Newsletter Sign Up
Sign up to receive updates from Shrine Mont.
Take a break from your busy life with a weekend yoga retreat in the cool beauty of the Shenandoah Valley. Richmond area instructors Bonnijean Boggess, Julian Desta and Donna Cushlanis will be leading a variety of all-level yoga classes in indoor and outdoor spaces in and around the historic Shrine Mont Retreat Center located in the quaint town of Orkney Springs, Virginia. Take a step back in time to the natural beauty and historic buildings of this hidden gem. You will have time to explore the grounds, history and enjoy the wonderful southern menu items offered in family -style dining or take out. The chefs can accommodate vegan, vegetarian and other dietary restrictions.
*Gentle Zen: This gentle Yoga practice helps us draw true attention to breath. Gentle twists and elongation of the limbs and the spine will set the perfect setting for relaxation and stillness, both mentally and physically. This first class will introduce you to yoga lingo and poses.
**Sun Salutation: Honor the sun as we coordinate gentle movement with pranayama (breath control) in our morning Sun Salutation practice. Lengthen and awaken your muscles with basic yogic postures with optional strength challenges designed to energize your spirit and prepare us for the coming of a new day.
*Soundbath: Expect to hear instruments from around the world, including several kinds of singing bowls, pan drum, Native American flute, drums, harps, and possibly entirely new instruments. The goal as always is a relaxing and insightful sound journey, or perhaps, if you need it, a delightful rest.
*Slow & Strong is a class designed to slow your flow and build strength. We link breath with movement to build heat while clearing out the mind, vitalizing the body and embracing the soul. The class promotes improved strength, flexibility, balance, and mental focus, while also releasing tension and fostering a sense of being grounded and a feeling of well-being. The poses will help to eliminate toxins, reset your mind and have you moving with intention. Slow & Strong is a class designed for all abilities.
*Yin Yoga is a class that works on the principles of time, depth and stillness to heal on a cellular level through our connective tissue, joints, fascia and ligaments. In Yin the poses are held for a few minutes to help improve circulation and increase flexibility. This is a class that begs you to take the time for yourself in a caring, constructive and loving way. Yin yoga is known to help regulate emotions, reduce stress and promote a sense of calm. This class is great for those who are new to yoga, recovering from an injury, or need to learn how to chill.
*Moon Salutation (Goodnight Moon) Close the day by welcoming and honoring the moon in the night sky. This calming sequence of basic postures will help us slow down and prepare our bodies for a restful night’s sleep.
Wrap It Up Meditation – At the end of our retreat we explore stillness to find our center and reflect on our experience.
BONNIJEAN BOGGESS has been leading yoga and other fitness classes in the Richmond area for over 20 years. She spends her days teaching middle school students with learning disabilities and leading yoga classes in Richmond and the Shenandoah Valley area. She is AFAA group exercise, yoga and Pilates certified and is working toward a 200 hour yoga certification. This is the fifth annual Summer Yoga in the Mountains retreat she has coordinated. She, her husband and 2 kitties (Morsel and Riblet) split their time between their cabin near Orkney Springs and an apartment in Richmond.
JULIAN DESTA is a certified Sound Healing Guide, Yoga(200YTT) & Meditation Teacher, Reiki (Usui Reiki Ryoho)III Mastering Practitioner, and Artist. He has been working with the Richmond VA community for over 20 years.
DONNA CUSHLANIS was introduced to yoga over twenty-five years ago while living on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. There she did Bikram Hot Yoga and then Prenatal Yoga while pregnant with her now 22 year old triplet boys. In 2004, she and her family moved back to her home state of New Jersey and she took yoga classes whenever she could. In 2017, Donna completed her 200 hour teacher training at Grow Yoga in Galloway, NJ. She has since done numerous training and workshops in many different types of yoga. She teaches Baptiste, Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin and Children’s Yoga and has participated and helped lead many 40 Days to a Personal Revolution programs. Donna works in the special education department of her local school district as the financial secretary. She enjoys spending time with her boys, her dog and cat, backpacking and practicing and teaching yoga. She looks forward to learning and growing with all those she comes into contact with on and off her mat.
Click here to see Shrine Mont’s cancellation policy
Sign up to receive updates from Shrine Mont.