We have just completed our very first little fledgling retreat in Managua, Nicaragua!

The retreat required equal amounts strength and joy. Eleven retreatants held silence for 5 days. During this time, they memorized the Heart Sutra, meditated, and practiced yoga asana from the ancient Lady Niguma and Tibetan Heart yoga series.

The retreat was led by Hector Marcel, our beloved ACI teacher. Coco Korniczky, three year retreatant, and long-time sangha member led the yoga asana and introduced retreatants to subtle body practices.

WHERE? We stayed at Apoyo Lodge, a retreat space in the protected wilderness of Apoyo, on the shore of a volcanic lake. The food was thoughtful and delicious-- all vegan and mostly raw, with lots of sun-grown plump fruits.

WHAT, exactly, were you doing? The object of this retreat was to perceive emptiness.

For five days, we adhered to the following schedule:

5:15am - Wake up

5:30-6:30am - Guided Meditation

6:30-7:45am - Lady Niguma Yoga

8:00 - 10:00am - Breakfast, Free Time

10:00am - 11:30am - Meditation, Free Time

12:00- 4:00pm- Lunch, Free Time

4:00pm-5:30pm- Tibetan Heart Yoga, Series 5

5:30pm- 7:00pm- Dinner, Free Time

7:00-8:00pm- Dharma Talk, Meditation

10:00pm- Lights Out

On the evening of the fifth day, retreatants broke silence to chant the Heart Sutra, ate food, and celebrated. The next morning they piled into a van and traveled to Playa Maderas in San Juan del Sur, passing by a few of Nicaragua’s active volcanoes on the way. The next few days were for beach fun, and exploring San Juan del Sur. Three Jewels would like to thank Samaya for donating cushions to all the retreatants!