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Science of Relaxation

Unwind and re-balance in this inspiring program that returns you to your innate wisdom, through sensing, recognizing, and managing the mind-body connection.  Explore exciting, rejuvenating processes guided by experienced practitioners, suitable for every age, fitness level, and condition.

      

"The instructors complemented each other and made this a fantastic weekend.  They were totally in-sync with our group ... very low-key and powerful ... they knew what they were teaching and made every class enjoyable." -- M.M.

 

"I loved it.  It was insightful and informative." -- P.V.

 

     PROGRAM OFFERINGS 

  

Eat Healthy!
Ramp up your spirit and understanding of maximizing tension-reducing and good mood supportingtofu/cilantro nutritious
dishes as demonstrated in our two, morning-filled cooking classes. Discover what it means to eat and cook energetically. Experience recipes and tastings designed to calm your nervous system, boost your immunity, and bust your stress!  And, of course, eat daily, delicious, organic, macrobiotic meals throughout this program, whose recognized benefits include reductions in blood pressure and sugar, improvement in overall health, and can prevent, treat and reverse many, major diseases.    

Move Effortlessly!
     
The Feldenkrais Method,is an internationally 

acclaimed movement programFeldenkrais Movements that brings awareness to a range of motion options, balancing the cellular relationship between muscle, bone and brain. Participants at Kushi Institute have remarked on how simple yet extraordinarily powerful and transformative these classes are. Find better balance and flexibility, grace and ease, and comfortable posture as you explore your own ability for optimal functionality, cueing into your body's intelligence. The Method originates from the developmental moves of babies combined with the coordinated, efficient moves of martial artists.  

 

Its founder, Moshe Feldenkrais, was one of the 20th century's most innovative thinkers and, along with Ida Rolf, and F.M. Alexander, was a seminal figure in the body-mind field of somatics. His legacy has the potential of helping millions of people suffering from common aches and pains to debilitating neurological problems, in addition to assisting athletes and performers who wish to maintain and enhance their developed abilities.  View this YouTube demonstration and click here for written information (check the right side for articles). 

   

Build A Stronger Skeleton! 

Outsmart a fragile body and osteoporosis with strategies from Ruthy Alon's Bones for Life�.  In this quick introduction we will safely explore patterns of natural movement and your own weight-bearing posture to awaken your skeleton's natural intelligence -- both consciously and cellularly.  Discover a resilience inherent in your bones that energizes, invigorates and revitalizes your entire self  -- doable and effective at home or your office beginning with only 10 minutes each day!  Click here for additional information.

 

Move away from Stress!  

Yoga for all levels. Learn to trust your body's wisdom

and find grace and power on and off the mat.Simple Yoga Pose

 

This weekend retreat includes:

  • Yoga appropriate for all bodies, ages, and levels;
  • Breathing techniques applied to postures to deepen your experience;
  • Posture variations and modifications adjusted for individual needs and growth.

Freeing the body of restrictions, and eliminating stress and tension creates a calmer and more balanced you. Expect to feel blissful afterward. 

      

Relax your Appearance! 

Yoga For the Face!  Like any other area of the body, the face muscles need exercise to keep an ageless appearance. Using Yamuna Face Balls, learn toning and therapeutic techniques to improve your facial appearance. The eyes become relaxed and open, brows are lifted, cheekbones soften and become defined; the whole face is at ease. Let your face reveal the real you!  As one participant at Kushi Institute remarked, "If Hollywood gets wind of it, plastic surgeons would loose millions on cancelled procedures."  For more information on Yamuna� Face Saver click here.   

 

Find Bliss and Calm in the Midst of Chaos!   

Breath, Meditation,and Contemplative Practices can deeply 

transform your experience of Self, moment by moment.  Acknowledged as a primary doorway to reducing stress, with dramatic changes occurring in metabolism, blood-pressure, and brain activation, exploring and adding focus in listening to your body's energy and emotions can be pro-active methods in self-care,essential to regulating self-healing and change.

This weekend's approaches include:                               
  • Mindfulness-based Stress-reduction
  • Sitting Meditation
  • Mantras
  • Loving Kindness
  • Walking Meditation
  • and discussion    
 
Click here for full schedule  
 
Presenters

Shirley Barnes
Shirley Barnes
is certified in Hatha Yoga
and Kripalu-style yoga in addition to being a Yamuna� Body Rolling practitioner. Her focus as a teacher is to build a rapport in body ease and well-being. Her personalized yoga style nurtures the whole individual, body, mind and spirit.  

 

Misha Forrester
Misha Forrester
is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais�, and Bones for Life� practitioner and licensed massage therapist with a practice in the Berkshires and serving staff and participants at Kushi Institute.  
An effective method for reclaiming child-like flexibility, ease, and balance, Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement classes  
are transformative for those suffering from injuries or congenital difficulties. Additionally, healthy individuals wishing to move more freely receive fantastic, long-term benefits. The modality is especially important as an effective preventative process for anyone needing sustained bed rest, as it enables one to move (or imagine movement) regardless of one's condition, improving circulation, joint mobility, and well-being.


BettinaBettina Zumdick  Senior Macrobiotic Teacher and Counselor, is a native of the Baltic Sea area of Germany, where she started Macrobiotics in 1985, and simultaneously studied Food Science at the University of Muenster. She has taught and counseled Macrobiotics and other Body-Mind-Spirit related subjects such as meditation, chanting, and intuitive counseling in Europe and the United States for over 25 years. Realizing the complex interconnections between body, mind and spirit, Bettina knows that it is possible to improve your health and to deepen the quality of all your experiences in life. It is her intent to share the knowledge and wisdom of this path for better health, vitality and being able to pursue your most passionate dreams in life.

Front Field with Bench

Begin or Extend Your Stay with an extra day or longer

 

Great opportunities to explore the Berkshires' regional culture and outdoor activities

  • Tanglewood Music Festival 
  • Jacob's Pillow Dance 
  • Mass MOCA Modern Art 
  • Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute 
  • Antiquing 
  • Scenic Railway
  • Swimming & Kayaking
  • Horse back riding
  • Mt. Greylock  
  • Wildlife sanctuaries 

and to receive individual, private sessions (extra fees) at Kushi Institute:

  • Macrobiotic consultations
  • Menu planning 
  • Restorative Massage
  • Feldenkrais Functional Integration  
  • Shiatsu   

Only $75 per person per day includes  housing and ALL meals;

$95 per person per day includes housing and all meals with private bath.   

 

Continue to: 

  • Relax in our serene natural environment
  • Stroll along our scenic country road
  • Enjoy our delicious, whole-foods meals
  • Socialize with like-minded people who focus is on health and natural healing  
Please call for availability 



Program Fee  

Choose your time-frame:  

Thursday evening 
to Sunday morning 
$445 includes all
 
classes and meals
or   
Friday evening
to Sunday morning
$285 includes all  
  classes and meals 

  

Housing Fees*

Thursday evening 
to Sunday morning  
Starting as low as $75 for
 
ALL three nights Thursday
through Saturday

or 
Friday evening
to Sunday morning
Starting as low as $50 for

BOTH nights Friday and Saturday   
 

The above housing fees are for North Hall single room  standard rooms in the main house, or rooms with private bath and/or local, off-campus lodgings are  also available at higher rates.


For more information
and to register
1-800-975-8744 
Int'l: 413-623-6457
[email protected] 

Registration Office and Main House
Kushi Institute 
198 Leland Road 
Becket, MA 01223 

  

www.kushiinstitute.org 

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 Kushi Institute is a federally approved 501-C-3 non-profit educational organization. Discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability is contrary to the principles and policies of Kushi Institute