Rest and Renew Winter Yoga Retreat

The Rest and Renew Winter Yoga Retreat is a long-standing, post-holiday yoga retreat in Northern Michigan, built around slow and deeply restful practice. Over three nights and four days at Barothy Lodge in Walhalla, near Ludington, guests settle into yin yoga, restorative yoga, yoga nidra and myofascial release, with quiet time by the fire and in the woods. It suits anyone who wants a winter weekend of rest rather than exertion, and it is led by Stephanie Lynn, a Michigan-based yoga and meditation teacher and Reiki Master.

What to Expect

The weekend moves at an unhurried pace. Thursday is for arriving: check-in runs from 4 to 7 PM with tea and snacks, dinner is on your own, and the group gathers at 7 PM for a meet and greet. If the weather allows, the evening ends with a moonlight silent hike.

Friday and Saturday follow a gentle rhythm. Coffee, tea and light snacks are out at 7 AM, and a morning practice begins at 8. Friday's morning is yin yoga. Saturday's pairs yin with pranayama for relaxation and guided meditation. Brunch is at 11, and midday brings a sangha discussion. Friday's looks at the philosophical teachings of yoga, and Saturday's is a fireside conversation with guided sacred chant. Yoga nidra follows on Friday afternoon. Long stretches of free time sit between sessions, so there is room to nap, read, soak in the hot tub or walk. Evenings follow dinner at 5 PM with restorative yoga on Friday and gentle stretch with yoga nidra on Saturday.

Sunday begins with yin, pranayama and guided meditation, followed by a closing circle and a shared togetherness feast. Check-out is at noon. Massage and Reiki can be booked by appointment, and bonfires and quiet nature hikes fill out the downtime.

About Stephanie Lynn

Stephanie Lynn is an E-RYT 500 and YACEP yoga teacher, a Certified Yoga Therapist, a Level III Reiki Master and a yoga teacher trainer. She has practiced yoga and meditation for more than 30 years and teaches yoga, meditation, Reiki and kirtan. She sees yoga as mental, emotional and spiritual fitness as well as physical, and she aims to guide each student individually, whatever the size of the group. Her degree in biology and chemistry grounds her teaching in anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. She has studied directly with Sandra Carden, Raghunath Cappo, Veronica Zador, Gopi Kinnicutt, Gaura Vani Buchwald, Radhanath Swami and Laura Kupperman, and has taken workshops with Krishna Das and Jai Uttal.

The Setting

Barothy Lodge sits in secluded woods around the Pere Marquette River in Walhalla, about 15 minutes east of Ludington. Rooms range from a women's bunk room with eight twin beds to private rooms with a full, queen or two twin beds, for one or two guests. A single twin bed in a shared two-bed room is also offered, with a roommate chosen for you. Meals come from a local chef and are healthy and warming.

Before You Go

The practices are restful and open to a wide range of experience. The stay includes three nights of lodging, five meals plus snacks and refreshments, multiple daily yoga classes, yoga philosophy discussions, guided hikes, hot tub access and bonfires. Travel, gratuities, massage and Reiki are not included. A yoga prop set with block, thick blanket, strap and a large bolster can be rented for the weekend. Dress warmly for the winter woods and for time outdoors by the fire.