Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel - An Evening of Wellness with Gaia Wellness Retreat

AWAKEN YOUR MIND, BODY, & SOUL - Start the new year by coming hOMe to yourself while surrounded by the beautiful artwork of the Sistine Chapel! This amazing exhibition will be the backdrop for 2 magical evenings of meditation, sound healing, and yoga offered by the Gaia Wellness Retreat Team.

 

DATES: January 11, 2023

TIME: 7-8:30pm 

COST: $111+tax (and fees)

LOCAITON: EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Dr in Ottawa

AGE REQUIREMENT: 12 y/o or older

 

 

SCHEDULE

7pm Opening with John Armstrong

7:05pm Meditation with Billie-Lynn Hillis

7:20pm Yoga with Eric Desjardins

 

7:50pm Sound Bath with Billie-Lynn Hillis & Shantdeep

8:25pm Closing with Billie-Lynn Hillis & John Armstrong

 

***The event will start at 7pm sharp so please arrive 5-10 minutes early to get settled in.

 

 

ABOUT THE GAIA WELLNESS TEAM

 

Billie-Lynn Hillis 

Billie (Jugat Joti Kaur) has been on a spiritual path for over 20 years. 

After experiencing many struggles in her early life including trauma, chronic anxiety and addiction she turned to yoga, meditation and spirituality to find relief from suffering and support her in her recovery. Billie has many years of experience teaching Kundalini Yoga, Hatha, Yin and Beyond Addictions Yoga as well as practicing Usui & Shamanic Reiki, Sound Healing, BioTuningand many other healing modalities. She is a Certified Compassionate Inquiry Therapist, Certified Shamanic Life Coach, Certified Psychedelic Guide as well as a Certified Insight Meditation Teacher. Billie has a deep respect for the teachings of Shamanism, Buddhism, Hinduism and all other Spiritual Traditions and is honoured to have studied with wise and compassionate teachers including Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach, Dr. Gabor Mate, Sat Dharam Kaur and many others. Billie offers her experience and knowledge in hopes of inspiring others on their journey towards personal freedom. Billie is known for her authentic, non-judgmental and compassion-centered teaching. Availing herself to continuous philosophical education from various spiritual disciplines, she integrates meditation with self-inquiry therapies, applying ancient wisdom to our contemporary western world in a useful and understandable way. 

She encourages growth of the physical and spiritual self, citing the interconnectedness to each other,to the world and to the universe at large.  

 

John Armstrong

John is a graduate of Carleton University with a BA in Social Science. He was introduced to Buddhist meditation practices in the mid 1980s and has since expanded his interests to include a wide selection of mystical & spiritual practices. From 2003-2017 he was self employed as owner/operator of two restaurants - co-founder TRIO Bistro (Westboro) and founder JAKS Kitchen (Centretown).  At Gaia, John has opened his culinary interests to the world of vegan, vegetarian and raw foods while referencing material from recent works that relate mental health to the health of the gut. His culinary creations are a reflection of client needs, their activities, the setting and weather with the intent of “maximizing their experiences with the least hindrance”. His primary interest is in combining client experience with enhanced customer service in a stimulating and rewarding environment using the best produce available. 

Tenzo - the function of the Tenzo is to manage meals for the monks “Put your awakened mind to work, making a constant effort to serve meals full of variety that are appropriate to the need and the occasion, and that will enable everyone to practice with their bodies and minds with the least hindrance” - Chanyuan Qinggui, 1102 AD

 

Eric Desjardins

Though Eric’s background is in Physical and Occupational Therapy, he has pursued Yoga as his full-time profession since beginning his teacher training certification in 2005 at one of Ottawa’s premiere yoga studios. Since then, he has been classically trained in Rishikesh, the world capital of Yoga under the tutelage of his present-day Guru, Yogi Kamal Singh, He went on to complete further levels of trainings, including two 500-hour Yoga Master Programs, which has allowed him to lead numerous teacher trainings, and to teach extensively abroad from India to Thailand, the Maldives, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Vancouver and Hong Kong. 

Eric was also certified in Thai Massage Therapy when he travelled to Thailand to Wat Pho Temple, which is renowned as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. All bookings for a Thai Massage session can be made through our administrative assistant (info@gaiawellnessretreat.com ) or directly through the Reception upon arrival at Gaia Wellness Retreat Centre.

Eric has recently returned home to the Ottawa Valley, and is looking forward to sharing his knowledge and experience in the practice of Yoga with you. He presents Yoga in a way that is accessible to everyone as he emphasizes safety and body alignment in all of his classes with his grounding  and vibrant energy. During your stay at Gaia, the opportunity to participate in a yoga class, be put into a state of deep relaxation during Yoga Nidra or to request a one-on-one private class is definitely not to be missed.

 

Shantdeep
Shantdeep has a gentle, compassionate, intuitive disposition, and finds inspiration in the beauty and wisdom of music, nature and aromatherapy. She believes that everything in this divine Creation is energy/frequency and that we are spiritual beings. She loves essential oils and has crafted her own personal line of aromatherapy products which are used in her sessions. She has obtained her Reiki level 2 and IET certifications and has also studied cranial sacral, Shamanism, sound healing and Ho’Oponopono, all of which she integrates into her work. In training to becoming a Kundalini & Hatha yoga teacher, she became passionate about the practice of mantra chanting and its remarkable effects on our health, vitality, and consciousness. Shantdeep is a sensitive practitioner, one who holds a safe container for her clients. She gently guides and supports clients in using the transformative power of their own voice to release energy and to call in their intentions. From her own journey in the exploration of voice and sound, she understand that one’s own voice is a powerful instrument for inner and outer transformation. In her therapeutic sound healing sessions, Shantdeep uses various powerful and sacred instruments such as the gong, crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, chimes, drums, rattles, voice and tuning forks. She continues to witness the ability these sound frequencies have in bringing our mind, consciousness, physical and energetic bodies into greater coherence and harmony. Shantdeep has also delved into the Buddhist teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, Pema Chödrön and Tara Brach. She is deeply inspired by the work of Gabor Maté on trauma recovery and the wisdom of 12 Step programs. She is a lifelong learner and continues to integrate various wisdom teachings into her work such as on-duality, Ayurveda, yogic philosophy, quantum theory, plant medicine, and indigenous teachings. All of these inform her practice as she continues to actively study the science of sound healing from various contemporary teachers. In 2022 she obtained her certification in Therapeutic Sound Healing from the Center of Light. Shantdeep’s heartfelt intenti. on is to share her love of sound and that it may bring more peace, alignment, and harmony into our world. May we remember who we are, may we be happy and free from suffering, and may we abide in the true, pure essence of our being.

 

 

ABOUT GAIA WELLNESS RETREAT

At Gaia Wellness we believe people are looking for something more: Happiness and peace that is cultivated through time in nature and new friendships, quiet meditations by a hidden lake, exploring ancient forests, and taking time to hear their own inner voice.

 

We aim to create and sustain a space where people can laugh, connect with others and re-connect with themselves. A space where people can temporarily disconnect from distractions and take time to rest. Gaia Wellness is a place where people can come hOMe to themselves.

 

Visit www.gaiawellnessretreat.com for more info.

info@gaiawellnessretreat.com

613-894-4242