Retreats
Spring Renewal Women's Retreat
A restorative weekend to rest, reconnect, and make space for what wants to emerge.
Imagine arriving on Friday evening...
The week is still lingering in your body, but something feels different here. The days are growing longer. The landscape is beginning to wake from winter. Tiny signs of new life are appearing all around you, almost as if nature itself is reminding you that renewal doesn't have to happen all at once.
You enter your room, drop your bags, and feel yourself begin to arrive. There is nowhere else you need to be. Nothing you need to accomplish before the weekend can begin.
Dinner is waiting for you. You get to sit down, receive a nourishing meal, and let someone else take care of the details. For now, you simply get to receive.
Later, you step into our private retreat space. Soft light, a warm cup of tea, and a cozy place have already been prepared for you to settle in. This is your sanctuary for the next few days.
Your body begins to soften into the support beneath you. There is nothing to figure out. You don't need to reinvent yourself this spring. Maybe renewal begins much more quietly... with rest, space, listening, and remembering what has been there all along.
Nothing to prove. Nothing to keep up with. Just space to breathe, to soften, and to set everything down for a while. This is only the beginning.
Over the weekend, you'll be invited to move slowly, rest deeply, spend time in nature, reflect, and reconnect with yourself. There will be space for quiet and connection, gentle restorative movement and Yoga Nidra, and plenty of room to simply follow what you need.
Because renewal doesn't have to be something you force. Sometimes it begins when you finally give yourself enough space to notice what is already beginning to grow.
Space to Make the Weekend Your Own:
Your retreat experience extends beyond our time together. The Himalayan Institute's peaceful 400-acre campus offers plenty of ways to spend your spacious free time, whether you're craving quiet, movement, nature, or a little extra nurturing.
During your free time, you might choose to enjoy:
-
Massages and other relaxing spa services at the PureRejuv Wellness Center
-
Tours of the Moka Origins coffee and chocolate factory
-
Hiking on the 400-acre wooded campus
-
Peaceful moments near the pond
-
Meditation at the Sri Vidya Shrine
-
Daily community yoga classes
-
24/7 complimentary Tea Lounge
-
Reading, napping, or quiet free time to yourself
Want to see how the weekend unfolds? View the detailed retreat schedule below.
Maybe you're not looking to become a different version of yourself. Maybe you're simply craving enough space to hear yourself again.
If any of these resonate, you may feel at home here:
-
I feel like I'm always "on" and rarely get a moment to fully exhale
-
I give so much of myself to everyday life and am craving some space that is simply mine
-
I feel the pull toward something slower, quieter, or more intentional
-
I sense that something in my life may be shifting, even if I'm not quite sure what comes next
-
I want space to reflect on what I might want to nurture, release, or make room for in the season ahead
-
I am curious about meditation or Yoga Nidra, whether I'm a beginner or experienced
-
I would love the experience of a retreat, but wonder whether I'd feel comfortable coming alone
-
I simply want to rest, reconnect with myself, spend time in nature, and enjoy supportive community without pressure
Spring Renewal is an invitation to step away from the pace and responsibilities of everyday life long enough to hear yourself again.
In this spacious, nurturing environment, you'll have the opportunity to receive rather than manage, tend, plan, or accomplish. There is room here to slow down. listen inward, and simply notice what arises.
Through journaling, guided meditation, restorative movement, and quiet reflection, you'll be invited to return to yourself. Not to find a new version of you, but to create enough quiet to notice what feels true now: what you're ready to release, what you want to nurture, and what you may be quietly beginning to grow.
Each evening, you'll be guided into deep rest through yoga nidra meditation, supporting nervous system regulation, relaxation, and renewal. Surrounded by nature, you'll have the opportunity to slow down in a way that often isn't accessible in daily life.
There will also be spacious time to enjoy optional experiences such as nature walks, tea gatherings, spa services, or simply reading, resting, and allowing yourself to do less.
As the weekend unfolds, you may begin to notice something shifting. Your breath slows, your shoulders soften, and your mind grows quieter. You remember what it feels like to simply be.
