Join us in welcoming ebullient, big-hearted Freedom Yoga teacher Alie McManus as she shares the liberating gifts of a balanced, freeing practice at her very first Ranch retreat. An experienced and joyful retreat leader, Alie helps students cultivate a healthy balance between grounding and enlightening, doing and undoing, relaxing and energizing, and centering and expanding. Alie’s Freedom Yoga classes assume a unique Montana twist while you’re surrounded by fresh Rocky mountain air and held safely in the naturally grounding space of aromatic pines and warm welcoming earth. Because we host only one group in residence at a time, this is a unique and powerful opportunity to connect more intimately with your fellow yogis in loving, trusting community.

Alie’s morning and afternoon classes offer a thoughtful blend of restorative and active postures, essential breath work, and a variety of simple meditation practices, all of which help you come home to yourself and nurture the skills to thrive, while maintaining equanimity. Inspired by years of study with beloved master teacher Erich Schiffmann — who, for 20 years before beginning his teaching sabbatical in 2016 led his enormously popular Freedom Yoga retreats at Feathered Pipe — each of the two daily yoga sessions with Alie will include space for you to explore Freedom Yoga’s signature “freeform” practice: it’s about tuning into, and being gently guided by, your own innate intelligence and inspiration. Freeform practice often fosters a flow of profound insight — which might translate into a unique asana sequence or a moment of spiritual or psychological clarity. It’s often helpful to memorialize this channeled wisdom in writing, so consider bringing a journal to capture your wisdom on paper.

Ample free time between classes offers opportunity for deep reflection during hikes in the forested mountains, while paddling a canoe on the tranquil lake, or taking advantage of the gifted body workers available during your stay. You may want to simply relax in a hammock and do absolutely nothing!  It’s deliciously tempting at the Ranch to put your digital devices away and take a break from the barrage of digital responsibilities and ever-present media — we encourage that! You’ll dine three times a day on nourishing meals that our guests consistently rate “excellent” (and for good reason!)

The symbol of the Native American feathered pipe aligns seamlessly to the practice of “Freedom Yoga”: legend holds that when the tribe needed Spirit’s guidance on what direction to take, a feathered pipe was hung from a tripod. Once the pipe came to stillness it pointed the way towards the right path. Join Alie as she nurtures the beautiful practice that is Freedom Yoga and find your way back to the truth of who you really are.

Testimonial:

“…yoga will always be a personal practice, you get out what you give it. But… when you take class with a teacher that facilitates class the way she does, it allows your own organic process to grow naturally which is what I love most about classes with Alie.”

~ 2016 Freedom Yoga in Costa Rica Retreat Participant

Summer Vacation Tip! Extend your time in peace and beauty while savoring Western hospitality by exploring the great West’s national park treasures either before or after your Feathered Pipe experience with Alie. Glacier National Park is a scenic 3.5 hour drive north and west of the Ranch, while Yellowstone is just a 4.5 hours drive south and east of the Ranch through some of the prettiest Western territory you’ll ever see.

About Alie McManus

Alie McManus, RYT 500, has studied yoga and meditation since 1994 and has been teaching since 1999. Her teacher is Erich Schiffmann and her passion for yoga has led her to travel across the United States and around the globe to study with some of the world’s foremost teachers including Angela Farmer, Patricia Sullivan and Barbara Benagh.

Alie’s introduction to Erich’s “freedom” yoga came unexpectedly. After becoming hooked on Erich’s early yoga video, Yoga, Mind, and Body she found her way to Estes Park and talked her way into his fully booked workshop offering. Later that afternoon while eating lunch in the cafeteria with some friends she noticed Erich sitting at a table nearby. She was itching to ask him a question. Gathering her courage she got up and approached him. She wanted to ask him to explain the difference between two unconventional cues he had given, “Wiggle and Wobble.”

She sat down, asked her question and waited to hear his answer. He paused, smiled, looked at her and said,

“What do YOU think the difference is?”

That encounter sparked a conversation, an apprenticeship and a transformation in Alie’s life as a yogi.

Alie calls Chicago home, where she teaches at Yogaview. In summer, she’s usually found leading free classes to hundreds of people at Chicago’s wonderful Yoga in Millenium Park series. Alie brings a grounded yet joyful and open-hearted energy to her Freedom Yoga teaching at retreat centers all over the world — in locales as diverse as India and Wisconsin! — creating a loving and fun space to explore and discover you very own teacher within.

Accommodations

Our lodging options offer the finest in rustic comfort. Indoor and outdoor choices include a variety of private or shared accommodations ranging from chalet-style rooms to tents, tipis and yurts nestled in the forest.

After retreat registration, Feathered Pipe office staff will contact you to confirm your lodging preference. Accommodations include all meals and use of all amenities – our bathhouse, sauna, hot tub, as well as all the Feathered Pipe Ranch facilities and grounds.

Accommodations exclude massage and bodywork.

Pricing & Registration

Program Tuition & Basic Accommodations: $1795

Basic Accommodations are shared room Main Lodge, Yurt, Sai Condo or single Tipi/Tent, and include meals and use of all amenities – our bathhouse, sauna, hot tub, as well as all the Feathered Pipe Ranch facilities and grounds.

Feathered Pipe Community Discount: Invite a friend(s) new to the Ranch and you each receive $100 off tuition price!

*A $500 deposit is required to secure online registration/payment.

**Airport shuttle service on the day of arrival/departure is an additional $65. Non-arrival/departure shuttle service is $100

***Please plan to arrive at the ranch before 6pm on the first day of your retreat, and to depart in the morning or early afternoon of the final day.

Thanks and look forward to seeing you!