Be Here Now: A Yoga & Mindfulness Retreat
with Lotus Pond Studio Founder, Val Spies and current studio co-owner, Katie Beene.
Wednesday, October 25 - Sunday, October 29, 2023
Wednesday, October 25 - Sunday, October 29, 2023
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Yoga Alliance CEUs available.
Do you feel fully present in your life? Or are you just going through the motions?
Are you feeling distracted, overwhelmed or disconnected?
Let this yoga and mindfulness retreat be the start of more spaciousness in your life.
Put away your to-do list and start following a to-BE list.
Be Joyful, Be Curious, Be in the Moment
Be Here Now: A Yoga and Mindfulness Retreat
with Val Spies and Katie Beene
Do you feel fully present in your life? Or are you just going through the motions?
Are you feeling distracted, overwhelmed or disconnected?
Let this yoga and mindfulness retreat be the start of more spaciousness in your life.
Put away your to-do list and start following a to-BE list.
Be Joyful, Be Curious, Be in the Moment
Be Here Now: A Yoga and Mindfulness Retreat
with Val Spies and Katie Beene
Immerse yourself in the beauty and tranquility of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Through yoga, meditation, philosophy, nature exploration and heartfelt group experiences, you’ll:
You’ll walk away with inspiration for a more mindful yoga and mediation practice that stills the mind, relieves stress and cultivates inner peace.
Items to Bring Clothing comfortable for yoga practice, a journal, and hiking clothes.
This program is for yoga practitioners of all levels.
This program offers CEU’s for Yoga Alliance. Yoga Teachers can receive 30 continuing education credits.
- Gain insight to good physical, emotional, and spiritual health
- Clear your mind and find stillness
- Reconnect with joy through nature
- Learn how to be more present in the busyness of life
You’ll walk away with inspiration for a more mindful yoga and mediation practice that stills the mind, relieves stress and cultivates inner peace.
Items to Bring Clothing comfortable for yoga practice, a journal, and hiking clothes.
This program is for yoga practitioners of all levels.
This program offers CEU’s for Yoga Alliance. Yoga Teachers can receive 30 continuing education credits.
Info Session replay with Val & Katie
Daily Retreat Schedule
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023
Meet & Greet 5:30pm / Session 7:00-8:30pm
Daily Retreat Schedule* / Thursday-Saturday
7:00-8:30am: Sunrise Morning Yoga Class
8:30-9:30am: Breakfast
9:30am-12:30pm: Morning Session or Hike*
12:30-2:30pm Lunch & Free Time
2:30-6:00pm Afternoon Session on Mindfulness
6:00-7:30pm Dinner
7:30-8:30pm Kirtan or Evening Session on Mindfulness
*We plan to take nature hikes (weather permitting).
Sunday, Oct 29, 2023
Check out 11:00am / No morning sessions
Shankara Spa
Call in advance for a Spa Reservations, 800-392-6870
Suggested Spa time: Book at the start of lunch time
(ask a friend to box a lunch for you to eat after your treatment)
The Lotus Pond Center For Yoga & Health, 813-961-3160
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Val Spies
Val Spies is an E-RYT500 certified Kripalu yoga teacher and Chopra Health & Meditation teacher and Chopra Wellness Coach. She specializes in the inner quest for joy through the practice of yoga, meditation and breathwork. She has been leading workshops, travel tours, and training sessions for yoga groups and corporate enterprises for over 20 years, and offers expertise in tailoring programs to fit the needs of her students. Today, Val is best known for her ability to deliver the complex studies of yoga in a comprehensive and intriguing style that appeals to students of all levels. As a Chopra Health Teacher she also leads workshops on Ayurveda Health and Nutrition. She is the founder of the Lotus Pond Center and lead teacher of the Lotus Pond 200 and 300hr Yoga Teacher Training Programs and "yogi mama" to 700+ graduating yoga teachers across the country. |
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Katie Beene
Katie is an experienced yoga teacher (E-RYT 200/ RYT 500) and current co-owner of Lotus Pond. She teaches her asana classes at a slow and mindful pace, weaving in philosophy and heartfelt contemplations to inspire emotional and spiritual growth. Katie's yoga classes combine the elements of strength and grace to help each practitioner find balance within their inherent masculine and feminine qualities. Katie weaves her own life experience into her teachings, sharing relatable stories and lessons that she has learned along her yoga journey. When Katie isn't teaching, she enjoys playing the piano, dancing with hula hoops or silk veil fans, spending time in nature, or reading/writing. Katie believes that yoga is fully lived both on and off the mat, and hopes to inspire others to take their yoga practice everywhere they go. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do students fly or drive to the retreat?
