FINDING CENTER:
Exploring the Plumb line of the Asymmetric Body Retreat
- with deborah wolk

OHM Centre, vancouver island, BC
JULY 11-15, 2024

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

QUESTIONS? Email us!

This workshop will be held at Open Heart Mind Centre (OHM) in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, BC. MAP

ABOUT THE RETREAT
*This year's summer retreat is returning as an expanded 5-day / 4-night immersive workshop!*

For the general population and for the anatomists, the plumb line of the body is understood as a straight line from the crown of the head to the perineum moving in a linear verticality through the sagittal curves of the spine.  For the yogis, it is described as a lining up of the chakras between these same two points.  

People with scoliosis likely have a different experience.  The twists of the spine may move the head and the pelvis off center and the sagittal curves of the spine may be not present and/or they may be exaggerated.

The spinal cord affected by scoliosis also follows the curves and twists, and as a result, the feeling of center may be distorted.  

Many of us with scoliosis have had alternative ‘centers’ imposed on us.  Medical interventions such as bracing, surgeries, and various forms of physical therapy manipulate our bodies with someone else’s idea of where they believe our center is, rather than taking into account where the muscle, fascia, bones and nervous system might function in a more balanced way for that individual. Yoga practice works with the individual to strengthen, realign and create resiliency in the body to allow the practitioner to find their own center place from where to move, rest and be.

Through anatomy, asana and pranayama, Deborah will define common ideas of the midline and the plumb line as well as explore Eastern ideas of an energetic center. By repatterning brain circuits, the occulo-motor system and improving movement patterns, students will learn how to better balance a personal feeling of center leading to more efficient breath and energy.

In this workshop, immersed in the quiet of OHM, the forest and the sea, participants will address some of these common scoliotic issues:

• Center of gravity

• Ocular-motor dysfunction 

• Difficulties with proprioception

• Difficulties with balance

• Gait and functional leg length issues

• And more!

Private consults are available, first come first serve - please contact Deborah Wolk directly at dwolkyoga@gmail.com to inquire.

A few participants from last year’s TOPS retreat with Deborah Wolk summed it up well:

• “This retreat featured yoga, delicious food, levity, and camaraderie, all essential ingredients for a transformative experience. Thank you, TOPS!”

• “Retreat to a magical yurt in the woods overlooking the ocean, and gain the peace of mind to delve deeply into your yoga practice with world-class instructors.”

• “For persons with scoliosis, this retreat is an excellent opportunity to increase their knowledge of scoliosis, both in general and their specific curvature, and to learn from an experienced teacher ways to improve their current yoga practice.”

ABOUT THE DESTINATION
Vancouver Island is renowned for wild, untamed beaches that are an idyllic summer sanctuary, and a hub for storm-watching, surfing, and skiing in the winter. In addition to its endless list of hiking, camping, whale-watching, and paddling adventures, there are also old-growth forests, endless beach combing and golfing. The Comox Valley is acclaimed for its incredible array of products harvested and created from its wild oceans and fertile soils, including organic vegetables, wild fish, free-range meats, local chocolates, baked goods and wines. This workshop will be held at the wonderful new Open Heart Mind Centre (OHM) located in Merville in the Comox Valley. It’s a quick plane trip from Vancouver, or you can arrive via a stunning ferry ride.

ABOUT DEBORAH WOLK
Having practiced yoga for her own scoliosis since 1994, Deborah has found that alignment-based yoga can control back pain and arrest the progression of the curvature and twist. In January 2015, Deborah founded Samamkāya Yoga Back Care and Scoliosis Collective in New York City – the only Yoga Center specializing in back care and scoliosis operating as a workers’ cooperative in the world! Deborah’s yoga teaching is inspired by her mentors, Elise Browning Miller, Bobbie Fultz, Genny Kapuler, Karin Stephan and Donald Moyer, and by therapeutic practices observed at medical classes at The Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) in Pune, India. Her understanding of the nervous system is supported by an ongoing study of Experiential Anatomy with Genny Kapuler and through her work with teacher Rachel Lynch-John in Body-Mind Centering techniques, a study she loves as much as Yoga itself. Deborah Wolk is certified by IAYT.

Learn More: read Deborah Wolk’s Blog post, “Yoga, Scoliosis, and the Nervous System: Choosing Peace over Numbness and Noise”

Full Retreat Package Includes:

• Daily yoga, movement, meditation, and relaxation classes with acclaimed Yoga for Scoliosis teacher, Deborah Wolk.

• A range of shared and single accommodations at quaint local guest houses near the retreat centre property.

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared by a caterer using local ingredients from the lush Comox Valley

• Transportation to/from the airport, ferry, or bus station in the Comox Valley as needed, plus local transportation during the retreat.

• Handouts with ideas, exercises, drawings, and descriptions to take home which will help you to create and continue your own practice moving forward.

