Into the stillness
A Pre-Winter Solstice Retreat for
Rest, Reflection & Renewal
December 3rd-6th
Join us in the Appalachian Mountains as we gather around the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, for a sacred invitation to slow down.
Through holistic yoga, meditation, candlelit rituals, nourishing meals, sauna, fireside connection, & spacious time in nature, we’ll soften into the wisdom of the season, honoring rest as a sacred practice & creating space for the quiet return of the light.
The retreat at a glance
location
Sacred Mountain Waters, Marshall, North Carolina. Located on 200+ acres of community land surrounded by peaceful nature trails, hot tubs, sauna, natural streams, & more. Their log cabin offers the perfect sanctuary for deep rest, reflection, & renewal during the darkest days of the year.
food & Cooking class
Winter invites nourishment. We'll gather around family-style meals to share warm, comforting food in connection & gratitude. Together we'll create a joyful cooking experience creating meals that warm both body & spirit.
time in nature
The quiet beauty of winter offers its own kind of medicine. Walks through the forest, crisp mountain air, peaceful streams, & moments of stillness remind us that nature doesn't stop in winter, it simply turns inward. We'll slow down enough to listen.
daily yoga & meditation
Each day unfolds in a gentle rhythm of movement & rest, silence & connection. Daily Holistic Yoga, Breathwork, & Meditation practices designed to soothe the nervous system, cultivate presence, & invite deep restoration. Accessible for all levels, these practices honor the quieter energy of the season.
Yoga Nidra & Sound Healing
Sink into profound states of conscious rest through guided Yoga Nidra & immersive sound healing. These deeply restful practices create space for integration, nervous system healing, & quiet reflection, allowing what no longer serves to gently fall away.
YIN & RESTORATIVE YOGA
Slow down & soften through deeply nourishing Yin & Restorative Yoga practices designed to release tension, quiet the mind, & support the body’s natural capacity for rest. Long, supported holds invite deep release, while gentle restorative postures create space to surrender, replenish, & reconnect with yourself.
CACAO CEREMONY & CANDLELIT FIRE CIRCLES
Gather in sacred circle with ceremonial cacao to open the heart through reflection, gratitude, & intention. Evenings by the fire & candlelight offer space for stories, music, silence, & Winter Solstice ritual as we honor both the darkness & the returning light.
GENTLE CONNECTION PRACTICES
Meaningful connection unfolds through partner yoga, guided reflection, shared rituals, & heart-centered practices that cultivate trust, presence, & belonging. Winter reminds us that even in stillness, we are not meant to journey alone.
HOT TUB, SAUNA & COLD PLUNGES (optional)
Wrap yourself in the healing rhythm of heat, steam, crisp mountain air, warm & cold waters. For those who feel called, optional cold plunges offer an invigorating reminder of presence, resilience, & aliveness.
WINTER SOLSTICE RITUALS
Meaningful, hands-on experiences to honor the turning of the season through candle rituals, journaling, intention setting, creative expression, & symbolic ceremony. Together we'll release the year behind us while welcoming the quiet promise of what is to come.
GENTLE CONNECTION PRACTICES
Meaningful connection unfolds through partner yoga, guided reflection, shared rituals, & heart-centered practices that cultivate trust, presence, & belonging. Winter reminds us that even in stillness, we are not meant to journey alone.
HOT TUB, SAUNA & COLD PLUNGES (optional)
Wrap yourself in the healing rhythm of heat, steam, crisp mountain air, warm & cold waters. For those who feel called, optional cold plunges offer an invigorating reminder of presence, resilience, & aliveness.
What if you didn't rush into the new year...
What if you arrived there rested, clear, & deeply connected?
As the earth settles into stillness & the nights grow long, the Appalachian Mountains invite us to remember something we’ve forgotten.
Rest is not the opposite of growth. It is part of it.
These ancient mountains have weathered countless winters. They know the wisdom of slowing down. Of trusting what cannot yet be seen. Of allowing life to gather quietly beneath the surface before it blooms again.
And in their presence, so do we.
The Winter Solstice is not only the longest night of the year. It is a sacred threshold. A turning point where darkness reaches its fullness & the light begins its quiet return.
This is not the season to strive.
This is the season to soften.
To listen.
To replenish.
To remember that even when nothing appears to be happening, profound transformation is unfolding beneath the surface.
Why join us?
- Because your nervous system deserves rest.
- Because stillness is a practice.
- Because healing happens in community.
- Because winter has something to teach us that busyness never can.
Together, through holistic yoga, meditation, ritual, nourishing meals, quiet moments in nature, heartfelt conversation, & deep rest, we create space to exhale after the fullness of the year.
We honor what has been.
We release what is complete.
We tend the small ember within.
We welcome the returning light with open hearts.
The Turning Point
There is something ancient & deeply comforting about gathering at the darkest point of the year.
