A Place to Pray

Overcommitted.
You say yes to everyone but yourself.

Overwhelmed.
You have so much to do, you feel frozen in inaction.

Overthinking.
You look for outside answers to questions
only your inner wisdom can answer.

Over it.
You're tired of going on like this. There HAS to be a better way.

Most of the women I encounter in my classes and circles
deal with the challenge of these "overs"
as well as one or more of the "unders."

Under Pressure.
You'll NEVER get through your to-do list.

Underfed.
You crave things that feed your soul.

Underwhelmed.
You miss the sense of wonder you had as a child.

Underloved.
You feel disconnected with the people and world around you.

Life can feel like a storm in which you're perpetually out of control.

It's easy to forget the magic in your busy life,
feeling disconnected, unsupported,
and perhaps even a bit lost on your path.

Take shelter from the storm of life
in the cathedrals of the earth, the water, and the sky.

Come find a place to pray - both at this retreat and inside your body.


The rhythms of nature are reflected in your body.


Villa Sumaya-253.jpg

Deep breath. Have you taken one today?

Take one now and connect with the air around and inside you. Feel your feet on the ground, connected to the earth. Connect to your heartbeat, noticing the fire inside you. Move around, feeling the liquid that lives in every cell of your body.

Even one moment of slowing down helps you remember you're a daughter of nature and reconnect to the elements that make up not only your body, but the natural world of which you're a vital part.

What if I told you that this simple moment of connection through your body is prayer? That you can pray with feeling, sensation, and movement as much as with words, thoughts or ideas?


MOVEMENT IS A FORM OF PRAYER.


On this retreat, you'll find a place to pray both in and outside of you.

By dancing with the elements that live within you,
you'll feel deeply connected to the bigger picture of your life.

You'll feel what you know is truth, but is often elusive to believe:

You are one with creation. There is no separation between you.

The journey to this place of faith requires support:
from the energy of Mother Gaia and all her gifts,
from movement and ceremony,
from the circle of sisters around you.

Using these things as both medicine and metaphor,
how might you use prayer to transform yourself?

How can you feel a part of something larger
after plugging into Mama Earth's infinite energy?


On this retreat, you will:

  • Feel pleasure in your body through daily Qoya classes

  • Nourish yourself with healthy, delicious food

  • Engage with your relationship to prayer in ritual and ceremony

  • Get back in sync with nature's rhythms

  • Deeply rest and integrate all the epiphanies and changes within yourself throughout the week

  • Return home with a new community of supportive sisters through the retreat and beyond

FullSizeRender-3.jpg

“I have been coming to Qoya now for about five months and I absolutely love it! Yes, I was a bit nervous on my first class as I really had no idea what to expect, but I soon discovered that it was such a safe space made by beautiful women with an amazing teacher. I came away from the class thinking WOW! Every woman should try this. The freedom of really being able to let go and move my body however I wanted has been a wonderful experience. There's something about the movement/dance/ritual that has really helped me release, transform and evolve. Oh, and I did I mention that class are so much fun?! Samar is one of the best facilitators I know and holds such a sacred space. I am grateful for her and these Qoya classes."

-A.D., Auckland, New Zealand


"Samar has been a hugely helpful guide along my path of healing. She is very kind, gentle and strong. She creates a safe space for sometimes difficult or painful issues to come up and be recognized. I've had movement in areas of my life that I haven't been able to get with other forms of healing. I've confidently recommended her to friends and will continue to do so." 

-W.N., Auckland, New Zealand


WHO AM I?

samar.jpg

Samar Ocean Wolf Ciprian

Teaching Qoya feels like a spiritual covenant to me, and one that I am continually grateful for and delighted by. Qoya came into my life when I needed it most. I felt like a volcano about to burst who couldn’t quite find the surface, and Qoya was the opening to the sky I needed. I am astounded and smiling wide daily that I get to share this! 

In addition to being a Qoya teacher, I am a Certified Practitioner and Self-Care Teacher of the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy®, and a Mayan Spiritual Healing Practitioner of the same lineage, with additional training in advanced bodywork techniques and pregnancy/post-partum care with Dr. Rosita Arvigo. Being part of this lineage has changed me on a cellular level, and restored my respect for the depth of humanity’s inherent wisdom. It is a privilege to offer this work.