MEALS

Lunch and dinner will be customized for the retreat by a caterer using local ingredients from the lush Comox Valley. Breakfast will be self-serve style in each of the local guest houses.

COST:

• Full Retreat Package -

  • Single Room: $1,910 - $2,090 CAD + tax.

  • Shared Room: $1,850 - $1,930 CAD + tax.

• Commuter Package (everything included EXCEPT breakfast, dinner, and accommodation) - $1,155 CAD +tax.

Sliding scale is available based on financial need.

USA PARTICIPANTS: CHECK CAD TO USD $ EXCHANGE RATE HERE.

Payment Policy: Registration & Deposit Deadline 2 Months Prior to Retreat. As a non-profit, we need to know we have enough registrations required to fulfill our financial obligations to pay studios, accommodations, teachers, caterers, etc, by their deposit deadlines. Save $50 on our Full Retreat Package when you register by our Registration Deadline of May 11, 2024 - use coupon code WOLK2024 during registration.

30% deposit due at registration; balance due 30 days prior to Retreat.
NOTE: Prior to completing your registration, you will see an orange button option to ‘Pay Now’ (this will be the full amount) OR to ‘Pay CA $XXX Deposit Now’ (the 30% deposit amount).

ACCOMMODATIONS
Participants will stay in different quaint, local guest accommodations in the area, each with its own character and astounding view of majestic mountains, whale-filled oceans, fertile farms or old growth forests. 

NOTE: All accommodation bookings are first come, first serve.

RETREAT SCHEDULE
(Subject to Change)

Thursday, July 11

• Arrivals

• 6:00pm - 7:30pm – Dinner

• 7:30pm - 8:30pm – Introductory Session (lecture only)

Friday, July 12

• 8:45am – Breakfast

• 9:30am - 12:30pm – Morning Session

• 12:30pm - 1:30pm – Lunch

• 1:30pm - 4:00pm – Break (exploring, excursions, or rest)

• 4:00pm - 6:00pm – Afternoon Session

• 6:00pm - 9:00pm – Dinner & Leisure Activity

Saturday, July 13

• 8:45am – Breakfast

• 9:30am - 12:30pm – Morning Session

• 12:30pm - 1:30pm – Lunch

• 1:30pm - 4:00pm – Break (exploring, excursions, or rest)

• 4:00pm - 6:00pm – Afternoon Session

• 6:00pm - 9:00pm – Dinner & Leisure Activity

Sunday, July 14

• 8:45am – Breakfast

• 9:30am - 12:30pm – Morning Session

• 12:30pm - 1:30pm – Lunch

• 1:30pm - 4:00pm – Break (exploring, excursions, or rest)

• 4:00pm - 6:00pm – Afternoon Session

• 6:00pm - 9:00pm – Dinner & Leisure Activity

Monday, July 15

• 8:45am - Breakfast

• 9:30am - 12:30pm – Morning Session

• 12:30pm - 1:30pm – Lunch

• 1:30pm – Departures

TRANSPORTATION
Participants are responsible for arranging transportation to the Comox area. Merville is 10 minutes from Courtenay/Comox which has two airports: regular and sea plane. Access is also possible by car or bus via the ferry from Vancouver. TOPS will arrange for your airport or bus terminal pickup and transportation to the retreat centre. Contact us for more details.

QUESTIONS? Email us!

Interested in a longer trip to BC?
Extend your time, either before or after the workshop! Consider a visit to Victoria (the capital of BC), enjoy exploring the old growth forests on Vancouver Island, book a whale watching tour, visit Tofino (a small ‘gem’ of a town on the far west side of Vancouver island). Or consider travelling through Seattle for a couple of days (only a 2.5 hr drive to/from Vancouver!). Let us know if we can answer any questions or help with ideas.

Cancellation Policy: $30 processing fee for cancellations up to four weeks prior to retreat start date; 30% non-refundable within four weeks of retreat start date; 100% non-refundable within two weeks of retreat start date.
Note: in the event that borders are shut / travel is banned by Government or public health mandate due to Covid-19, all registrants will receive a full refund, less $30 processing fee.

ADDITIONALLY, IN CASE YOU’RE INTERESTED…

**Check out other retreat offerings at Open Heart Mind Centre (OHM)!

Somatics for Asymmetrical Bodies: Fluid Core Connecting to the Floor! with Laura M Gates

This immersive retreat at the beautiful OHM Centre on Vancouver Island includes 4 days and 3 nights in nearby cabin accommodations, wonderful meals, walking paths, and beautiful nature at the shore.

Yoga for Back Care with Elise Browning Miller

This workshop will focus on back care, with classes designed to incorporate both the needs of those with special concerns like scoliosis, kyphosis, injury, and fusion as well as those desiring to refine their practice.