Retreat and workshop

MARCH NEWSLETTER

January March April May June

As promised, here's more on the recent Rediscover Your Self In Bali Retreat, Jan 24-Feb. 2, 2004.

Our ten days were spent at three beautiful hideaways in East Bali- Nirarta Retreat Centre near the rice paddy hills of Sideman, Santai Hotel in the coastal village of Amed and Taman Rahasia outside the Artisan market town of Ubud in Penestanen.

Open-air architecture inviting the outside in is beautifully demonstrated in the Balinese garden bathroom, a private outdoor extension off each bedroom. It features patterned river stone walls adorned daily with hibiscus blooms and a roof covering one half, leaving the other open full of happy plants and the shower area, transforming mundane routines with the pleasurable inclusion of sunshine, rain and starry sky.

Rainy season lasts 6 months of the year in Bali and in the afternoon or evening, like clockwork, thunder rolls over the mountains and warm showers or downpours spill over everything, nourishing this lush green paradise. You can smell it coming and feel the temperature drop instantly in a cool respite a few minutes before it arrives. Rain makes for good company as it drips off the thatched roofs, palm leaves, statues, ducks- rippling over otherwise tranquil swimming pools and ponds. Puddles can become rivers on roads navigated by seasoned motorcyclists in makeshift ponchos, sometimes requiring communal efforts to transport through knee deep junctions. Showers weave a cocoon of liquid walls that refresh and fascinate while observing over a meal from the shelter of the dining patio. We were blessed with a gentle balmy baptism while meandering through the Tirtagangga Water Palace. The stone path punctuating a sculpture-populated pool presented an unexpected watery labyrinth experience.

Twice daily offerings of braided palm leaf plates filled with flowers, morsels of fruit, rice and incense are strategically placed by elegantly dressed Hindu worshippers on paths, sidewalks and temples that grace most homes and family compounds. Soon dogs, birds and insects discover the fare made available by this ancient tradition and complete the recycling of thanksgiving.

An ongoing delight was the vision of men casually wearing small fragrant blooms behind each ear.

In the still dark early morning hours the roosters begin to announce the coming day, not in chorus- more like a round- and continue to do so just in case you missed it, till dusk! Numerous birds, tiny tree frogs, crickets, and cicadas all chime in at will. Eventually they're joined by the wind in the palms and in the evening by chanting from neighbourhood temples, amorous bullfrogs, felines and other unfamiliar songs which mingle into an endless tropical concert that is now sorely missed in the hush of the Canadian winter night.

We enjoyed gracious hosts, local festivals and ceremonies, children's traditional dancing, village hospitality, mossy temples, delicious poolside relaxation and Balinese massage.

Bali vibrates with a surprisingly provocative energy. The healing process that blossomed from the personal growth activities- hikes, Expressive Art, Reiki, meditation, journaling, simply being there- will resonate for a lifetime.

Here are some comments made about the retreat:

" Bali was a beautiful experience. The retreat opened me up in mind, body and spirit.
I feel my life has changed and improved- it's hard to even explain."

"So far I've been on three Aziza retreats and love this one the best....but they were all exactly what I wanted so who knows what the future holds."

"Taman Rahasia is the most beautiful place I've ever stayed at."

" Excellent service, meals, liked all the small touches- the flowers, the garden bath."

"I wish more men were open to this kind of experience."
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Next Jan. 26 - Feb.4, 2005, we'll be returning to this lovely green island.
Activities will include yoga and meditation. Details are on the web site.
There will be 10 spaces available. Be sure to register early!

Please peruse the new Bali Photo Gallery pages.
Be sure to click on each thumbnail picture for a different, larger image.
Enjoy!
www.aziza.ca/baliphoto

AHA founder and retreat facilitator, Laila Ghattas, had a series of thought provoking experiences at Nirarta Retreat Centre which have inspired a viable, optional paradigm. That story will be included in the April newsletter.

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Laila is pleased to announce the release of an important new book, Gates of Injustice, written by friend and journalist, Alan Elsner.

Alan Elsner, who has 25 years' experience in journalism and is National Correspondent for Reuters, has written extensively about conditions in jails and prisons. Gates of Injustice is a compelling exposé of the U.S. prison system: it tells how more than 2 million Americans came to be incarcerated ... what it's really like on the inside ... and how a giant "prison-industrial complex" promotes imprisonment over other solutions.

"The book gives a chilling insight into the human cost of America's massive resort to incarceration in the past few decades, which sees the U.S. today with around a quarter of the world's prison population. It charts the negative impact on both inmates and society of what is essentially a wasteful and inhumane system. The author offers a series of practical proposals for reform, which are long overdue. This is an important book for anyone interested in human rights and penal policy." Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International

Gates of Injustice can be ordered for $17.95 US by going to Amazon.com or www.alanelsner.com

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Later this spring, Aziza Healing Adventures will have a complete colour promotion package available for handy reference to all our services and current offerings. If you'd like to receive it please email your home address along with postal/zip code. When ready, it will be announced in a newsletter and you can look forward to getting your little bundle in the mail shortly after. Please be assured that your privacy is respected. AHA doesn't share email or home address lists. info@aziza.ca

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UPCOMING AHA EVENTS

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Women's
Weekend Wellness Retreats
A monthly offering of themed retreats geared to women and held at the
tranquil Thirteen Moons Women's Retreat Centre, Norwood, near Peterborough, Ontario.
Please plan to register early to avoid disappointment.
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Your Relationship to Money

Explore the patterns and beliefs you've adopted around money-
how you make your spending decisions,
how you react to the consequences and
what you want to address and change.

April 2 - 4
$395 plus tax
for more information please visit www.aziza.ca/13moons

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Your Body Image

Explore your self image- where you are at,
what you believe, how you feel about yourself.
Discover and experiment with optional perspectives
as you reflect back on yourself through a cleaner lens.

May 28-30
$395 plus tax
for more information please visit www.aziza.ca/13moons
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The Art of Receiving: a Couples Workshop series
A couple's personal growth One Day Workshop series exploring attitudes, habits and assumptions interfering with true intimacy. Mitzvah Teacher Danella Hesler and Gestalt therapist Laila Ghattas use movement, creativity and language to enhance awareness and expression of welcome contact. Held in Peterborough County, Ontario.

Saturday dates

March 27
June 19
October 30

$ 295/couple per Saturday

for more info please visit http://www.aziza.ca/couples
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Truly Madly Deeply Art & Therapy Workshops