April – May 2025
I pay homage to Togden Orgyen Tenzin – the rainbow light of our lineage.
I pay homage to Chögyal Namkhai Norbu – the Great teacher who offered the Yantra of the union of Sun and Moon to beings of the West.
I pay homage to the teachers of Yantra, through whose realization the lineage continues.
At the turn of April and May, the Czech sangha organized an eight-day retreat focused on the intensive practice of Yantra Yoga with Oni McKinstry. Oni is one of the three Third Level instructors and regularly teaches this level of Yantra Yoga online. We took the opportunity of her trip to Europe and arranged a retreat at Phendeling – our Dzogchen Community center in South Bohemia.
Seventeen participants from various countries attended the event: Czechia, France, Italy, Hungary, Romania, Louise Anderson flew in from the United States. Two Level One instructors – Jeff Sable and Oana Marcu – also took part, along with Level Two instructor Fijalka Turzíková.
Our days began with morning pranayama sessions, followed by morning and afternoon blocks of teaching and practice. Evenings were reserved for personal consultations, Vajra Dance, Khaita, and Ganapuja. On Walpurgis Night – April 30th we gathered around a fire and roasted sausages.
Oni taught the preliminary exercises and all five series of yantras, including the first to fourth series in both first and second variations. She also taught all five pranayamas. The teaching was comprehensive and integrated, respecting the diverse levels and physical conditions of the participants. At the same time, it challenged each of us to go beyond our limits and deepen our personal practice. Oni is an outstanding teacher, whom we hold in deep respect. She is strict regarding the meaning and integrity of the Yantra Yoga practice, yet she is warm, friendly, and has a great sense of humor. The level of presence she maintains throughout is a great inspiration to us.
Midweek, we dedicated part of our time to karma yoga in service of Phendeling – tending to the garden beds, mowing the grass, burning old branches from spring pruning, and cleaning the fire pit area. We also visited the nearby village of Holašovice (a UNESCO-listed site), where preparations for raising the traditional maypole were underway.
In the feedback we received, many participants expressed beautiful and heartfelt reflections. Everyone agreed that the course inspired them to commit seriously to the practice of Yantra Yoga.
Here are a few impressions from the retreat:
It was as intense as I like a YY retreat to be: lots of practice, not too long breaks, very useful explanation and correction – which is very important – not just in verbal form.
— Balazs
Phendeling is a beautiful place. I could deepen my practice in an inspiring and supportive group.
— Oana
The best YY course ever – even better than official trainings in Gars. Really wonderful.
— Fijalka
Special thanks go to Fijalka and Oana, whom Oni relied on as demonstrators, which allowed her to fully dedicate herself to correcting and commenting on participants’ practice.
The Czech sangha will continue to focus on developing Yantra Yoga practice. We are planning more beginner public courses, as well as pranayama courses for current practitioners. Next year, we would love to host another large international Yantra yoga retreat in Phendeling. If you’re interested in collaborating, feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Mezinárodní komunita dzogčhenu Kunkyabling
Opletalova 35
110 00 Praha 1
