Winter is underway, but that doesn’t mean your wellness needs should hibernate. It’s a long winter ahead in the PNW, so while cosying up on the couch with cookies and merlot is probably going to happen a little more, there are many beautiful, energizing and grounding ways to connect into nature and into your own wellness. If you’re setting an intention to thrive this winter at a pace that works for you, here are some beautiful winter wellness experiences available to support you.
Trout Lake Abbey Retreat
A self guided retreat to the very unique Trout Lake Abbey is a beautiful way to set aside contemplative time, set your 2020 intentions, and enjoy grounding into your own deeper wisdom and truth. This center in Trout Lake, Washington, is a remarkable place. A Zen Buddhist Center, organic farm, and bed & breakfast, the Abbey co-exists with a Druid temple, where both Buddhists and Druids practice their faiths side by side. Guests can enjoy a window into this unique model of interfaith communion by booking into their B&B experience for a day or two. All are welcome to explore the grounds, and walk the labyrinth during the days.
Deva Daaru Yoga Farm
Throughout the month of December, you can enjoy daylong Yoga + Meditation Retreats at the beautiful Deva Daaru Yoga Farm in Veronia, Oregon. This one on the Winter Solstice has caught our eye. Arrive to the farm at 8:30am, enjoy a cup of tea, and settle into the studio. Practice starts at 9:00am with lunch following at 12:00pm—kitchari and dessert are always on the menu! You are welcome to stay at the farm until the afternoon, to eat, digest, connect with fellow sangha members, nap by the fire, wander along the stream, and take refuge in the land.
New Year’s Yoga Retreat at Stretch
Join Carolyn Anne Budgell and dive into a day of practice and reflection at Stretch Yoga in Vancouver’s historic Chinatown. This day will include a firey yoga practice, meditation, as well as a soothing restorative practice. The icing on top includes deep contemplations and intention setting for the year ahead. Learn more here.
Realistic Ritual Retreat
The Realistic Ritual Retreat with Hannah Talbot of Tribe Life Events, Carmen Loeffler of Elara Botanicals and Monica Fischer of Strength Of Spirit promises a weekend oasis into holistic self care. This women-only getaway will focus on self-care, self-love, well-being, and bringing realistic ritual into your everyday life. Happening in a beautiful home just outside of Gig Harbour, Washington, you can expect daily yoga and meditation, intention setting, sharing circles, a curated ritual spa bath, a private reiki session with personal ritual and chakra balancing, and delicious home-cooked plant powered meals throughout.
Nourished Soul Retreat
If you sense a powerful shift underway in your life and find yourself yearning for a truer and more authentic alignment to your own purpose, this Nourished Soul Retreat may be just what you need. Retreat guides Jen Minnich, Lisa Lunsford and Jennifer Whitaker invite you to three days and two nights of immersing yourself in an inspirational weekend on the magical Olympic Peninsula in Hood Canal, Washington – near Seattle. Expect guided meditations, energy workshops, contemplative exercises, private coaching, and healing sessions all of which are designed to empower YOUR personal journey forward.
Camp Yoga Wild: Winter Edition
Camp Yoga Wild offers a Winter Edition happening at The Sleeping Lady Resort, a beautiful retreat center nestled on 70 acres of meadow and forest along Icicle Creek Canyon in the Cascade Mountains near the magical town of Leavenworth. This winter yoga retreat lets you customize your own experience by choosing classes and activities that serve you, including yoga classes that vary in effort, dharma talks, meditation, hydrotherapy and other outdoor activities. Studies show that time in nature resets our minds and bodies back to a state of harmony. Another reason to say ‘yes’ to this playful winter yoga retreat.
The Victoria Yoga Conference
The Victoria Yoga Conference is happening in February 15-18 in gorgeous Victoria, BC at the University Campus. This renowned conference includes yoga classes and workshops, meditation workshops, teacher talk shops and a business series designed to assist studio owners and teachers on how to market themselves and truly make a business of their passion.
The conference draws 600+ attendees with over 60 classes, live music and over 30 exhibitors in the Marketplace. It includes two full days and a gala evening event so prepare to get inspired by ideas with many local luminaries sharing their wisdom!
Energy Activation Retreat with Three Moon Collective
Join Three Moon Collective for an Energy Activation Day Retreat, a self initiation of knowing yourself as an energetic being and experiencing your very own unique frequency & vibration. This daylong retreat in Seattle includes Kundalini Yoga, to shift energy through dynamic movement, breathwork, & meditation; a nourishing, vegetarian lunch provided by Entropy Cooks, and an Energy Healing 101 class, an invitation to know yourself as a healer and take ownership of your own vibration in a way that you can positively impact others. Register here.
As you consider what will best support your own spiritual and wellness needs, I hope something on this list calls to you. For more options, you can take a peak at a full list of upcoming Washington yoga retreats, BC yoga and wellness retreats, Oregon retreats, and California yoga retreats.
Remember, only you can define wellness for yourself. There’s no right way forward, but there are a lot of great teachers, healers and experiences to support you.
Written by Monica Krake, founder of Head + Heart, your go-to spiritual and wellness resource and online calendar. Find events, retreats, teachers, tips and community to support your journey from the head to the heart. @headplusheart
Photo Credit: Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort
