FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
As this Solstice Chakra Reset will be taking place in Jamaica and many of you may be new to the land, we imagine you may also have several questions. Accordingly, we have prepared some answers to anticipated questions below. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact us at JamaicaYogaRetreats@gmail.com
Q - How do I register/where do I sign up?
A - How to Register: There are 2 simple steps to registering for your retreat:
First select your accommodations package and follow the prompts to confirm your booking by making either a deposit or full payment via PayPal.
Second, after selecting your accommodations and making a deposit/payment, please complete a corresponding registration form with your personalized retreat information.
Q - What is a Solstice Chakra Reset?
A - Yoga is a systematic spiritual practice that teaches us how to deepen our connection to inner selves, through breath work, mindful movement, engaged philosophy, and embodied praxis. The Chakras are a knowledge system and energy centers that have been passed onto us from ancient African, South Asian, and indigenous civilizations. Similar to yoga, the Chakra system is a tool that brings us into an energetic understanding of our inner selves. Placed in conversation with each other, yoga and the chakras allow us to tap into our highest selves and achieve our highest purpose. This is why Empress Thandi and Sheena Sood decided to birth and curate a Solstice Chakra Reset. This wellness reset is designed as a 5-day retreat that is designed for participants to connect with the land, culture and people of Jamaica; to deepen their journey to self; to learn some practices and life hacks for everyday wellness; to apply ancient wisdom systems to their personal lives, relationships and purposeful work; and to experience an unforgettable and sacred adventure at the start of the 2020 decade.
Q - I have never practiced yoga before, but I am interested in attending. Is that permitted?
A - Yes, we certainly will not restrict participants from attending the retreat based on previous practice of and familiarity with yoga. We will be practicing twice per day, so if you are new to the practice, your body will be challenged. At the same time, participants will be encouraged to practice to their own limit/capacity. The morning yoga sessions will be gentle, Hatha-inspired practices, and the evening sessions will be restorative and oriented toward contemplative mindfulness. While the retreat asks that participants commit to showing up in body, mind, and spirit for the entire retreat period, the sessions will definitely be offered at a beginners level and catered to all levels of practice. Participants should talk to the curators if they have further questions about their own capacity and commitment, but ultimately, please know the decision to participate is ultimately yours.
Q - When does the retreat begin and end?
A - The retreat begins on Tuesday, June 16th at 6:00 pm with a tour of Jake’s, opening circle and welcome dinner. The retreat ends on Sunday, June 21st no later than 12:00 pm. Housing accommodations cover the nights of June 16th, 17th, 18th 19th, and 20th. Check in on the 16th is at 3:00 pm. Check out on the 21st is at 11:00 am.
Participants who want to take advantage of the included roundtrip ground transportation pick-up through their retreat package should book their air travel to arrive at Montego Bay Airport on June 16th no later than 2 pm.
While we understand travel itineraries vary based on an assortment of reasons, participants must book their airfare accommodations to/from Montego Bay Airport for their ground transportation to be included.
We will have a formal closing ceremony on the night of June 20th, but we will also offer an additional closing yoga class on the morning of Sunday, June 21st, to conclude by 9:00 am. For those who wish to partake in the final yoga class, please plan to book your return flights accordingly (with enough time to account for transportation to the airport and airport check-in). June 16th for arrival flights and on June 21st for departure flights.
Q - What is the cost to participate in the 5-day Solstice Chakra Reset?
A - The cost of the retreat varies based on the package that participants select. Please click here to see all the variety of accommodations available, ranging in cost from as low as $870/participant to $2,150/participant to accommodate all budgets.
Q - Is the retreat all-inclusive?
A - The retreat includes accommodations, yoga teachings and excursions for all participants. It is also all-inclusive with meals covered for participants who register their accommodations at Jakes Hotel (All Ocean View, Garden View, and Cottage options). Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner meals are covered at a limit of $75/day at any of the following three restaurants: Jakes Hotel’s in-house restaurant, Jack Sprat Restaurant, or Lovers Leap. The retreat does not include meals for participants who register their accommodations at Jack Sprat Motel (across the street), with the exception of meals and snacks included for off-site excursions. For participants who book one of the retreat packages at Jack Sprat Motel, they can explore on their own for meal options, or they can pay an additional $75/day ($375 for entire retreat) for meals at Jakes Hotel’s in-house restaurant.
Q - Where will I be staying?
A - This retreat includes housing. Participants will stay at Jake’s Hotel Treasure Beach, which is located along 7 acres of coast line. Additional amenities at Jakes include guest access to a salt water swimming pool, an oceanfront yoga deck, Driftwood Spa, an in-house restaurant, life guards on duty, indoor reception and lounge areas, and the ease of a beach in your backyard.
Q - Will I be sharing a room or can I have a room by myself?
A - Participants will have the option to book either single, double, quad or dorm-style accommodations at Jakes Hotel and Jack Sprat Motel. Cost varies according to the retreat package you select.
Q - Will downtime be incorporated into the retreat?
