AUGUST '07 NEWSLETTER

In this Issue:

Did You Know?
Retreat Review
Retreat Experiences
Retreats for Men & Women
Women's Retreats
Couple's Retreats
Custom Retreats

previous issues:06 Jan. Feb..Mar. April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 07 Jan, Mar. April May June July

Aziza Healing Adventures is commited to providing programs that enhance and heal an individuals relationship with self, others, and the planet.

Women's July THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME Retreat Vacation

The assumption that healing requires work, hard work, was explored last week. When you are seeking answers to your life's dilemmas, your unhappiness, your fears, is activity the only way to gain an advantage?

In our culture of excessive work hours, and measurable accomplishments, of long lists and multi tasking, of success by doing, it almost seems counter intuitive to consider that healing can be approached with stillness, via relaxation, taking time to just be. Yet this is the Aziza way. The retreats are designed to give you space and time to relax into the natural setting, into your body's natural rhythms, to set your mind at ease. Just for a little while. Doing has an important place in life, even while on retreat, however being is where answers wait; Being right here, right now. Not in your head, not imagining what's going on with the family you've left for this time, not figuring out- how am I going to fix this?. Answers come when you stop and listen.

Take a breath, notice what's around you, how you are feeling right now? What are your senses are experiencing? What about the sound of the first crickets of summer, the frolicking chipmunk chomping to get at a thistle seed head, the breeze on your warm skin, the fullness of your tummy after a nourishing meal. That's where life is. It is from this awareness of the moment, of YOU included in this moment, that's when you find focus on what is, not what is imagined. On how you really feel, not what you used to feel. Awareness of your exhaustion, of your weariness, of perhaps a profound sadness or disappointment. That's when self care comes into your line of vision, and your needs can be appropriately met.

The space created by stillness of body and mind makes room to look and see what you need to heal; To do what you need to do, including perhaps being more still. Allowing yourself to surrender to a nap, a giggle, a mindless walk, quiet time with thoughts poured into your journal. Time to play with colour and line and shape, not needing your creation to look like anything, and yet still poignantly communicating your heart's deepest yearnings.

That's when we work. After the stillness, in between the resting times, after the fun. Feeling your emotions honestly is hard work. Looking at your patterns is hard work. Awareness of your contributions to your unhappiness is really hard work. And when you feel what's real right now, there's room for healing to enter your consciousness. Then there's time for more stillness in the welcoming embrace of a hammock as you integrate what you now understand about yourself.

The August issue of Oprah Magazine has a section with appropriate quotes to support the blessings experienced with this new way of being:

"This wasted time I have found by constant experience to be as indispensable as sleep." John Adams

" What am I doing? Nothing. I am letting life rain upon me." Rachel Varnhagen.

" We ate, and talked, and went to bed, And slept. It was a miracle." Donald Hall

" Stop a minute, right where you are. Relax your shoulders, shake your head and spine like a dog shaking off cold water. Tell that imperious voice in your head to be still..." Barbara Kingsolver

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There are two more 5-day vacations scheduled this fall. October for women in Ontario, November for men and women in California. Register now to avoid disappointment! Details below.

Participant Experiences from THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME Retreat Vacation

" There's No Place Like Home gives you the tools you need to live a positive life for YOURSELF and to realize what changes you need to make so that you can realize the fulfilling happy life you dream of."

" I was attracted to this retreat because I felt is would be the best fit for me since I was grieving and distraught. I was looking for a place to explore my emotions and fulfill my desire to be on a path to happiness."

"It was beneficial expressing myself with art materials because I was able to just let my feelings flow without having to find words to articulate them, which can sometimes be difficult."

" I was able to learn many things from these amazing women during the group sharing."

" Laila's words ' Just know that's what you are feeling' were very useful because at times I wanted to have an epiphany but I was feeling nothing at all, and that was alright."

"The expressive art was much more revealing than I could ever have anticipated. The reviewing of the drawing was so very helpful and I will use my paintings to help me find my voice."

" I was lost and now I know my way home. Home is where the heart is. Laila I will always follow my heart. Thank you."

"Expressing myself with art materials was to me the most enlightening part of the retreat."

"I arrived with much skepticism and left with a new and hopeful way of looking at life."

"The group sharing was invaluable as everyone's pain was my pain- everyone's' story was my story- what I was unable to express someone else expressed my thoughts or 'voiced' my feelings. I was afraid to share my feelings, afraid to open up and reveal my shame, my sadness, and being at the retreat has healed my heart and has given me the strength to make changes that will improve my life, my marriage, my home, my relationships."

