September17 27,2017 HostedbyLeavesandLizards ArenalVolcanoCabinRetreat CostaRica Contactusformoreinformationat: leavesandlizardsretreat@gmail.com
Eponicityisproudtopartner withmikebodkinand DashielleVawterof RitesofPassagetoexplorethe interconnectionbetweenall livingbeingsthroughthe teachingofthemedicinewheel AboutEponicity Weofferequinefacilitatedlearning workshopsjinteractionbetween horsesandpeopledesignedto createexperientiallearningand development. AboutRitesofPassage WeorganizeVisionQuests an ancientceremonywherepeoplego aloneintothewildernesstolook withinandengageonasacred journey:completionofanoldlife, movementthroughthethresholdof theunknown,andreturntothe worldreborn.theteachingsofthe MedicineWheelareusedtoguide thequest. In#this#ground-breaking#and#unique#experience,# we#will#combine#the#ancient#teachings#of#the# Medicine#Wheel#with#the#ancient#survival# wisdom#of#horses# #a#deep,#profound#and# enlightening#journey.# # 2
Equine Thewayhorsessense,thinkandbehave canhelphumansbetterunderstandhow wesense,thinkandbehave Facilitated Activitiesareuniquelydesigned, facilitatedanddejbriefedtodeliver profoundandpowerfulexperiences ExperientialLearning Havinganexperienceisapowerfulway tolearnandcreatesustainablechange (ratherthanjustbooksorlectures) 3
Themedicinewheel teachesustoknow ourselvesdeeplyandto understandandclaimour placeinitall. Themedicinewheelisa systemthatorganizesand helpsusunderstandtheplace of,andrelationsbetween,all thingswithincreation.from thecycleofseasonstothe rolesofdifferentanimalsin ecosystems,fromthewildness ofchildrentothe responsibilitiesofadulthood; themedicinewheelteachesus tounderstandtheimportance ofeachthingwithinalarger whole. Oneofthegiftsofworking withthemedicinewheelisto reincorporateourhuman identitiesintothelargerwhole ofnature.whilemodernlife seemstochantthatweare separate,themedicinewheel whisperstousofour connectednessand interdependence.thegiftof thisisarestoredsenseof connectionwithalloflifeand thehealingofourown wholenesswithinthat. MedicineWheelsarefoundin manyculturesandvarywidely inhowtheyareorganized basedonthespiritual traditionsfromwhichthey emerge.themedicinewheel wewillworkwithinthis workshopwaspassedthrough theteachingsofhyemyhosts StormtoRitesofPassageand themodernvisionquest movementinthe1970s. 4
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OurjourneytotheSouthernregionoftheMedicineWheeltakesustoour childhoodwherewelearnedtoplay,seeourselvesasindividuals,getintouchwithourhuman form/body.awellbalancedhorseknowshowtoplayandevokesourplayfulandspontaneous childhooddesires,helpingindividualswithburiedchildhoodwoundstoheal. MovingfromtheSouth,lookingtotheWestweenteradolescence,webeginto developourinnerresourcesandfindouruniquenessandsenseofself.inthewestwelearnto feelouremotionsandtoreleasegriefandloss.horseshelpusuncoverblockswithinourselves thatholdusinthewest,inourshadowandthedarkplaces EmergingfromtheresourceswediscoverinourWest,comesourreasoning,our workethic,ourintellectandadulthood.aplacewhereouregomaysuppressourintuitive processes.ournorthgovernsandkeepsresourcesinbalance.withthenorthandthehorsewe willexplorehowtobalanceourlogicwithourintuition. ExplorationoftheEasternshieldoftheMedicineWheeltakesustoourspiritual doorwayofbirthanddeath.itisourunionwiththedivine.itisspringandsunrise.thehorse willshowustheeastbyopeningandawakeningourintuitivesenses,leadingusintoour spiritualconnectiontotheenergeticworldaroundus. 6
Beyond#the#veils#of#language#and# the#noise#of#activity,## the#most#profound#events#of#our# lives#take#place## in#those#fleeting#moments#where# something#else#shines#through,## something#that#can#never#be#fixed# in#language,## something#given#as#quietly#as#the# gift#of#your#next#breath. # JJohnO Donahue,Theologist 7
Im so grateful for the experience I had at Leaves and Lizards. It was truly a life changing experience that I couldnt have anticipated. Being surrounded by such love from all the horses, waking up to a stunning view of the volcano, eating delicious organic meals and working with such amazing facilitators (Debbie, Sally, Dashielle and Mike) was healing on so many levels. My overall experience of this workshop in 3 words is sacred, exhilarating and unforgettable!!!! All of us felt supported, physically, emotionally and mentally and certainly spiritually. To be directly in contact with nature and horses, in such a beautiful environment with gorgeous accommodation and wonderful food, it just doesn t get any better.! I am going to be honest. Your retreat is the best thing I ever participated in...also, I am aware of a new inner space of my perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and definitely the dreams. They help reveal the truth of my life as it is while sensing the truth in my life and connection to others beyond my imagination. And yes, I am able to picture new solutions in my life with imagination.!! Equine facilitated learning and the medicine wheel is a perfect combination for profound and meaningful self work. The guides from Leaves and Lizards and Rites of Passage do a fabulous job at creating a hands-on activity-filled workshop that promotes personal growth and the gaining of valuable life wisdom, while balancing down time for rest, play, exploration and rejuvenation. I felt cared for, seen and heard - and thats how well they treat their horses too! You will deeply connect with these divine creatures, with the Costa Rican jungle, and with the guides and other participants. I highly recommend this event and it is most definitely money well spent. And now theres even a pool - bonus!! The horses are extraordinarily genuine, compassionate and giving - their interaction with me brought out feelings I had not expected to surface and I worked through blocks and identified barriers I didnt even know were there. Working with the horses in the group dynamic was also a fascinating mirror to how I show up in other life situations.! 8
