January 11-12: BANGKOK

Accommodation: Shanti Lodge
Quaint and funky guesthouse located on the Chao Phraya River - just a short water-taxi ride away from Bangkok's famous Khaosan Road - simple, decorative double and triple occupancy rooms - hot showers - A/C - wonderful restaurant with a welcoming "Buddha Lounge" vibe, serving a variety of Thai and western fare - laundry service available - local souvenirs and clothing for sale in the store - internet cafe - WiFi available - 7/11, pharmacy, local food and flower market and banks within a two minute walk.

Activities: Orientation, visit the night market, the Grand Palace, get a massage at the famous Wat Pho, take the overnight train to Chiang Mai

January 13-16: BAAN MAI, MAE RIM

Accommodation: International Women's Partnership for Peace and Justice A lovingly built adobe home in a small rural Thai village - simple, but comfortable double and triple occupancy rooms - hot showers - delicious, healthy vegetarian meals - picturesque views from the classroom - laundry service available - local handicrafts and items for sale in the store.

Activities: "Engaged Buddhism" 4-day silent meditation and yoga retreat. We will discuss foundational Buddhist teachings and practice sitting and walking meditation, and yoga, in an effort to cultivate a personal understanding and connection to the ancient origins of Thai Yoga Massage, and find ways to engage this wisdom "off the mat.

January 17-19: MAE TAENG

Accommodation: Pun Pun Organic Farm, Sustainable Living Learning Center Primitive but cozy adobe and bamboo structures with stunning views of the peaceful valley below- single and double occupancy rooms and huts - composting toilets - fabulous organic Thai-fusion meals - Thai-style outdoor showers - community cafe with specialty drinks and local handicrafts for sale.

Activities: Learn about organic farming, seed saving, Thai cooking, and earthen building in an effort to understand and appreciate the ways in which the traditional Thai life-style can positively influence individual, community and global health. Daily yoga and meditation practice will continue.

January 20-28: CHIANG MAI

Accommodation: CM Blue House
Friendly guesthouse located in the heart of the Old City - simple single and double occupancy rooms - hot showers - laundry service available - garden restaurant specializing in smoothies and yummy breakfasts - WiFi available.

Activities: Orientation, a 30-hour Thai Yoga Massage course (details below), a day of volunteering with abused elephants at the Elephant nature Park, an excursion to the craft centers (painted umbrellas, wood carvings, silk production, and more), and plenty of free time to explore the night bazaar and Sunday market, and take advantage of the incredible assortment of restaurants and health oriented treatments available in Chiang Mai.

Thai Yoga Massage Course: Our 30-hour Thai Yoga Massage course will be held Monday - Friday from 9-4 at Wild Rose Studio in Chiang Mai. We will start each morning with a gentle yoga practice layered with specific themes and postures that will be integrated into that day's Thai Yoga Massage lesson. By the end of the week, students will be able to safely and confidently perform a fluid and dynamic 60-minute Thai Yoga Massage sequence that draws heavily on supine techniques. (30 NCBTMB Continuing Education Credits available) This introductory-level retreat will be facilitated by internationally-recognized Thai Yoga Massage instructor Sunny Klaber. Sunny's contagious passions for yoga, dance, Buddhist philosophy and massage strongly influence her unique approach to practicing and teaching this ancient healing art. Her extensive knowledge of, and respect for, these disciplines creates an environment which honors the sacred roots of Thai Yoga Massage, while gracefully infusing it with fresh applications and innovations.

This journey is limited to 12 participants, so register early to avoid disappointment! This is an adventure, not a tour, therefore, this itinerary is subject to change Please bring an open mind, and open heart and a good sense of humor! or chickens.

 

The basics:

This journey will begin at 12:00 noon on January 11th at the Shanti Lodge in Bangkok, and will end at 9:00 AM on January 29th at the Blue House in Chiang Mai.

Transfers to/from the airport are NOT included.

Getting to the Shanti Lodge: From the Suvarnabumi Airport in Bangkok (BKK), we suggest that you follow the signs to the Public Taxi stand (downstairs) and give them a copy of a map which can be printed from the Shanti Lodge website: http://www.shantilodge.com/ A taxi ride from Suvarnabumi Airport to the Shanti Lodge should take between 45-60 minutes, and with tolls, should cost under 500 Baht ($15).

Please make your own travel arrangements to Bangkok's Suvarnabumi Airport (BKK). It is wise to plan on arriving a day before our journey together begins so that you have time to adjust to the time difference. This is the best time, and therefore, most popular time to visit Thailand, so please reserve your flight early. We suggest looking for deals on the following websites:

www.kayak.com
www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/
www.travelzoo.co.uk

Returning to Bangkok: Experience has shown that by the end of our journey together, participants have come to LOVE Thailand and feel quite comfortable navigating it on their own; so not surprisingly, they don't want to leave. We recommend that if you have the opportunity to build a few extra days or weeks into your itinerary, DO IT! But if you must return to Bangkok right away, you have many options:

Train: Trains run very regularly between Chiang Mai and Bangkok and the trip takes around 12-14 hours. To see the schedule click the link below. http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm

Plane: Flights from Chiang Mai to Bangkok run very regularly and one-way fares are reasonably priced. The flight takes about one hour.
 
