DISCONNECT TO RECONNECT
Join Sara Syed for a wonderful, long weekend of silence, introspection, reflection and healing. This meditation retreat will be hosted ashram-style, with silence (no phones!), extended periods of yoga and meditation practices, healthy vegetarian (and some Ayurvedic) meals and connection to nature.
All meals are healthy, vegetarian and made with a lot of love. Ingredients are locally sourced whenever possible. We can accommodate any common dietary restrictions, including soy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, and more. Most of our previous students have said that the food is one of the best parts of the trip--expect to be well fed during our time together.
Create a sacred space within yourself to set intentions, to clear out the baggage of the past, and to have all needs met for a long weekend so that your energy can be restored.
FIND SILENCE AND SOLITUDE WITHIN
Discover your innate being of bliss and peace. Long days of silence, yoga and meditation help to clear the mind of built-up stress and fatigue.
SELF-DISCOVERY AWAITS
You will be guided through Hatha yoga classes in the morning and gentle and restorative yin yoga classes in the evenings. Yoga classes are specialized to promote meditation and relaxation.
Learn how to meditate. Deepen your existing mediation practice. Build a solid foundation in meditation to prepare you for the fall and winter seasons.
You will leave this retreat feeling renewed, cleansed and inspired.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WHO CAN ATTEND?
This retreat is open to anyone seeking a reset, peace, a pause, alone time, and guidance to live a more healthy and happy life.
This retreat is suitable for both the experienced and novice meditation and yoga practitioner.
Students brand new to these practices will develop a strong foundation that they can take home.
RETREAT DATES
Thursday, October 12 - Sunday, October 15, 2023
~Arrive to Center between 2-5 pm on Thursday, October 12, 2023
~Closing remarks and final meditation at 10am; students can depart after.
We recommend visiting the auspicious and internationally renowned Serpent Mound after the retreat on your way home.
LOCATION
Hope Springs Institute
4988 Mineral Springs Rd, Peebles, OH 45660
About Hope Springs Institute:
Hope Springs Institute is a sacred space created with the intention for fostering healing, sharing and community. It was built more than 25 years ago, located less than 20 miles away from the internally renowned sacred ancient native Indian site called the Serpent Mound. There is a strong energetic holding of these ancient energies at the Hope Springs Institute. Healing and magic are literally embedded in this area due to the Serpent Mound.
The Hope Springs Institute is located at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Hope Springs Institute is secluded, far away from common noise and light pollutants, to promote inner peace.
Hope Springs Institute is a non-profit retreat center in Appalachian Ohio, cultivating peace through empowered leadership, innovative learning, and personal healing. Our vision is a more peaceful, equitable, and inclusive world. The mission of Hope Springs Institute is to hold sacred space & transformative programming for growth, leadership, & healing while honoring mind, body, spirit, & earth.
Hope Springs Institute is handicap accessible.
Learn more about Hope Springs Institute here:
https://www.hopespringsinstitute.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DAILY SCHEDULE
Thursday
~2-5pm - Arrive to center; get settled in; turn in devices & electronics by 5:30pm
~5:30pm - Orientation in the Dining Hall
~6pm - Dinner in the Dining Hall
~7:30pm - Opening Fire Ceremony in the Spirit House (Silence Commences)
~8pm - Meditation in the Spirit House
Friday
~5am - Meditation in the Large Yoga Shala
~6:30am - Yoga in the Large Yoga Shala
~8am - Breakfast in the Dining Hall
~Free Time
~11am - Meditation in the Large Yoga Shala
~12pm - Lunch in the Dining Hall
~1pm - Free Time
~2pm - Reflection & Introspection - Guided Journaling in the Large Yoga Shala
~3pm - Guided Silent Nature Hike w/Sara
~5pm - Dinner in the Dining Hall
~7pm - Yin Yoga in the Large Yoga Shala
~8pm - Meditation in the Large Yoga Shala
Saturday
~5am - Meditation in the Large Yoga Shala
~6:30am - Yoga in the Large Yoga Shala
~8am - Breakfast in the Dining Hall
~Free Time
~10am - Chakras 101: An Introduction to the Chakras in the Large Yoga Shala
~11am - Chakra Meditation & Painting/Vision Board in the Large Yoga Shala
~12pm - Lunch
~1pm - Free Time/Finish Art Projects
~2pm - Guided Nature Education Hike (Led by Hope Springs Land Manager, Chip)
~4pm - Meditation in the Large Yoga Shala
~5pm - Dinner in the Dining Hall
~7pm - Yin Yoga in the Large Yoga Shala
~8pm - Meditation in the Large Yoga Shala
Sunday
~6am - Meditation in the Large Yoga Shala
~7:30am - Yoga in the Large Yoga Shala
~9am - Brunch in the Dining Hall (Silence Ends)
~10am - Final Meditation and Closing Remarks in the Large Yoga Shala
~Option to Visit Sacred Serpent Mound (Located 15 minutes away via car)
**The entire schedule is optional. You are empowered to make your own decisions on this retreat.**
**We may change hike times to accommodate best weather timing if needed**
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WHAT'S INCLUDED
~Daily guided yoga and meditation classes
~All healthy, vegetarian meals to promote digestion, healing and meditation. 1-2 Ayurvedic meals per day.
~Unlimited tea & honey
~Accommodations (comfy beds, warm showers, beautiful, quiet, tranquil spaces underneath the visible stars -- weather permitting)
~Painting supplies for chakra meditation painting experience
~Access to make indoor and outdoor bonfires (and smores!)
