Earn your Sound Healing certification, restore in the incredible Hill Country, and learn from some of Austin’s most popular sound healers and trainers, Jessica Cross of Sound for Stress and Julie Afsahi of Soul Strong Yoga.

This all-inclusive sound healing retreat will not only include comprehensive sound healing certification training, but also our signature offerings, including immersive sound baths, aerial yoga, and meditation.  You will also enjoy deeply nourishing, chef-crafted vegetarian meals by Chef Emeline and her incredibly talented culinary staff. 

This is a one-of-a-kind experience that you won't want to miss!

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the shared space of the accommodations, the remaining bunk and yurt spots are only open to women. But, if you would still like to join us, please email info@soulstrongyoga.com for day pass options.

What's included in the Sound Certification Retreat?

-Sound Practitioner Certification from Sound for Stress and Soul Strong Yoga

-Comprehensive Sound Healing Certification Training with a focus on crystal singing bowls, gongs and ample time to practice with a variety of hand-crafted instruments onsite

-Sound Practitioner Guide for groups & 1:1, metal bowls, crystal bowls, gongs, and additional instruments are addressed 

-Full access to our luxury glampground amenities on 50 acres of private property, including dipping pools, wood burning sauna, hot tub, wildlife, a meditation labyrinth, incredible views and so much more 

-Access to a full line of hand-crafted sound healing instruments available to play and for sale onsite

-3 Daily vegetarian meals, snacks and treats thoughtfully crafted by our holistic personal chef

-Daily yoga, meditation and mindfulness retreat-style activities immersive sound baths, aerial yoga, and meditation.

-Crystal singing bowl, mallet, and ring

-Exclusive, limited-edition swag and gifts

-Yoga teachers may also earn 20 Yoga Alliance CEUs

The Sound Certification Retreat is for:

• Yoga Teachers
• Yoga Therapists
• Mental Health Professionals 
• Meditation Teachers
• Hospice Workers
• Addiction Specialists
• Massage Therapists
• Estheticians
• Energy Workers
• Sound professionals who wish to deepen their learning for certification
• Wellness Professionals looking to add sound baths to their practice
• Sound enthusiasts to wish to expand their knowledge and avenues of personal healing 

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the shared space of the accommodations, the remaining bunk and yurt spots are only open to women. But, if you would still like to join us, please email info@soulstrongyoga.com for day pass options.

Sound therapy is a method of relaxation and meditation that utilizes singing bowls, gongs, and other healing instruments to promote stress relief and healing. 

Sound Therapy is not about performance, but rather using instruments to move stagnant energy in our environment and bodies. Sound vibrations impact our nervous system, engaging our relaxation reflex and inhibiting the stress and pain responses. 

Prepare to be immersed in a supportive community of wellness providers, learn from expert Sound Practitioners Jessica Cross and Julie Afsahi, eat well, nourish your heart and soul, and make lasting memories.

You will find that our retreat offers a balance of in-depth, hands-on learning and time to restore and uplift your whole being.

Jessica Cross has thoughtfully curated the course content based on hundreds of hours of training and years of providing sound therapy. 

The training group will journey through sound healing foundations, demonstration and practice of the singing bowls and gongs in group settings and one-to-one spaces, as well as how to work in collaboration with complementary providers. 

At this retreat, we will do our best to disconnect and honor digital mindfulness. We will ask for your full presence and awareness when exploring the ancient meditative techniques and healing tools that sound therapy provides.

We’ll gather in a Texas Hill Country glampground paradise, at The Retreat Ranch, to experience unforgettable sunsets, starry night skies, campfires, one-of-a-kind accommodations, dipping pools, wood fired sauna experiences, the animals that call the ranch home and wildlife alike, and mother nature as a community. 

This glampground is nestled amongst historic oak trees and provides all the comforts, including well-appointed  Each accommodation has its own personality and each is equipped with AC and mini fridge, luxury linens among other comforts of home.  