WhathappensatEponicityRetreats? Youwillexperienceuniquelydesignedactivitieswiththehorses,bothonthe groundandinthesaddle Nopriorhorseexperienceisnecessary Whatdotheseactivitiesinvolve? Activitiesaredynamicandwillbetailoredforyoupersonallytosupportyour individuallearningprocess AllexercisesareexpertlyfacilitatedanddeJbriefedtomaximizeyourlearning potential.anexampleactivityislearningtobuildarelationshipwithyour horseonthegroundsothathefollowsyoufreelywithoutanyleadropeor bridle Whatisdifferentaboutthisone? ThisretreatwillincorporatetheteachingsoftheMedicineWheelintothe horseexperienceforaprofoundandfarjreachingjourneyofthesoul Wehavetwofantasticguestfacilitatorswho,withtheirbreadthanddepthof visionandexperience,willaddawholenewdimension 9
MichaelBodkin,M.S.,MFT,isapsychotherapistandwildernessguidewhohasbeenthe ExecutiveDirectorofRitesofPassageforover25years.Hispassionisleadingpeopleto themirrorofnaturetodiscoverthegiftsoftheirsoul.heholdsexpertknowledgeofthe MedicineWheelbringingthisancientspiritualpracticetomoderndaylife.Hedirectsthe guidetrainingprogramsforritesofpassageandhasledvisionquestsandtrainingsin placesasdiverseassouthkoreaandaustralia. DashielleVawterisaVisionQuestguide,coach,singer,minister,facilitator,and mountainguide.8yearsago,afteraspiritualawakening,shelefthernonjprofitcareer pathandbeganajourneyofselfjdiscoveryandexplorationaimedatreturningtoher heartandherowndeepestpassions.whiletheroadhasbeenwindingandwild,her personalgrowthworkledtotheemergenceofhercoachingpracticeandtheuncovering ofmusicasadeepandabidinglove.whileworkingasamountainguide5yearsago, shediscoveredthevisionquestceremonyandherfirstexperiencesquestingwerekey inherownprocessoftransformationandhealing.aftertrainingandapprenticingwith MikeBodkin,shenowhelpsfacilitatethisprocessasaguide.Singingandsongwriting areherdeepestpassions,alongwithsupportingotherpeopleinclaimingtheirown uniqueandbeautifulpaths. DeborahDravesLeggleftherlifeintheUSAanda25yearcareerasaregisterednursein 2006andcreatedLeavesandLizardsArenalVolcanoCabinRetreatinCostaRicawithher husband,artist,stevelegg.heryearsworkingaschargenurseandtransportnursein NeonatalICU,PediatricICU,AdultHospice,Directorandfounderofapediatrichomecare programpreparedherforthechallengeofcreatingthishealingretreatincentralamerica. HorsesfoundtheirwayintoDeborah slifeserendipitouslyafterthemovetocostarica. Littlebylittleastheherdgrewto20plushorsessodidtheequinetherapyprograms. SallyNilssonisanexpertfacilitator,certifiedexecutivecoach,experiencedmentorand instructorineponaquesthorsejledleadershipandpersonaldevelopmentactivities.sally spent15yearsasacorporateattorneyinlondonandhongkong,startinghercareerina leadinggloballawfirmandculminatingasgeneralcounselofamultijbillioneuropeanrealj estateinvestmentfirm.shesteppedoffthedealjunkypathin2015tofollowherpassionand focusherfullattentiononsupportingotherstofindandaccessthelifetheytrulywant and tobelievethat,likeher,theycancreateit. 10
Vinculo isaspanishwordmeaningadeepunexplainableconnection betweentwosouls.ateponicity,wesupportthehorse/humaninteraction withrelationshipjbasedhorsemanship Whenwelistentowhatourhorseshavetosay,ourrelationshippotential withthemisinfinite Wehave25horses,wholivetogetherasaherdon26acres.Wegrowmost oftheirfood,cuttingfreshgrassforthemdaily.werideinbitjless painj free bridles itisveryimportanttoustohavehappy,healthyhorses 11
LeavesandLizardsisasanctuaryintherainforest atthebaseofthearenalvolcano,costarica. Surroundedbygloriousnature,awayfromthestressesofdailylife,guestsare nourishedwithfarmjtojtablefreshfood,naturalwater,comfortable accommodationsandmassage,allprovidedbycaringstaffonjsite www.leavesandlizards.com 12
Whatiskeepingyoufrombeingyourbestself? TakeajourneyaroundtheMedicineWheeltofeel, heal,andrestoreyourtrueandwholeself Eponicity2015 www.leavesandlizards.com 13
Eponicity2015 Retreat includes: Dates: Duration Cost Additionalnights Notincluded 8dayworkshopplus2additionalnightsofstay Dailyworkshopactivities,tuition,materials, horsesandguides 5hoursofmassageservices Foodandaccommodation* September17K27,2017 ArrivalatLeavesandLizardsonorbeforeSeptember17. DepartureonSeptember27inthemorning(departingflights todayshouldleaveafter1pm) Workshop:8days,nightsofstay:10 $2899/person Doubleoccupancyat$150/nightplus13%tax,includesbreakfast Flights,airporttransfers,tips,alcoholicdrinks *Dinneronnightsof17 th and26 th Bookyourplacenowbycontactinguson: leavesandlizardsretreat@gmail.com FormoreinformationonequinefacilitatedlearningclickHERE 14