For centuries, people have marked the Winter Solstice with candlelight, song, shared meals, & quiet ritual; not to escape the darkness, but to honor it.
To remember that every season belongs.
When we gather in this way, we remember:
Rest is productive.
Stillness is alive.
Darkness is not something to fear.
Community carries us through every season.
The light always returns.
This is the quiet beginning. The sacred pause before the next unfolding.
As the first moments of returning light arrive, we gather not to become more, but to come home to ourselves.
Grounded. Rested. Whole.
typical daily schedule
*Subject to change
Silent mornings from waking until 9:00am
7:30 – 9:00 AM : Morning Practice
9:30: Breakfast
11:00 – 1:30 PM: Morning Activity
1:30: Snack
2:30 – 4:00 PM: Afternoon Activity
4:00 – 5:00 PM: Free Time
5:00 PM: Dinner
7:00 – 8:00 PM: Evening Practice
8:15 – 10:00 PM: Fire, Ceremony
**Arrival on Thursday between 3:30 – 5:00pm (we will start with a meal at 5:30pm)
**Departure on Sunday at 1:30pm
Main Lodge, Shared Room
Bunk Bed ($500) 10 spaces remain
Cozy bunk beds in a shared space within the main lodge, with all-day access to wrap-around deck, kitchen, practice room, fireplace, & lounge. Shared bath.
Main Lodge, Shared Room
Large Bed ($650) 4 available
Large, warm shared room in the main lodge with all-day access to a wrap-around deck, full kitchen, practice room, fireplace, & shared lounge. Shared bath..
Onsite RV or Camping, No Hook Ups Available ($500)
Own an RV, Campervan or Tent? Sleep on the land lakeside with immediate access to the outdoor sauna, hot tub, hiking trails & natural river cold plunge. Shared bath indoors.
Cabin, Private Room
Large Bed ($775) ONLY 1
Private bedroom located in a detached cabin next to hiking trails, with all-day access to a private bath, shared balcony, sitting room, kitchen, & in-room fireplace.
Cabin, Shared Room
Large Bed ($650) 2 available
Shared bedroom located in a detached cabin next to hiking trails, with all-day access to balcony, sitting room, shared kitchen, shared fireplace, & deck. Shared bath.
Cabin, Private Room
Small Bed ($700) 2 available
Private bedroom located in a detached cabin next to hiking trails, with all-day access to a shared bath, sitting room, shared kitchen, fireplace, & deck. Shared bath.
meet your guides
Dana Mason - ERYT500
Dana is a dedicated and experienced ERYT 500 Yoga Alliance certified teacher, bringing over 2,000 hours of teaching experience to her practice. A lifelong student of yoga and of life, she approaches her work with humility, curiosity, and a deep commitment to growth.
Her approach to yoga is rooted in service, inclusivity, and accessibility. Dana empowers her students to connect with their bodies and discover what feels best for them, fostering an environment of self-compassion and self-love.
Believing that true healing begins from within, she emphasizes healing our relationship with the present moment through mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or new to yoga, Dana’s classes are designed to support and nurture your personal journey.
Join Dana for a retreat experience that deepens your practice while nourishing your spirit in a supportive and serene environment. Her guidance is steady, accessible, and uplifting, meeting you exactly where you are.
meet your guides
Jot Anant - E-RYT500, LMBT
Harnessing the power of the ancient wisdom of yoga to heal ourselves as a way to contribute to healing the world is at the core of all of Jot Anant’s teachings. She shares her love, compassion, playfulness, and joy through a holistic and balanced approach taught to her by her teacher, Himalayan Yoga Master Yogrishi Vishvketu, founder of Akhanda Yoga.
Jot Anant draws upon her diverse education in Intuitive Yin Yoga, Trauma Informed Yoga, Yoga for PTSD & TBI, Kirtan, Yoga Philosophy, Pranayama, and Thai Yoga Bodywork to create a safe space in which students can explore the depth of their being and use their own intuition to support expansion and transformation.
As a devoted karma and bhakti yogini, Jot Anant is humbled by the opportunity to support students in their individual journey, and to shine a light on the importance of bringing mindfulness into action, taking what we learn from our time on the mat out into the unique ways that we interact with each other and the World.
As a lover of life and seeker of wisdom Jot Anant continues to deepen her own spiritual practice through seva and self-study, and by remaining an eager and open hearted student of life, striving to walk through the world lightly with grace, humor, and purpose.
Terms & Conditions
$250 non refundable deposit required for registration
Flexible, customizable payment plans available.
*Please note all deposits are non-refundable. If paid in full, 50% refund will be offered up to one month prior to retreat for extenuating circumstances. No refunds permitted less than 30 days of retreat.
Remaining balance due November 1st.
Contact us:
If you have questions that cannot be found on this page please do not hesitate to reach out via email at Hello@JotAnant.org
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