Spring Alchemy of Earth 2021: Yoga + Ayurveda + Natural Dye Retreat

Nevada City, CA, USA

GC
Gaby Colletta
  • Email address verified
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18 reviews
May 28 - 31, 2021
Group size: 4 - 16
Spring Alchemy of Earth 2021: Yoga + Ayurveda + Natural Dye Retreat
Nevada City, CA, USA

Gaby Colletta
  • Email address verified
  • Facebook verified
18 reviews

May 28 - 31, 2021
Group size: 4 - 16

About this trip

Led by Ayurvedic Health Counselor + Yoga Instructor Gaby Colletta 500 E-RYT and Natural Dye +  Textiles Artist Kristin Arzt RYT 250


Journey to the Yuba River in the heart of Northern California for a 4-day wellness retreat and discover the art of creative living. Reconnect to body and soul through daily yoga practices rooted in the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda. Discover self-care rituals that align with the rhythms of the Earth. Nourish your creative potential with the art of natural dyeing. Join for a gathering of connection, intuition and inspiration. 

A Wilderness Immersion to the Yuba River

Explore the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the sacred Yuba River. If you ask any local, they’ll tell you the Yuba is a place like no other. Come to be cleansed, inspired, or simply soak the crystal clear waters for rejuvenation. We believe Nature is medicine and beneath all our conditioning, it’s our inherent state of being. Through wilderness immersion, we reconnect with the land, the plants, the animals and the subtle rhythms of the river to strengthen our intuition, creative flow and connection to life. A return to nature is a way home to ourselves. 

  • Afternoon excursion to the Yuba River 
  • Workshop on Ancient Ayurvedic rituals of self-care + medicine making 
  • Discover healing properties of local plants, ethical harvesting + wildcrafting
  • Workshop Series on Natural Dyeing using healing plants such as Indigo, Turmeric, Eucalyptus

The Movement

Enjoy two yoga classes daily, intended to inspire embodied awareness and personal expression. Each class is guided with mindfulness, alignment focus, and Ayurvedic principles to integrate body, mind and heart. Morning Asana is inspired by solar energy, a Vinyasa class unfolding consciousness through the dance of breath with movement. In the afternoon, we wind down the day with a lunar-inspired practice such as Restorative, Aromatherapy Grounding Flow, or Yoga Nidra. One can expect meditation, pranayama, breath awareness, mudra and mantra. Whether an seasoned practitioner or new yogi, instruction and modifications are given for each individual explore one’s potential. 

The Nourishment

Enjoy a retreat menu intentionally crafted to nourish and heal. Each meal is made with Ayurvedic principles that align with the transition of seasons and the local harvest. We support our local farmers when possible. If you have any special dietary needs or restrictions, we can happily accommodate. 

Workshop Series: Natural Dyeing

Enjoy two thorough and fun natural dye classes! In our first workshop, we will dive into dyeing with natural indigo and clay paste resist. In our second workshop, we will explore the colors of medicinal plants through bundle dyeing and immersion dyeing. Using only organic plant matter, you will gain knowledge and experiment with the art of natural dyeing. You will take home samples in a variety of colors and fibers.

The Forest Homestead Retreat Space

Our home away from home is nestled on 100 acres of forest-views, creek waterfalls and private trails with the beloved Yuba River a short meander away. 


With the backdrop of nature’s sounds, the aromas of old pine and oak trees, the medicinal plants that live in the winding trails, our weekend getaway is the ideal place for rejuvenation, rest and reconnection. 


Intentional in design, the home itself holds an artistic aesthetic. With a big sunny deck to overlooking the forest, it’s easy to bathe in the simple luxury of feeling the warmth on your skin and attuning to the subtle rhythms of nature around. Every bedroom is made up with organic linens. Each bathroom features organic towels with natural products. 


You may book a private king bedroom with your own bathroom, a private queen bedroom with shared bathrooms, a shared queen bedroom {ideal for couples or a friend} or pitch on one of our 4 camp sites. WiFi is available on property as needed.


If you have any questions about the accommodation, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Meet your Guides

Gaby Colletta 

Gaby is Berkeley-based Yoga Teacher and Ayurvedic Health Counselor who leads retreats, workshops and trainings worldwide. Her practice is steeped in 10 years of study, inspired by the Eastern philosophies of Tantra and Buddhism, modern psychology, the Ancient healing arts of India and varying traditions of folk medicine. When not in Berkeley, she is off rock climbing, trekking or sipping tea with a stranger in a far corner of the world. 

W: www.gabycollettayoga.com

IG: @wanderingvayu


Kristin Arzt 

Kristin is a textiles artist based in Oakland, CA, using natural dyes and textile arts as a form of collage to make one-of-a-kind quilts. The alchemy of natural indigo and medicinal plant dyes are particularly special art forms that she loves to share with others. 

W: www.kristinarzt.com

IG: @scramblesquilts

Cancellation Policy

  • Deposits are non-refundable. 
  • If you cancel your booking more than 30 days prior to departure, the penalty is 50% of the trip price. 
  • Within 30 days of departure, the penalty is 100%. 

