‘Yoga for back care’
with Elise Browning Miller
OHM Centre, Vancouver ISLAND, BC
Friday, May 31 - Monday, June 3, 2024

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

REGISTER SOON - only 2 spots left!

ABOUT THE RETREAT

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. 

Elise will address how to use yoga to increase strength and flexibility in the back, focusing on the relationship between the spinal column, the pelvis, and the shoulder blades. It will be appropriate for those dealing with their own back-related issues, as well as those who treat these conditions in others.

We are extremely excited to have Senior Certified Iyengar Teacher and creator of Yoga for Scoliosis, Elise Browning Miller, back in-person for this special 4-day/3-night workshop.

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, and 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 ELISE BROWNING MILLER
Elise is a senior certified Iyengar yoga teacher from Palo Alto, with an M.A. in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of North Carolina, who has been teaching yoga throughout the United States and internationally since 1976. Elise designed the foundational Yoga for Scoliosis Teacher Training Program based on her many years of study with B.K.S. Iyengar in Pune, India, and with her own scoliosis, which was diagnosed at the age of 15. This will be Elise's eighth time teaching for TOPS, and she has inspired and trained many students and TOPS associates in Yoga for Scoliosis.

FULL RETREAT PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• All classes

• 3 nights accommodation in beachside cabins (single and double occupancy rooms are available), with local camping option also available. Email us if interested in camping.

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• Tea bar + all-day snacks.

• Transportation to/from the airport, ferry, or bus station in the Comox Valley as needed

• Local transport for meals/activities during the retreat

• Access to class recordings following the retreat

• Handouts with ideas, exercises, drawings, and descriptions to help you create and continue your own practice

• Optional group discussion, activities, outings

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• This retreat is offered in-person only. All registrants can access class recordings following the retreat.

UNABLE TO ATTEND IN-PERSON? ONLINE (RECORDINGS) OPTION AVAILABLE. Email us if interested.

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 cabin where the fridge will be stocked with all the necessities.

COST

• Full Retreat Package: Ranges from $1,430 - $1,655 CAD +tax, dependent on your accommodation selection (first come, first serve). NOTE: Discount on full package if you register before our Registration Deadline — details below under Payment Policy!
  - Limited private bedrooms are available.
  - Email us if interested in local camping at a lower cost.
  See Alders cabin room options and register for full retreat package below.

• Commuter Package with Lunch (includes everything except accommodations, breakfast and dinner) - $795 CAD +tax.

Sliding scale is available based on financial need. Low-income participants and students, ask us about scholarship opportunities.

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 (incl. tax) on our Full Retreat Package when you register by our Registration Deadline of March 31, 2024 - use coupon code BACKCARE2024 during registration.

30% deposit due at registration; balance due 2 weeks 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

Just down the road from the OHM Centre, participants can stay in charming, rustic beachside cabins at The Alders Beach Resort or in a 800 sq. ft. luxury oceanfront yurt at Seaview Game Farm. The two and three-bedroom cottages at The Alders Beach Resort offer both shared and en-suite bathrooms plus a shared kitchen and living area. The lux oceanfront yurt at Seaview Game Farm has a fully-equipped kitchen and large shared bathroom with three separate sleeping quarters.

Limited private bedrooms are available.

NOTE: All cabin and room bookings first come, first serve.

RETREAT SCHEDULE
(Subject to Change)

Friday

• Arrivals

• 6:00-7:30pm - Dinner

• 7:30-8:30pm - Introduction lecture/discussion

Saturday

• 7:30-9:00am - Self serve breakfast in the cabins

• 9:00-9:30am - Travel to studio (1 mile distance)

• 9:30-12:00pm - Session 1

• 12:00-1:30pm - Lunch at OHM

• 1:30-4:00pm - Break

• 4:00-5:30pm - Session 2

• 5:30-6:00 - Travel to cabins for dinner

• 6:00-7:30pm - Dinner

• Post dinner: optional group activity

Sunday

• 7:30-9:00am - Self serve breakfast in the cabins

• 9:00-9:30am - Travel to studio

• 9:30-12:00pm - Session 3

• 12:00-1:30pm - Lunch at OHM

• 1:30-4:00pm - Break

• 4:00-5:30pm - Session 4

• 5:30-6:00pm - Travel to cabins for dinner

• 6:00-7:30pm - Dinner

Monday

• 7:30-9:00am - Self serve breakfast in the cabins

• 9:00-10:00am - Checkout

• 10:00-10:30am - Travel to studio

• 10:30-12:30pm - Session 5

• 12:30-1:30pm - Lunch at OHM and Departures

TRANSPORTATION
Participants are responsible for arranging transportation to the Comox area. Merville (where OHM Centre is located) 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. Questions? Contact 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, at the southern tip of Vancouver Island), 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.

QUESTIONS? Email us!

ADDITIONALLY, IN CASE YOU’RE INTERESTED…

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

Somatics for Asymmetrical Bodies: Focus on 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. 

The retreat will include an intro evening lecture Friday, somatic movement classes Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning, and discussions. It is a 'learning laboratory' for improving scoliosis, asymmetrical posture, and the issues that come with it.