Pucon, Chile

Pucon is a small town in the middle of the southern lake district in Chile. It has become a major center for adventure tourism, and the city center is a backpacker's Disneyland, filled with travel agencies that will offer you any kind of day trips imaginable.

During the spring, tourist attractions include hiking, rafting, horse back riding, birdwatching, fishing, skiing, and taking in the views of the three snow covered active volcanoes. Due to its privileged natural surroundings, near a volcano and several lakes, nature reserves and thermal baths, Pucón is a destination which can rely on tourism all year round. We suggest that you plan to arrive in Pucón a day or two before the retreat begins so that you can take advantage of all that Pucón has to offer. École! Hostal offers charming accommodation and friendly, knowledgeable staff who can help you plan your adventures.

October 20-24: Pucón, Chile

Accommodation: Gaia Sur Situated near Lake Caburgua, Gaia Sur is the perfect place to connect with the earth, the sky, the water, and the pure air. Your spirit will be nurtured by the volcanic mountains, green hills, waterfalls, gardens, and animals that surround you.

Activities: optional activities include walking along the beautiful senderos that wind through Gaia Sur, and a Sunday afternoon visit to the local hot springs.

Thai Yoga Massage Course: Our 30-hour Thai Yoga Massage course will be held daily in the Gaia Sur yoga sala. 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 combines traditional supine, prone, side-lying and sitting techniques. (30 NCBTMB Continuing Education Credits available)

The Thai Yoga Massage portion of this 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.

The yoga classes will be facilitated by Daniela Garcia Mintz. Daniela is a dedicated yoga practitioner who draws from ten years of immersion in the Ashtanga and Iyengar traditions. Her compassionate and spontaneous approach to teaching helps students feel comfortable and supported as well as challenged and inspired. She is thrilled to be teaching in her native Chile.

*** All classes will be bilingual.

This retreat is limited to twelve (12) participants.

Getting to and from Gaia Sur:

Bus: If you are coming from Santiago, we suggest that you take the overnight bus. Buses in Chile are known for being luxurious, reliable and affordable. A nice option is to arrive in Pucón a day or two before the retreat begins to familiarize yourself with the area and take advantage of all that it has to offer.

For more information about bus schedule visit: http://www.turbus.cl/commerce/venta-pasajes.jsp

Plane: The closest airport to Gaia Sur is in Temuco (ZCO). Flights arrive daily from Santiago via Lan Airlines. Once in Temuco, go to the city's bus terminal (it is downtown). Buses leave for Pucon every 15 minutes. The distance is of 112 kilometres and the trip lasts approximately 90 minutes.

*** A shuttle bus will be arranged from École Hostel in central Pucon to Gaia Sur - times to be announced.

Car: There are three main highways to Pucon, and they connect the city with the north, the south and the east. This last highway is an international road connecting Chile and Argentina. * To the north: Santiago to Pucón via Temuco. The distance to the capital of the country is of 789 kilometres, which can be covered in 9 or 10 hours travelling along the North Pan American Highway, an asphalted road in very good conditions. The route goes by the cities of Temuco, Freire and Villarrica.

*To the south: Puerto Montt to Pucón, the capital of the X Region of Los Lagos. The distance is 340 kilometres, and takes approximately 5 hours travelling along the South Pan American Highway, an asphalted road in very good conditions.

* To the east: San Martin de Los Andes (argentina) to Pucón; 242-kilometre distance. The entrance to Chilean territory is across the Mamuil-Malal Pass, also known as El Tromen; it is a dirt road almost 100 kilometres long that goes through a flashy forest of araucarias.

Sunny Klaber, BS, MS, CMT

Sunny is an internationally-recognized Thai Yoga Massage instructor and avid dancer. Sunny's contagious passion for yoga, dance, Buddhist philosophy and massage strongly influences her 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 Massage, while gracefully infusing it with fresh applications and innovations. To see learn more about El Duque, the inspiration for this integral adventure, please visit www.bachatamovie.com