What if we met in person? That would be so cool.
Reset in the Redwoods: a long weekend of writing, reconnecting, hiking, laughing and a little yoga
Hello friends! I am currently working on an essay for you, (when am I not, really) but I have also been working on this little project, quietly, for a few months!
Would y’all want to meet me in person in Northern California, October 16-20th, 2026? I found this stunning retreat venue, Mount Madonna Center, that is perfection:
Think: a writing, healing, recentering, reclaiming, reconnecting renaissance. A soothing reset for your over-taxed nervous system. Daily guided meditation, and very gentle yoga, fine for beginners, first-timers, people who think yoga is not for them, etc.
Writing prompts, writing circles, opportunities to read your work out loud, hiking, laughing, talking, hugging, (I cry easily, so that will almost definitely happen, and you are free to join), and time spent amongst the redwoods. If you haven’t spent time with redwoods, it’s amazing. Mindfulness exercises and breathing techniques geared toward your own creative process, practical tools you can take home with you, for those days when it all feels like too much.
Time spent slowing down, trusting your intuition, quieting your mind, surrounded by kindhearted, compassionate people, immersed in nature. All the good things.
The Schedule:
Check-in is anytime from 3-5pm Friday, I will be waiting for you, and I will be the one jumping up and down. I will not be able to help this. If everyone is checked in by 4 or 4:30, we’ll go for a walk around the grounds. We can play that by ear, but I will be there to greet you, absolutely.
Dinner: 5:15-6:15pm
6:30pm: Opening Circle in the Main Studio at Seminar House. We will get to know each other in a circle, like we did as kids, just like it sounds. I used to feel so uncomfortable during circle time when I was little, and now I love the awkward vulnerability. If you don’t love it, there will be 3 short questions you can answer, or you can go off book. I will come sit next to you if you want me to, and I will make sure you feel safe, I promise.
We’ll do a little post-driving, post-flying, shoulder, hip-and hamstring opening for people who traveled all day, just gentle, easy stretching and breathing.
Surprise writing prompt and ten-minute free write.
Then we’ll head into Open Mic Night: share what you just wrote, or poetry slam, word slam, sing us a song (off-key is fine as long as you do it with heart), bring your guitar, tell a story, read something else you’ve written, share something meaningful, or you can simply listen! There is no pressure to share, and that goes for the whole weekend except circle time. I do want everyone to say hello <3
Saturday
8:30-9:30am: Guided Meditation, Deep Breathing for a Quiet Mind, and one grounding technique for anytime, anywhere. Writing prompt, free write.
10-11:00am: Brunch
11:15-12:30: Group hike
12:30-2:30: Free time
(Snack from 1-2 in the Dining Hall)
2:30-4:00 Seminar House Main Studio: Everything is Personal, a talk about writing and what it is that makes people care. Whether it’s memoir, fiction, or an essay about current events, how do we reach people? Why would anyone stop what they’re doing and want to know about what happened when I was four, or when you were thirteen? What characters live inside us like old friends, and why does that happen? How do we write about the things happening in the world, or anything, in a way that feels personal? Writing prompt, free write.
4-5pm: Yoga on the deck, weather permitting.
5:15-6:15: Dinner
6:30pm: Main Studio, Seminar House, Writers’ Circle: Read what you wrote during the afternoon free write, or read something else you’re working on. Depending on how big the group is and how people are feeling, we can read and offer feedback. We may do half the group Saturday night and half Sunday in that case. I will give you a word-count when I know the group-size :)
Sunday
8:30-9:30am: Breakfast
11:30-12:30: Yoga on the deck, guided meditation.
12:30-1:30: Lunch
2:30-4pm: Inviting Your Feelings in for Tea, a talk about not “should-ing on yourself.” Are there certain emotions you were taught to edit or repress? Even now, are there emotions that are easier to express versus ones you’d rather avoid, not just in your writing life, but in your life, life? Whatever happens in one, affects the other, so let’s blow the cover off that barrel and get messy. We only have the one life, after all, as far as we know. Writing prompt, free write.
4:15-5pm: Group mindfulness walk to the lake with journals or sketchbooks. We will sketch the lake when we get there, and write what we saw on the way. No sketching experience necessary. Further instructions in person ;)
5:15-6:15: Dinner
6:30: Seminar House, Main Studio: Writers’ Circle: Either Part 2 of Saturday night, or we will read pieces we are working on and give feedback. This will likely turn into storytelling later in the evening, and I have no doubt we’ll end up on the deck underneath the stars eventually.
