JUNE '08 NEWSLETTER

In this 2008 June Issue:
Events at a Glance
Did You Know?
Women's Retreats
Eckhardt Tolle & Aziza
Laila's Journal
Meaningful Vacations
Truly Madly Deeply Workshops

previous issues:07 Jan, Mar. April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 08 Jan. Mar. April May

UPCOMING EVENTS MENU

Looking for a meaningful start to Spring? Details in the Listings below.

Women's Bliss Wellness Getaway: June 6 - 8, Thirteen Moons, Ontario.

Women's Bliss Wellness 5-day Vacation, June 16 - 20, Thirteen Moons Retreat, Norwood, Ontario

California Bliss Wellness Journey June 23 - 27, Sycamore Mineral Springs, San Luis Obispo, California.

Truly Madly Deeply Art & Therapy Workshops
Sunday July 6, Toronto

Labyrinths at California Bliss Wellness Journeys

The labyrinth is a one way path- unlike a maze which is more like a puzzle to be figured out. Because there are virtually no decisions to make except putting one foot in front of the other in a labyrinth, it becomes a true meditation and opportunity to rest your mind and listen to your intuition.

The labyrinth is a healing meditation used on most of Aziza retreats which without fail helps to inspire and integrate deeper personal awareness.

In the book The Magic of Labyrinths, Liz Simpson writes of its many uses:

• A form of walking meditation, particularly useful for people who don’t easily sit still
• To relax and reduce stress
• To stimulate creativity and problem-solving
• To assist in focusing on your breath
• To get in touch with your inner or higher self
• To connect with the Earth and more fully appreciate your environment
• To create stillness in which to hear the whisper of your intuition
• To do something nice for yourself- by yourself

“Certain key archetypes are specifically linked to the labyrinth as a symbol of our journey towards spiritual development….when we pluck up the courage to embark on a quest to ‘find ourselves’ and integrate all the fragmented pieces of the Self into one complete and balanced whole.”

Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort in California, where we hold our US Bliss Wellness Journeys, has a stone 11 circuit labyrinth built in the Chartres Cathedral style. It has four quadrants and allows for a longer time to meditate while following the meandering pathway. This labyrinth is surrounded by trees, a gurgling creek and an ornamental grass garden with spaces to sit in the quiet and integrate the insights reclaimed.

After a scenic stroll to the Pacific Coast we created a 7 circuit labyrinth hand drawn in the sand to enjoy as the sun set and the tide came in.

The next Bliss Wellness Journey in California is June 23-27.

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5- DAY Bliss Wellness Journey, San Luis Obispo, CA

June 23 -27

October 6- 10

Aziza's BLISS Wellness Journeys are the perfect antidote to a busy life of schedules, obligations and restlessness.

If you need a break, if you need to find balance, if you need to realign your energy back to yourself, if you are curious about local areas of interest, if you long for healing touch, yearn to behold natural beauty, if you just want to BE, come join us and find yourself again.

Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort is conveniently situated halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco near the rugged Pacific coastline of Avila Beach. It hosts generous suites, private hot tubs, professional Spa, fine dining and fantastic leisure opportunities that support deep relaxation and reconnection with your body and spirit.

Click here for details For Women and Men

" All tired mothers struggling with life balance should attend this retreat. Not only will you rest and pamper yourself, you will bring back valuable tools that will improve your happiness as well as your partner and children's happiness."

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Nature

Aziza Healing Adventures programs are designed to harness the healing properties from 4 unfailing resources: Creativity, emotions, body movement and Nature.

“In the forest, there is an incomprehensible order that to the mind looks like chaos. It is beyond the mental categories of good and bad. You cannot understand it through thought, but you can sense it when you let go of thought, become still and alert, and don’t try to understand or explain. Only then can you be aware of the sacredness of the forest. As soon as you sense that hidden harmony, that sacredness, you realize you are not separate from it, and when you realize that, you become a conscious participant in it. In this way, nature can help you become realigned with the wholeness of life.”From Eckhardt Tolle's A New Earth, pg. 195.

There's a wonderful diversity of Nature to be found at Thirteen Moons Culinary Wellness Centre in Norwood, Ontario, where we hold monthly Women’s Weekend Getaways and 5-day Bliss Wellness Journeys.