Some students arrange carpools and drive from Tampa to the Mountains. Most students fly to the Charlotte Airport and either share a rental car to drive to the Retreat Center or take the Hickory Hop Shuttle. See the Travel Info page for details.
Plan to arrive at the Retreat Center by 4pm on Wednesday, Oct 25, and depart early on Sunday, Oct 29. There is no session on Sunday.
Can I stay longer at the Retreat Center to enjoy more hiking or spa treatments?
At this time, the retreat center is closed on Monday and Tuesday. So if you want to stay in Boone past our scheduled check-out of Sunday, Oct 29, you’ll have to find other accommodations in the area.
How far in advance do I need to book my room?
October is a busy time in the mountains so it is recommended to book your room by July or August.
Are the rooms private or shared accommodations?
Room choices range from a shared triple retreat room with single beds to a deluxe private hotel room. Rooms are only shared with students in our retreat and roommate requests can be submitted in advance.
How many meals are included during the stay?
A healthy vegetarian menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner is provided daily.
What type of clothes should I bring?
Yoga clothing with layers as the temperature will vary from early morning to midday/evening.
Comfortable shoes or boots and jeans for hiking, Raincoat and warm jacket, Change of clothes for evening kirtan
Do I need to have an advanced yoga practice to attend this retreat?
Yoga practitioners of all levels of practice are welcome to attend!
What is the level of physical exertion in this experience?
Students will be walking daily outdoors from the resident buildings to the classroom to the dining hall. The retreat is on the top of a mountain; expect lots of walking up and downhill.
The guided hike on the Blue Ridge is of moderate level and students are welcome to stop anywhere along the way.
Do I need to bring my own yoga props?
Typically the retreat center provides mats, blocks, bolsters, straps and blankets. However, we will let you know if anything changes
Will coffee and tea be provided for the students?
Yes!
Do students fly or drive to the retreat?
Some students arrange carpools and drive from Tampa to the Mountains. Most students fly to the Charlotte Airport and either share a rental car to drive to the Retreat Center or take the Hickory Hop Shuttle. See the Travel Info page for details.
Plan to arrive at the Retreat Center by 4pm on Wednesday, Oct 25, and depart early on Sunday, Oct 29. There is no session on Sunday.
Can I stay longer at the Retreat Center to enjoy more hiking or spa treatments?
At this time, the retreat center is closed on Monday and Tuesday. So if you want to stay in Boone past our scheduled check-out of Sunday, Oct 29, you’ll have to find other accommodations in the area.
How far in advance do I need to book my room?
October is a busy time in the mountains so it is recommended to book your room by July or August.
Are the rooms private or shared accommodations?
Room choices range from a shared triple retreat room with single beds to a deluxe private hotel room. Rooms are only shared with students in our retreat and roommate requests can be submitted in advance.
How many meals are included during the stay?
A healthy vegetarian menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner is provided daily.
What type of clothes should I bring?
Yoga clothing with layers as the temperature will vary from early morning to midday/evening.
Comfortable shoes or boots and jeans for hiking, Raincoat and warm jacket, Change of clothes for evening kirtan
Do I need to have an advanced yoga practice to attend this retreat?
Yoga practitioners of all levels of practice are welcome to attend!
What is the level of physical exertion in this experience?
Students will be walking daily outdoors from the resident buildings to the classroom to the dining hall. The retreat is on the top of a mountain; expect lots of walking up and downhill.
The guided hike on the Blue Ridge is of moderate level and students are welcome to stop anywhere along the way.
Do I need to bring my own yoga props?
Typically the retreat center provides mats, blocks, bolsters, straps and blankets. However, we will let you know if anything changes
Will coffee and tea be provided for the students?
Yes!