You may find yourself leaving:
-
Lighter, with a greater sense of ease
-
More grounded and present in your body
-
Clearer about what matters to you
-
More connected to yourself and your own inner knowing
-
Rested and deeply nourished in body, mind, and spirit
-
More aware of what you want to make room for in the season ahead
-
Supported by simple practices you can return to at home
-
Reminded that renewal can happen gently, without forcing what comes next
Not because anything outside of you changed, but because you had the space to reconnect with yourself.
Whether you're experienced with meditation or simply curious about slowing down, you are warmly welcome here. No prior retreat or yoga experience is needed. Whether you come alone or with a friend, this space is designed to feel inclusive, gentle, and supportive. You don't need to arrive fully rested, experienced, or "ready." Just arriving is enough.
My hope is that you leave feeling rested, grounded, and deeply nourished... more connected to yourself, aligned with what matters, clearer about what you want to carry forward, and ready to move into the season ahead with greater intention and ease.
What Women Are Saying
The words below come from women who joined the very first Recharge & Restore Women's Retreat in July 2026.
A Closer Look at the Retreat
These videos offer a gentle glimpse into the intention, atmosphere, and experience of the retreat.
Why I created the Spring Renewal Retreat
What a Day at the Retreat Feels Like
Is this Retreat right for me?
Retreat Q&A Deep Dive
Common Questions
"Can I purchase the retreat as a gift?"
Absolutely! Retreat experiences make meaningful gifts for birthdays, holidays, Mother's Day, or simply to encourage someone you love to rest. Because each retreat reservation is personalized, gift purchases are arranged directly with Sara. Payment plans are also available.
"I've never done a retreat before. Will I feel out of place?"
Not at all! Many participants are new to retreats. Everything is designed to feel welcoming, gentle, and supportive. You are invited to participate as much or as little as feels good to you in the moment. This might look like a more reflective, quiet experience or you may end up connecting deeply with other like-minded women.
"Do I have to participate in everything?"
Not at all. This weekend is about listening to and honoring yourself. You are always invited, but never required.
"What if I'm 'not good' at yoga or meditation?"
There is nothing to be good at during this weekend. This experience is about rest, not performance. I will share gentle movement practices to support restoration, which involves sinking into easeful poses over a longer period of time and allowing yourself to be fully supported by the props.
During the guided meditations, nothing is required of you besides lying back, relaxing, and allowing yourself to receive the experience. Yoga Nidra isn’t about clearing your mind or doing anything perfectly. It’s a guided space to rest, especially if your mind tends to stay active. You may fall asleep during the practice, which is completely ok.
"Can I come alone?"
Absolutely. Many women attend retreats on their own, and I have personally attended many retreats solo as well. There is space throughout the weekend to connect with others when that feels supportive and to enjoy quiet time on your own when that is what you need. You won't be expected to socialize constantly or arrive already knowing someone.
If you choose a shared room, the Himalayan Institute thoughtfully pairs solo travelers with a same-gender roommate. Private rooms are also available based on availability.
"Why the Pocono Mountains?"
There is something about this area that is hard to fully explain, but easy to feel.
The Pocono Mountains take their name from the Lenape language meaning "a stream between two mountains." It is a landscape shaped by forest, water, and open sky. People have long been drawn here when they need space, quiet, and a chance to rest.
You may notice it as you arrive. Your breath softens, your shoulders begin to relax, and your mind starts to quiet without needing to force anything. This isn't a place that asks anything of you. It doesn't demand, rush, or overwhelm. Instead, it offers a sense of being held and supported by the environment itself.
The sound of water moving, the stillness of the trees, the feeling of fresh air filling your lungs. These small moments begin to add up. Before you even realize it, your body starts to remember what it feels like to return to balance and rest.
There is a reason people have been coming to places like this for generations. Not to escape their lives, but to reconnect with themselves in a quieter, more grounded way. That is exactly what this space allows.
"Why the Himalayan Institute?"
When I stepped on campus during my first retreat, I was nervous about what to expect. I was pregnant and very new to yoga. I had recently transitioned careers and felt that I needed something in my life to help manage my stress and feeling of burnout but wasn't sure what exactly. Somehow, desperate searches on the internet led me to explore the campus's retreat calendar.
From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and included. Every cell of my body exhaled, and I felt as though I had been transported to a magical space. Once I arrived, there was nothing I needed to do besides allow myself to receive, which can be hard for people used to constantly doing for others.