The 185 acres of mature cedar groves host many meandering magical pathways that wind through the property. Clumps of massive cedars rise out of soft ground covered in dry fragrant cedar leaves. Tangled roots and textured trunks create a peaceful mysterious arena in which to pause and inhale life. Magician Merlin seems to be just around the corner, such is the fantasy terrain that we travel through.

The marsh is home to loons, herons, Canada geese, wild turkeys, Red winged blackbirds, beavers, frogs and many other creatures. Tall grasses and moving waterscapes provide a melodic and restful gaze at days end where the sun sets its lazy head.

The 7 circuit stone labyrinth beckons meditation, quiet, inner space and relaxation. Surrounding the formation the trees bear witness to your quiet contemplation and retrieval of vital insight simply waiting to emerge at the ripe moment.

Finally the organic garden welcomes the arrival of each guest, bursting with life giving love as delicious freshly picked vegetables make their way to the table at which we gather for deeply nourishing healing meals.

Our next retreats at Thirteen Moons are June 6–8 and June 16–20.

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A monthly offering of retreats held at Thirteen Moons Retreat Centre in Norwood, Ontario, geared to women:

~dreaming of a relaxing respite from family/work obligations
~needing time to reflect and find clarity
~longing to be nurtured and restore their depleted spirit
~seeking the camaraderie of kindred souls

" The retreat in its entirety will change your life. With an open mind and a willingness to become a better you, Laila can help you turn your life into an exciting journey and an experience you can savour. Louise's food is the icing on the cake."

Don't be disappointed! Max. group size is 7. Book early.

June 6 - 8

There's No Place Like Home Limited Space

This retreat is ideal for women whose lives feel out of balance; Who spend more time and energy doing, and less on being and feeling. Explore your heart's desire. Fill up your depleted inner well with therapeutic creativity, good company, gorgeous nourishment, in a totally relaxing supportive setting. Come home to yourself.

July 11 - 13

Flying Solo

Explore how you are in intimate relationships- How your past relationships repeat certain patterns, how your family influenced your idea of what intimacy and relating look like; what you really believe to be true; what's appropriate to keep and what you're ready to leave behind. Whether you are solo or involved, with this awareness you'll have a clearer understanding of what you expect and want from a relationship.

August 15 - 17

Finding Joy Early bird savings apply!

This weekend is ideal for women with lives that are often focused on the needs of others. Whether you are a mom, career woman, or a woman in transition with questions, this retreat will be a welcome change. Please note this weekend includes Full Moon Drumming Circle on Saturday night!

5 Perfect Days just for YOU! This is an extraordinary opportunity to learn and experience the art of self-care by allowing and receiving support. Held at Thirteen Moons, Norwood, Ontario. Click below for details.

”The 5-day summer retreat was the greatest turning point in my life. What I received from Laila was far beyond my expectations. I became aware, discovered things I had buried deep within me from long ago, received clarity and most of all the tools and guidance towards the life I really want and deserve."

The ART of Doing NOTHING! Limited space left!

Elizabeth Gilbert introduced us to the Italian phrase 'Il bel far niente', the beauty of doing nothing, in her acclaimed book Eat Pray Love. In Italy, " the more exquisitely and delightfully you can do nothing, the higher your life's achievement." Bliss is surrendering to the new art form of doing nothing all week long!

There's No Place Like HOME! Limited space left!

Feeling out of balance, spending more time and energy doing, and less on being and feeling? This retreat is for women who feel a stirring and restlessness deep within that whispers something essential is missing- in life, in relationships, in work. Whether you are a mom, career woman, or a woman in transition with questions, take time out to focus on your inner life and consciously experience expressing that neglected part of you.

Reclaim Your PASSION & Verve! Space still left!

This week beckons to any woman who wants MORE: More fun, more relaxation, more insight, more clarity, more time off, more support, more good company, more wholesome food, more time in nature, more self-expression, more meaning in her life. Give yourself the time and space to re-ignite the parts of you that got neglected or forgotten along the way. Leave with a renewed passion for your life, vision and dreams.

Gestalt therapy embraces three fundamental points; Being in the Now; Awareness of self and environment in the moment; the capacity to Respond Appropriately to that awareness, right now.

Many of you have now heard of Tolle’s book A New Earth in which he expertly expands on these and other ideas.