There are two more 5-day vacations scheduled this fall. October for women in Ontario, November for men and women in California. Register now to avoid disappointment! Details below.

November 5 - 9 Yoga/Personal Growth Retreat

Located here are 120 forested acres with natural mineral springs on the rugged Pacific coast. You'll enjoy twice daily yoga, spa treatments like facials, massages and wraps. Locally you can enjoy wine tasting, sea kayaking, golfing and other relaxing activities. And just like Bali, you'll experience the unique and highly successful Aziza brand of personal growth sessions that combine psychotherapy, creativity, body awareness and nature.

Click here for retreat details.

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RELATIONSHIP REVELATIONS for Everyone!

NOVEMBER 9 - 11

Singles, family members and couples find this workshop simply life-altering. Relationships are literally transformed with the insights and awareness that emerge from the program. Solo participants discover what's holding them back from finding a healthy relationship, Couples reconnect with exceptional understanding and compassion, Mothers and Daughters and other family members find clarity and new ways to effectively communicate.

Click here for more information.

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Rediscover Your Self In Bali Retreat

Jan. 29 - Feb. 7, 2008

This is Aziza's most intense, involved and fascinating retreat offering. Bali gives us the perfect tapestry from which to dive deeply into personal awareness, to reveal insight and inspire encouragement 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, soak in a river, snorkel in the sea, pray in a temple, gaze through the clouds on the side of a volcano. We 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

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The Ultimate Joy Of Awareness Retreat

February 16 - 22, 2008

Laila Ghattas and Gaia-Oasis Resident Yoga Teacher, Jaganath Hardy H.G. Arndt, have joined their skills to offer you a 7-day Ultimate Joy Of Awareness Retreat that includes yoga, ecstatic dance, breathwork, voice empowerment, psychotherapy and Expressive Art. There will be spa treatments and private therapy sessions and lots of free time to integrate your experiences.

It's an incredible opportunity to fully immerse in your body, emotions and heart in one of the most beautiful sea side resorts in North Bali.

Please check this link . All retreat details are now available!

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Weekend Getaways and 5-Day Meaningful Vacations- Held at Thirteen Moons, Norwood, Ontario

" The retreat in it's 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."

September 28 - 30

Finding Your Inner Compass

Explore what your inner Wise One looks like. Guided meditation presents answers to your deepest questions. Reach in, be quiet and listen to what your body tells you. Reacquaint yourself with the Feminine Essence that is at your core. Reclaim the power of knowing what's right for you in any given moment. Refresh your understanding of the language of intuition. This weekend gives you invaluable tools to use for the rest of your life!

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October 15 - 19 NEW!

Living Your Best Life! NEW!

Manifesting your intentions is quickly becoming a familiar path towards self-empowerment. One way to attract your desires is to create a visual reminder of what you want. This unique retreat explores issues around worthiness and receptivity. Take the time to creatively explore the important often overlooked question: WHAT DO I WANT? Create a lifetime keepsake of your deepest dreams, wishes and intentions. Delight in the gorgeous Ontario Autumn colour's, the camaraderie of other visionaries and the crackling fire in the hearth as you unveil your best life to yourself.( register early, our 5-day summer vacations sold out!)

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There's No Place Like Home!

Feeling out of balance, spending more time and energy doing, and less on being and feeling? 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, awaken your Feminine essence and consciously experience expressing that neglected part of you. Come home to your self. ( register early, our 5-day version sold out!)

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RELATIONSHIP REVELATIONS for Everyone!

NOVEMBER 9 - 11

Singles, family members and couples find this workshop simply life-altering. Relationships are literally transformed with the insights and awareness that emerge from the program. Solo participants discover what's holding them back from finding a healthy relationship, Couples reconnect with exceptional understanding and compassion, Mothers and Daughters and other family members find clarity and new ways to effectively communicate.

Click here for more information.

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NEW! Relationship Revelations for Couples in BALI

A brand new location for an already life enhancing retreat. Relationship Revelations Couples Retreat comes to south Bali in the seaside town of Seminyak.

Our exquisite hotel is pure Bali with thatched roofs and lush gardens, a spectacular pool and with all the western conveniences that make it a perfect place to reconnect.

The Indian Ocean is a short walk away, with soft white endless sandy beaches to walk.

Click here for all the Retreat details

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CUSTOMIZED RETREATS & WORKSHOPS

Have a corporate or private group with a special focus? Aziza Healing Adventures will design a retreat to meet your specific needs and facilitate it at any international or local destination your heart desires. Please visit www.aziza.ca/group