Please note, this retreat is designed with health and safety in mind. We will review and follow CDC guidelines at the time of the retreat. We will have plenty of space, fresh air and open spaces to feel safe and secure during our time together.

COVID-19 Precautions

Preparation: We ask that you prioritize self-care and health in the time leading up. We recommend to all participants to minimize potential exposure to COVID, especially within the 2 weeks prior to arrival. We understand that some folks will arrive vaccinated while others may not yet and are committed to keeping everyone safe. Further COVID-19 Protocols will be shared, but for now, all the morning yoga practice and natural dye workshops will be held in the fresh outdoors during the day.


The evening yoga practice and dinner will be indoors, with air purifiers and our intimate gathering limited to 16 participants maximum.


Required: In line with the CDC requirement for travel, we ask that you provide a negative covid test within 72 hours of coming or vaccination.

What’s included

  • Welcoming Circle + Cacao
  • 2 Yoga Classes Daily
    Element-inspired, solar + lunar practice
  • 3 Meals Ayurvedic Meals
    And nourishing snacks
  • Accomodation
    For 3 Nights and 4 Days
  • Ayurveda Workshop
    Rituals for Self-Care, Herbal Healing + Folk Remedies
  • Medicinal Dye Workshop
    Immersion and Bundle Dyeing with whole plants
  • Indigo Dye Workshop
    Dye with an organic indigo vat and shibori resist and clay paste techniques to create patterns on natural fibers
  • All workshop materials
  • Sound Meditation Journey
    A soundscape of Tibetan Singing Bowls
  • Yuba River Excursion
    Guided hike, plant identification and river cleanse

What’s not included

  • Transport to Retreat

Available Packages

Campout

Make it a campout and pitch a tent in one of four dedicated campsites! If you don't have a tent, we can provide you with everything you need to be comfortable. Camping reservations have a separate bathhouse, but you will still have access to the house, and all the comforts of the common space! 

$750
Deposit: $350
Private Queen
$1,050
Deposit: $350
King Suite with Private Bath
$1,200
Deposit: $350
Shared Yurt Cabin
$900
Deposit: $350


Your Organizer


GC
Gaby Colletta
18 reviews
E-RYT 500, YACEP, AHC. Gaby is a Meditation and Yoga Instructor and Ayurvedic Health Counselor with over 12 years of practice in integrative wellness. She facilitates transformational nature-based retreats, guides mind-body courses, leads teacher trainings and coaches individuals on how to create an ecosystem of internal resources that bring forth one’s greater potential.

Reviews

I had an amazing time! The home was beautiful! The food was wonderful. The people were amazingly wonderful. Gabby was incredible. She is so soothing with her voice. Her yoga lessons were great. Her sound bath was transforming! It was an experience I will never forget! Thank you!
By Beverly W for Embodied Ojas Retreat - Yoga & Ayurveda Rituals for Rejuvenation on Nov 08, 2023
This trip was truly relaxing and restful. Gabby held the space with tenderness and compassion. The food was absolutely delicious and the space was cozy and spacious. She led us in some beautiful yoga sessions, paying careful attention to our individual needs and collective goals. Gabby is knowledgeable in Ayurvedic practices, yoga and yoga nidra, she welcomed any questions we had. I loved that she checked in with us and gave us flexibility. I would highly recommend a retreat with her. She has a lovely and caring disposition that you’ll fall in love with. I’m so gratuito have shared space with her and Anjali in this way. Thanks Gabby, for creating the cocoon and reset. My heat and body needed.
By Dulce A for Embodied Ojas Retreat - Yoga & Ayurveda Rituals for Rejuvenation on Nov 07, 2023
I've attended this retreat for the 3rd year in a row and it is always perfect. I have a different experience every time and Iove it. This year I really enjoyed the rainbow dyeing workshops. The yoga sessions were wonderfully relaxing and diverse. I really enjoyed she soundbath. The food is always so amazingly nourishing and full of love. Thank you Gaby, Kristin and Alexandra for making this unique offering.
By Rahmat B for Spring Alchemy of Earth 2023: Yoga + Ayurveda + Natural Dye Retreat on Jul 06, 2023
KY
This was my first retreat, and I wasn't sure what to expect. They exceeded my expectations! I went in knowing more about Kristin's work, and I came for the plant-based dye and rainbows, but I loved learning from Gaby as well! The food was great, the company was fantastic, and I really appreciate how thoughtfully this was planned. I got so much more out of it than I expected, and I'm so glad I went. I am looking forward to next year already!
By Kate Y for Spring Alchemy of Earth 2023: Yoga + Ayurveda + Natural Dye Retreat on Jun 06, 2023
Loved it. Gaby and Kristen are so welcoming and supportive and attract a likeminded crowd. I always leave refreshed and with new friends. So thankful for this beautiful space.
By Eileen R for Spring Alchemy of Earth 2023: Yoga + Ayurveda + Natural Dye Retreat on May 31, 2023
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