yoga special section Having survived her own health From Inner Discovery crisis, Cook wants to make sure that Elohee is accessible to everyone. “It was important for me to find ways to make going on retreats not exclusive to Outer Adventure to people with money. We are now a 501(c)3 organization and have grants, YOGA RETREATS FOR THE ATLANTAN SOUL scholarships and fundraising opportuni- ties in the works.” by Diane Eaton YOGA WITH HEART Is your soul yearning for a vacation? Are you looking for some “me” time, some peace and quiet, some Deeper communion with the Divine time to replenish from the inside out? Or are you feeling a calling to deepen your yoga practice or to Yogis practicing at the Art of Living Retreat Center, Boone, NC. (Photo: Katie Basile) ElizabethYatesYoga.com/retreats rise to new heights of spiritual connection? 404-210-6800 If any of these are true for you, you’re not alone. “The programs have touched millions Atlanta yoga lovers have a plethora of retreat options: near or far, short or long, in small groups THE ART OF LIVING According to owner Elizabeth Yates, of lives; they’re time tested and they’re a prac- or large, intensely focused on spiritual principles or providing time to relax and peel off everything RETREAT CENTER a structural yoga therapist who has been tical entry point to experience the meditation worldly. Each one has its own flavor, focus and set of features. Here’s a sampling of local and regional teaching for more than 20 years, what Tranquil regeneration mindset and a state of ease,” Keaseney says. retreat providers. ArtofLivingRetreatCenter.org lies at the heart of yoga are the practices 800-392-6870 that lead to a deeper communion with the Divine. Every year, hundreds of Atlantans ELOHEE YOGA In Yoga with Heart retreats, Elizabeth travel 300 miles or so to the Blue Ridge RETREATS combines philosophy, delving into the mountains of western North Carolina to A space for healing Yoga Sutras for inspiration and wisdom, SOUL NOURISH RETREATS experience the rejuvenating programs of Elohee.org/retreats/yoga with physical practices to lighten the Self-discovery and self-integration retreats the Art of Living Retreat Center. body, breath practices to elevate prana and “The mountains, the environment Just one to two hours from Atlanta, meditative practices to calm the mind. The SoulNourishRetreats.com • 808-755-5221 and the calm and serene atmosphere just in the foothills of the Appalachian Moun- blend helps participants move into what tains, sits Elohee, a residential retreat Self-discovery is the hallmark of the programs that Soul Nourish Retreats seem to feel like the physical embodiment she describes as the “divine nature of their center on 216 acres of undeveloped land. has been leading since 2012. The full-time retreat company features weekend of a meditative state of mind,” says Andrew own heart.” Visitors can spend a week or two in retreat: retreats in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains every season as well as Keaseney, the center’s communications Yoga transformed Elizabeth’s life practicing, learning, healing and growing. “soul vacations” in places such as Todos Santos, Mexico; Sicily and Maui, Ha- manager for more than six years. many years ago when she realized the pain Th ff “The land here is healing,” says waii. Using yoga, meditation, laughter and the Enneagram of Personality Types e Center o ers several retreats for in her body was caused by its response to founder Eve Cook. “It’s too good not to as tools, its yoga getaways focus on helping people integrate the spiritual aspects yoga enthusiasts within the broader range of a stressful life. She has earned multiple share with other people. Just looking at fi of themselves with their everyday in-the-world self. programs for personal growth, detox, spiritual yoga-teacher certi cations, including the mountain trees and the rainbows that “It goes way beyond getting on a mat,” says Shari Fox, co-director of practice, health/nutrition and more. World- Yoga for Osteoporosis and Structural show up takes you deeper into connection Th Soul Nourish Retreats. Fox is a senior retreat leader and renowned and 500-hour registered teachers Yoga erapist. She also leads workshops, with yourself.” one of only approximately 250 certified Enneagram teachers in the world. lead 3-day retreats such as Holistic Yoga Flow, including her Strong Bones for Graceful The Center, in Sautee Nacoochee, “In our retreats, we do a lot with group exercise, meditation, cer- Gentle Yoga, Hot Yoga Women’s Retreat, and Living: Yoga for Osteoporosis. Georgia, is host to a wide variety of pro- emony, natural and cultural adventures, psychology and spirituality. We a 3-week Sri Sri Yoga Teacher Training course. Upcoming Yoga with Heart retreats Th grams that nurture personal growth and