A Yeti Mountain Home holiday in partnership with Bob Rosenbaum

MOUNTAIN MINDA ZEN AND QIGONG RETREAT IN THE NEPAL HIMALAYA

w w w . y e t i m o u n t a i n h o m e . c o m

Departure DatesMM. 1. Sunday March 17th to Tuesday April 2nd 2013

Mountain Mind is about developing the spiritual and the sensory; balancing the

inner with the outer worlds. Work with a renowned Zen practice leader, Qigong teacher

and trained counsellor at a stunning mountain retreat in the heart of the Himalaya

under the eyes of Everest. Develop your meditation practice through a blend of

group sessions and individual support, sometimes moving sometimes sitting,

experiencing the raw magnificence of the high mountain environment and its

peoples.

Staying in the beautiful Yeti Mountain Home lodges we enjoy the clean sheets, hot

showers and other comforts of modern living cloaked in the warmth of traditional

décor and legendary Sherpa hospitality.

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The essence of Mountain Mind is about re-balancing and re-connecting. This means:

• Daily qigong sessions to warm you up but not wipe you out;

• Fantastic trekking that is exhilarating but not exhausting;

• Some time to yourself as well as time with others;

• Taught group meditation alongside space for self-practice;

• Sitting and walking meditation techniques;

• Lots of locally-sourced, beautifully cooked food that’s tasty but not heavy;

• Places to visit and people to meet or time just to sit and enjoy

Trip Summary:• A 17 day trek and meditation holiday in the

Everest region, Nepal

• Meditation, Qigong, Zen guidance andsupport from Meikyo Bob Rosenbaum

• Time and space to develop your own practice

• Optional counselling and goal setting for post-trip continuation

• 7 days’ guided (moderate) trekking + 5 daysbased at a high mountain lodge

• Experienced trek leader and full trek crewsupport

• 12 nights traditional Sherpa hospitality inluxury mountain lodges; 4 nights hotel

• Locally sourced, delicious meals; transfers;permits all included

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Departure DatesMarch 2013

This is a one-off holiday offer for 2013: the trip starts on Sunday March 17th 2013 when we meet in Kathmandu. We depart for our home countries on Tuesday 2nd April.

We are taking bookings now.

“Because mountains are

high and broad, the way of

riding the clouds is always

reached in the mountains;

the inconceivable subtle

power of soaring in the

wind comes freely from the

mountains.”

– Eihei Dogen, c.1250

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Who is a Mountain Mind Retreat for? Anyone who finds big mountain environments

inspiring and uplifting; anyone who wishes to

develop their meditation practice whether you’ve

recently started or have been practicing for many

years (ideally you will have some experience both

of group-led and self-led practice); anyone with a

reasonable level of fitness (for the trekking) and who

is in good health; anyone who is at a change point

in their life or who wishes to focus some time and

energy on moving towards a new personal goal or

an area of personal development.

You don’t need to be a mountaineer but are probably

someone who regularly enjoys day hikes in local hills

– you may have even done some trekking before

The trip will run with a minimum of 6 and maximum

of 14 people.

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The TrekA short, spectacular flight to Lukla’s tiny

airstrip brings us into the clear mountain

air and lush green hillsides of the Khumbu:

home of the Sherpa, our hosts here.

Following the gushing glacial waters of the

Dudh Khosi through prayer flag decked

villages and rhododendron forest we trek

up to the Sherpa capital, Namche Bazaar

high up in alpine meadows beneath

the snowy peaks of the world’s highest

mountains. From Namche we move on

to Thame at 3800m (12,467 ft) where

we’ll spend 5 days exploring the area: the

ethereal ancient monastery; the hamlets

up towards the Nangpa La and Cho Oyu;

glacial landscapes beneath Ramdung

and Pachermo and maybe even spend an

overnight at YMH Kongde, perched high

above the clouds staring into the eyes of

Everest. From Thame we retrace our steps

descending to the warmer valley slopes

and thence to Lukla and out to Kathmandu.

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Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,265ft). Transfer to the group hotel. Meet up for welcome drinks. Initial briefing. Dinner

Day 2: Full Day Kathmandu: sightseeing and gallery visits. We’ll see some of the capital’s most impressive temples and sites. In the afternoon there’ll be a meditation session with Bob and a session to establish your goals for the trip.

Day 3: Fly Kathmandu-Lukla & trek to Phakding (2,610m) 3 hours trekking. Descending from the Lukla spur through pretty villages we then follow the river up and down to Phakding. In the afternoon we can visit a small monastery just above the village.

Day 4: Trek to Monjo (2850m): 2 hours trekking. We may choose to start today with a Qigong session.

A short walk along the Dudh Kosi snatching glimpses of Thamserku, Kusum Kungri and other majestic peaks. The afternoon is free for meditation practice with Bob.

Day 5: Monjo to Namche Bazaar (3,440m) 4 hours trekking. Passing through the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park we then make the steady ascent zig zagging through the pine forests to the high open fells of Namche Bazaar.

