Columbia Gorge Getaway Retreat

Society Hotel | Bingen, WA

Oct 31-Nov 3, 2024 | $650 (not all-inclusive)

This retreat session is different than Richelle’s previous offerings; a little more indulgent, a bit less intensive. This time will be anchored in creativity and self-care, with space and time to explore the hotel’s amenities and spa, the surrounding towns, and the beauty of the Columbia River Gorge. Along with the yoga experiences, there will be workshops for intentional creation. You’ll leave the retreat with two very special items you have imbued with your potential and intentions. This is not an all-inclusive retreat as the other events have been. The retreat fee covers all of your classes, creative sessions, and ONE group meal. Coffee and Tea service will be available in the Sanctuary through the day. Lodging and all other meals are not included. (See “Nourishment” and “Lodging” below.)

Autumn is a time of shedding what we don’t need and laying foundations for the next season. The New Moon will be in the sign of Scorpio for nearly our entire time together, promising to stir up and bring to light much that has been hidden. Together, we will mindfully set intentions for the next lunar cycle and beyond.

For this event, you’ll choose your own adventure: how you lodge, what you eat, and how you indulge your non-practice time. I’m really excited to offer this alternative format of communing.

| Practices |

Richelle will guide you through extended asana sequences, pranayama, and meditation practice twice each day. Somatic awareness experiences will be integrated into the flow. There will be more focused breath practices and longer savasanas. Her signature attention to the flow of the stars will imbue these classes with dynamic processing/integration for deep engagement of the physical and subtle bodies. You’ll leave each session with a profound embodiment of the seasonal forces at play. Each night, she’ll offer a guided meditation to send you off to the sleepy times with a calm nervous system.

A special session with The Candle Creation Bar founder, Leslie Moore will guide you through an active affirmation meditation that leads you to your personal I AM statement. The process helps you choose and blend a signature scent for your special candle full of Autumn potential. Leslie’s candles are some of my favorite around! They are rich in their aroma and burn really nicely.

The next day, Richelle will teach you to thread an intention mala (garland; the bead “necklaces” of many Asian spiritual practices) of your own. These tools have been used for millennia to aid in the practice of mantra meditation, prayer, and intention setting. We’ll use stone beads that carry a particular vibrational energy for the season, and work our chosen mantra into each knot. You’ll have a mala imbued with your own heartfelt practice to use for a lifetime.

All of the above practices are included in the retreat pricing. Attendance is optional, but no discounts will be offered if you opt out of these practices.

Below is a likely timeline for our weekend adventure. (Subject to change.)

Thursday

4:00 Hotel Check-in

5:00-7:30 Orientation, Introductions, Opening Circle, Asana

7:30 On Free Time | Eat, Soak, Library Cocktail/Mocktail

Friday

9:00-11:00 Yoga Class

11-12 Free Time | Spa, Explore, Rest

12-1 Community Lunch with Richelle

1:30-3 Candle Creation—w/Leslie Moore

4:00-6:00 Yoga Class

6:00-8:00 Free Time | Spa, Explore, Eat, Rest

8:00-9:00 Guided Meditation

Saturday

9:00-11:00 Yoga Class

11-2:30 Free Time | Spa, Explore, Eat, Rest

2:30-4 Japamala Creation—w/Richelle

4:00-6:00 Yoga Class

6:00 Free Time | Spa, Explore, Eat, Rest

8:00-9:00 Guided Meditation

Sunday

8:00-10:00 Yoga Class

10:00-11:00 Closing Circle

12:00 Checkout

| Lodging |

The setting for our trip will be the lovely Society Hotel in Bingen, WA, just across the Columbia from Hood River, OR. As this is a choose-your-own-adventure retreat, you are not obligated to stay at the hotel. You can choose other accommodations if you’d like, and join us for the practices each day.

If you opt for the Society Hotel experience, you will book your stay directly through the hotel and pay separately from your retreat registration. All guests of the hotel can enjoy the Soak and Sauna Spa included in their reservation. Non-guest may purchase passes to the spa as well.

There are a few options to choose from while staying there: Bunks, Standard Rooms (Queen or King), and Cabins with various layouts. Many of our group will be bunking in The Mountain Bunks—so if you’d like to be in the same room, make sure you choose this option when booking online or by calling the front desk. I have stayed in the bunks myself, and they are very comfortable and cozy. Earplugs are provided and recommended…but even as a light sleeper I was able to get a good night’s sleep. If you prefer more privacy and desire different accommodations, I recommend booking a Standard Room or Cabin ASAP, as availability is limited for these options.

| Nourishment |

This is not an all-inclusive retreat. We’ll gather for ONE pre-arranged meal together as a group (time and place TBD), but all other meals will be at your leisure. The common area at the Hotel has a kettle and two small refrigerators that are shared by all guests. There is not a full kitchen on site, but the cabins do have kitchenettes with a stovetop, toaster oven and kettle if you choose that option.

In addition to the Cafe at the hotel, there are a number of restaurants around Bingen, White Salmon (up the hill from Bingen), and over the Bridge in Hood River. I’ll prepare a list of close by options for all attendees.

| Investment |

Your investment of $650 includes all yoga classes (1-3 each day), The Candle Creation Bar experience, Japamala creation, Guided Meditations, and one group meal.

| Waitlist |

If you submit a registration after the event has sold out, you will be added in order of receipt to our Waitlist and informed of this. In the event another attendee cancels, you will be offered their spot by email. Full payment will be required within 24 hours of notice to reserve your place, or the spot will be offered to the next person in line.

| Payment and Cancelation Policy |

A $250 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your place when registering prior to Sept 6th, 2024. All balances are due on that date and any registration after that date will require payment in full. Your space may be forfeited to a waitlisted individual if this deadline is missed. Please mark your calendars.

Payments may be made by cash, check, Venmo, or credit/debit. All card transactions will incur an additional 3% transaction fee to help cover processing costs. Please use other methods if you’d like to avoid these fees. Please register now even if you plan to pay later by cash or check. I wanna make sure your requests are logged in order of first receipt!

If you must cancel for any reason, $250 of your total payment is a non-refundable administration fee. If you cancel before Sept 6th, 2024, any balance will be refunded in full. There are no refunds for cancellations after this date, UNLESS the event is sold out AND your place can be filled with another attendee. If this is unavoidable, please contact Richelle to discuss your options. In the unlikely event that the retreat must be canceled, 100% refunds will be given. 

CHECKS may be made out and sent to: Richelle Ricard, 3050 SE Division St. STE 205, Portland, OR 97202. Your place will be confirmed upon receipt of the check. Please email Richelle to inform her the check is on the way, or to make arrangements if you’d like to pay in CASH.