I have also had the joy of training with Tami Lynn Kent, author of Wild Feminine. I am honored to be a Holistic Pelvic Care™ and Holistic Pelvic Energy™ Provider. This work feels like such a missing piece, drawing together the earthy wisdom of the body with the wild winds of Spirit’s energy. 

These three exquisitely transformative modalities make up the core offerings of my practice, and have been the blesses structure through which I am able to offer my my soul’s inherent knowing - that we are the Earth and the Earth IS Love. 

In my life outside of work, my intuitive connection to the Natural world is thankfully always present, and is a source from which I draw support, love, inspiration an strength. I am also deeply grateful for my roles as poet, gardener, water baby, mother and beloved partner.


rosita_hat.jpg

ABOUT DR. ROSITA ARVIGO

This retreat features Dr. Rosita Arvigo, founder of the Arvigo Institute and creator of the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy®. Rosita apprenticed for many years with the late Don Elijio Panti, one of the last Maya H'Men, or doctor-priests. The Arvigo® Techniques are unique in the bridge that they create between modern anatomical understanding and traditional medicine - especially in the areas of uterine health, supporting women at all stages of their lives. Rosita is an experienced and talented herbalist and author of several books. Her work with the New York Botanical Gardens has been instrumental in documenting the native fauna of Belize. Rosita has been a teacher and mentor for hundreds around the world and through her tireless efforts, kept the traditions of an ancient lineage alive for the greater world to benefit and revere. To learn more about her work and life please visit www.rositaarvigo.com. This is a rare opportunity to spend time with and learn from her directly.


SAMPLE ITINERARY (exact times may vary)

Friday, July 19th
6 pm - Welcome Circle 
7:30 pm - Dinner 
8:30 pm - Fire Ceremony & Meditation 

Saturday, July 20th 
10 am - Qoya 
12 pm - Lunch 
1 pm - Time with Dr. Rosita Arvigo
3 pm- Solo Nature Journey 
4:30 pm - Integration & Ceremony 

Sunday, July 21st 
10 am - Qoya 
12 pm - Lunch 
1 pm - Time with Dr. Rosita Arvigo 
3 pm - Solo Nature Journey 
4:30 pm - Integration and Closing Ceremony 
6 pm - Blessings for your next adventure

bird-island-placencia.jpg

"It is difficult for me to quantify or put into words just how much Samar has guided me on my path. She has helped me to reinstate a level of personal health and well-being that I did not think possible. When I thought things were hopeless, she gave me hope and the result was nothing short of a miracle. I will always consider her my guardian angel and am grateful that our lives managed to intersect." 

-D.K., Vancouver, Canada


LOCATION

The retreat will be held in a beautiful private home based on earthship principles (all electricity from the sun and the wind, catch water from the sky for drinking, bathing, cleaning, showering, washing, flushing, etc.) It’s set amongst views of the mountains on six acres of wild landscape. The Rio Pueblo runs through the property, and rocks dotted with ancient petroglyphs line its edge.

Accommodation is not included in your tuition; however, there are many hotels and Airbnb/VRBO options nearby.


COST + REGISTER

Pricing is per person. This retreat is open to people of all genders.

Your tuition includes:

  • Two Qoya Classes

  • Three Evening Ceremonies 

  • Group Sessions with Dr. Rosita Arvigo on Saturday and Sunday 

  • Daily time to journey alone into nature and begin a conversation with her 

  • Dinner on Friday and lunch on Saturday and Sunday

Your tuition does not include:

  • Accomodation

  • Meals outside of those listed above

Villa Sumaya-129.jpg

Join the Waitlist

This retreat is currently sold out, but complete the form and we’ll be in touch if there are any cancellations.

Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel for any reason and we can find a person to take your spot, we will refund the amount paid minus a $250 non-refundable deposit. If we cannot find a person to take your spot, there are no refunds; however, you can transfer your paid spot to someone else, so you can send a friend or family member to the retreat in your place.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

+ What time of day does the course start, and what time does it finish?

The retreat times are: Friday - 6 pm to 10 pm, Saturday - 10 am to 6 pm, Sunday - 10 am to 6 pm.

+ How do I get to the retreat?

Alburqueque is the nearest airport to Taos. From there, we recommend booking a rental car for transport to Taos and the retreat each day.

+ Is it women only? What age group?

This is a retreat for people of all genders ages 18 and up. There are no levels in Qoya, and all levels of movement experience are welcome. No experience with Qoya is required!

+ I have more questions. Who do I contact?

Any questions we haven't covered here? Email me at samar@moon-yoga.com.