Cameron's Staff Pick
The Shape of Awake®: Weekend
2280 Balmoral Rd, The Falls, NS B0K 1V0, Canada
Up to 50 in group
June 20 - 22, 2025
Retreat Highlights
- Mindfulness Meditation to relax mental holding patterns
- Alexander Technique to release physical holding patterns
- Mindful Focusing to access deeper feelings held in the body
- Sharing our experiential journey together
About this Retreat
Hope Martin has taught the Alexander Technique for 37 years, trained Alexander teachers for over two decades at the American Center for the Alexander Technique, and operates Hope Martin Studio in New York City. She is a Meditation Instructor, a Focusing trainer and has been a close student of Pema Chodron for 30 years. Her particular passion is in helping her students discover how easeful, upright posture is an expression of their human dignity, confidence, and innate wakefulness. To learn more about Hope’s work, visit
hopemartinstudio.com
Details of this retreat
"To take this posture itself is the purpose of our practice. When you have this posture, you have the right state of mind, so there is no need to try to attain some special state." – Suzuki Roshi
The weekend teaches the mechanics of easy, balanced posture. Learn how to shed a lifetime of excessive tension to be embodied, upright, relaxed, and supported by the earth. Being upright without strain is not just an arbitrary shape; it’s the bearing of confidence, presence, and of meditation.
Hope Martin, a master teacher of the Alexander Technique, makes subtle adjustments to the head, neck and back to help you access an effortless, balanced posture - both light and grounded.
The process teaches awareness of habits that result in pain, fixed posture and mind-set, and shows us how to shift to a more open, balanced way of being that is our birthright. It’s not about improving or getting away from anything. Rather, by learning about and honouring the many moments of response that are our habits, we become actively engaged in the process of befriending ourselves and making changes that better support us.
Within a safe, caring and supportive environment, the weekend includes meditation instruction and practice, teaching on basic body mechanics and alignment, humour, as well as gentle hands-on work from the instructor to help release unnecessary tension. Both new and experienced meditators are welcome.
"The work with Hope dramatically improved my practice because sitting correctly I can better stay present." – Judy Cameron
Overview of Schedule
June 20 (Arrival Day)
Check-in is open from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Please try to arrive before 5pm to settle in before dinner if you are able to.
Dinner is at 6:30.
There will be an orientation session around 7:30 after dinner.
June 22
Departure after tea on Sunday (around 4:30)
Weekend Cost
All prices are in $CAD. Please consider paying by e-transfer, cheque, or cash. Saving transaction fees helps us keep the Centre going.
Tuition & Meals: $335
Lodging: Extra: varies by type. Visit the Registration Form or this page for a list of options and pricing.
Generosity Policy: We have a donor-supported pay what you can policy and scholarships available. If you need financial assistance in order to attend, please complete this form and our Finance Director will contact you. If you have questions or would like to set up a payment plan, contact our Finance Department at finance@dorjedenmaling.com.
Covid Considerations
Please read the full details of our Covid policy here.
Registration and Cancellation Policies
Please take note that our registration and cancellation policies have been updated. You can read our registration and cancellation policies here.
Schedule
Retreat schedules vary somewhat, depending on whether the program is introductory or advanced. There may be a pre-breakfast practice or activity of some sort, followed by breakfast at 8:30.
At 9:15 the main morning practice session begins. There could be talks, meditation, or various physical practices, depending upon the type of retreat.
Lunch is usually around 12:30 -- followed by an extended break. The afternoon session usually begins around 2:30, with tea break around 4:00 and dinner at 6:30. Again, depending up on the type of program, there may be a short evening practice session or a talk. Programs usually end with some sort of simple celebration.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Accommodation
Gyatso Lodge is the main indoor housing. It is simple but clean and comfortable. There separate washroom and shower facilities on each floor.
There are also cabins -- some of which are winterized, as well as tents and tent platforms available during the warmer months. Campers use one of two shower houses.
Drala Cabin: Single Occupancy (150/night)
Drala Cabin: Double Occupancy (60/night)
Nestled in the trees, Drala Cabins are private and quiet. They are also insulated and have electricity and heat. These cabins have two twin beds.
A new shower house is located near the Drala cabins, between Buddha and Vajra fields. A second shower house is located near Tiger field at the main building. During the cool season showers in the main building are shared with staff.
Gyatso Lodge: Single Occupancy (130/night)
Gyatso Lodge: Double Occupancy (60/night)
This room may have two single beds, or one single and one bunk bed. Shared bathroom facilities are located on each floor.
