Celebrate Balanced Rock’s 25th anniversary and 13 consecutive years of the WildYoga Teacher Training with our first-ever WildYoga Alumni Reunion Retreat!

This year, instead of offering the full training, we are creating a unique opportunity for past participants to retreat together amidst the stunning wilderness of the High Sierra.

Join us to share your journey and teaching experiences, rekindle and deepen your personal practice, and celebrate the practices of yoga in a serene and inspiring alpine setting.

Led by two seasoned, 500-ERYT yoga instructors and wilderness guides - Dennis Eagan, founder of WildYoga, and Heather Sullivan, founder of Balanced Rock - this retreat promises to be a rejuvenating and enriching experience.

Immerse yourself in a transformative retreat designed to nourish your body, mind, and spirit. You’ll reconnect with the elements, explore new facets of your practice, and forge meaningful connections with fellow yoga enthusiasts. This retreat offers a balance of structured sessions and free time, ensuring you have the opportunity to relax and rejuvenate fully.

• Pre-Trip Zoom Call with Facilitators

• 30 Continuing Education Units with Yoga Alliance

• Daily guided yoga, pranayama, and meditation sessions

• Opportunities to lead yoga sessions if you feel called to

• Guided journaling and writing prompts for meaningful self-reflection

• Leisure time by alpine creeks and lakes

• Group hikes and the opportunity to take our practice out on the trail

• Meditation under ancient foxtail pines

• Stargazing and exploring Samkhya philosophy under the night sky

• Breathtaking views of Mt. Langley (14,000 ft peak) in the High Sierra

• Chanting, mantra, and Kirtan to open and cleanse our voices

• Revisiting core curriculum from past trainings with a focus on the 5-elements

• Discussions on the relevance and state of yoga within the current cultural and socio-political context

• Delicious, healthy meals prepared by a dedicated camp chef

This retreat is a perfect blend of activity and relaxation, allowing ample time for rest, exploration, and personal rejuvenation. Please note, this is not a training, however we will offer as much guidance, feedback and mentorship as requested. 

The Week at-a-Glance

Sunday, August 17th

·      Arrival at the trailhead by noon.

·      We have a 3-mile hike with an elevation gain of approximately 500 ft to the camp.

·      Arrive at camp, and settle in by dinner.

We strongly recommend spending a night at the trailhead (or other higher elevation location) before the retreat to help with acclimatization to altitude for a more comfortable experience.

Monday, August 18th

·      Will include an orientation to camp and learning the systems to ensure you are comfortable.

·      In the afternoon we will likely enjoy a short exploratory walk for altitude acclimatization, and a yoga session.

Tuesday, August 19th

·      See tentative daily schedule below. Also, we will likely offer an afternoon outing.

Wednesday or Thursday, August 20th or 21st

·      We have the potential for a longer hike (6-10 miles), depending on weather and acclimatization.

Friday, August 22nd

·      Hike out after breakfast, departing by 8:00 AM.

·      Arriving at the trailhead by noon for good-byes and departure.

Sample Daily Schedule

• Pre-breakfast: Yoga/meditation

• 8:00 AM: Breakfast and pack lunch

• Morning: Session, hike, or downtime

• 12:00 PM: Lunch

• Afternoon: Session, hike, or downtime

• 6:00 PM: Dinner

• Evening: Campfire or Evening Program

*Please note: most activities will be optional, and we may split into two groups depending on individual needs for movement vs rest.

Our retreat will be based out of the Golden Trout Wilderness School. Operating under a Special Use Permit from the Forest Service, the Golden Trout Wilderness School offers education programs throughout the summer. We are thrilled to partner with them for this incredible summer retreat.

Facility Amenities:

• Running water

• Composting toilets

• Sweet and mellow donkeys that remind us how to relax and simply be

• Onsite kitchen with dedicated camp chef

• Shared tent cabins with cots

• Yoga mats

Arrival Location & Travel Information:

We will meet at Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead, on Sunday August 17th @ noon. Here are is the Google Maps link to our meeting point. Please ensure you DO NOT go to the Cottonwood Pass Trailhead (a common mistake).

There is a walk-in campground at Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead, and we recommend you spend a night there before the trip to help your body acclimatize to the altitude. There are bear lockers at the trailhead, and you will need to empty your vehicle of any food and scented items prior to hitting the trail. You can safely park your vehicle at the trailhead for the duration of the trip.

We encourage carpooling and will create space during the pre-trip Zoom to discuss and help coordinate carpooling if there is interest.

$1,495/person

Balanced Rock strives to offer affordable programming to all of our interested participants. If you need financial assistance or are seeking scholarship opportunities to attend this program, please contact us to request an application.

Every registered participant will be emailed a very specific gear list, along with multiple opportunities to speak with our staff and trip leaders about gear so you feel fully prepared for this adventure.

Balanced Rock has limited gear available for loan, or can offer guidance on renting gear. Please inquire with our team if you need assistance or have questions regarding what to pack.

All participants will be required to read and sign the Health & Safety Policy for Programs at registration.

If you cancel your registration more than 1 month prior to the trip start date (before July 17, 2025), you will receive a full refund minus a $50 registration fee to the credit card on file.

If you cancel your registration less than 1 month prior to the program start date, you will not be eligible to receive a refund. As a small nonprofit, we are not able to make any exceptions to our refund policy.

All participants will be required to read and accept our Cancellation and Refund Policy upon registration.