Day 6: Namche acclimatisation walk 3 hours trekking. It’s important to gain a little height today to help our bodies adjust to the altitude. So following our morning warm up with Bob, we take a short walk up to a spectacular view point. In the afternoon there’s a session with Bob and time to explore this bustling small town.

Itinerary

continued...

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Day 7: Namche to Thame (3800m) 4-5 hours. Climbing up past Namche gompa we turn off the main Everest trail through beautiful rhododendron and pine forest following the high valley side to Thame. We may stop at Thamo nunnery for lunch.

Day 8 - 12: Thame day hikes and qigong /meditation sessions (includes optional overnight at Kongde). These days form the main retreat and are a mix of practice, support and short trips to Thame monastery, yak farm, home visits etc and maybe even some yeti tracking....

Day 13: Trek to Monjo (3440m). We descend back through Namche where there’ll be time for last minute souvenir shopping and lunch.

Day 14: Trek to Lukla (2850m). Retracing our footsteps along the Dudh Kosi we relish the lush greenery after our time in the high hills. There’s a sting in the tail for the final ascent to Lukla

Day 15: Fly to Kathmandu. Transfer to the group hotel. There’ll be the offer of practice sessions plus a reflection on the trip and talking through next steps.

Day 16: Free day in Kathmandu - hotel. We can organise temple visits. You may want to use the time to shop or to work on your own practice started in the hills.

Day 17: Transfer to the airport. Departure from Kathmandu

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A Typical Day on the Trail (to and from Thame)

Wake up to a hot drink brought to your room

by our lovely Sherpa team. Come down

to the lounge (or lawn) for a meditation /

qigong session. Pack your bags and get

ready for the day then enjoy a leisurely

breakfast whilst we suggest the practice

guidelines for today’s walk – maybe focus

on breath, mindfulness or a personal

question you want to explore. The porters

will arrive as you’re breakfasting to carry

your trek bag up to our next overnight stop.

We usually walk for an hour or so before

taking a break and of course there are lots

of wonderful views, people and interesting

stop opportunities along the way too. We

reach our next lodge in time for a late

lunch then check into our rooms and relax

for a while. During the afternoon there’s an

opportunity to have a short check-in chat

with Bob and some group practice. You

might feel like exploring the local village

and hills or just having some ‘me’ time. We

re-group again for drinks, discussion and

reflections around the fire before dinner.

Evening meal is a three course meal –

local style or Western, there’s plenty of

variety and lots of taste! We tend to drift

off to bed fairly early although a quick

peek outside at the night sky, particularly

higher up where the heavens are really

ablaze with stars, can be a late night treat

before sleep.

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Each day will be formatted differently

according to the needs of the group and

its members, but a meditation session will

be offered each morning and afternoon,

and there will be a daily qigong practice.

In addition Bob will provide will comprise a

start-up group session led by Bob; aeach

morning suggesting aed practice theme or

technique for the day and will be available

for one-to-one check-ins and chats. We’ll

also meet as a group in the evening to

reflect on the day.

Each day we’ll also offer a guided walk; a

lead-walk option and some alone time.;

some practice time; a one-to-one check-

in chat and group reflections. ThisWe’ll

balances the structured activities with

space where we don’t schedule anything

in particular: it’s up to you what happens –

snooze, practice, explore, chat… whatever

takes your fancy.

By keeping the programme here flexible

and variable we hope to be able to support

you whether this is your first foray into

meditation or the mountains or you have

many years’ experience of both or either.

At Thame we’ll have a Himalayan Healers

masseur and therapist available to book

treatments with if you wish.

Time at Thame

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ABOUT BOB ROSENBAUM (meditation and practice leader)

Robert Rosenbaum, Ph.D. is a clinical

psychologist and neuropsychologist in the

San Francisco Bay Area, a senior teacher

of Dayan (“Wild Goose”) Qigong assisting

Master Hui Liu, and a senior student of Sojun

Mel Weitsman at the Berkeley Zen Center,

where he has also been shuso (head student),

director of meditation retreats and chair of

the Ethics Committee. He is the author of

numerous articles and Zen and the Heart of

Psychotherapy. His latest book, Walking the

Way: 81 Zen Encounters with the Tao Te Ching

is scheduled for publication in Spring 2013

Bob has given presentations and workshops

throughout the United States; in Nepal, India,

Australia, Japan, Europe, and South America.

As a father of two daughters; a musician; a

former resident of India, Japan, and Peru;

and an avid hiker of the Himalayas and

the California Sierras, he brings a wealth

of experience to the moment-by-moment

harmonization of body, mind, and spirit.

http://www.zenqigong.com/Zen_Qigong/Profile.

html

Bob Rosenbaum Meditation and Practice Leader

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ABOUT JO CHAFFER (trek leader and coach)

Jo has been playing in the hills and high ranges

of the world for over 20 years. After cutting her

teeth on the rugged but low hills and crags of

the UK she spent 5 years in the snow fields

of the French and Swiss Alps telemarking

the winters away and running, biking and

climbing through the sunny summers through

a successful holiday enterprise. Some time

spent back in the UK in the early 2000s saw

Jo complete her Mountain Leader award

and start to lead commercial treks, primarily

for KE Adventure. Since then she has been

combining leading treks for families, groups

and schools worldwide with a flourishing career

as an international development trainer, coach

and consultant. She has been Nepal-based

for the last 3 years and is a qualified NLP

Coach Practitioner with a background in group

psychodynamics, TA and positive psychology.

