April 24-27, 2025

"Gray Bear Goddess Gathering"

with Bethany Joy and Jessalynn Hakanson



Chris

An invitation to gather in fierce self love and compassion, goddess wisdom, and soul nourishment. Together we will celebrate Divine Mother Love within each woman and rise in our Sacred Feminine Nature through Yoga, Meditation, Circle, Sacred Ritual, Mama Earth, Movement, Sound, Breath, and Stillness. Replenish and Restore your essence and whole being as we bask in the magic environment of Gray Bear Retreat Center and Sisterhood for days.

In the spirit of honoring the Red Tent tradition, we will cultivate stillness as well as the rooted strength of the sacred feminine within. Sitting in circles of wise women helps us to be reminded of who we truly are; supports us to reclaim our divine truth together as individuals and as a community. By celebrating our creative power, we fuel the inner radiance we carry as women; this then fully opens us to fierce love and the intuitive wisdom which is our birthright. Holding this space for our goddess Light to rise up, shine and ignite.

Mothers, sisters, daughters, and women of all stages: welcome!

Mothers, sisters, daughters, and women of all stages: welcome!

Workshop discounted at $685* if paid in full by March 1st . Thursday through Sunday.

*Price includes tuition, daily yoga class, all meals, shared lodging and full use of facilities. Limited number of private cabins are available for upgrade; please inquire if interested. All balances are due upon registration. MC/Visa, Venmo, PayPal, Check accepted. Gray Bear Lodge, PO Box 682 Hohenwald, TN 38462. Late registration (after March 1st) increases to $785. A $300 non-refundable deposit may be mailed to secure your space. Payment plan option available if needed; please inquire.

Confirmation letter and additional information (including directions to Gray Bear) will be sent following enrollment.

Workshop Sign-up Form

We'll begin with guests arriving after lunch (2 to 4pm arrival) on Thursday. Dinner is at 6:00pm, Orientation & opening circle follow. Sunday finishes with closing circle, lunch, and checkout is at 2:00pm. (*) Gray Bear is a two hour drive from the airport, so please plan arrival time/ departure time with this in mind.

Bethany Joy is a certified Naam Yoga Therapist, Meditation and Self-care Coach, Circle Facilitator, and Peace Process IMM energetic healer.

Bethany’s classes have a deep focus on spirituality and meditation, connecting us with Source and the God/dess of our hearts. Her spiritual influences include Mysticism, Yoga, continued study with shamans and Q’eros in Peru, and any heart-centered practice. Understanding that all Universal truth comes from the same Source, she combines the practice of Eastern yogic asana, mantra, meditation, Mystic and Shamanic practices.

Originally from New York, Bethany is a former professional dancer and certified in Pilates and the Gyrotonic Expansion System. She is also an instructor of the Khalsa Way Prenatal Yoga (certified by Gurmukh) and The Kabbalah of Birth and Beyond. Fluent in Spanish, Bethany travels regularly to Latin America leading spiritual retreats and partnering with local organizations. She also holds a B.S. in Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Most importantly she is the mother to three magical children.

Bethany leads online courses for women, open yoga classes, workshops, and retreats, as well as private yoga and coaching sessions.

JESSALYNN HAKANSON, E-RYT 500, RPYT, LMT

Humbled by the presence of breath and heart, yoga awakens grace within the movement of Jessalynn’s practice and life. Her vinyasa classes encourage a smile or two, dynamic movement, pranayama practices, and the sweet surrender of ego to reveal peace.

Jessalynn’s prenatal classes, Om Grown Mamas, combine postures, breathwork, and meditations that cultivate a nurturing source of strength and confidence while empowering the transformation in pregnancy and birth with grace.

Practicing yoga since 2001 and sharing her experiences since 2004, Jessalynn holds certifications in prenatal, postnatal, and a 200 hour RYT yoga certificate through the Yoga Center of Minneapolis. She has a background in various styles such as vinyasa, ashtanga, jivamukti, yin, and restorative. Jessalynn is grateful to her teachers in Minneapolis and all her fellow practitioners along the way. Her 500 hour RYT certification is through Sri Dharma Mittra’s Life Of A Yogi Teacher Training. Sri Dharma’s training focuses heavily on the classical teachings of yoga with a strong emphasis on the eight limbs, spiritual dimension of yoga, as well as the physical discipline and pranayama practices. She is grateful for experiences with many gifted and seasoned teachers, and feels blessed with the influence of Sri Dharma Mittra, Seane Corn, and Shiva Rea.

Jessalynn is a licensed massage therapist and holds a bachelors degree in science, certifications in prenatal and postnatal yoga, and working on completing her Birth Doula certification. She also has completed both Level one and Level two of the Thai Yoga Bodywork Basics Program through Tanya Sowards , and continues to study and practice this modality.

Jessalynn is grateful for the connection she made with Tom and Daphne while in India studying with Shiva Rea. She is incredibly grateful to Tom and Daphne for inviting her into such a gracious yoga community. She lives in loving service and gratitude to her community, her stellar husband, her guru children, and doting dogs.

Gray Bear is home to 400 acres of rolling hills, thick forest, natural springs, and even a waterfall. You can experience the wonders of nature while sitting in a hand-built wood fire sauna; hear the silence of nature's symphony lying on a hammock while curled under a blanket; and revel in clear air and water while using shower outdoors.

With all of this nature we have some suggestions to consider when packing:

  • Working flashlight ...it gets dark with only the light of the stars to guide you!
  • A bathing suit ... good for the hot tub, sauna, and Watsu massage pool
  • Water bottle ...Gray Bear does not use disposable cups. Purified water is available in the Main House and the Yoga Room
  • A bath robe/sarong
  • House slippers or socks to wear indoors ...no shoes inside please
  • Comfortable walking shoes/sandals for an inspired nature hike
  • Warm clothing ...mornings & evenings can be cool
  • Comfortable clothes for exercising/yoga

Please do not bring any drugs, alcohol, or pets. Gray Bear is a non-smoking, pet-free and alcohol-free facility.

Read more about Gray Bear.