Monday
8:30-9:30am: Breakfast
10-11am: Group hike
11:30-12:30: Yoga and meditation on the deck
12:30-1:30: Lunch
2:30-4pm: What’s stopping me? A talk about the things that get in our way, or sometimes feel sticky. Whose story is it? What do I owe the people I write about? What are legitimate issues to consider, and what are things to release with love? Are there hard lines in the sand, and if so, what are they? Writing prompt, free write.
4-5pm: Group mindfulness walk to garden with journals or sketchbooks. Write what you saw, sketch when we get there. More details coming, some things are worth the wait.
5:15-6:15pm: Dinner
6:30pm: Main Studio, Seminar House: Open Mic Night: read a piece you’ve written over the weekend, or something you’re working on, or poetry or word slam, sing us a song, play your guitar, tell us a story, share something from your heart. You can’t get it wrong.
Tuesday
We have to be checked out of our rooms by 11am, and out of the Main Studio by 12pm, but let’s make the most of our last half day!
8:30-9:30am Breakfast
10am: Main Hall, Seminar House: Closing Circle: just like a real circle, it’s not the end.
12:30: Lunch, then hugs!
I am already so excited I can hardly take it.
Please note, this is a schedule that we may need to adjust based on weather. If it’s raining, we can switch things up and hike in the afternoon. If it’s too cold to do yoga on the deck, we’ll do it inside. We’ll take things as they come, but I guarantee it will be beautiful, and we will be together. The rest of it is details.
Pricing
There is a $400 non-refundable deposit to hold your spot! Once I receive it, I will send you the magical direct link Mount Madonna Center has created for our retreat. Please note, this is the only way to sign up for the retreat, as they have created a page just for us.
The additional price from there will depend on the accommodations you choose (options below), but that number will include all your meals, accommodations, taxes and fees.
Accommodations and all Meals, fees, etc:
Cabin, Shared with Shared Bath $846:
Shared Room, Shared Bath $926:
Glamping Tent, shared bath $1166:
Private room in the Conference Center, 2 twin beds, ensuite bathroom $1766
The only other costs would be optional treatments like massage or other spa treatments if you wanted to add them.
*All meals are vegetarian (they can accommodate vegan, gf, etc), and there’s no alcohol, so I want to make you aware of that.
If you have any questions about any of this, please message me!
If you are ALL IN RIGHT NOW, you can secure your spot by sending a
$400 non-refundable deposit to me over Zelle (ally@yogisanonymous.com is my attached email, and Allyson is my legal name. It will ask for that when you Zelle, but please don’t call me Allyson, that’s only for when I’m in big trouble), or you can use PayPal, Venmo, Pay Later, Apple Pay/other debit or credit cards here!
Once I have your deposit, I will send you the dedicated link for the retreat on the Mount Madonna Center website so you can choose and book your accommodations there!
I could not be more excited about getting to spend some time with you IRL. I can hardly take it :) Please share with people you want to hug in person, under some redwoods, or anywhere, really. It’s about time.
Sending you a lot of love, friends xo
My heart stopped reading this. Omg yes. I tentatively have a CA trip planned with my mother, sisters, daughter and nieces but let me see if I can nudge dates around 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
Ally, our dear Wendy (Out for a Walk) wanted to be sure I saw this, and wow -- introversion aside, I can't think of a retreat that would be any more fulfilling than the one you're proposing here. With a trip to meet up with my siblings a month before, and a trip to Panama to meet up with my children and their partners in early 2027, the travel budget (both time and dollars) can't really take on more right now. Dammit!
I feel so fortunate to have people I love who live nearby, folks I can be in community with on a regular basis, who lift me up so I can see beyond my own perspectives. I also have dear friends who, like me, homeschooled their kids, moms I've been connected with, virtually, for 20-some years. Substack is a whole new community, one that doesn't fully entwine with either of the other two, though there are overlaps. And it is a huge source of support, wisdom, and joy for me.
Whoever comes together for this, whatever shape it takes, thank you, Ally, for being brave and true enough to envision it. Part of me will be there no matter what.