focus on how to integrate the profound states people have on retreat— eir signature program, the Happiness include a Day Retreat on January 1, spiritual development—from yoga and community, safety, vulnerability—with their real life at home, so it’s not Retreat, combines yoga sessions with the yogic combining teachings of the Enneagram meditation to nature therapy, the expres- just a vacation or a mountaintop experience that gets left on the mountain. breathing technique, Sudarshan Kriya, to give and yoga, and a full weekend retreat in sive arts, movement classes and sound We’ve designed programs to enrich the inner connections for people to people tools to be present and to tap into their June. Activities for her retreats include healing. As of this writing, there are 12 take home with them and really transform their lives.” personal power. Taught worldwide, the Hap- hikes, asanas, pranayama, yoga nidra, piness Retreat is offered every week of the year yoga retreats scheduled at Elohee before releasing the spine, vedic fire ceremony at the Art of Living. year’s end. and free time. Shari Fox of Soul Nourish Retreats. (Photo: 2TPHOTO) 22 NA Edition/Atlanta naAtlanta.com September 2018 23 yoga special section PEACHTREE YOGA RETREATS PEACHTREE YOGA CENTER Launching the new year A Focused Advertising Section 6050 Sandy Springs Circle in the right direction Chamblee Midtown Private Instruction Atlanta, GA 30328 404-847-9642 PeachtreeYoga.com • 404-847-9642 BREATHE YOGA STUDIO STILLWATER YOGA YOGA WITH HEART peachtreeyoga.com 5300 Peachtree Rd, #1304 Iyengar Yoga Elizabeth Yates Th e Atlanta yoga studio Peachtree Chamblee, GA 30341 931 Monroe Drive Structural Therapy & Yoga Friendly, safe environment to discover Yoga helps the city’s yoga community start 404-673-0415 Atlanta, GA 30306 for Osteoporosis yoga. We have more RYT500-certifi ff stillyoga.com [email protected] ed teachers than any other GA studio. the year o right with its Not-Your-Usual Duluth And our teaching program has Yoga Retreat, scheduled for December 29 DULUTH YOGA RED HOT YOGA produced more teachers and studio One of the vistas at Elohee. (Photo: Elohee Center) & MASSAGE 3112 Main Street, Suite 100 owners than any other in GA. to January 1. Open to singles and couples, 1590 Piedmont Ave NE this year’s alcohol-free event will be held Duluth, GA 30096 “Some of the tremendous benefits (470) 719-9131 Atlanta, GA 30324 YOGA BY HELEN redhotyogaandmassage.com at the Dahlonega Spa Resort, in the Blue of our yoga retreats have to do with duluthyogacenter.com Reconnect with your 678-996-5845 Ridge Mountains of Georgia, about an their being curated yoga getaways where SANTOSHA STUDIO inner playfulness Johns Creek Norcross/ hour’s drive from Atlanta. you can immerse yourself deeply in the JOHNS CREEK YOGA 896 Davis Drive ff Peachtree Corners Atlanta, GA 30327 According to Peachtree sta , the YogaByHelen.com • 404-520-0089 11705 Jones Bridge Rd. experience,” says Katz. “Getting to spend STUDIO 87 YOGA santosha-studio.com event will include yoga, meditation, time with people in community and be Johns Creek, GA 30005 87 S. Peachtree Street fi “Yoga should feel good and feel 770-619-1283 Norcross, GA 30071 rest, camp res, partner yoga, live music, with like-minded people who are also A private space for personal peaceful,” says Helen Noviello, a retreat johnscreekyoga.com (770) 841-9086 discovery, Santosha offers soulful connection and fresh mountain interested in expanding their practice is www.studio87yoga.com leader and the owner of Yoga By Helen, Kirkwood customized yoga experiences air. Participants will learn an ancient incredibly valuable.” in an intimate, woodland who has been teaching yoga for more INDIGO YOGA Roswell meditation practice to take home, and will She says that people often make LIVEURYOGA setting: therapeutic yoga, than 30 years. “I believe it should be fun 2033 Hosea L Williams Drive NE small group classes, receive free, ongoing practice support for lifelong bonds with other participants Suite A 408 South Atlanta Street continuing education, Th and playful to connect with your body. Suite 157 three months. e New Year’s ceremony or find teachers they want to work with Atlanta, GA 30317 and meditation fi Of course, it’s okay to press a little, but it indigoyogaatl.com Roswell, GA 30075 staycations. around a re circle will help people release more closely in the future. [email protected] should feel good. Otherwise, you’re lead- 404-370-1151 the burdens and issues of the past, and a Southeast Yoga Retreat’s upcoming liveuryoga.com ing with your ego instead of your heart. Higher Self meditation will help guide the offering—Open Sea, Open Sky, Open But your heart is where your freedom lies.” way forward. Heart—will venture to a resort that’s The Atlanta resident leads on its own island in Belize.