La Sirena Yoga

La Sirena started with organizing and hosting yoga and spiritual retreats in her adopted home of Ecuador, and has now grown to include a Holistic Centre offering Reiki, aromatherapy, natural health products and spa services, a yoga sangha with regular classes, and spiritual, health and wellness courses and seminars.

La Sirena empezó con organización y presentación de retiros de yoga en su país adoptada de Ecuador, y ahora ha crecido para incluir un Centro Holístico que ofrece Reiki, aromaterapia, productos y servicios de salud natural y spa, una sangha de yoga con clases fijos, y cursos y talleres de espiritualidad, salud y bienestar.

La Sirena Retreats y Centro Holístico | Cdla. Los Almendros, Manta, Ecuador | 593 52 381 344 | 593 987 267 157

Sunday 22 June 2014

Solstice 2014 en La Sirena Centro Holístico ~ Celebrando nuestro Patrimonio Ancestral Universal ~ Celebrating our Universal Ancestral Heritage



Today's Solstice Healing Meditation and Agnihotra Ceremony was a wonderful experience. This was the third annual Solstice event at La Sirena Centro Holístico in Manta, Ecuador, incorporating ancestral traditions from 3 continents: Sanskrit Mantras, fire ritual and meditation from India; Palo Santo burning and indigenous handcrafts, and honouring Pacha mama, from South America; and a European fire ritual burning our desires and wishes for the coming year on the fire then letting the wind take the ashes up to the Universe. As always, we had a mix of new friends visiting the Centro for the first time, with faithful Sangha members as well. Delicious vegetarian food was enjoyed, new connections were made, and old connections were strengthened. Thanks to everyone who participated.
Donations made at the ceremony today have been added to the Send La Sirena to Loknath Ashram in India fundraising campaign. Please check out the campaign and help out in any way you can, including sharing with your contacts. http://www.gofundme.com/a3bce0

La Ceremonia Solsticio con meditación y Agnihotra por sanación hoy día en La Sirena Centro Holístico fue una experiencia maravillosa. Fue el tercer evento anual por solsticio. Se consistió de patrimonio ancestral de 3 continentes: mantras, meditación y fuego de India; el uso de Palo Santo y artesanías indígenas, mas gracias a Pacha mama, de América Sur; y un ritual europeo para quemar nuestros deseos por el año en el fuego. Como siempre, encontramos con una mezcla de amigos nuevos en sus primeras visitas al centro, mas miembros fieles de la Sangha. Deliciosa comida vegetariana fue compartida, hicimos conexiones nuevas, y conexiones viejos fueron reforzadas.  Gracias a todos quien participo.  

Las donaciones recibidas en la ceremonia hoy fueron agregadas a la campaña de recaudación de fondos para enviar La Sirena al Ashram Loknath en India para profundizar sus estudios. http://www.gofundme.com/a3bce0 

Sunday 17 November 2013

Your Therapist: Legit or Charlatan? ~ Tu Terapeuta: Legítima o Charlatán?



How to Know Your Therapist is More Interested in Your Money than Your Healing


Español bajo  


Most healers and therapists come to their work because they felt a calling to help people, and often feel a particular affinity with their chosen mode of healing. Those healers usually choose a healthy lifestyle for themselves, have legitimate training, participate in ongoing professional development, are part of a healing community, and generally walk the walk rather than just talk the talk. Unfortunately, there are some who are in it just for the money, taking advantage of trends and trying to make easy money without any legitimate study. Based on some recent experiences of my own clients, past experiences of my own, and inspired by a recent post by a colleague, I have written this to help people know when their therapist is taking advantage of them, or is just a plain old charlatan.


Here are three basic signs that your therapist is not working for your best interest but rather for their own:


1) They tell you exactly how many sessions you need, often insisting on an intense schedule of appointments, and pressure you, sometimes even with guilt, to attend more and more sessions. For example, saying things like “Well, it’s your decision, but I can’t help you if you don’t want to get better.” This is passive aggressive manipulation, and even more despicable when dealing with clients who are desperate for healing and easily influenced. 


