Mindful play is a radical act of self-care.
Leave your serious side at home….
let’s play!
Radical Everything
Last year this retreat was themed, “Radical Snow Gear” and we had the absolute best time with a pop-up outdoor “fashion show”. Somehow we sort of let the radical theme bleed into all other areas of our wardrobe and weekend.
bring on the rad! this year we are encouraging RADICAL EVERYTHING!
Wear (and do) anything that makes you feel completely rad at anytime.
Bring your best rad snow gear and/or clothing and accessories (thrifted encouraged) and let’s have some good ol’ fashion FUN.
Play is important work for children, but ya know what… it actually is very important for adults too.
“The elements of mindfulness, namely awareness and nonjudgmental acceptance of one’s moment-to-moment experience, are regarded as potentially effective antidotes against common forms of psychological distress, such as rumination, anxiety, worry, fear, anger.”
Winter Yoga Retreat at Deep Portage
We love visiting Deep Portage in the depths of winter. It’s quiet, it’s beautiful, it’s cozy, it’s adventurous, it’s memorable. As always, we invite you to join us and make this retreat your own.
3 Days | 2 Nights
Deep Portage Learning Center | Hackensack, MN
Arrivals at 4pm Friday and departures beginning at 10:30am Sunday
This retreat is open to all-levels: beginners to seasoned yogis are welcome!
A yoga retreat is an ideal way to become immersed in your already existing yoga practice, or to inspire a lifelong personal journey.
What to expect
We always try to have a little something extra special up our sleeves. We pride ourselves in lovingly and uniquely creating each yoga retreat. Expect top notch yoga sessions, as well as extra special workshop and specialty topic sessions! We will have lots of indoor cozy yoga and meditation sessions + opportunity for outdoor adventure.
This retreat will focus on FUN, MINDFULNESS, and PLAY!
You can also expect to feel empowered to choose! We want you to choose what feels right to you throughout the weekend, opt in (or out) for yoga sessions, workshops, outdoor winter recreation, and indoor recreation options.
Book Club Option
Option to purchase and read “The Fun Habit” by Mike Rucker in preparation for our book club on Saturday of the retreat! We will weave themes from the book throughout our yoga sessions during the weekend.
If book club is not your definition or rad or fun, this is 100% optional. :)
Silver Creek Sauna Co.
There is absolutely nothing like enjoying a sauna in a Minnesota winter.
Our very own Stacy Nightwine has an incredible mobile sauna!!!
We are bringing the Finnish tradition of sauna to invite relaxation, warmth, and wellness to your weekend. Enjoy the power of hot/cold and even take a playful roll in the snow!
Silver Creek Sauna Co. of Two Harbors, MN will be available throughout our weekend.
Read more at: silvercreeksauna.com
Yoga Teachers + BB Team
We are so excited to retreat with you!
Amanda Imes
MS, RYT 200, COREPOWER YOGA SCULPT | ECONOMIST
Amanda is a master at creating a welcoming group space. She teaches vinyasa, while you may be moving fast-paced, she keeps things light, upbeat, and fun. She loves breaking away from strict, straight lines and tapping into creative, fluid movements.
Amanda is an economist for the State of MN; twice each year she helps produce a forecast of Minnesota’s state General Fund revenues and expenditures for current and future bienniums. Amanda turned to yoga in 2009 to balance stress and anxiety and fell in love with the practice.
Amanda enjoys reading, hiking, camping, running, working out, laughing, travel, and spending time with her husband.
Amanda was certified to teach Yoga Sculpt through CorePower Yoga in 2014. She’s taught around 1,000+ yoga sculpt classes in the past 8 years. She obtained her 200 RYT certification through a 250 hour trauma informed training at the House of the Gathering Yoga School in Duluth.
Bryana Cook
LICSW, E-RYT 200, RYT 500, YACEP
Bryana is passionate about pursuing outdoor adventure, and loves to celebrate the benefits of yoga, meditation, breathwork, and nature immersion.
She enjoys teaching gentle and fluid vinyasa classes. Yoga philosophy and the subtle benefits of consistent practice are elements that she can never learn enough about.
In addition to co-owning Boreal Bliss, Bryana also owns Northern Yoga and Wellness.
Bryana is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISCW). She is in the midst of pursuing her 800 hour - yoga therapy certification (C-IAYT) through Inner Peace Yoga Therapy and the International Association of Yoga Therapy (IAYT).
