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Overview

HEART OF THE WILD - Ember & Earth: a summer yoga & meditation retreat
Catskill, NY 12414, USA
Jul 31 - Aug 2, 2026
Kelly Friedberg image
Kelly Friedberg
$685
Deposit: $250

About your trip

At the height of summer, when the land is full and the days are long, we gather to tend what glows and ground what grows.

Heart of the Wild is an intimate yoga and meditation retreat held on a private residential property in the Catskills. Designed for those craving both vitality and deep rest, this retreat offers a spacious, nourishing container to reconnect with your body, your breath, and your inner rhythm.

Guided by the principle of Ember & Earth, our practices move between heart-centered movement and grounding stillness—awakening energy without depletion, expression without urgency. This is not a packed schedule or a performative wellness weekend. It is a true retreat: time to practice, to pause, to eat well, to rest deeply, and to listen.

Yoga offerings include hatha, vinyasa, yin, and restorative, supported by breathwork, meditation, and Yoga Nidra. Practices are accessible and thoughtfully layered, honoring both strength and softness. Afternoons are intentionally open, allowing space for walking, journaling, napping, or simply being.

Throughout the weekend, we weave in yoga philosophy, myth, and goddess archetypes as living stories—offered not as belief systems, but as mirrors for courage, devotion, nourishment, and heart-led power. Set during Leo season, the retreat gently explores themes of the heart, embodied joy, self-expression, and presence—always grounded by nature and deep rest.

With a cap of just 18 students, farm-to-table meals, and a quiet mountain setting, Heart of the Wild offers an experience that is personal, unhurried, and deeply human.

Come as you are. Leave more fully yourself.


About the Property

The 10 acre property at Heathen Hill offers 2 houses for accommodations. 

Yoga House where yoga classes are given has a Full kitchen, 2 full baths, two covered porches and can sleep 8 - 4 bedrooms each with 2 twin beds:

West Wing

Sunrise

Betty Ford Clinic

Ponderosa


Big Heathen House has a full kitchen , dining room, living room and porches. It can sleep 12 - 6 bedrooms: 

Fancy 2 twin beds with private bath

Schmancy 1 queen with private bath


Serenity Now 2 twin beds

St. John’s Fort 1 double, 1 twin

Three’s Company 1 double, 1 twin

Honeymoon Sweet 1 queen

These four rooms share 2 1/2 baths.

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The Yoga Studio invites peaceful practice. It is 375 square feet with many windows providing light, fresh air, and a serene view. The Yoga Studio can accommodate 18 mats. Heathen Hill provides mats, blocks, straps, blankets, bolsters, and Iyengar chairs. It has a wooden floor and overlooks roses, perennial beds, and ponds. There is enough wall space for everyone to practice inversions.  

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Just outside Yoga House is the hot tub. At the end of the day, slip in and enjoy the view of the mountains beyond. We promise you will not regret packing your swimsuit.  Or go nekkid.  No judgements. 

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There is now a meditation deck overlooking the Koi Pond. It is perfect for watching the sun come up and the fish feed in the evening. 

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Carved into the pasture between Yoga House and Plum House is a labyrinth for walking meditation. It is about 80’ in diameter and takes about 15 minutes to perambulate. 

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Volleyball, badminton, horseshoes, bocci, hula hoops. Take your pick. Then there is always the hammock, or big chairs in the shade, or the Koi Pond to help you just slow down. 

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The BIG POND is 14′ deep under the floating dock. Handstands off the float are encouraged. The pond is man-made and spring fed. There are noodles for floating. Please bring your own beach towels. 

About Meals

Meals are mainly vegetarian. We can accommodate gluten and/or

dairy free if we are given advance notice. Please submit special

needs requests one week prior to arrival.

Guests are welcome to bring their own wine, beer, etc..


******PLEASE NOTE: CATS IN RESIDENCE IN PLUM HOUSE ONLY.

BRING ANTIHISTAMINES AS REQUIRED.

Shared vs. Private Rooms

Most rooms have two beds (some twins, some a double and a twin). These accommodations are listed as both SHARED and PRIVATE.


If you desire to share a room with a roommate, please be sure you are BOTH signing up for the SHARED option for the room of the SAME NAME and list your roomates names in the registration details.


If you want a PRIVATE room, you are able to book a room that has two beds for yourself, but you need to choose the private option. If you do not chose the private option another attendee will be able to book the other bed. *If you choose the private option and later want to add a roommate, please email wellnesswarrior13@gmail.com to open the second bed for your desired roommate. There will be a price adjustment for adding a second person into the room to cover meals, cleaning fees, etc. 

Registration FAQ

Who is this retreat for?