2) They tell you that you can’t see other therapists while you are in a treatment process with them, saying things like it will destroy any progress you make. This is a sure sign that the therapist values money over your healing, but can also mean that they are not actually qualified or good at what they do, and are afraid you will realize it when you seek treatment from other therapists.


3) They pressure you into buying other products that they offer, rather than just letting you know what is available and recommended for your treatment.


A true healer, who is interested in your wellbeing, will offer their services gently, without pressure or conditions. They will let you know they are available, and let you to come to them. They will guide you on the path to healing, and work to help you heal yourself and be independent with time. Above all, they respect the decisions of the client. If a client doesn’t want to continue their treatments, that is the client’s choice. There is nothing wrong with trying different therapists to find the most comfortable fit for you.


Como Saber que tu Terapeuta Tiene más Interese en tu Dinero que tu Sanación


Lo mayoría de las terapeutas viene a su papel porque se sienten la llamada a ayudar a la gente. Esas terapeutas usualmente eligen un estilo de vida sano, tiene capacitaciones legítimas, están involucradas en desarrollo profesional y la comunidad de sus colegas, y por lo general practican lo que enseñan. Lastimosamente, hay algunas que están buscando solo dinero, aprovechando de la moda e intentando ganar plata fácilmente sin preparación legitima. 

Basado en las experiencias recién de mis clientes, mis propias experiencias pasadas, y inspirado por un aviso publico de una colega, he escrito este guía para ayudar la gente saber cuando su terapeuta está aprovechando, o simplemente es una charlatán. 


Aquí hay tres señales que tu terapeuta no está trabajando por tu bienestar sino por lo suyo:


      1) Te dice exactamente cuántas sesiones necesitas, insistiendo que sigues con una programa intensiva de muchas citas, y te presiona, a veces con intención hacer te sentir culpable, que tienes mas y mas sesiones. Por ejemplo, se dice “Bueno, es tu decisión, pero no quieres mejorar?” Esto es manipulación, y es aun más inaceptable cuando el cliente está desesperado por sanación y así más fácil manipular.



      2) Te dice que no debes tener terapias con ningún otro terapeuta mientras estas en el proceso de sanación con él, diciendo que se puede dañar tu progreso si tienes terapias con otras terapeutas.  Esto es una señal seguramente que la terapeuta vale tu dinero más que tu sanación, pero también puede ser una señal que no es verdad una terapeuta calificada y/o que no hace bien su trabajo, así se tiene miedo que lo sepas si tienes tratamiento con otra terapeuta.



      3) Te presiona a comprar otros productos que se vende, sino simplemente avisarte que es disponible e recomendable por tu tratamiento.


Una sanadora verdad, quien tiene interese en tu bienestar, se ofrece sus servicios en una manera suave, sin presión ni condiciones. Te avisa que está disponible, y te deja venir a su tiempo y manera. Te guía en el camino de sanación, y trabaja en ayudarte sanar a ti mismo y ser independiente con tiempo.  Sobre todo, una buena sanadora se respeta las decisiones del cliente. Si el cliente ya no quiere tratamiento, es la decisión del cliente.  No hay ningún problema probar algunas terapeutas para averiguar con cual te sientes lo mas cómodo. 

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Wednesday 13 November 2013

Personal thoughts on Ahimsa: What comes around, goes around, or does it? Stopping the cycle of anger.

Little by little, I am coming back to myself, and part of that is starting to write again. Today, thanks to my friend Leslie who shared Pema Chodron's writing below, I was inspired to write a short, personal piece about Ahimsa on the La Sirena facebook page. Here it is below, edited and embellished a bit. I welcome comments and conversation.

