Journalism, Complementary Health, Environmental Conservation and Learning Disabilities. His passion is food and history. Warren originally came to Gozo three and a half years ago to write a novel about food in Roman times, which he is currently working on. He also is a qualified I.T.E.C complementary therapist.

“Passionate about travel, always curious about life, food, history, art and natural beauty, we enjoy meeting new people, sharing who we are and finding out what makes people tick.
Making people feel welcome, safe, relaxed and acknowledged is what we do best. Hosting and providing a nurturing, re-energising and playful, positive environment is what we have both always done in our respective homes in our free time. Therefore opening our doors to you is a natural extension of our innate lifestyle.
The Maltese Islands have always prided themselves on their openness, friendliness and tolerance, something of a survival skill that came hand in hand with centuries of colonial rule.
Opening our very own Boutique Maison has been a dream we have both separately nursed for years. Now it is happening. The feedback so far has been amazing, overwhelming and encouraging and the independent reviews online speak for themselves, so we must be doing something right.
In just two months of operation we were awarded Super host Status by 'Airbnb' and have been awarded Certificates of Excellence by Trip Advisor for consistent 5 star reviews
Now it is your turn, dear guest to step into our world and let us do our best to pamper and spoil you....”

'A relaxed mind is a creative mind and a creative mind is a relaxed mind and only a relaxed mind can become a one-pointed mind, and a one-pointed mind is the most wonderful mind; it is the most powerful, it can do anything.' – Yogi Bhajan


Dates

Wednesday 18 – Monday 23 April 2018. Please try to arrive Wednesday the 18th between 4.30 and 7pm so we can get to know one another over dinner and settle in. We will then spend 5 wonderful days together in Gozo, and depart on Monday around 5pm – or you can book extra days if you’d like to stay on for a holiday.
There is the option of only joining us over the weekend, but you’d have to stay in a different accommodation (and take your meals with us – you’d be charged just for teachings and meals taken with us in that case).


Accommodation & Package Prices

Our Gozitan farmhouse has 3 suites that offer triple occupancy (suite 1 offers 2 single beds and one sofa bed in an open plan room; suite 2 offers 2 single beds in one room and 1 sofa bed in another separate room; suite 3 offers 2 single beds in one room and 1 single bed in an annex adjoining room) and one suite that offers double occupancy (double bed), thus giving us space for 10 women participating (alongside Japjeet herself).
Each suite has a TV, fridge and wifi.
Retreat prices depend on which room you choose – prices quoted include all teachings, 5 nights accommodation and 3 meals per day. Prices are quoted in euros but you can also pay in pounds – we would work with the exchange rates of the day.
* The double bedroom sleeps two in a double bed. This suite features an en-suite bathroom with shower, a extra separate bath in the room, two WC’s, a fridge, kitchenette, separate dining area and a small terrace with panoramic country view. Price per person for this option: €962.50 [EDITED: this room is now BOOKED.]
* Triple occupancy suite nr. 1 is open plan on two levels and sleeps three. There are two beds with Tempur mattresses that auto-massage you, which can stand alone as two single beds or one double bed. The sofa bed can sleep one more person. The room features a lovely walk in power shower, a large private terrace with panoramic country and sea views and lounge deck chairs, dining area and kitchen. Prices per person for this option: €937.50 for those choosing the Tempur beds, €887.50 for the person choosing the sofa bed. [EDITED: 1 Tempur bed is taken.]
* Triple occupancy suite nr. 2 also features two beds with Tempur mattresses that auto-massage you, which can stand alone as two single beds or one double bed. There is a walk in en-suite shower and an annex with a single bed (which can be cordoned off for privacy) with seating/dining area featuring a sofa and kitchenette opening onto two terraces with country views and lounge deck chairs. Prices per person for this option: €937.50 for those choosing the Tempur beds; [€887.50 for the person choosing the sofa bed; the sofa bed is now taken].
* Triple occupancy suite nr. 3 is smaller than the other two suites but features a private courtyard and direct access up two flights of external stairs to a terrace with panoramic country views. This suite is divided into two rooms with an en-suite shower room between them. There is also an external WC in the courtyard. One room contains two beds which can be joined either into one double or two singles, the second room contains a kitchenette, dining area and comfortable sofa bed (where Japjeet herself will sleep). Prices per person for this option: €962.50 (beds).
(Pictures of all rooms can be found in the folder on the website.)