Bryana’s husband Dan Ryan is a fishing guide. They live outside of small-town Longville, MN with their two boys (4 & 2 years old), black lab Sunny, and cat Lucy. Entrepreneurial life in the Northwoods suits them!
Stacy Nightwine
RYT 200, Yin Certified
Stacy lives with her husband 10 miles north of Two Harbors with their fur babies: two pups and two kitties. She also has many “outdoor pets”: deer, birds, frogs, and even a moose! Stacy enjoys the simple life and the great outdoors: fishing in both summer and winter, kayaking, and snowshoeing. Her favorite shows are Dateline 20/20 and Golden Girls. She uses essential oils for anything and everything.
Stacy also owns her own yoga business in Two Harbors: Lake Effect Yoga.
Stacy traveled to Isla Mujeres, Mexico in 2019 to complete her 200 hour YTT with Marianne Wells Yoga School. This was a transformational experience for her on many levels. This was her first time traveling out of the country, first time on a plane, and a huge leap to pursue the study of yoga, and continue to to work on a deeper understanding of herself.
Stephanie Schneider
Yoga Teacher, Runner, mama… more coming soon!
Zöe Jennings
Zoë Jennings (she/her) is a fitness instructor, actor, and playwright based out of Minneapolis who has been practicing yoga for over 10 years. She completed her 200 hour Vinyasa training with Boreal Bliss in April of 2023, a journey that easily ranks among the most joyful experiences of her life.
Zoë believes that laughter and play are infinitely important parts of honoring mind-body and body-earth connections, as well as leading a creative and fulfilling life. She lives to learn, laugh, and explore, and invites you to embody the role of perpetual student alongside her.
Let's play outside!
Jami Nelson
Guest Workshop Presenter + Pre-Order Fresh Juice for this Event!
Just Juice is the healthiest beverage option in the Brainerd Lakes Area! I started the business in the spring of 2015 as a side hustle, out of the necessity to consume more fruits and vegetables in the easiest way possible! I was in the hospitality industry so eating healthy and taking my time to do so, wasn't often an option. Once I started drinking the juices and feeling the wide variety of health benefits, I just had to share this with our community! I started out in one spot and then it slowly grew into 4 locations where people can purchase the juice right off the shelves. And now, that side hustle has become my one and only career! I get to make it weekly in small batches to ensure the freshest, most incredible taste as well as the highest nutrient density. Creating Just Juice was the catalyst in transforming my health and my life and it is a blessing to share it with others. It has brought me to the next level in this life and continues to help me maintain optimal health and wellness.
More on Jamie’s Just Juice Workshop and Pre-Order Juice Option below (keep scrolling down for the drool-worthy details!)
Do you have weird (awesome) old coats hiding in a closet? Perfect, bring those.
More about Deep portage learning center & Our Retreat:
Bailey Aro Photography
Outdoor enthusiast? Deep Portage has 11 miles of hiking/skiing/snowshoe trails right out the back door! The center is also located on the beautiful and secluded Bass Pond and Big Deep Lake. Cross country ski and snowshoe rental is included in your weekend retreat.
Yoga enthusiast? We are proud to offer you four classes in addition to optional workshops to enhance your practice.
Lodging Information - Each room has 3-5 beds and one bathroom. The beds are bunk beds, however we only sleep on the bottom. We send a pre-retreat survey one month prior to the retreat for any roommate requests as well as sleeping needs and information. We assign guests to rooms based on your preferences. More about Deep Portage accommodations and amenities
We want to see your
best radical gear.
Thrift your hearts out.
The FOOD!
Four meals are included in your weekend: Friday dinner, Saturday brunch & dinner, and Sunday breakfast. All of our meals will be catered by Green Scene Market & Eatery. We are so excited about this - they do food SO WELL!
Options available for vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free etc. Tea + coffee will also be available. We send out a survey a month prior to learn about any dietary restrictions/allergies.
The Juice!
We’ve got an optional juice workshop included in your weekend + you can add a pre-order of juice to accompany your retreat!
JUST JUICE WORKSHOP
This workshop is included in your retreat - option to enjoy if you’d like! During the workshop, guests will learn about the wide variety of health benefits that can be achieved when consuming fruits and vegetables in their raw form. We will learn about consuming seasonally available produce, organic vs. conventional produce, what the difference is between smoothies and juices and the health benefits of both. We will also discuss how much and when to consume juice in order to achieve maximum results and benefits of these powerhouse nature made beverages.
