Korakia Pensione

The moon has risen, its beams lighting the pathway to Korakia Pensione’s: Orchard House Villa. Through the archway into a courtyard of trees twinkling with lanterns, the guests enter this idyllic setting with a sense of mystery and delight. Yes, magic is afoot and the opening night dinner of  “Oasis for the Soul” Spiritual Retreat  with Ronda LaRue is about to commence.

Inside the main room of the Orchard House,  a fire crackles; candlelight flickers; music plays. As guests take their seats at a rustic wooden table strewn with bougainvillea petals, plates of steaming food are placed before them. This is no ordinary dinner. Indeed, this is the way “Oasis for the Soul” Retreat students are first introduced to one another: a rousing fireside toast ushers in an early sense of camaraderie for the soulful days ahead…

Unobtrusively moving about the room is Ronda LaRue, MS, the founder of The SoulArts Process of Awakening.  Ronda launched Soul Arts, in Ojai California http://www.CenterForSoulArts.com in 2003 after publishing her first book: Remembering Who You Really Are. It has since been declared one of the top 10 spiritual retreats in the world by Asia Spa magazine. Through the retreat process, Ronda uses her knowledge of everything from eastern philosophy and western religion to depth psychology and modern physics, to guide people who are seeking answers in their life.

The idea of bringing Soul Arts to Korakia came to Ronda during a visit, splashing and bouncing around the mosaic tile inlaid crow that lines the bottom of the hotel’s main swimming pool. (Ronda swears the crow and she had a poolside ‘confab’ that day!) Soon after,  a sharing of vision took place between Ronda and Korakia’s General Manager, Paulette Monarrez. Yes, “Oasis for the Soul Spiritual Retreats” seemed like a perfect fit with this magical place with its enchanting, romantic, soulful charm. Where better for Spa for the Soul and a place to reconnect with one’s own inner mystery and soulful essence?

The first “Oasis for the Soul” Retreat took place in November 2011. Following the opening night fireside dinner, an intimate group of attendees came and sat in a sacred circle, each offering something from their heart that called them to this retreat while lighting a candle to finding their soul’s message during the week together. Ronda, a master teacher and guide, listens deeply and guides the process of inner awareness with a flair for introducing each retreat participant to her and his own inner wisdom and unique pathway.

On the final day of our first “Oasis for the Soul” Retreat, attendees gathered again in Korakia’s sunlit courtyard for daily breakfast – the bougainvillea blooms gracing each tabletop serving as a memory of that first night’s dinner.  This morning faces are clear, open, relaxed and excited about a new way of seeing and being. There is a palpable vibrancy on each face, and a sense of kindred friendship for the communion and process just shared together… as if each person has stepped out of his and her own cocoon hosted by Ronda and Korakia’s special enchantment, and ready now to carry that new sense of Self out into the world.

2012 Oasis for the Soul Retreat dates:  January 16-19, May 7-10, September 24-27, and December 3-6.

Single Occupancy in a studio for three nights $1,544

Single Occupancy in a suite for three nights $1,742

Double Occupancy in a studio for three nights $2,455

Double Occupancy in a Suite for three nights $2,656

For more information please visit www.korakia.com , http://ojaisoularts.com/groupretreat2011Korakia1.shtml phone 760-864-6411 and ask for Paulette or Jennifer, email info@korakia.com