All accommodations are just steps away from luxury restrooms and of course, the dining hall for meals and snacking needs. 

From every vantage point, you can see acres of incredible oak trees and wide open spaces, breathe deep breaths and totally relax and rejuvenate. 

We can’t wait to spend the weekend with you in such a truly magical place.

Yes! Every attendee will participate in the onsite certification process during the retreat if they wish. It's also possible to attend the retreat for your own personal learning and not complete the certification process.

All participants must bring a yoga mat, a yoga blanket or beach towel, and a cushion to sit on (such as a meditation cushion, bolster or similar). You may also wish to bring optional props, such as an eye pillow,  yoga blocks, etc. 

In the weeks leading up to the retreat, we will send a “Know Before You Go” email with all the details, including what to pack. We got you covered!

What else should I know?

• The retreat is open to all. 
• You can attend the retreat for personal growth purposes only and not complete the certification requirements. 
• You will not receive the certification, but instead an incredible experience with memories you will hold dear.
• No pets are allowed onsite. 
• This is a drug and alcohol free event. 

Deposits are non-refundable and required to reserve your spot.

If you must cancel your registration:

• Up to 180 Days prior to the retreat, we offer full refunds, less your deposit
• Up to 120 - 90 days prior to the retreat, we offer 50% refunds, less your deposit

After 90 days out from the start of the retreat, due to the financial responsibility of both companies (Sound for Stress and Soul Strong Yoga), we will not offer refunds (partial or full) under any circumstances. 

You are able to transfer your booking to someone else. You must reach out to Sound for Stress at soundforstress@gmail.com to transfer your booking to another person. 

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your registration and booking fees. Some travel insurance companies offer “cancel for any reason” coverage. We know life happens, and trip insurance helps!

Jessica Cross, E-RYT-500, Sound Practitioner, Level 1 Relax & Renew ® Restorative Yoga, Meditation Teacher

Jessica Cross is a certified sound practitioner and creator of Sound for Stress, a heart-centered business that helps stressed souls come home to themselves through the power of sound, yoga, and meditation. 

Jessica first stumbled into her first yoga class in 2008 as a young professional seeking stress relief from her corporate job. Jessica has since practiced, taught and trained for thousands of hours in Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative, Meditation, and Sound Therapy. She is also the lead sound practitioner trainer for the Sound Certification Training Retreats and other teacher trainings in the 

Julie Afsahi, ERYT-500, MAT, Certified Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher, Certified Meditation Teacher, Gong Practitioner Lead Trainer

Julie is the owner and co-founder of Soul Strong Yoga (Soul Strong). Soul Strong is one of the rare locally-owned fitness providers to remain in business through the pandemic due to a large client base and quick creation of virtual content. Her company has become a pillar of downtown Round Rock and provides over 40 in-person yoga classes a week, virtual live and pre-recorded yoga classes, Yoga Alliance Registered teacher training programs, and recently released a self-paced online yoga teacher certification at www.teachyogaforall.com.

Here's our general itinerary, subject to minor changes.

Friday, October 20

• 4 - 5:30 p.m. - arrivals
• 5:30 p.m. - welcome
• 6:30 p.m. - dinner
• 7:30 p.m. - sound certification content lesson
• 8:30 p.m. - sound bath
• 9 p.m. - free time

Saturday, October 21

• 7 a.m. - grab and go coffee bar and breakfast open
• 7 a.m. - morning yoga
• 9 a.m. - sound certification content lesson
• 12 p.m. - lunch and free time
• 2 p.m. - sound certification content lesson
• 6 p.m. - dinner
• 7 p.m. - free time

Sunday, October 22

• 7 a.m. - grab and go coffee bar and breakfast open
• 7 a.m. - morning yoga
• 9 a.m. - sound certification practice sessions
• 12 p.m. - lunch
• 1 p.m. - sound certification practice and certification process
• 4 - 6 p.m.- departures