April 25 - May 2, 2024
Breath Breathing Itself – Returning Home to Lungs, Heart and Belly
Wed April 24- Pre-Arrival
3 Day Intensive for Teachers and Yoga Nutz: 4/25-27
5 Day Presence in Yoga 4/27-5/2
As we move into 2024, we face a variety of challenges collectively and we are still in a process of personal and community recovery from the years prior! This spring retreat is designed to support reintegrating and celebrating the power of our personal practice in excellent company, imbued with the natural world energy of Gray Bear. Our time together will explore through active and passive asana, meditation, breathwork and discussion the well-being of living in the present on this miraculous planet,, letting go of fears and projections into the future, and using our past wisdoms to help carve an ongoing reality of compassionate care and creativity. A particular emphasis will be paid this year to the breath, and the potency of opening to the lungs and internal body in the process of coming into balance.
Thursday, April 25 to Saturday, April 27, 10am 18+ hours
Advanced Practice Intensive - Teachers’ Talk and Play! ( April Thursday 25th to Saturday April 27th 10:00am) This workshop is designed to re-energize one’s own personal practice and cultivate joy and delight in this ancient path (13+ hours). Our themes will include lungs, heart and deep belly. We will also consider some of the key teaching issues that have arisen in recent times, analyze poses and sequences in a supportive learning environment, (5+ hours). Suitable for teachers of any level of experience and also those who are not teachers but are willing to use teaching as a metaphor for deepening practice and have a home practice.
Presence in Yoga – A 5 day Retreat (Sat April 27th to May 2nd), held partly in silence to allow participants to let go of the outer conversations and busyness and drop into a quieter rhythm, with an emphasis on simple vipassana meditation – seated and walking, calm balanced asana – active and passive, and plenty of time to be in nature, listening to the sounds of spring emerging in the hot tub, the sauna, the massage table, by the waterfall or just lying in the hammock, absorbing the nourishment of minimally agenda-ed time at Gray Bear. Suitable for all – options given to those not practicing more advanced poses.
Dates |
Earlybird Rate (if paid by 12/15/2023 ) |
Discounted Rate (if paid by 2/25/2024) |
Standard Rate (paid after 2/25/2024 ) | |
|
Wednesday early arrival |
4/24 |
$130 (includes meals) |
$145 (includes meals) |
$145 (includes meals) |
|
Full 8 day Retreat |
4/25 to 5/2 |
$1,450 |
$1,525 |
$1,585 |
|
3 Day Only |
4/25 to 4/27 |
$575 |
$625 |
$655 |
|
Presence Only |
4/27 to 5/2 |
$1025 |
$1050 |
$1075 |
Register by 12/15/2023 for best savings.
Old school Check is preferred payment method. Payment plans available on request.
MC/Visa all major cc’s accepted. Venmo, PayPal as well.
* Price listed is for shared lodging in our main lodge. A few private cabins are available as well; please inquire.
Mailing address: Gray Bear Lodge, P.O. Box 682, Hohenwald, TN, 38462
Retreat begins Thursday April 25th with arrival between 10-12. Lunch will be served. Our first gathering is from 1:45 to 5. Meeting, orientation, group work, class. Dinner at 6:00.
If you would like to arrive a day early (Wednesday 24th) because of flights/travel schedule or just to settle in and relax, our space will be ready. Most guests will do this. Please plan 2:00-6:00 arrival time. Dinner will be served at 6:00pm.
(*) If attending Presence only, (April 27-May 2nd) please plan to arrive between 2:00-5:30 pm on Saturday, March 27. Dinner is served at 6:00
Departing Schedule Thursday 2nd: Morning Practice 8-9:45, Brunch at 10:15 followed by checkout at 11:00.
Good to remember for flights: We are a two hour drive from the airport plus at least one hour of checkin time at airport, so a minimum three hour window is normally recommended.
Airport shuttle info: If you can arrange your arrival towards the early time (by/before 1:00 to 3:00 time frame) this helps to avoid Nashville traffic rush of 4:00 hour. Gray Bear promotes ride -sharing. If you let us know your arrival times, we will try our best to coordinate you with other participants arriving to share your ride down (and back). Nashville is the nearest airport. The drive from BNA (Nashville Airport is about 2 hours. Please plan plenty of time (at least one hour each way) for arrival and departure/check in. A Nashville shuttle company can also be utilized; please inquire and we will give you reference.
Gray Bear Lodge P.O. Box 682 Hohenwald, TN 38462
Telephone: 615-782-0469
Confirmation letter and additional information (including directions to Gray Bear) will be sent. Listed price is for shared occupancy in the main lodge (upgrades to private cabins are available; please inquire).
For this retreat our definition of ongoing practice is as follows: some fluency in basic standing poses, an understanding of your personal limitations for safety concerns, a willingness to listen closely and bravely explore that which we often ignore .
The TT/Weekend Only is NOT limited to yoga teachers. You do not have to be a Yoga instructor to attend. Ongoing students or those wanting to deepen their understanding are encouraged to attend.
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.