PRESENTS
Yoga, Sex + DeathTM
Samarasa's signature course is a profoundly transformative journey designed to bring you back to the truth of your heart, experiencing the depth + intimacy you seek within yourself + your relationships.
Choose the format that's right for you: YSD Basics Online, YSD 6-Week Course, or YSD Intensive Retreat. YSD Level 2 is for YSD grads wanting to go deeper.
Take a peek inside the YSD world.
YSD Overview:
Yoga, Sex + Death™ is a study on the relationship between yoga, sacred sexuality, and death through a deeper examination of the two main themes that connect them:
Intimacy + Letting Go
Yoga, Sex + DeathTM offers tantrik hatha yoga, meditation, self-inquiry, shadow work, and death practices to guide you deeper into your heart.
Lectures, embodiment practices, and group ritual are combined to allow you to discover the deepest parts of yourself as the authentic expression of intimacy, presence, and love that you already are.
PART 1
YOGA
We ground the basic foundation of the course in yogic philosophy as we move beyond the physical body towards a deeper understanding of the subtle body. We’ll dive deeply into the chakra system – by first studying a brief overview from the more classical traditions to the new age Jungian concept of the chakra system and its relationship to yoga postures (asana). We’ll apply this knowledge to practice for releasing blockages/tensions (granthis) and purifying subtle impressions (samskaras) in the energy body for more freedom, ease, peace, lightness, clarity, an intimacy with life and a total acceptance/openness to whatever arises.
PART 2
SEX
Continuing to build on the knowledge and practices of the subtle body we learn in part 1, we begin to focus more deeply on the vital energy of sexuality and it’s 3 forces – eros, sex and love. We will closely examine our own relationship to each to discover where we’re blocked and experience how these blockages of sexual energy directly relate to all other aspects of our lives. We’ll free up this vital energy so it can begin to flow freely and life can expand beyond measure as a deep sense of connectedness to others emerges.
PART 3
DEATH
When most of us think about death (or the groundlessness of life itself), we feel sadness or anxiety in the face of such profound insecurity. In this course, we begin to see that those very feelings are the fertile ground in which we can become more courageous, wise, and compassionate towards ourselves and others. We’ll continue to build on what we’ve learned in Part 1 and 2 to learn about what sacredness means and how to attune ourselves to experience it every day, so that when death comes, it can be a vehicle for fully merging with this limitless wisdom.
Yoga, Sex + Death TM
BASICS - A Self-Paced Online Course
YSD Basics is the perfect introduction to the foundational principles of the course. It's the place to start if you want to dip your toe in before taking the deep dive into the YSD Intensive Retreat - although it's a complete and powerful journey on its own. Completion of YSD Basics qualifies you for membership as well as for Level 2.
You’ll enjoy:
- 12 Pre-recorded, on-demand video lessons that break down course material including: How Yoga Works, Polarity of Energy, Sex + Spirituality, Spiritual Support For the Dying, and so many more
- 12 90-minute practice sessions that include Tantrik Hatha, Yoga Nidra, Pranayama, + Meditation
- Supplemental reading materials to support you in your journey
- Reflective homework assignments, journal prompts, and assessments to support your integration of the material
- A self-paced format that allows you to absorb the material on your own timing
- A private online community forum exclusively for course participants to connect and receive support
Yoga, Sex + DeathTM Retreat
June 3 - 10, 2023
Investment: $3200 $2800 until March 15
(Scholarships Available + 10% discount for Samarasa Members)
The YSD Intensive Retreat offers tantrik hatha yoga, meditation, self-inquiry, shadow work, and death practices to guide you deeper into your heart.
Embodiment exercises and rituals help you discover the deepest parts of yourself as the authentic expression of intimacy, presence, and love that you already are.
*Accommodations are shared double or triple rooms. Single rooms are available for an additional cost.
Click below to register! Pay in full or secure your place in the circle with only a $600 deposit.
Why Should You Do It?
Let our past participants tell you.
What You Will Receive
- 6 days of deep purification work on the physical, emotional, energetic, mental and spiritual bodies through movement, meditation, inquiry, and group ritual
- 7 nights and 8 day stay at luxury boutique hotel Villa Sumaya in Santa Cruz La Laguna on majestic Lake Atitlan
- Accommodation - shared double room (single room options available)
- 3 freshly prepared vegetarian meals a day (special dietary needs can be accommodated with advance planning)
- Access to saunas, pool, hot tubs, juice bar, apothecary bar (healing herbs)
- Participation in traditional Mayan sweat lodge ceremony (optional)
- One month FREE membership for post retreat after-care
Where You'll Stay
Villa Sumaya is the most breathtaking boutique hotel on Lake Atitlán in Santa Cruz, Guatemala. Surrounded by the beautiful colors and fragrances of lush flowers and foliage with the waves of the lake gently lapping in the background, it is a feast for the senses - both warmed by the sun and cooled by gentle lake breezes.