A - Yes! There are a couple days where we have excursions planned to the waterfalls, Wisdom Preserve Farm and Lovers Leap, but there will also be a couple days with whole afternoons and evenings of free time! Check out the beach, local restaurants; make a wellness appointment at Driftwood Spa where you get a 20% discount; rest on a hammock with a book or journal; go on a hike, or rent a bicycle! It’s up to you!
Q - Can I arrive at Jakes before the retreat begins or stay after it ends?
A - You are more than welcome to arrive earlier than the retreat or leave after, but all reservations must be arranged and confirmed directly with Jakes Hotel management staff if you plan to stay there, or of course with wherever your subsequent destinations take you!
Q - I really want to participate, but I cannot pay all of the cost upfront. Is there a payment plan?
A - Yes. As long as you make a 50% deposit by March 31st and final payment by April 30th, 2020, registered participants can make regular payments via PayPal or check.
Q - What is the deposit?
A - 50% payment of your selected retreat package is due upon registration to secure your spot in the retreat. Check the booking dropdown tab for details on how to send a secure payment.
Q - Which airport should I fly to?
A - We strongly recommend you fly into Montego Bay Airport. It is closer in distance to Treasure Beach and transit time is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. Should for some reason, you need to fly into Kingston airport, talk to us about additional charges.
Q - Who do I contact for my airport pick-up/drop-off?
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Once you book your flight, please send the following flight details to us at: jamaicayogaretreats@gmail.com
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Airline carrier,
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Arrival information: Date, Flight number, Expected Time of Arrival
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Departure Information: Date, Flight Number, Departure time.
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(Preferred but not required): A photo of you (so we can forward it to the Taxi driver for them to easily find you at the airport).
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PLEASE SEND your flight itineraries no later than May 1st, 2020. Once we group your arrival/departure times into a cohesive list, we will forward your itineraries to Jakes. Please note that that ground transportation is arranged via an airport shuttle. Because Jakes Treasure Beach is over 2 hours from MBJ airport, Jakes arranges airport pick up/drop off in groups of 4. While we will do our best to minimize wait times (and will try to accommodate you as best as possible), participants may arrive at the airport and be asked to wait for up to 3 hours for their arrival/return flights.
For those participants who arrive before June 16th/depart after June 21st: Jakes Treasure Beach can include the ground transportation pick-up for June 15th but this guarantee is dependent on how many participants arrive on the 15th and/or 16th (if at least 4 participants arrive on the 15th and a group can be established, it is included). If not, we can still help arrange for the airport shuttle, but participants may be asked to cover part or all of the airport shuttle costs, which is generally around $110.
Q - Where is Treasure Beach?
A - Treasure Beach is located along the southern coast of Jamaica in St. Elizabeth’s Parish, the farming belt of the island. Significantly removed from the traditional “tourist areas” in Jamaica, Treasure Beach is known as the home of Community Tourism and boasts several fishing villages along its coast. As an unspoiled town, Treasure Beach offers visitors an authentic glimpse into Jamaican culture and lifestyle. It offers both a serene and relaxing atmosphere, as well as the beauty of sandy beaches, stunning sunsets, vibrant coral reefs, magical starlit nights, friendly locals, rich farmland, delicious cuisine and mountainous views.
Q - Are the beaches safe to swim in?
A - Yes! Because of the coral reef and layout of the coast, some beaches in Treasure Beach are designated as safe for swimming, while others are reserved for fisherman. The beaches at Jakes Hotel and Jack Sprat have lifeguards on duty and present daily between 9 am – 5 pm. As well, there are other beaches in the area, some are more suitable for swimming than others. Some of the beaches are located in private bays.
Q - Is Jamaica safe?
A - Jamaica is largely a safe area to visit. Treasure Beach is undoubtedly one of the friendliest areas in Jamaica and offers a welcoming and comfortable experience. Tourists are more likely to find someone willing to help rather than harm or hassle them. Treasure Beach is a mostly rural town that boasts a tight-knit community. People know each other here, and that helps locals and tourists stay accountable to each other.
Q - Will the retreat be LGBTQ+ friendly?
A - Absolutely. We welcome participants of all sexual orientations and gender identities to the retreat.
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What if I want to arrive a day or two before the retreat begins and leave a day or two after the retreat ends? A A- We figure folks will be asking this question, and we definitely understand why participants may want to arrive early for or stay after the Solstice Chakra Reset! While ground transportation and housing accommodations are not included for participants who arrive before June 16th and depart after the 21st, we will do all we can to support you being able to arrive early/depart later because we understand why you might want to cushion the retreat with a couple days to enjoy Treasure Beach!!
If you wish to reserve an extra night at Jakes, please contact their management staff directly to schedule accommodations, by phone 1-876-965-3000, Whats App 1-876-564-3000 or email - stay@jakeshotel.com (Please let them know you are arriving for the Solstice Chakra Reset from June 16th-21st). If you wish to settle in the room you are in for the retreat, you can definitely let them know the room (for example, 2 or 3-bedroom Cottage, Oceanview, Gardenview, Jack Sprat Motel, etc.) you are booking, and they will try to accommodate you accordingly. They have also agreed to extend a 10% discount on the additional days you stay with them!
If you are on a tight budget, we can also recommend other cottages and guest homes within walking distance of Jakes, such as Shakespeare Cottage or Katamah Guesthouse.