The campus isn't so large that you feel overwhelmed or at risk of getting lost, but it isn't so small that you feel like all eyes are on you. There is a beautiful balance of people who live on campus and guests like me who are tehre to attend a retreat program. The environment is non-judgmental and you immediately feel that everyone is dedicated to the service of humanity.
The meals are delicious and you truly feel nourished physically and emotionally. During my first visit, I was nervous if I would be hungry and brought some emergency food, but it was not necessary at all. The dining experience was one of the highlights of my visit and I left with meal ideas I wanted to replicate at home.
The property embodies the stunning landscape of the Pocono Mountains, which holds the magic of rest in its ancient soil, bark, streams, and air. Throughout the year, memories of leisurely walks around the pond and through the hiking trails enter my consciousness and I am momentarily brought back to that sense of ease.
I love that after guided meditations at night; it is only a short walk back to your room as you crawl under your covers and drift into sleep versus taking a live class at a studio and having to fully return and drive back home. The accommodations are comfortable, tranquil, and very supportive of the restful experience I crave during a retreat.
The services at the Wellness Center are unlike anything I have found anywhere else and are an amazing addition to a relaxing weekend. I love that there are gazebos and quiet spaces nestled throughout the property to immerse yourself in nature, but also creature comforts that help make my experience feel supportive, like indoor showers, coffee at the cafe, and local chocolate, versus other locations that are further off the grid.
"What is the food like?"
Meals at the Himalayan Institute are vegetarian, nourishing, and honestly one of the things I look forward to when I visit. Even if you don't typically eat vegetarian food at home, the meals are approachable, filling, and thoughtfully prepared.
You will find warm homemade breads and yogurts, creamy hot cereals, soups, fresh vegetables, lentils, salads with tasty homemade dressings, and other comforting dishes that leave you feeling nourished and completely satisfied.
I actually brought “emergency food” with me on my first retreat because I was worried I might be hungry, but I never needed it. 😊
Your meals are included with your accommodations, so once you're on campus, you can simply show up to the dining room and let someone else take care of feeding you for the weekend.
"What are the shared bathrooms and accommodations like?"
If you're wondering what the accommodations are actually like, you're not alone. This was something I wanted to know before my first visit too, especially since I haven't shared a bathroom since college. 😂
The Himalayan Institute offers comfortable indoor accommodations with the everyday conveniences that can make a retreat feel supportive rather than rustic. Your bed will be made and ready for you when you arrive, with linens and pillows provided. Towels are included as well, so there is no need to pack your own or make up your bed.
The shared bathrooms are clean, modern, and designed to provide privacy. All toilets and showers are in private, lockable rooms, so there are no communal restroom stalls or open shower areas. It is definitely not a locker room! The shared bathrooms are easily accessible from all guest rooms.
The accommodations aren't intended to feel like a luxury resort. They're simple, clean, peaceful, and comfortable, which fits beautifully with the retreat environment. After an evening Yoga Nidra practice, I love being able to walk just a short distance back to my room, get under the covers, and continue resting. There are designated quiet hours throughout campus, so you can settle in for the night without the noise you might sometimes experience in a hotel.
If you choose a shared room, solo travelers are thoughtfully paired with a same-gender roommate for a welcoming, secure stay. In many cases, you are paired with a woman attending the same retreat, and I have always had lovely experiences sharing a room. Rooms include a vanity with a washbasin, providing a convenient space to brush your teeth, wash your face, or get ready without needing to use the shared bathrooms.
Here are a few photos so you can see exactly what to expect.
"Why this retreat?"
There are many ways to step away from everyday life. You could take a vacation, book a spa day, or promise yourself that you'll slow down when things get a little less busy. But I've learned that there is something different about intentionally setting aside a weekend where you are not responsible for managing all of the details.
For a few days, someone else prepares the meals. The schedule is already created. There is nowhere you need to drive, nothing you need to plan, and no household list quietly waiting for your attention in the next room. You get to receive.
A weekend retreat also feels possible to me in a way that a longer getaway sometimes doesn't. You don't have to arrange weeks of coverage for work, children, parents, pets, sports, meals, or all of the other responsibilities we somehow keep moving. You can step away for a couple of days, while still giving yourself enough time to truly settle.