Villa Sumaya is an immersion into Lake Atitlán's most luxurious experiences; boasting a hot tub and pool overlooking the lake, sauna, juice bar, healing rooms, apothecary, and a renowned spa, it is the perfect backdrop for a time of withdrawal from the outside world. It is a soft place to do the deep work of self-discovery - gently and lovingly. It offers a haven for travelers from all over the world while simultaneously remaining true to its indigenous roots. All meals are vegetarian and prepared fresh on site daily. Read more here.
A non-refundable $600 deposit is required to reserve your spot. Deposit is transferrable to another YSD course.
Meet Your Facilitator
Susan Marrufo
MA, E-RYT 500
Left the United States and a job in advertising in 2008 to travel internationally and experience life beyond the confines of her cultural conditioning. She received her first 500-hr yoga certification in Thailand in 2009, where she began her studies of the classical yogic scriptures and delved deeply into esoteric tantric philosophy.
After 2 years of teaching month-long tantric based courses on the banks of the Ganges in India and the Pacific coastal towns of Mexico, Susan returned to the US to begin a residential internship with the Kripalu School of Yoga, where she taught in and project managed several Kripalu yoga teacher trainings as well as received her 2nd 500-hr teacher training certification from the Kripalu School of Yoga.
She has since split her time between India, Thailand, and the US, facilitating trauma-informed group courses in the inquiry of yoga, meditation, intimacy, and shadow work.
She is the founder of Samarasa Center.
MEET
Susan Marrufo
YSD LEVEL 2
YSD L2 is for you if you have completed YSD Basics Online, YSD 6-wk Course or YSD Intensive Retreat and would like to deepen your studies. It is a mix between online and in-person sessions. Sessions not marked "In Person" will take place via Zoom
2023 Schedule
All modules meet 9a-12p + 2-5p PT on Saturdays + 8a-12p + 2-5p PT on Sundays, unless otherwise noted
- Module 1 - Creating the Container - March 25
- Module 2 - Self-inquiry + The Work of Byron Katie - April 29 + 30
- Module 3 - Silent Meditation Retreat - June 16, 17, 18, 19 (Friday afternoon through Monday morning) - IN PERSON
- Module 4 - Tantrik Hatha Yoga - June 24 + 25 - IN PERSON
- Module 5 - Sexual Shadow - July 29 + 30
- Module 6 - Feminine Embodiment Practices - August 26 + 27
- Module 7 - Yoga Nidra, Death + Dying - September 22, 23, 24 - THREE DAY MODULE (Friday afternoon only)
- Module 8 - Closing -October 14 + 15 (subject to change)
Investment: $1530
(10% discount for Samarasa Members)
*Modules + lengths subject to change
What people are saying...
"I am a yoga teacher and student and have attended many workshops over the years, but I have to say that this one was, by far, the most rewarding... It gave those of us who attended an opportunity to get to know each other while submerging ourselves in the teachings so that we gained a momentum that had us all glowing, inspired and more wholehearted. None of us wanted it to end… I learned so much without ever feeling overwhelmed and always left each session feeling happy, inspired, and deeply grateful. The whole experience was life changing!"
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Amy Foreman, USA
"Yoga, Sex + Death™ was a beautiful spiritual gift. I am a 67 year-old practicing Catholic and somewhat progressive. I have some experience with yoga but I am basically a novice. I signed up because I wanted to take a fresh look at my life… It opened my eyes to so many things about myself and the world around me. Susan is amazing. She has an exceptional ability to take a ton of information and make it digestible so that it became something that we could embrace and understand. I felt like we “hung” on every word waiting for the next tidbit. As a bonus, I got to know a group of beautiful women and now I have a new yoga family. Many thanks to Susan for making it possible. Overall, a fantastic experience!!"
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Athena Chavez, USA
"Words do not encapsulate how much I benefited from the Yoga, Sex + Death™ course I participated in with Susan. My perspective on life has changed in every aspect for the better. I am more aware of who I am as opposed to flying through life as a chain of reactions to my environment. I had some reservations on time commitment due to my job and family, but I am so thankful I overcame my excuses to participate in this course. I ended the course renewed, enlightened and rich with friendship. I feel as though this class should be a prerequisite to life."
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Roxanne Benatar, USA