This retreat is for anyone seeking a balance of movement, rest, and reflection. It’s ideal for practitioners who enjoy yoga but are craving spaciousness, depth, and nervous-system support, rather than a packed or performative schedule. All levels are welcome.

What level of yoga experience is required?

No specific level is required. Practices will be thoughtfully layered and adaptable. You should feel comfortable moving on your mat and listening to your body. Modifications and options will always be offered.

What styles of yoga will be taught?

The retreat includes hatha yoga, vinyasa, yin yoga, and restorative yoga, along with breathwork, meditation, and Yoga Nidra. Practices are designed to support both vitality and deep rest.

What does a typical day look like?

Days include a morning practice, shared meals, and generous unstructured time in the afternoon. Evenings are slower and more inward, often including yin or restorative yoga and storytelling or meditation. This is a true retreat, not a full schedule.

Will there be free time?

Yes—intentionally so. Afternoons are largely open for rest, walks, journaling, napping, or simply being. Nothing is mandatory.

Do I need to be interested in astrology or mythology?

Not at all. Astrology, yoga philosophy, and goddess myths are offered as optional lenses and stories, not belief systems. They are shared in an accessible, embodied way to support reflection and practice.

What are the accommodations like?

Accommodations are on a private residential property in the Catskills. There are two houses on the property to stay in. The Yoga House is in the middle of the property and houses the yoga room. It is close proximity to where we have meals and is right next to the Hot Tub and Pond. The Big House is at the top of the hill, close to the parking with a big wrap around porch for sunrise/sunset gazing and has wifi. Both houses are communal, meaning all are welcome at either and have kitchens and shared bathrooms. Specific room details, bed configurations, and shared/private options are listed in "packages".

What kind of food will be provided?

All meals are farm-to-table, vegetarian (aside from bacon and eggs for Sunday brunch) and thoughtfully prepared to be nourishing, seasonal, and supportive of practice. Dietary needs and allergies can be accommodated, advise in participant info once registering.

How many people will attend?

The retreat is limited to 18 students to ensure an intimate, supportive environment and personalized attention.

Is this retreat suitable if I’m feeling burned out?

Yes. Heart of the Wild is designed with sustainability in mind—supporting rest, regulation, and gentle reawakening rather than pushing or fixing.

What should I bring?

A full packing list will be sent closer to the retreat. Yoga mats and props will be available, though you are welcome to bring your own.


What's included

Meals

Breads, yogurts and fruit are self serve for breakfast. Full Lunches and Dinners are prepared from the Organic property on site at he the Plum House.

Dinner

Dinner is served in the Plum House Friday and Saturday evenings.

Sunday Brunch

Country Brunch is Served in the Plum House Sunday morning

Yoga + Meditation

Morning and Evening Yoga + Meditation

What's not included

BYOB

Please feel free to bring beverages to enjoy at your leisure and bring to dinners

Transportation

There is no public transportation to Franklin, NY. Adirondack/Pine Hill Trailways serves Oneonta. There is a car service available from Oneonta to Heathen Hill . A&D TAXI 607 895 888 OR 607 437 5267

Day 1 - Arrival

Day 1 - Arrival image

Tending the Ember

Awaken the heart and begin to thread in presence, warmth and courage.

We begin by arriving fully—into the body, the breath, and the land.

Practices on this day gently awaken energy and awareness, focusing on the heart center and spine. Breathwork and hatha/vinyasa practices are warming but steady, inviting clarity without intensity.

Evening storytelling introduces the idea of fierce compassion: strength guided by wisdom, fire held with care —not striving, but intentional presence.



Day 2 - Rooting the Fire

Day 2 - Rooting the Fire image

Nourishment & Devotion

This is the heart of the retreat, where ember meets earth.

Morning vinyasa flows cultivate embodied joy and expression, while afternoon spaciousness invites integration through rest, food, and nature.

Yin and restorative practices in the evening encourage deep listening. Stories exploring worthiness, nourishment, patience and the quiet strength of sustained devotion to practice, to self, to what truly matters.


Day 3 - Carrying the Glo

Day 3 - Carrying the Glo image

Integration & Sovereignty

The final day focuses on integration—how we carry this way of being back into daily life.

Practices are slower and more inward, blending movement, meditation, and rest. The emphasis is on sovereignty without hardness: trusting the heart’s intelligence and honoring natural rhythms.

Rather than a dramatic closing, the retreat ends with simplicity and clarity— leave grounded, warm, and resourced.


Location

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1. Catskill, NY 12414, USA

Catskill, NY 12414, USA

About your organizer

KF
Kelly Friedberg

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© 2026 Kelly Friedberg