Deep Ecology & Yoga Retreat

Reconnect and Find Your Purpose

Earthaven Ecovillage
Near Asheville, NC

Dive deep into The Work That Reconnects to explore your ecological identity. Engage the practice of yoga to integrate the work into your body. Become more interconnected, creative, and tuned into your passionate purpose.

Everyone is welcome. No previous experience necessary.

If you are interested in this workshop, please contact us.

Seeds in many hands for deep ecology workshop

About the Retreat

We find ourselves alive in an extraordinary time; a time of uncertainty and disconnection, but also a time of great possibility where cooperation, courageous action, and collective movement can cultivate the world we’re longing to live in. In these times of ecological, political, and social catastrophe looming on the horizon, it is essential that we dig deep to find our creative will and power to help life jump up and live.

Join us for a weekend of reconnecting with self, other, sacred purpose, and earth. Opening up our hearts and minds to the love, joy, and deep grief we feel for life on our planet allows us to find the strength and wisdom to act on behalf of Earth as catalysts for positive change.

In this retreat, we will draw on the work of Deep Ecology and The Work That Reconnects to ground into our ecological identities, and the practice of yoga to integrate the work into our bodies. We will spiral through the 4 stages of The Work: Coming from Gratitude, Honoring our Pain for the World, Seeing with New Eyes, and Going Forth. We will leave with a re-nourished connection to our bodies, our planet, and our sacred purpose as leaders, changers, and activists.

Earthaven Ecovillage in the woodlands of the ancient Appalachian mountains with streams, vital forests, and naturally built infrastructure will serve as our container, mentor, and classroom for this work to unfold within.

Yoga pose
Flowing river with statue at Earthaven Ecovillage

Program

Thursday
3:30pm Arrive. Set-up camp. Settle into the land.
6:45pm Dinner
7:45pm Evening Activity

Friday – Saturday
7:00-8:00 Morning Yoga
8:15-9:15 Breakfast
9:30-12:00 Morning Session
12:00-2:00 Lunch
2:00-3:30 Afternoon Session
3:45-4:45 Afternoon Yoga
4:45-6:45 Independent Integration Time/Free Play
6:45-7:45 Dinner
8:00-9:30 Evening Activities

Sunday
7:00-8:00 Morning Yoga
8:15-9:15 Breakfast
9:30-12:00 Morning Session
12:00-1:30 Lunch

Sliding Scale Tuition

Because some people have more financial means than others, we have created a sliding scale fee system to accommodate a range of economic realities. The high-end of the scale reflects the value we believe the program holds, and the low-end offers a more accessible entry point.

By choosing a higher price point, you are helping make the program more accessible to others for whom the low-end may be cost-prohibitive. Please consider your needs and resources to determine what might be a stretch, but not a strain.

Bird's eye view of waterways for Deep Ecology workshop

Cost

General
Tuition Sliding Scale: TBD

What’s Included
Tuition includes 3 nights camping, meals, instruction, and all materials. Shared and private indoor lodging as well as transportation are available for an additional cost.

Scholarships
We offer partial scholarships (50% of the middle of the sliding scale) to black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) with financial needs who otherwise would not be able to afford to attend. We understand that BIPOC experience more financial and institutional barriers to participation, and this is one way we are able to create more access. If you identify as BIPOC with financial needs and would like to receive a scholarship, please contact us.

More Info

Appalachia from Dave Allen Photography

Deep Ecology & the Work that Reconnects

Deep Ecology is a holistic, experiential, and embodied approach to moving beyond the Western expression of individualism toward a more integrated way of belonging to the world. It is based in Systems Theory, Eco-philosophy and spiritual views from around the world that can help us graduate from the strictly scientific approach to ecology to embodying our powerful role as an integrated part of the natural world.

Joanna Macy, John Seed and others have developed this body of work over the last 4 decades to help guide us towards a more holistic world view and heal broken relationships with our life-sustaining planet. As we lean into our deep connection with life, we connect to our own unique, true nature, to our larger human community, and the web of life; coming to understand ourselves as having a role to play in the collective wellbeing.

Yoga pose silhouette with moutainsn

Yoga Practice With Garrell

Garrell’s yoga sessions are described as Hatha yoga. The sessions are designed for all levels of ability and focus on the harmony of body, breath and mind. Through a series of asanas (poses), relaxed self-awareness and movement with the breath the yoga practice can help promote physical and spiritual well-being, relieving some of the stresses and distractions of everyday life as well as prepare the participant for a meditation practice.

Logistics

Lodging

Several accommodation options are available at Earthaven Ecovillage and in the surrounding area.

Camping
Cost per person: 3 nights $60

Shared Indoor Lodging
Cost per person: 3 nights $110

Private Indoor Lodging
Cost for 1 person: 3 nights $160
Cost for 2 people (shared bed): 3 nights $240

Off-Site Options
Various options in Bat Cave, Black Mountain, and Asheville.

Read More About Accommodations

Health Considerations

To meet our needs for connection and learning as well as health and safety, we’re creatively adapting our programs. SOIL’s in-person classes take place primarily outdoors, with appropriate shelter in inclement weather.

Let’s connect with each other and the natural world to stay healthy!

For more information, see SOIL's Health and Safety Practices.

Food

Composite image of bowls of pasta, soup and salad

Delicious, omnivorous meals are prepared by talented culinary artists from the Earthaven community. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available. Snacks and beverages (tea, coffee) are provided. Participants are invited to help with meal clean-up. Many hands make light work.

As much food as possible is sourced from Earthaven and its surrounding farms and gardens, with some ingredients sourced from local grocery stores. Our meals are created with seasonal, local, fresh, wildcrafted, humanely-raised, and organic ingredients.

***If you have dietary needs beyond the ones listed here, please be prepared to bring supplemental food to support your nourishment and well-being. Our kitchen simply cannot accommodate all diets.

Program Specific Info

Nine meals are included: Thursday dinner through Sunday lunch.

Cancellation & Refunds

If you cancel your registration, you may:

  • Donate your tuition to support our continued work
  • Request a refund per our policy:
    • 90% refund for cancellations prior to 30 days before the start of the program
    • 50% refund for cancellations prior to 10 days before the start of the program

If SOIL cancels this program for any reason whatsoever, you would receive a 100% refund.

Contact us at [email protected] with registration questions.

Crowdfunding & Fundraising

Check out our Crowdfunding & Fundraising page for creative ways to engage your community and launch a "Community Supported Education" campaign. This approach can help support your investment in yourself, your community, the planet, and future generations.

Location

This program takes place at Earthaven Ecovillage. This permaculture-based community offers a unique living classroom where participants will engage with the natural world, eco-infrastructure, and the intimate experience of rural community living.

What to Expect at Earthaven