~All yoga and mediation props
~Hot tub for use during free time
~Access to a lovely library
~Peace and quiet
~Space to heal
~Serene, peaceful, quiet and pristine nature
~Support & guidance from center and from retreat host (Sara)
WHAT TO BRING
~Toiletries (toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, etc.)
~Clothes for yoga, meditation, winter hiking, sleep, leisure
~Winter/waterproof hiking boots
~Journal & writing utensils
OPTIONAL
~Additional snacks
~Yoga mat & mediation props (There are some at the center, but you can bring your own if you prefer)
~Books
**The center does have most items such as yoga mats and meditation cushions; however, please bring your own if you prefer**
WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME
~Electronic devices that are not essential
~Work, homework, etc.
~Your worries
INVESTMENT
~$777 - Price Per Person; Shared Room, Shared Bathroom
(you can book with a friend or family member; most rooms sleep 2-3 people; you will be paired with someone if you are traveling solo).
~$1,555 - Private Room; Private Bathroom
~$1,999 - Private Room, Private Bath for One Couple (Price Per Couple)
**Please indicate your sleeping preferences in email to info@thestudiocleveland.com with 'Silent Meditation Retreat' in the subject line.
**Sleeping accommodations + preferences are first come, first serve. Private rooms with private bathrooms tend to sell out quickly as there are only five available **
LOGISTICS
Travel by car:
~We recommend printing the driving directions just in case; cell service tends to be unavailable within 20 miles of Hope Springs.
Travel by air:
~Airport transfers available for $80 (each way)
~Our nearest airport is Cincinnati in Ohio.
UPON ARRIVAL
Please pull up to the Registration Office where you will complete waivers and paperwork. You will be instructed on where to find your room. You can unload your car near the Registration Office. Then, please move your car to the parking lot after you have finished unpacking your car.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ABOUT THE HOST
Sara is the owner of The Studio Cleveland, a holistic wellness center in downtown Cleveland. She is an experienced Vipassana meditator with 6 years of intensive meditation practice. She has attended 10-day silent meditation retreats almost every year since 2017 to deepen her own personal meditation practice.
Sara is also an experienced and registered yoga instructor (700-ERYT) and hosts internationally accredited Yoga and Meditation Teacher Trainings through the Yoga Alliance.
Sara enjoys hosting yoga and meditation retreats in beautiful, peaceful and inspiring locations throughout the USA and the world.
Sara has been practicing yoga and meditation since the tender age of 17 in 2008, and attended yoga teacher trainings in Costa Rica (2014) and in India (2016). Sara started attending 10-day silent meditation retreats in 2017, which she found to be life-changing.
Her graduate training includes a Master's in Science in Curriculum & Instruction, which provides her with experience to effectively and efficiently teach large groups of students in meaningful and engaging ways.
Find silence and solitude within. Discover your innate being of peace within. Long days of meditation helps to clear the mind of built-up stress and fatigue. Leave this retreat feeling renewed.
Be guided through gentle and restorative yoga classes in the mornings and evenings. The classes are specialized to promote your meditation efforts.
Burn away the old and outdated with an intentional, cleansing fire ceremony. We will start the retreat with this ceremony to be clear on our intentions throughout the retreat. Burn away the excess.
Be guided through a healing and revealing chakra meditation. After the meditation you will be provided with the tools to create an artistic expression of your chakras and energy.
Hope Springs Institute is located at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains. Hikes here are heavenly if you enjoy beautiful hikes in the snowy season.
All healthy, vegetarian meals to promote digestion, healing and meditation. All meals are cooked with love by a professional chef.
Tea, honey and hot water available all day, every day. Water provided as well.
Comfy beds, warm showers. Beautiful, tranquil land underneath the stars. Bedrooms come full stocked with bedding, towels, alarm clocks, and all other common needs.
Enjoy the hot tub during break periods (or anytime!)
Due to the natural environment and the season, we strongly recommend you bring waterproof hiking boots. We recommend the Columbia brand.
Please bring writing utensils and a journal
Please bring your own toothbrush, toothpaste, and all other required toiletries (including feminine products)
2-5pm - Arrive to center
-Get settled in
-Turn in devices & electronics
-Explore the retreat center
5:30pm - Orientation
-Greetings & introduction to the retreat and meditation course
-Q&A
6pm - Healthy, vegetarian dinner
-Silence begins
7:30pm - Opening Fire Ceremony
8:00pm - Meditation
Friday
5am - Meditation
6:30am - Yoga
8am - Breakfast
Free Time
11am - Meditation
12pm - Lunch
1pm - Silent Nature Hike
2pm - Free Time
3pm - Meditation
4pm - Free time
5pm - Dinner
7pm - Yin Yoga
8pm - Meditation
**All scheduled events are completely optional. However, it is mandatory that you practice Noble Silence throughout the entire retreat, once silence has been initiated.
Saturday
5am - Meditation
6:30am - Yoga
8am - Breakfast
10am - Reflection & Introspection: Journal Prompts
11am - Meditation
12pm - Lunch
1pm - Free time
3pm - Chakra Meditation Painting Experience
5pm - Dinner
7pm - Yin Yoga
8pm - Meditation
**All scheduled events are completely optional. However, it is mandatory that you practice Noble Silence throughout the entire retreat, once silence has been initiated.
Sunday
6am - Meditation
7:30am - Yoga
9am - Breakfast
-End silence
-Discussion
10am - Closing Ceremony
11am - Clear Rooms/Pack Cars
12pm - Lunch
Departure Between 1-3 pm
Option to Visit Sacred Serpent Mound (Located 15 minutes away via car)
