2-Day Yoga Retreat in Yachats, Oregon
The sacred & The Mundane
August 12 - 14, 2025
Knowledge which is observable, quantifiable, factual, and verifiable is considered to be rational and is the acceptable category of understanding in western society. Rational or empirical knowledge is based on the relationship between the subject and the object in which the subject observes the object and reaches some sort of conclusion. The relationship between the subject (“I”) and object (“other”) centers “I” and separates everything else apart from “I.” The “I” is not only the most important aspect of the relationship, but the “I” demands that everything “other” exists for it’s enjoyment.
Empirical knowledge stands in contrast to knowledge which has been realized through experiences which are unquantifiable and can only be verified through a direct personal experience. However, many influential individuals throughout history have been said to have had transcendental or mystical experiences which transformed their understanding of who they were and what their purpose in life was.
What these mystical figures often have shared in common was an experience which revealed something beyond what we refer to as the rational mind which identifies, compartmentalizes, and contrasts information. Their experience de-centered the subjective “I” and opened them to an experience of consciousness which became a source of inspiration fueling a desire to be of service to others.
As the transcendental experience is beyond the confinements of language, many mystical figures have analogized the ocean as consciousness and the individual as a drop of water. Once we transcend the limitations of “I,” we realize that each drop is a part of the whole. Creating a bridge between the inner and the outer, the private and public, the self and the other, the sacred and the mundane holds the potential of mending the wounds of superior and inferior, the strong and the weak, the winners and the losers, the haves and the have-nots.
When our awareness is fractured by distraction and restlessness, we perceive the world in parts and divide experiences into categories and hierarchies which provide privilege and power to some and leave others disadvantaged and marginalized. The experience of unified consciousness renders a vision of the world in its wholeness and holds the potential to mend the divide between the sacred and the mundane, creating a socially and environmentally just world.
This retreat will include four guided Yoga practices including postures, breath techniques, guided relaxation, meditation, philosophy, discussion, and prompts for further self-inquiry and study. The retreat will begin with a haṭha and restorative class Friday afternoon at 5pm followed by dinner.
In between our practices on Wednesday you will have time to rest, explore the coast, take a hike or simply stare at the ocean. Yachats Inn has an indoor pool and hot tub overlooking the coast.
Meals will be provided for you by the incredible Cassava Catering. Each meal will be vegan, organic, and cooked with love from scratch. One of the absolute highlights of this retreat are the meals shared in community!
Cost
$420 includes practices and meals
In addition to the cost of the retreat, rooms are $220 per night and can sleep up to four people. Each room has a small kitchen, a pull out sofa bed and a separate room with a queen sized bed. Please call Yachats Inn to reserve your room (541-547-3456). When booking make sure to say that you are attending the Meghan Maris Yoga retreat.
How to get there
Yachats is about a three hour drive from Portland. For more information about how to get to Yachats please have a look at the Yachats Inn website.
What to bring
I will be providing two blankets, two blocks and a yoga strap for participants.
Please pack:
a yoga mat
journal
any personal props you would like to bring such as a bolster or meditation cushion
swimsuit for the pool and/or hot tub
DAILY SCHEDULE
Tuesday, August 12
3 PM Check-in
5:00 - 6:45 PM Haṭha/Restorative
7:00 - 7:45 PM Dinner
Wednesday, August 13
7:00 - 7:30 AM Meditation
8 - 10 AM Haṭha
10:15 - 11 AM Brunch
11 AM - 4 PM Free time
4 - 5 PM Discussion
5:00 - 6:45 PM Haṭha/Restorative
7:00 - 7:45 PM Dinner
Thursday, August 14
7:00 - 7:30 AM Meditation
8:00 - 10:00 AM Haṭha
10:15 - 11:00 AM Brunch
11:00 AM Check-out
11:00 AM - Noon Closing and goodbyes in the teahouse
PAYMENT: My hope is to avoid third party gouging and request that payments are preferably made through Venmo, check, or cash. If these options are not reasonable for you, please message me and we can find another way!
Refund/Cancellation Policy
No one books a retreat with the intention of canceling it, but unexpected events do occur. Our cancellation policy is in place to help us all in making it possible to make dreams come true and be held when unexpected arises and adjustments need to be made.
In case you need to cancel:
Cancellation requests submitted within 30 days of retreat date, 50% of total amount (less deposit) will be refunded.
Within 14 days of your retreat: sorry but no refunds given, no exceptions.
Any refunds allowed will incur a 4% processing fee.
In case we need to cancel:
In case we must cancel the retreat due to Covid or low participant interest, all money paid minus 4% processing fee will be refunded. Notification of cancellation for this reason will occur at least 2 weeks prior to retreat start date. We cannot be held responsible for any personal expenses, such as airline tickets due to changes in itineraries or retreat cancellations.