Welcome to INTRA 2023

 

We will soon be together in beautiful Cordova, Alaska, at the inaugural INTRA. Thank you for wholeheartedly committing to this experience! We envision it as a journey of beauty, restoration, and self-discovery. INTRA was intentionally crafted to be transformative, an opportunity to reconnect, breathe deeply, and embark on a journey that's uniquely yours.

Amidst the glacially carved mountains and pristine beaches of Prince William Sound, you can design your own intentional experience, taking precisely what you desire from it. This is your time for self-nurture, and you are welcome here exactly as you are.

We're excitedly preparing to welcome you! Upon arriving at the airport on Friday (Flight 66 - Alaska Airlines), the Orca Adventure Lodge shuttle will greet you.

What to pack for INTRA -

  • Comfortable clothing that feels good for your yoga and meditation practices

  • Meditation cushion or bolster if you have a specific one that you prefer (we will provide other bolsters)

  • Meditation blocks if blocks are important for your practice (we may have a limited number of blocks)

  • Layers and more layers! We will spend some time outside, and Cordova is known for the elements!

  • Rain gear - Guests can participate in a morning meditation on the beach, and we recommend having rain gear in light rain. Rain gear will also be useful for the outdoor activity on Saturday. If rain pants aren’t your thing, a raincoat should suffice for the outdoor activity.

  • Hiking boots (shoes appropriate for hiking and some moisture)

  • Swimsuit for the sauna if saunas are your thing!

  • Any medications you may need - Cordova has limited options, and the lodge is located outside of town.

  • Tevas, crocks, or sandals that would work well for wading into the ocean. This is completely optional, but guests will be invited to participate in a silent letting-go ceremony. The final step in the ceremony involves wading into the ocean water on the beach. The beach is rocky so to avoid any discomfort, we recommend bringing shoes for this ceremony if you wish to have the option to participate.

  • Extra set of yoga or comfortable clothing just in case you get wet during the letting go ceremony and/or decide to walk further into the water.

  • Sunglasses (we’ll try to manifest the sun!)

  • A light blanket if you tend to get cold outdoors at night. We will have a group bonfire with fun treats and drinks on Saturday night. We’ll all be dressed in layers, of course, but if you tend to get chilly no matter what at night outside - feel free to bring what you need to be comfortable.

  • Anything else you need to be comfortable with during your stay at the lodge, during your practice, etc.

  • An extra blanket for restorative yoga (what is available may be limited in number)

  • Robe for the beachside sauna experience (for walking between your room and the sauna)

What INTRA will provide / what you don’t need to bring -

  • Yoga mat for each guest

  • Meditation pillows and bolsters (what is available may be limited in number)

  • Yoga mat cleaning spray

  • INTRA journal for your retreat experience (for you to keep)

  • Welcome bag with self-care goodies inside

  • All meals throughout your stay at the lodge

  • Yoga blocks (what is available may be limited in number)

Retreat recommendations and expectations -

  • We strongly encourage you to participate in all aspects of the retreat unless you feel physically unable or uncomfortable. To maximize the benefits of any retreat, participation is encouraged. Please don’t hesitate to speak with Ceasar (instructor) or Rachel (host) about any questions, concerns, or assistance. No question or concern is too small. We are here to support your retreat journey and want it to benefit you in all ways.

  • At INTRA, we hold a sacred space for self-discovery, healing, and transformation. We kindly request that all our guests honor each participant’s journey. This type of retreat can evoke emotions, past experiences, stories, and personal healing. We believe in the power of empathy and respect. Therefore, we ask that you approach every interaction compassionately, recognizing that each individual's path is unique. In this nurturing environment, we encourage an atmosphere of trust and confidentiality. What is shared within our retreat community should remain within it out of respect for everyone's vulnerability and personal journey. Your commitment to these principles ensures that every participant feels safe, supported, and free to explore their path to self-discovery. Similarly, no one is expected to share openly if that is not their desire. Together, we create a space where people can show up and take what they need uniquely.

  • We strongly encourage you to enjoy as much time screen-free as possible during the 48 hours you will be with us at INTRA. This will help you stay as in touch and tune as possible. Not to mention, a 48-hour screen detox is a good idea every once in a while! To facilitate this for you, we will provide a locked box for phones if you wish to do a full detox. If you wish to go for this option, please provide an emergency phone number to any family members or others who can text or call should they need to reach you. This way, you will not be worried about being unreachable in the event of some emergency. The phone number you can provide family/friends in an emergency is 907-317-1389. That phone number belongs to Martha with the INTRA team. If a loved one needs you and texts or calls, Martha will alert you immediately to call them.

  • No cell phones will be allowed in the meditation space at any time. Please leave them in your room in the lodge. If you wish to bring them to take photos outside the meditation room, we completely understand wanting to document your time. A safe box will be available at the entryway to the meditation space, where you can place your phone (fully powered off) at the start of each session. Feel free to share your phone number above with anyone needing to reach you in an emergency. We understand many of you have children and want you to feel fully focused and supported simultaneously!

  • We will provide all guests with a liability waiver for signature. This simple waiver acknowledges that guests participate in all activities at their own risk.

 

Questions or concerns? Please email Rachel and Hanna as soon as possible: rachel@kallanderassociates.com / hanna@toastofthetownak.com