“At the center of life’s storms I stand serene.”
— Ananda Yoga Affirmation

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Find Peace Amidst Life’s Storms

Are you longing to stand serene amidst life’s storms? Have you ever tried a worry fast?

Paramhansa Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi, recommended going on “worry fasts” to free the mind from what he called “worry poisons and worry indigestion.”

“Whenever you find yourself indulging in a ‘worry feast,’ go on a partial or complete worry fast for a day or a week.”

Worry and fretfulness not only diminish our joy; they also do little to help us meet life’s inevitable challenges. Yet we can shift from being worriers to becoming peace warriors: grounded, resilient, and victorious in the face of life’s ups and downs.

Ultimately, it all comes down to energy. When we embrace what is ours to embrace and meet life with willingness, courage, and cooperation with divine grace, victory is already ours. Sometimes that victory is simply the deep peace of wholeheartedly embracing what is before us, regardless of the outcome.

In that same spirit of mindful presence and gentle transformation, we will also spend time working with wild roses, stringing buds into garlands. We’ll conclude our retreat with a beautiful tea gathering we create together, featuring rose tea, pastries, tea sandwiches, and fresh fruit.

Join Ananda Yoga and Meditation Teachers Christina Riegel and Sita Tocco for this nourishing women’s retreat experience.

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Together We Will Explore

• Stretches and yoga postures to release tension (stuck energy) and redirect that energy to uplift consciousness
• Affirmations to strengthen positive qualities
• Silent nature walks and reflective activities to attune to the divine quality of peace
• Time to work with the healing quality of fresh rose buds while creating a garland to decorate with or dry for tea
• Meditation and breathing techniques for true happiness, inner peace, and a more worry-free life

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What’s Included

• Retreat program and all program supplies
• All vegetarian meals and snacks
• Overnight lodging in comfortable, well-appointed bedrooms at Heart Song Retreat

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Retreat Cost

• $250 Shared room
• $450 Private room

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Retreat Schedule

Saturday, August 29, 2026

Time	Activity
1-2 PM	Arrival, settle into room, enjoy tea, explore the gardens or library
2:–2:30 PM	Welcome
2:30-4 PM	Ananda Yoga postures, chanting, and meditation
4:-6 PM	Personal choice: Time for journaling, reading, art, nature walks
6-7 PM	Vegetarian dinner
7-8 PM	Silent nature walk with group or on own
8-9 PM	Chanting and meditation

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Sunday, August 30, 2026

Time	Activity
6:30 AM	Coffee and tea
7-9 AM	Ananda Yoga postures, chanting, meditation, and affirmations
9-10 AM	Vegetarian brunch
10-12 PM	Personal choice: Self-guided nature meditations, nature journaling and art, reading, working with affirmations
12-1 PM	Rose Circle: creating garlands with fresh rose buds to take home or dry for tea
1–2:30 PM	Prepare a tea luncheon together and enjoy
2:30–3 PM	Chanting, affirmations, sharing, and takeaways
3 PM	Go with joy!

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Come Nourish Your Spirit

Step away from the noise of daily life and immerse yourself in a peaceful retreat designed to renew the heart, calm the mind, and uplift the spirit.

We look forward to sharing this sacred time together.