Experience women's retreat on Jeju Island

Cho Haein, former therapist and yoga teacher of 14 years is the facilitator of the Goddess Yoga Retreat on Jeju Island, which will take place March 1 to 3. / Courtesy of Cho Haein

By Celeste Kriel

Cho Haein, a yoga and spiritual teacher, will be hosting a Goddess Yoga Retreat, a women's retreat from March 1 to 3 on Jeju Island. A former therapist and a yoga teacher of 14 years, Cho will provide an intimate space for women to come together to experience healing and community through yoga, movement, various healing arts and ceremonies on the beautiful resort island.

With a mantra of three powerful words, “evoke, empower, embody” Cho invites women to the retreat to explore themselves and the power of movement and expression.

“Through our retreats, I am devoted to hold a sacred space where we will be deeply nourished, celebrated and honored for who we are. We will sleep under the starry sky, nourish ourselves with organic meals from the garden, sing around the fire and dance under the moonlight,” she said.

Born in South Korea and growing up in a spiritual community in South India, Cho was naturally exposed to yoga. She found that yoga was not only a physical practice based on asana (physical postures) but rather a holistic vehicle for self-exploration, self-healing and self-care.

“Taking care of our body is one part of yoga but it is also about meditation, mindfulness, being aware, becoming the witness, paying attention to what is happening within you and outside of you,” she said.

There are many aspects to the women's retreat. “First the retreat focuses on the body. Getting in touch and finding respect for your body, and finding your body as an immediate source of inspiration and expression,” she explained.

“What goes together with body is voice ― it implies creativity, but also suppressed feelings, emotions and anything you haven't been able to share and say. “

The retreat welcomes women with a cacao ceremony. Throughout the weekend there will be various offerings, classes and experiences that offer a space of expression, self-inquiry and community including a sacred circle, acroyoga, a creativity session, massage, a fire ceremony, tantra yoga, dance and a space for reflection.

One of the most important aspects of the retreat is the sense of sisterhood and community.

“It always starts with a sense of community, we are all in this together, a safe container and from there we explore, we discover, cry, shed, laugh, express and find a way to channel those energies through voice, movement, drawing, writing and speaking.”

She has been teaching yoga for 14 years, acroyoga for seven years as well as meditation in workshops, at retreats and festivals and classes around the world. The price of the retreat is 350,000 won, and if you come with your friends, you will receive a 15 percent discount.

Visit movingyogis.com for more information.