Double-Occupancy cost: $60/night
Large White Tent: Single Occupancy
Dorje Denma Ling’s summer housing grounds are spacious, with gorgeous views, and in short walking distance to our two shower houses and to the main program complex.
For tents and wood cabin accommodations bring a battery-operated lantern.
No gas, candle or propane lighting of any kind is permitted.
Please bring your own bedding and towels. Foam mattresses and bed frames are provided.
A new shower house is located near the Drala cabins, between Buddha and Vajra fields. A second shower house is located near Tiger field at the main building.
You are welcome to wash clothing by hand and hang them to dry. There is a clothes line near the lodge.
Single-Occupancy cost: $65 per night.
Large White Tent: Double Occupancy
Dorje Denma Ling’s summer housing grounds are spacious, with gorgeous views, and in short walking distance to our two shower houses and to the main program complex.
For tents and wood cabin accommodations bring a battery-operated lantern.
No gas, candle or propane lighting of any kind is permitted.
Please bring your own bedding and towels. Foam mattresses and bed frames are provided.
A new shower house is located near the Drala cabins, between Buddha and Vajra fields. A second shower house is located near Tiger field at the main building.
You are welcome to wash clothing by hand and hang them to dry. There is a clothes line near the lodge.
Double-Occupancy cost: $40 per night.
Wood Cabin: Single Occupancy
Dorje Denma Ling’s summer housing grounds are spacious, with gorgeous views, and in short walking distance to our two shower houses and to the main program complex.
For tents and wood cabin accommodations bring a battery-operated lantern.
No gas, candle or propane lighting of any kind is permitted.
Please bring your own bedding and towels. Foam mattresses and bed frames are provided.
A new shower house is located near the Drala cabins, between Buddha and Vajra fields. A second shower house is located near Tiger field at the main building.
You are welcome to wash clothing by hand and hang them to dry. There is a clothes line near the lodge.
Cost per person for single-occupancy Wood Cabin rental: $75 per night.
Wood Cabin: Double Occupancy
Dorje Denma Ling’s summer housing grounds are spacious, with gorgeous views, and in short walking distance to our two shower houses and to the main program complex.
For tents and wood cabin accommodations bring a battery-operated lantern.
No gas, candle or propane lighting of any kind is permitted.
Please bring your own bedding and towels. Foam mattresses and bed frames are provided.
A new shower house is located near the Drala cabins, between Buddha and Vajra fields. A second shower house is located near Tiger field at the main building.
You are welcome to wash clothing by hand and hang them to dry. There is a clothes line near the lodge.
Double-Occupancy cost: $40 per night.
White Hut: Single Occupancy
Dorje Denma Ling’s summer housing grounds are spacious, with gorgeous views, and in short walking distance to our two shower houses and to the main program complex.
For tents, wood cabins and huts accommodations bring a battery-operated lantern.
No gas, candle or propane lighting of any kind is permitted.
Please bring your own bedding and towels. Foam mattresses and bed frames are provided.
A new shower house is located near the Drala cabins, between Buddha and Vajra fields. A second shower house is located near Tiger field at the main building.
You are welcome to wash clothing by hand and hang them to dry. There is a clothes line near the lodge.
If you are traveling by airplane, we can help you out with bedding and towels.
White Hut: Double Occupancy
Dorje Denma Ling’s summer housing grounds are spacious, with gorgeous views, and in short walking distance to our two shower houses and to the main program complex.
For tents, wood cabins and huts accommodations bring a battery-operated lantern.
No gas, candle or propane lighting of any kind is permitted.
Please bring your own bedding and towels. Foam mattresses and bed frames are provided.
A new shower house is located near the Drala cabins, between Buddha and Vajra fields. A second shower house is located near Tiger field at the main building.
You are welcome to wash clothing by hand and hang them to dry. There is a clothes line near the lodge.
If you are traveling by airplane, we can help you out with bedding and towels.
Bring Your Own Tent: Platform Provided
Bring your own tent and use one of our wooden tent platforms.
Bring Your Own Tent: No Platform Provided
Bring your own tent: no platform provided. We will find a mowed, grassy space for you.
Shrine Room Floor: Garuda (25/night)
Please bring your own bedding and towels. Foam mat is provided.
Live or Staying Locally
If you are not staying at Dorje Denma Ling during this retreat, choose this option and you will be charged only the price of the retreat, which includes meals.
Please contact Guest Services at info@dorjedenmaling.com for more information
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