There is also something I deeply value about gathering with other women. I've attended women's retreats where I've spent much of my time quietly reflecting on my own, and others where I've connected with women who became lifelong friends. There is room for both here.
You don't have to socialize constantly or share more than feels comfortable. You can come in your pajamas. You can laugh over a cup of tea, take a walk by yourself, join every session, or decide that what you really need in that moment is a nap.
There isn't one right way to experience this retreat and that feels especially important to me with Spring Renewal.
Spring can bring its own kind of pressure. We hear messages about fresh starts, new goals, getting back on track, and becoming a new version of ourselves, but I don't believe renewal has to begin with doing more. Sometimes it begins when we finally have enough space to hear ourselves again.
Spring Renewal was created as a place to rest first. To step away from the noise and responsibilities of everyday life long enough to notice what feels true now. Maybe there is something you're ready to release. Something you'd like to nurture. Something quietly beginning to grow. Or maybe you don't know what you need yet. You don't have to arrive with an intention, an answer, or a plan for what comes next.
Through Yoga Nidra, restorative movement, reflection, time in nature, supportive connection, and plenty of open space, you'll be invited to slow down and reconnect with yourself without pressure to accomplish anything.
My hope isn't that you leave on Sunday as a transformed or improved version of yourself. My hope is that you leave feeling rested, grounded, and a little more connected to the person who was there all along, with a clearer sense of what you want to make room for as you move into the season ahead.
If this is speaking to something within you... If you’ve been craving space to rest, reconnect, and hear yourself a little more clearly, this may be your invitation.
At this point you may be thinking... "Okay, I need this- How does pricing work?"
Retreats at the Himalayan Institute are structured in two simple parts:
First, you book your accommodations directly through the campus using our reservation link. This allows you to select your room of choice and add on nights, if you so choose, without having to relay your preferences through a retreat host acting as a middleman. I liked the comfort this gave me in knowing that my room was secured and aligned with my preferences.
Your accommodation fee includes your room, food, and access to the campus. Rooms currently start at $129/night and there are shared and private rooms available. Room preferences are based on availability and do fill up, so I recommend booking as soon as you are able.
Second, the tuition portion is paid directly to the retreat host to participate in your selected program during your time on campus. The tuition varies based on the type of retreat, length of the program, if there are wellness services included, etc.
The tuition covers your full retreat experience including your sessions, materials, guided practices, dedicated program space, and everything relating to the retreat outside of the rooms and meals booked separately through the campus.
For the Spring Renewal Women's retreat, the tuition is $350, with Early Bird tuition of $299 through January 31, 2027. Payment plans are available if that feels supportive. Tuition payments are made securely through my website.
Once you step on campus, most of what you need for the weekend is already taken care of. Your room and meals are covered through your accommodation reservation, and your retreat sessions and materials are covered through your tuition. Other than optional purchases, like treats from the cafe, gift shop, Moka Origins, or wellness services you choose to add, you don't have to keep reaching for your wallet throughout the weekend.
For me, not having to continually think about additional costs or logistics helps my system settle and lets me release a little more of the mental load I normally carry.
"What if I have more questions?"
I love chatting about all things retreats and finding ways to sprinkle restoration into your life. I am happy to schedule a phone call, Zoom, or chat via email, text message, or Facebook Messenger.
Let me know your preferred method of choice and I am happy to personally connect to ensure your questions are answered. Contact me.
Choose your 2027 Retreat
🌸Spring Renewal Women's Retreat
A restorative weekend for rest, reflection, & gentle renewal.
When: April 9 - 11, 2027
Where: The Himalayan Institute - Honesdale, PA
Tuition:
-
Regular retreat tuition: $350
If you're feeling the pull toward rest, you're welcome here.
Reserving your space is simple:
1. Choose your accommodations
Accommodations and meals are booked directly through the Himalayan Institute so you can choose the room that feels best for you.
-
Rooms start at $129/night
-
Includes 3 delicious, vegetarian meals per day + full access to campus amenities
-
Shared and private room options available
-
Premium rooms may be available with early booking
2. Reserve your retreat experience
-
Register with a friend and you'll each receive an additional $25 off
Space is intentionally limited to keep the experience intimate.