JUST JUICE PRE-ORDER PACKAGES
All registered retreaters will receive instructions on the option to add juice to their weekend! Pre-order fresh juice made by Jami.
Option 1: 2-12oz juices and 2-4oz wellness shots
Option 2: 4-12oz juices and 4-4oz wellness shots
recipes of juices based on seasonally available produce
accommodating of most any allergies as the juices are DF and GF
if guests would like larger quantities, option to email directly for even more to take home and enjoy!
What's included
4 Yoga Classes | Lodging | 4 Green Scene Market & Eatery Meals | Workshops | Indoor Climbing Wall | 11 Miles of Trails | Meditation | Hiking | Snowshoe/Cross Country Ski Free Rental | Journaling | Wilderness Experiences | Campfire
Registration
Tickets will launch on October 1st at 7:00am!
Prices include State sales tax on lodging/meals.
GROUP RATE - $515 PER PERSON
A group rate at this retreat includes 3-6 people (we typically only room 3-4 together unless a larger group of 5-6 is requested).
You can register with a group of your friends, or you can register solo and room with soon-to-be friends. You and your roommates will have an attached bathroom with shower, toilet, and two sinks to yourselves.
SEMI-PRIVATE RATE - $575 PER PERSON
A semi-private room is for you and a friend, or opt to bring your partner along. You can also register solo and meet a new soon-to-be friend as your roommate. You and your roommate will have an attached bathroom with shower, toilet, and two sinks to yourselves.
PRIVATE RATE - $650
Opt for a private room and attached bathroom all to yourself! Your private bathroom has a private attached shower, toilet, and two sinks.
CHECK YOUR EMAILS! Approximately 5-8 weeks prior to the weekend, we send you an email with important information regarding your weekend retreat including a detailed itinerary, FAQ, pre-retreat survey with roommate requests, dietary needs, and more. Your timely response is important!
BIPOC Scholarships
As part of our ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion in the yoga space, we are offering scholarships to Black, Indigenous, people of color for our fall and winter yoga retreats. Please fill out a BIPOC scholarship application here. Thank you!
Cancellation Policy
6+ weeks notice: $40 fee
4-6 weeks notice: $80 fee
6 weeks and less notice : 75% of total amount fee
14 days or less notice: no refunds available
We hope that you can appreciate the amount of time, love, and energy we wholeheartedly put into each retreat. Not just during the event, but the many months leading up to it.
Please note: Our winter venue does not issue refunds due to weather. As such, we are unlikely to cancel the retreat except in a very extreme scenario. In most situations, we hope our guests plan ahead to accommodate Minnesota weather conditions in winter to safely travel to and from the retreat- which may occasionally mean allowing extra travel time.
In the event of widespread extreme weather, including highway closures, the retreat will be rescheduled. If you are unable to attend the rescheduled weekend, you may be able to receive a partial refund or transfer credit to a future retreat. If the retreat is not cancelled/rescheduled, we will be unable to issue refunds on an individual basis due to the weather.
Bailey Aro Photography
DEEP PORTAGE LOCATION
2197 Nature Drive NW Hackensack, MN 56452
PACKING LIST
Yoga mat
Journal or notebook and writing utensil (colored pencils if you like to doodle)
Bathroom supplies and toiletries: bath towel, washcloth, shampoo/conditioner, soap
Yoga block(s) and strap
(meditation) pillow - any pillow will do!
Small cozy blanket to bring to sessions (for savasana, meditation, journaling, etc)
Yoga clothes
Lots of layers!!! Deep Portage is an eco-friendly building with a wood-fired boiler system, however it is not SUPER warm if you are used to very warm temps in your home
Water bottle
Beverages (yes, you can bring alcohol) of your choice
Snacks of your choice
Slippers - with a hard sole to wear in the dining hall
Tennis shoes for rock climbing (rock climbing included in price)
Snowpants, hat, gloves
Warm boots for walking around the woods
Yak tracks or something else for extra tread on slippery ice and snow
Wool/warm socks
Warm pajamas
Sleeping bag or bedding
Pillow and pillow case
Sheets for your bed (they are twin size if you prefer to be exact)
Extra cushion/camping mat if you’d like more padding on your mattress
Ear plugs (if you are a light sleeper & concerned about getting good sleep)
Good book to curl up with
Flashlight or headlamp
Snowshoes or cross country skis if you have your own (these are available at Deep Portage and included in your price)
Sled (Optional)
Cash or check for optional massage therapy, additional workshop options, and/or retail items