Pema Chodron's Heart Advice November 13, 2013

ANY ENCOUNTER OFFERS US A CHOICE

This is an idea that seems difficult for Westerners to accept: when someone harms us, they create the cause of their own suffering. They do this by strengthening habits that imprison them in a cycle of pain and confusion. It’s not that we are responsible for what someone else does, and certainly not that we should feel guilty. But when they harm us, we unintentionally become the means of their undoing. Had they looked on us with loving-kindness, however, we’d be the cause of their gathering virtue.

What I find helpful in this teaching is that what’s true for them is also true for me. The way I regard those who hurt me today will affect how I experience the world in the future. In any encounter, we have a choice: we can strengthen our resentment or our understanding and empathy. We can widen the gap between ourselves and others or lessen it.
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This is part of Ahimsa: non harming, through action, word or thought. When we harm others, we harm ourselves, even if it's just a nasty thought. The challenge is to maintain understanding and empathy for those who harm us repeatedly, who are relentless in their attacks. I know from my personal experience that when I get pushed to the limit and switch back to anger and resentment, even though someone is unjustly and purposely causing harm, thinking harmful thoughts about that person does more damage to me than to them because I get caught in a negative spiral of hate and anger that ends up engulfing everything, and leads to me acting out in anger,
even towards total strangers. The result is always bad for me, but not for the person I am thinking angry thoughts about. However, when I think of that person harming me with compassion instead of anger, understanding why they are hurt and lashing out, I become enveloped in a bubble of love and joy, and my energy is focused on helping them to heal, even if just in my mind. Those positive thoughts and feelings flow out into my life and have a positive effect on me and all those I come in contact with, and it is my glowing smile that becomes contagious instead of anger and harm.
~ La Sirena 


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Friday 20 September 2013

MINI-RETIROS PRIVADOS


En los meses de octubre y noviembre, se puede realizar un mini-retiro privado, hecho a tus medidas, con La Sirena en Manta. Elija las terapias, tratamientos y actividades que quiere y disfruta la tranquilidad del Centro Holístico y la playa. Se puede elegir un paquete completo con comida, o usa la cocina para preparar su comida. Hay yoga, aromaterapia, Reiki, mascarillas y mas- tú decides lo que quieres! Paquetes con hospedaje, comida y una terapia desde $75 diario individual, $140 por pareja. Es una excelente idea por parejas que quieren relejar y sanar juntos, o mujeres que necesitan recargar las pilas. Se puede ver el espacio en Airbnb. Escriba a lasirena@lasirenayoga.org o llama al 52 381 344 / 0987 267 157 por mas información. Te esperamos!

Tuesday 17 September 2013

PRIVATE MINI-RETREATS WITH LA SIRENA ~ LIMITED TIME OFFER!!

We recently opened up the spare room at La Sirena Centro Holístico to travellers through Airbnb and the response has been positive. We are quite excited about it ourselves, too, since it plays into our plans for the future that always seemed to be “in the future” but now we’re making it a reality in the NOW. So we’re going to push it a little further and offer private mini-retreats for the months of October and November of 2013! Yay!

Have you been thinking about doing a retreat but are worried about the cost? Are you not really into the group thing and prefer something more private? Do you want to do an individual or couple retreat that you can customize? Maybe you’d just like a little pampering and spiritual time after an adventure tour of the Galapagos or the Andes? Or maybe you just ended a relationship and need some healing time to yourself- a mini-retreat with La Sirena would be perfect for that.

La Sirena can customize an itinerary for you, or you and your partner, with as little or as much activity as you’d like, starting around $100 per day single. You choose the length, between 3-7 days, and the yoga, therapies and travel activities you want. You can choose to take some of your meals at the Centro Holístico, trying La Sirena’s anti-inflammatory and cleansing vegetarian diet, or eat out, or cook for yourself. You can pack your days with treatments, therapies, yoga and guided travel experiences, or just hang out at the beach and have a few therapies throughout your stay. You choose! La Sirena can even organise an itinerary for different locations before and after your stay at the Centro Holístico if you want, complete with private drivers known personally to La Sirena.

If you would like more information, please contact lasirena@lasirenayoga.org or check out our listing on Airbnb. You can book directly through Airbnb or work out a private plan with La Sirena. This will not be available again until March or even later in 2014. Think about it: your own private retreat in La Sirena’s home, surrounded by art and gardens and love, with your choice of therapies and activities and food; it’s all about YOU. Organic cacao and honey face mask? YES! Organic honey and essential oil eye treatment? YES! Reiki? YES! Sea salt and essential oil foot spa? YES! Yoga on the beach? YES! Guided chakra meditations? YES! One on one yoga classes for beginners too shy to join a regular class? YES! What are you waiting for?

Seriously, what are you waiting for? Say yes to yourself; say yes to health and wellness; say yes to starting fresh with a new routine. Book your time with La Sirena now!


 Here is the link for the Airbnb listing

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Tuesday 16 July 2013

Promocion de Amor ` Julio a agosto 2013

La Sirena es muy emocionada para celebrar su tercer aniversario con su amor en agosto. Para compartir su alegría, se ofrece terapias de Reiki en promoción de $20 desde 15 de julio hasta 15 de septiembre. Hay cupos limitados. Para reservar tu cita, llama al 52 381 344 o 0987 267 157 o responde a este mensaje. 

Que es Reiki? 
 Reiki es un método de sanación natural cual usa la energía canalizada por las manos de una terapeuta para reactivar la salud y bienestar. En Reiki tradicional Usui, la línea original desde el primero Maestro, la terapeuta no se toca el cuerpo del paciente, sino se pase las manos en una serie de posiciones arriba del cuerpo. En Japonesa, Rei significa inteligencia superior universal, o Dios, y Ki significa energía (qi en Chino). La terapeuta no hace transferencia de su energía al paciente, ni se absorbe la energía del paciente. La terapeuta simplemente es un canal por la energía universal de sanación que tiene su efecto en el paciente. Una terapeuta de Reiki debe estudiar y ser iniciado por un Maestro para tener la habilidad de canalizar la energía. 
Una paciente se siente relajada profundamente después de una sesión de Reiki, y también tiene la sensación de bienestar mejorado. No es posible tener un sobre dosis de Reiki; se puede recibir cualquier cantidad de tratamientos. En los pacientes con crisis de salud física o emocional, es recomendable 3 sesiones enseguida en una semana hasta se siente equilibrado. Para mantener un equilibro en una vida llena de estrés, es recomendable un sesión por mes al minimo. 
La Sirena ha logrado al nivel 2 de Reiki y está trabajando en su maestría con su maestra Sonia Hunter. Muy pronto, van a ofrecer cursos de Reiki nivel 1 en La Sirena Centro Holístico. Si tiene interese, por favor comunicase con el Centro Holístico. 

QUIEN ES LA SIRENA? 
 La Sirena, o Janice Betts de Suarez, nació en Canadá con padres canadiense e inglesa. Después vivir en ambas países, se mudo a Ecuador en 2006. Empezó sus estudios de yoga en Canadá, y en Ecuador se estudia Reiki y aromaterapia con su Maestra Sonia Hunter en Guayaquil. Se trabaja como organizadora y anfitriona de retiros de yoga y sanación por grupos de visitantes a Ecuador, además tiene un centro holístico en Manta en cual se ofrece Yoga, Reiki, Aromaterapia, Agnihotra, y cursos y talleres. Janice esta titulado en Canadá como profesora de idiomas, y se brinda eso conocimiento de pedagogía y años de experiencia a sus clases de yoga y los cursos y talleres de espiritualidad y salud. Está disponible también para clases y talleres particulares. 

La Sirena Centro Holístico 
Cdla. Los Almendros, Manta 
*52 381 344  *0987 267 157

Thursday 13 June 2013