Just as You Are: Fall Yoga Retreat

Underneath the routine of doing and expectation, a gracious joy for simply being awaits. Fall is a glorious time to slow down and revel in the beauty of being enough, and GilChrist echoes that sentiment back to you. Open landscapes, cozy cabins, and sounds of nature are a balm to busy-ness, affirming that you are enough -- just as you are. With this retreat, you are invited to reflect and relax into who we are as the hustle and bustle melts away. Poetry, nature, solitude, and togetherness will cocoon this special time of unwinding and unfolding layers to bask in your inner light. 

About the Facilitator: Marne Johnson Apolo, M.A. RYT

Marne's inspiration for learning and healing through yoga began with her first yoga class with Yolanda Bain in 1996, in San Francisco, CA. With a Master's degree in Communication from Western Michigan University and an intensive 200-hour RYT training with Karina Ayn Mirsky at Sangha Yoga, Marne strives to cultivate creative ways to integrate communication studies with yoga philosophy and practice. She has studied yoga with Judith Hanson Lasater, Angela Farmer, as well as Loving Kindness meditation with Sharon Salzberg and is currently a student of Insight Yoga with Sarah Powers.

Retreat Schedule

Friday, October 27
5:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. -- evening yoga practice with guided yoga Nidra

Saturday, October 28
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. -- morning meditation and yoga practice
4:00 p.m. -- Walk the labyrinth, Restorative Yoga practice

Sunday, October 29
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. -- morning yoga practice
2:00 p.m. -- check out

Registration and Lodging Details

To join this retreat, contact Marne Apolo to register: $250 early bird registration, $275 after Aug. 15, 2023. Email Marne or text/call her at (269) 270-8513. Space is limited. Please inquire about options for financial accessibility.

Once you have registered and paid for the program with the facilitator, contact GilChrist to reserve your cabin using the online registration form or by calling the main office at (269) 244-1130. Lodging is $60/night per person in addition to the program fee, payable by cash or check at the end of the retreat. Participants will check into their cabins between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 27 at a time you communicate via your cabin reservation. Cabin check-out is at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 29. 

A communal dinner will take place on Saturday evening, so please let Marne know if you have any food restrictions. Other than Saturday evening, individuals are responsible for their own meals. Each guest space at GilChrist is equipped with a complete kitchen. See the complete GilChrist FAQ for more information about the facility.

Note: all group participants are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.