Cancellation policy available below
A gentle note:
You don't have to have everything figured out before you arrive.
You don't need to be experienced. You don't need to feel "ready."
Just a willingness to show up, exactly as you are.
🍂Fall Recharge & Restore Women's Retreat
A restorative weekend to pause, recharge, & reconnect.
When: November 5 - 7, 2027
Where: The Himalayan Institute - Honesdale, PA
Tuition:
-
Regular retreat tuition: $350
Reserving your space is simple:
1. Choose your accommodations
Accommodations and meals are booked directly through the Himalayan Institute so you can choose the room that feels best for you.
-
Rooms start at $129/night
-
Includes 3 delicious, vegetarian meals per day + full access to campus amenities
-
Shared and private room options available
-
Premium rooms may be available with early booking
Himalayan Institute room reservations will open once the Fall retreat event page is available.
2. Reserve your retreat experience
-
Register with a friend and you'll each receive an additional $25 off
Fall registration will open in 2027. If you're already feeling drawn to this weekend, you're welcome to join the waitlist and be among the first to know when registration and room reservations open.
Retreat Cancellation Policy:
-
Over 3 weeks before retreat - Full Tuition Refund, minus $49 cancellation fee
-
Within 2 - 3 weeks before retreat - 75% Tuition Refund (after $49 cancellation fee)
-
Within 1 - 2 weeks before retreat - 50% Tuition Refund (after $49 cancellation fee)
-
Within 1 week before retreat - 25% Tuition Refund (after $49 cancellation fee)
-
Same day of the retreat or no-show - No Refund
Note- See the Himalayan Institute website for Cancellation and Refund Policy for Accommodations
Sample Retreat Schedule
-
Friday
-
4 PM - Check in
-
5 PM - 6 PM - Optional Community Yoga Class
-
6 PM - 7 PM - Dinner
-
*7:30 PM - 9:30 PM - Program Session, Yoga Nidra (*official program start)
-
-
Saturday
-
7 AM - 8 AM - Optional Community Yoga Class
-
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM - Breakfast
-
8:30 AM - 10 AM - Free time
-
10 AM - 12 PM - Program Session
-
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM - Lunch
-
1:30 PM - 6 PM - Free time
-
6 PM - 7 PM - Dinner
-
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM - Program Session & Yoga Nidra
-
-
Sunday
-
7 AM - 8 AM - Optional Community Yoga Class
-
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM - Breakfast
-
8:30 AM - 10 AM - Free time
-
10 AM - 12 PM - Program session
-
12 PM - Check out
-
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM - Lunch & Departure
-
-
Optional Add-On:
-
A limited number of private Yoga Nidra sessions are available before and during the retreat for those who would appreciate a personalized practice or wish to share the experience with someone you love. Advance reservations encouraged.
-
-
Notes:
-
Recommended that you book services at the PureRejuv Wellness Center in advance
-
Moka Origins is open daily from 9 AM - 4 PM (free tastings and tours on Saturdays from 10 AM - 2 PM)
-
Optional Group Prayers & Meditation at Sri Vidya Shrine daily at 6 AM, 12:30 PM, and 6 PM
-
Campus & Trail maps available
-
-
Items to Pack:
-
Yoga mat & comfortable clothes for gentle movement. A sweater, cozy socks, eye mask, or other items used during Savasana are beneficial during restorative practices. Blankets, cushions, bolsters, and other props will be available during the retreat.
-
Reading material, journal, coloring book, or other relaxing leisure items
-
Insect repellent, water bottle, umbrella, flashlight, hiking boots/shoes, and other clothing desired for hiking. Light weight long-sleeved clothes are recommended for trails during tick season
-
Toiletries (including shampoo, soap, and toothpaste), hair dryer, and shower shoes. The Himalayan Institute provides bed linens and towels.
-
Consult the Himalayan Institute website if you have food allergies or dietary restrictions
-
If you're feeling the pull toward rest but a full weekend retreat isn't the right fit right now, you’re still welcome to begin gently at home.
You can explore the Rest & Restore Mini Journey here → Learn More