Keeping You in the Loop!
We’ve always got things moving and shaking over here. We are keeping you in the loop!
NEW YTT GRADUATES, FALL RETREAT ANNOUNCEMENTS, LAST CALL FOR JUNE YOGA RETREAT!
First thing first! This fabulous group of humans have been on their 200-hour yoga teacher training journey for the past eight months. Last week concluded their Yoga Teacher Training. You will see these faces at retreats in 2023 and 2024, as they complete their apprenticeships with us by teaching and assisting at retreats. We are so proud of them! We have much more to say about how much we love them, but for now, if you recognized a familiar face in the photo- text them congrats! Completing YTT is a huge accomplishment!
We will feature a blog all about their journey (hopefully next week!). We will have stories about how our time together from August - April developed. For now, let us introduce to you these brand-new and skilled yoga teachers!
Back row: Catherine Cronemeyer, Nora Woodworth, Joshua Wallenberg, Stephanie Brueland, Brandi Scribner, Janice Johnson, Deirdre Hausauer
Front Row: Elizabeth Sorensen, Ashley Shelton, Daphne Ponds, Bryana Cook, Tracy Frederick Corcoran , Zoe Jennings, and Gabriela Kaiser
Next Up: Fall Retreats!
Your Brain on Art
It’s official, we’ve selected the book club for our fall retreat in September at Camp Olson. We have to wait until inspiration strikes for a retreat to come together. It takes a spark of magic, some curiosity, and the perfect book to really get our juices flowing!
The book:
Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us, by Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen
You can listen to the authors speak at the Aspen Ideas Festival here. They also recently spoke on Dax Shepard’s Podcast, Armchair Expert. That episode can be found here.
The retreat:
Sep 15-17, 2023 at Camp Olson in Longville, MN
Art * Movement * Nature
Registration opens May 21 at 7am!
Notice the powerful effect of your brain on art!
Personal inspiration for the theme:
I (Amanda) have never had any illusions that I am an artist. I have never identified as an artist or felt that art is an area I excelled.
For some wild reason, a little over a month ago I ordered myself a watercolor kit. I started watercoloring at night after the kids go to sleep. Opening up my little tin thrills me. I love seeing the colors spill onto the page. This new hobby has captured my imagination and is my current obsession. I love to watch youtube tutorials on how to watercolor (there are so many resources out there!) I am learning and creating.
I told a friend about my new watercolor endeavors and she recommended the Armchair Expert podcast on art. I was mindblown!
While we all know that spending time outdoors and exercise are effective ways to regulate our emotions and can lower cortisol levels, it is not well known that 45 minutes of art can have the same impacts on the body. I am currently working my way through the book and loving it!
We’re putting together the retreat at Camp Olson now. There will be an array of workshops from watercolor and creative writing to zentangle and embroidery. We cannot wait! (P.S. It is super fun to have a bike on the Camp Olson campus. There’s also a sauna, kayaks, beautiful accommodations, and delicious food!)
“A creative life is an amplified life. It's a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life.”
― Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
In October, we return to one of our favorite fall locations. This is also a venue that is a favorite among our returning retreaters. That’s right, among all of our venues, folks typically tell us they like this hidden gem in the northwoods the most!
The retreat:
October 13-15, 2023 at Deep Portage in Hackensack, MN
Vitality
Registration opens May 21 at 7am!
The book:
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, by James Nestor
We’ve been recommended this book by countless people! We are looking forward to incorporating the information from it paired with pranayama (breathwork) exercises into our retreat weekend.
Breathing exercises are a pillar in yoga. Rediscover this important ancient science and practice, paired with new scientific findings about the benefits. Our favorite saying is, “as long as you’re breathing you’re practicing yoga.”
vi·tal·i·ty
noun
The state of being strong and active; energy.
Access your strength on many different levels. Tap into your unique energy. Step into your power.
13 Continuing Education Available for Yoga Teachers
Includes 13 continuing education credits for Yoga Teachers to renew their registered yoga teacher status with Yoga Alliance! Our continuing education content will revolve largely around pranayama, philosophy, asana, techniques/training/practice, and teaching methodology. Join us for a weekend in the woods and opt for credit if you’d like!
Last Call for Luxurious Lake Life this June!
We have only five rooms remaining for our Luxurious Lake Life Yoga Retreat at Madden’s Resort on Gull Lake.
We know many of you look forward to the start of summer. As a Minnesotan - how can you not?! We also know that having something on the books to kick-off this glorious season is so uplifting.
Come with a friend, family, or come solo! There are SO MANY amenities and special extras to enjoy at this venue. We also have an opportunity for yoga teachers to earn 17 continuing education credits while retreating!
We are able to create a 50% down payment plan for you as well. As long as that first payment is established by/before April 23rd, the second payment can be made by/before May 23. Email us for that payment plan to be created for ya!
Treat yourself to the ultimate Minnesota tradition. After all, life is definitely better at the lake.