The book has been a great influence on my own perceptions as I endeavour to live these Gestalt principles as well as practice them as a therapist. Below are 2 recent experiences that truly improved the quality of my life as I practiced a new way of being in the moment.

My hope is that these stories resonate with you in a helpful way.
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Eckhardt Tolle Saves A Garage Sale

For the past few months I’ve been combing through my household- the closets, cupboards and basement storage places- to empty out that which no longer feels appropriate to hang onto and sell in a Garage sale.

I was very ambitious about this intention- wanting nothing left to deal with at the end of the day. I started to fret about what I was going to do with ALL THIS STUFF if it didn't sell.

I realized I was tenaciously attached to an outcome that was completely out of my control. Please click here for more.

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Emergency Room Peace

The garage sale lessons seemed a timely precursor to the events of the following week. A phone call mid morning from a family member experiencing acute heart troubles abruptly changed the look of the day .

As my initial numbing shock wore off I felt the temptation to fill that void and get upset and tense with the surprise and seriousness of the matter.

Then I remembered Eckhardt Tolle’s wisdom- surrender to the moment, don’t resist it, don’t judge it- whatever is happening in the moment simply is what it is.

My hands started to shake as the adrenaline rush in my body increased when I heard the sirens approach, knowing it was headed for our address.

While driving to the hospital again I realized I had a choice about how to feel. Not only was remaining relaxed good for me, it was helpful to ... Click here to read more.

5- DAY Bliss Wellness Journey, San Luis Obispo, California

June 23 -27

Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort is conveniently situated halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco near the rugged Pacific coastline of Avila Beach. It hosts generous suites, private hot tubs, professional Spa, fine dining and fantastic leisure opportunities that support deep relaxation and reconnection with your body and spirit.
Click here for details For Women and Men

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LIGHTNESS OF BEING BLISS JOURNEY 9-DAYS in BALI

Jan. 29 - Feb. 6, 2009 in UBUD & TEJAKULA

This is Aziza's most fascinating retreat offering. Bali gives us the perfect tapestry from which to dive deeply towards wholeness.

We are supported on this path with extraordinary natural beauty, inventive creativity in use of everyday objects, by culture and religion that are integrated into daily life.

We talk, listen, float in the pool, snorkel in the sea, pray in a temple, dine on fresh grilled fish and organically grown vegetables. We are serenaded by evening songs of insects, birds and temple chanting.

We move to yoga, pause for meditation, walk along rice paddies, surrender to healing massage. We look deeply into the heart of healing.

Click here for details For Women and Men

" Thank you very much Laila for the amazing experience and for taking such good care of us. You have created a miracle in Bali."

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BALI BLISS- A 7-Day Exotic Wellness Journey

February 16 - 22, 2009

Open to pampering, self-care and relaxation. Balanced with culture and insight and a new way of being. Stay in the intimate Gaia Oasis Resort in North Bali near the Bali Sea.

Participate in a Hindu ceremonies, surrender to spa treatments, meditation, yoga, and explore your heart's desires. Exotic Children's Balinese dance performance, reflective sessions, kindred spirits and the spell of Bali beauty complete the experience.

Be prepared to live your life more fully than you dared to dream was possible.

Please Click here for details. For Women and Men

"Really getting away from it all in a beautiful place like Bali, surrounded by a very mindful, intentional, and peaceful culture inspired me to find new abilities to live a more mindful life back at home."

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Truly Madly Deeply Self- Discovery Workshops,Toronto, Ontario

Imagine abandoning yourself to nonverbal communication through colour, shape, and texture. We'll explore the jewels of insight you've just uncovered through your creation and unveil new ways of looking at yourself and your way of being. Some packages include private therapy sessions. 10:30 - 4:30

New Date! Sunday July 6

Click here for details

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PRIVATE & CUSTOMIZED RETREATS & WORKSHOPS

Have private group of FRIENDS with a special occasion coming up? Does your CORPORATE team need to creatively address interpersonal dynamics?

Aziza Healing Adventures will design an event to meet your specific wish list and facilitate it at any international or local destination your heart desires.

Please visit www.aziza.ca/group

Come remember who you are.
Relax, replenish and reconnect to what matters.
Explore your life amongst kindred spirits.
Engage in creativity, fun, nature and gentle adventure.
Delight your spirit. Enlighten your being.
Improve your life.