Registration & Further Information

Your place is only confirmed by paying your non refundable deposit of €450 upon registration. The remainder of your registration fee is due 6 weeks before we go.
Payments in instalments or alternative energy-exchange arrangements can be looked at if necessary – do email me.
Bank details:
In EUR (BNP Paribas Fortis): Name: Nele Bemong. IBAN BE26 0012 5724 9029. BIC-code GEBABEBB.
In GBP (HSBC): Name: N.K. Bemong. Account nr 31285092. Sort Code 40-18-43.
Also email Japjeet at japjeetkaur@shuniya-yoga.org to confirm your registration and receive an intake form.
For all further questions please email Japjeet.
For KY teachers from the UK, this retreat is CEU-accredited by KYTA.


What’s included?
• 5 days of teaching
• 5 nights of full-board accommodation (a queenly breakfast buffet, a lighter lunch (this can sometimes be taken as a picnic for any treks or beach trips) and a 2-course dinner, all vegetarian, with options for vegan and gluten-free (please mention your dietary requirements when booking) in en-suite rooms, each room with your private terrace.
• Use of the swimming pool, Jacuzzi, book and DVD library, wifi, communal kitchen, lounge areas.

What’s not included?
• Return flights to Malta Luqa airport – there are many direct flights from all European countries, with many cheap Ryanair options as low as £45/€60 from Brussels and the UK.
• Transfer from Malta airport to Cirkewwa and then a ferry to Mgarr on Gozo island and further to our farmhouse in Ghasri. The transfer can be done by rented car & ferry; taxi – ferry – taxi (mini-vans for up to 8 people can be arranged, as can taxis for up to 3 people together); public bus – ferry – public bus/taxi; shuttle bus – ferry – public bus/taxi. Costs will depend on transport option chosen and range from €10 on public transport and ferry over €120 for a mini-van (going on the ferry with you) accommodating 8 people, or €70 for a private taxi direct transfer (can carry up to 3 people). The nearest public bus stop is 5 minutes walk from the house. I can also assist you with renting a car should you want to.
I can email you further details on these transfer options – just email me on japjeetkaur@shuniya-yoga.org .
• Please bear in mind it takes about 2 hours to get from the airport to the guesthouse including ferry across and accounting for possible traffic. You only really need to check in 1.5 hours before your flight as Malta airport is small.
• Any extra massage treatments (offered by Peter or Warren, or by myself, such as Closing the Bones)
• Sauna/Hammam (reduced additional charges apply)
• Bike hire

'Self-relaxation is the highest discipline. A relaxed man can communicate with man. An unrelaxed man cannot communicate with man. An unrelaxed man cannot communicate with God, Who is the total sum of all humanity.' – Yogi Bhajan


Testimonials

Please visit http://shuniya-yoga.org/testimonial.php for testimonials on retreats Japjeet has run.
We’d love to share some testimonials from our most recent Annual Women’s Retreat Excel & Celebrate in August 2017 in Belgium:

''Women's Retreat: Excel and Celebrate'' sounded like a mystical journey to me since the first time I heard about it… I had an idea of what to expect because I am quite known with the formula of kundalini yoga workshops and women workshops but in no way was I prepared for the profoundness of what we experienced during this week!
What amazes me most is the depth of connection of women who gather, even if they don’t know each other, they See and Hear each other… Everyone has their own insecurities, issues, deep secrets, vibrant unique personality and despite all this, it so well matches and blends in one radiant group space… A space where everything is allowed to be shared, a space where you feel held, whether you are just starting out in yoga, life, your path, or whether you are already quite aware of who you are and really want to dive in and go deep…
A big part of this depends on the group, though to me it is very clear too, that a lot of this space is created by the fine example of the Teacher Japjeet Rajbir Kaur Khalsa - and also Prabhu Anand Kaur (Ingrid Klabbers), who lovingly holds the space in the house and nourishes us with deliciously healthy food.
The firmness and confronting aspect of the Yogic Teachings (and Sikh Dharma - from which a lot of the Teachings originate) are amazingly impressive and a real forte to Japjeet Rajbir’s approach. Their combination with the motherly, sisterly warmth and radiance of both Japjeet Rajbir and Ingrid is quite transformative… And because they both really ‘are’ from their Being, you feel almost automatically drawn into Yours. You go in deep right away, though every person gets to do so in their own pace and rhythm.
And I must say (being a Kundalini Yoga Instructor myself) this combination of teaching and also Being yourself (which is normally not done in Kundalini Yoga - but in this case because you are with Women, it would feel unnatural if you don't, you put yourself out of the circle thus creating a missing link), really requires balancing on a very thin line: you really have to know and feel what you are sharing, and when (not)... And for me, Japjeet Rajbir mastered it, we could See her All, her beautiful naked Woman Soul and at the same time, she knew when to poke, provoke, confront and elevate as a true Teacher needs to do!
I could go on about the program, the Love, the comfort, the ‘at home’ness, the beautiful surroundings and pure nature at the location, the extra sacred ‘Closing the Bones’ sessions Japjeet Rajbir offers, the food, the healing effect,… but I would just say, come and experience this for yourself, because that was the best part! For always engraved in Soul and Heart!
Sat Naam Sri Wahe Guru _/\_' (Sadhan K.)

'I look back on a very interesting yoga week!
I planned a lot the same evening at the following weekend but I canceled everything, just to give myself the time I needed to sit back and relax after such an impact.
Emotionally, it was a tough week but that feeling did not last very long, it changed in a feeling of calmness, insight and clarity.
I am so glad I asked you to organize this week and I am so grateful you did! I really need this!!
The way you teach is so exciting, you teach with so much wisdom and respect, so devotedly!
I cannot say enough how much I respect you ... I am just so lucky to be able to feel your energy and listen to your wise words. The value of your presence is so great! Wahe Guru!
The week flew by so quickly… 7 days passed by so fast… but what a week!
A week that indeed needs to be a week. Every day had its own need and value. Not one day could have been left out!
Although I already learned and read a lot about everything, it felt so good to hear it again and to be confronted with it again… and it hit me big time!
Lots of emotions came out… again… but calmness followed and gave me a nice feeling, a feeling of gratitude and surrender to what is.
For many years I have doubted myself, I doubt being a good teacher because somewhere I always have the feeling that someone is judging me.
Bit by bit I have gained the feeling again that the teachings I gave a few months ago were good, the students liked it, liked my teachings… so the idea of teaching again is growing ;-) Wahe Guru !
My emotional rollercoaster… well that is a tough one of course but again it gave me much clarity. […]
The Closing the Bones ceremony… well that was something so beautiful… that hit me really hard… that went so deep… such a intimate and venerable moment, from both sides (both when being the woman receiving the ceremony and when being the sister guiding it with the group)
I just loved it!
How gracefully you guide this ceremony… so beautiful to see and feel… you are so kind and so in the moment that one feels really taken care of… a feeling I have not experienced for a long time! Again… Thank you!
I also read that other women want a follow-up on this week, a sequel… we talked about it in group, during one of our last days at Pellenberg… well that would be a great thing… coming back together and see how we are… and enjoy your teachings, be nurtured again ;-)
Receiving a wake-up call! ;-)
Thank you so much for being who you are!
Thank you so much for spreading the teachings!
Thank you so much for bringing women together, so they can open up and express how they really feel in this life!
Thank you so much!
Wahe Guru!' (Caro V.)

'Every day small miracles happen when I use the tips I learned during the women’s retreat. I’m incredibly happy that I gave myself the time to follow this very special retreat with such a wonderful group of women. It was so unique, eye opening!' (Hilde O.)

'Again thank you for the very intense and lovely week in Pellenberg. I came home feeling wonderful. Like a weight had been lifted off me. I have been able to put certain things into perspective, give them their place, and I have been able to bring closure to certain things from my past. Friends also notice that something about me has changed. I was told quite a few times last week that I’m looking radiant. I have already advised several of my women friends to take part in this women’s week. Hopefully many more women get the opportunity to take part in this retreat in future years.' (Veerle G.)