Outdoor qualifications: ML (summer) UK;

Current Outdoor First Aid Certificate; Wilderness

Paramedic

www.korakoru.com

www.korakorujourneys.com

Jo Chaffer Trek Leader and Coach

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About Yeti Mountain Homes

Yeti Mountain Homes are a group of luxury lodges situated in the Khumbu/

Everest region of Nepal. They are owned by a local family offering the

full warmth of a traditional Sherpa welcome with the comfort of the best

boutique hotels: crisp linen sheets, en-suites with hot showers, cosy

lounges with log fires and well-stocked bars; local and international cuisine

from our talented chefs…. Yeti Mountain Home lodges offer a high-class,

high mountain experience beyond compare. There are 6 lodges from the riverside to the

mountain joined by some magical trekking under the snowy peaks of the world’s highest

mountain range.

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US$ 4390 per person on a single room basis

US$ 3900 per person on a twin sharing basis

What’s included: all meals, all transfers, all

in-country transport, permits and Park fees;

all meditation, qigong and counselling stretch

sessions; pre-trip information and guidance; post-

trip follow up session; Kathmandu sightseeing;

guide and porters; drinking water on trek; a Yeti

Mountain Home trek bag and cap; Khumbu map;

practice mats at the lodges

What’s not included: insurance; Nepal visa; tips

for staff; personal equipment and gear; money for

souvenirs; drinks; any massage treatments

The Price

Mountain Meditation Retreat 17 day holiday

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How to Book

To ensure the Mountain Meditation Retreat is right for you and in the interest of keeping

a balance in the group we have a four step booking system:

1. Complete the online registration of interest form and submit

2. Bob will contact you by email and arrange to have a short Skype / phone

conversation. This conversation will be a chance for you to find out more about

the retreat, the trek etc; for Bob to find out more about you and your interest /

experience of meditation and qigong and also to talk through what you would like to

get out of the trip e.g. goals, changes

3. We’ll confirm your place along with a summary of the conversation and ask you to

secure your place with a deposit. Should the trip not run due to insufficient numbers

we will refund this deposit.

4. Once the trip is guaranteed to run we’ll ask for payment in full. This will be Saturday

January 19th 2013 at the latest. Only book your international flight once the trip is

guaranteed to run. We’ll send more detailed joining information at this point, gear

list and some tips on how to best prepare.

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Trekking equipment and gear: we’ll provide you with a complete gear list for trekking in the Himalaya when you book. Much of the trekking gear you’ll need can be purchased in Kathmandu before your trip, but you should allow extra time for this.

Nepal country information and visas: for European, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand visitors you can either purchase a visa in advance from the Nepalese Embassy in your home country of buy one on arrival at Tribhuvan Airport, Kathmandu. A 30 day visa currently costs $40pp payable in USD or Nepali Rupees. You’ll need a passport photograph.

Money: on trek you’ll need approximately £250 / $300 in Nepali Rupees for miscellaneous expenses and tips for the porters and staff. It is not necessary to obtain local currency prior to departure. Sterling, US Dollars and Euros are equally acceptable for exchange in Nepal. There are ATMs all across Kathmandu where you can safely withdraw local currency. We also recommend you carry some additional currency with you ‘just in case’. Snacks and souvenirs are available in nearly all the villages we trek through. Please be aware that since everything has to be carried up from the nearest road, these items become more expensive as you gain altitude.

Massage and Therapy Services: We‘d like to offer you massage and other wellbeing treatments through our partners Himalaya Healers for the duration of your stay in Thame. Himalayan Healers is a Healing Arts School and collection of Spa Boutiques,

with branches in both Nepal and in the United States. It is the only project in the world that trains “Untouchables” in the Healing Arts. We have a qualified, experienced masseuse in residence at YMH Thame for the duration

of your stay offering a range of massage and other well-being treatments.

Insurance:

please make sure you have suitable medical, rescue and evacuation insurance for this trip and check that this includes helicopter rescue. Many of our clients use the BMC and Snowcard (for UK residents).

Health and well-being:

please check with your doctor and travellers web sites for the latest information and advice on health care for travel in Nepal. You may need to top up vaccinations before you travel.

Have a look at the FCO site for up to date travel advice.

Porter welfare:Nepal is a country where carrying is part of the traditional way of life and in the mountain areas it is also an important source of income for families. Trek porters are well-respected and also well represented by local unions. All the porters we employ are paid at nationally agreed rates, properly equipped and trained (in health and safety, basic medicine etc). In addition YMH porters have access to the Pasang Lamu Foundation Hospital at Lukla (supported by YMH).

Additional Information

A touch of NepalHIMALAYAN HEALERS