Thai Airways:http://www.thaiairways.com/
Thai Air Asia:http://www.airasia.com/
Bangkok Airways: http://www.bangkokair.com/
 

Sunny Klaber, BS, MS, CMT

In 2001, I graduated from the Boulder College of Massage Therapy and embarked on a career in compassionate touch. In addition to completing over 1000 hours of coursework for my massage certification, I went on to receive special training in Pregnancy Massage. I also traveled to Chiang Mai, Thailand several times to study Thai-Yoga Massage with three different masters and completed the requirements established by the Institute for Thai Massage to become a teacher of the Nuad Bo-Rarn style. During my most recent trip to Thailand I focused on learning a unique form of Chinese abdominal massage called Chi Nei Tsang.

Before I developed my passion for massage, I earned a BS from Duke University and an MS in Geology and Environmental Policy from the University of Colorado. During this time, I spent several years teaching science at field schools in California, Colorado, Alaska and Switzerland, as well as instructing backpacking/ climbing courses for Outward Bound in Montana and “Dragons” in North India.

What began as an interest in earth systems and a desire to create and maintain a healthy, balanced environment, was slowly transformed,(due to heavy backpacks, stiff boots and a fortuitous meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama) into a deep curiosity and respect for the human body, its relationship to the mind and soul, and its ability to create and maintain health and balance. My unique combination of educational opportunities, physically challenging adventures and spiritually awakening encounters has strongly influenced my therapeutic approach.

Years of observing and living in harmony with nature have taught me that our bodies function very similarly to, and in sync with, earth systems. The poetic interplay of water, earth, fire, metal and wood described in Traditional Chinese Medical Theory demonstrates that we can learn a great deal about the health of the microcosm by first coming to understand the macrocosm. I believe that by receiving bodywork, we, as individuals, feel more whole; and our awareness of our interconnectedness with all living creatures increases. As our perspective shifts, we can learn to make lifestyle choices that will bring ourselves and our environment back into balance.

Years of carrying heavy backpacks up and down steep mountains in thick, stiff, leather boots left me with intense sensation in my back, feet and knees and an even more intense interest in learning how to relieve it! The scientist in me craved the wisdom of anatomy and physiology books, while the mystic in me searched in deeper places for answers. After several years of exploration I have experienced a positive shift in my own health and have become convinced of the existence of a connection between mind, body, and spirit. While my practice reflects my strong foundation in the science of anatomy, physiology and nutrition; I believe that my intention to reduce suffering by helping my clients to open and integrate their bodies, hearts and minds is primarily responsible for the healing that occurs.

Over the past seven years I have enjoyed developing and teaching the Thai Yoga massage curriculum at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy, Cortiva Institute, and The Center for Massage and Natural Health in Asheville, NC. I am currently on the faculty at the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy and serve on the board of the Tibetan Village Project.

Packing List - Please pack as light as possible!

Please bring: yoga mat, meditation shall, journal, pens, head-lamp, thin sleeping-bag liner, pack-towel, alarm clock, watch, conservative clothing (covered shoulders and legs) to wear during the meditation retreat and to visit the Wats (temples), comfortable clothing to practice yoga and Thai Yoga Massage, a warm layer (wool hat, socks, fleece) for cool nights and mornings in the mountains, sun-hat, sunglasses, day-pack or shoulder bag, bathing suit, sleepwear, sandals or flip-flops, walking shoes, toiletries, medications, camera.

Don't bring: anything fancy or valuable - you won't need it!

Internet connection: Internet cafes are plentiful in Thailand so you won't have any trouble communicating with loved ones at home while we are in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, however; we will not have internet access during the meditation retreat or during our stay at Pun Pun.

Mobile Phones: If you have an unlocked mobile phone, we suggest that you bring it with you. It is very easy and inexpensive to buy a Thai SIM card and pay-as-you-go minutes at any 7/11. The public phones in Thailand are not very reliable or easy to use, so if you expect to call home during your time in Thailand, bringing your own unlocked phone is the easier and cheaper option.

Money: The exchange rate is approximately 32 baht to 1 US dollar. ATM's are conveniently located everywhere in Bangkok and Chiang Mai and tend to offer a very good exchange rate. Most small shops, local markets and restaurants only take cash, but occasionally Visa and MasterCard are accepted at higher-end hotels and boutiques. PLEASE tell your bank and credit card companies the dates that you will be in Thailand to avoid having your accounts frozen due to "unexpected activity".

Budget: This journey includes all of your accommodation, transportation, course fees and entrance fees from 12:00 noon on January 11th through 9:00 AM on January 29th. Also included are meals during the meditation retreat and our stay at Pun Pun (January 7-14). We suggest that you budget about $500 to pay for laundry, internet, gifts, massage treatments, tips and meals while we are in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Passports: You must have a passport valid for at least 90 days following your departure from Thailand to enter the country. If you are an EU, Australian or American citizen you will receive a visa on arrival good for 30 days. If you are from another country or plan on staying in Thailand longer than 30-days please read about visa requirements and other important details at http://thailand.visahq.com/

Visit our Facebook page for the latest Northern Thailand images. see photos

Trip Cost: $2875

Price includes: all of your accommodation, transportation, course fees, entrance fees and most meals from 12:00 noon on January 11th through 9:00 AM on January 29th.

Price does not include: transportation to/from Thailand, travel insurance (required), meals in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, tips, optional activities.

Go for IT!

If you still have questions or would like to speak to us more about this journey, ask here.  If you would like to register, pay a trip deposit, and secure your place on this amazing journey, click here.  

Register

Registration is limited to 8 travelers.