Gentle Somatic Yoga® Weekend: Practices for Deep Self Care

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Up to 30 in group
Date
October 10 - 12, 2025

Retreat Highlights

  • Experience Restorative Gentle Somatic Yoga® (GSY) classes for deep relaxation
  • Participate in learning laboratories with Q&A to enhance your understanding of GSY
  • Enjoy daily Hatha Yoga sessions for a balanced and rejuvenating practice
  • Connect with the Yogaville community through satsang, kirtan, and meditation
  • Immerse yourself in a structured weekend retreat with expert-led sessions

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

Join us for a weekend of whole-self nourishment and restoration!
In this workshop you will learn innovative and therapeutic Somatic Movements, meditation, organic farm-to-table food, and be inspired by the sacred Blue Ridge Mountains.

Gentle Somatic Yoga® is a simple, practical, and effective form of brain-to-muscle re-education that goes to the root cause of most chronic muscular pain and stiffness. This heart-informed and evidence-based method can be incorporated into other spiritual practices. The beneficial results can be immediate and long-lasting.

This is a wonderful retreat for anyone wanting to build or enhance a daily home self-care practice. If you are a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, bodyworker, or health care professional you can implement the Somatic Movement Flows® you will learn from this workshop easily into your group classes and/or customized personal sessions.

Enjoy taking part of the Ashram’s daily activities and accommodations: complimentary yoga and meditation classes, inspirational spiritual talks, organic vegetarian (vegan options) food, and walking forest trails on their 800-acre property including along the James River.

*Special NOTE: This is a stand-alone event, but is also part of the Gentle Somatic Yoga (GSY) Level 1 training. So if you would like to extend your visit by a few more days, you are welcome to stay and learn more Somatic Movement Flows, the history, method, neuroscience, and philosophy of GSY. More Info and Register

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) 7.5hrs.

Yoga Alliance (YA)
International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) *You must apply. GSY can give you the codes
Integral Yoga Teachers Association (IYTA) can provide you a CE certificate with your program’s total contact hours for a $10 fee (free for IYTA members.) For more information, email: ce@iyta.org

Testimonials
James Knight is an amazing instructor with a vast amount of knowledge. His workshops are beneficial to people of all levels—from the most basic to the advanced level students. He takes time to listen to the participants and answer all questions. I highly recommend taking a workshop with James! — Ruby J
A highly experienced and skilled teacher. James is great. — Judy
James offers a program that is easily received, both in body and mind. He brings in the neuroscience aspect and also speaks from the heart. I found the Somatic Movement Flows he offered were very clear and helpful. I also appreciated the modifications. I highly recommend him! — Alexandra W
This workshop with James was a delightful experience! He is very approachable, honest, humble, caring and professional. I hope to learn from him again sometime. — Kathy G



Tentative Schedule





Thursday



3:00–6:00 pm
Registration


5:00–6:30 pm
Hatha Yoga Mixed Level: Recommend to retreat participants


6:30–7:15 pm
Supper


7:30–8:00 pm
Yogaville Welcoming & Orientation


8:00–9:30 pm
Session with ...


10:00 pm
Lights out in dorms and quiet in all accommodations



Friday



5:00–6:15 am
Group Meditation


6:30–7:50 am
Session with ...


8:00–9:00 am
Breakfast


9:30–11:30 am
Session with ...


12:00–12:30 pm
Group Meditation


12:45–1:30 pm
Lunch


2:00–5:00 pm
Session with ...


5:00–6:30 pm
Hatha Yoga Mixed Level


6:00–6:30 pm
Group Meditation


6:30–7:30 pm
Supper


7:30–9:00 pm
 Session with ...



Saturday



5:00–6:15 am
Group Meditation


6:20–7:50 am
Hatha Yoga Level 1 or Level 2


8:00–9:00 am
Breakfast


9:30–11:30 am
Session with ...


12:00–12:30 pm
Group Meditation


12:45–1:30 pm
Lunch


1:45–3:15 pm
Ashram tour


3:30–5:30 pm
Session with ...


5:30–6:15 pm
Supper


7:30–9:30 pm
Satsang: Kirtan, DVD and Speaker



Sunday



6:00–7:00 am
Group Meditation


7:15–8:15 am
Session with ...


7:30–9:00 am
Breakfast


9:30–11:30 am
Session with ...


12:00–12:30 pm
Group Meditation


12:45–1:30 pm
Lunch

Getting Here

Location icon Yogaville

Directions

Yogaville offers transportation from the airport, train and bus stations in Charlottesville, VA. If you are driving Google Maps has reliable turn-by-turn directions.

Accommodation

Availability of complimentary accommodations is determined by the order of booking.
Dormitory

The most popular accommodations we have are Dormitory Accommodations – shared room and shared bath. We have two dormitories, Vivekananda Vihar and Ramalinga Nilayam, which are centrally heated and air-conditioned and convenient to meals and programs.
Lotus Guest House (Private Room)

Each room in our six unit guest house is equipped with a small refrigerator, queen size bed and full bath. Each room in our nine unit guest house is equipped with a queen sized bed and full bath, and no refrigerator.

Tenting
Set off in a quiet, wooded area adjacent to the Lotus Guest Houses are twelve campsites. Campers have use of the bathroom, shower, and laundry facilities nearby Vivekananda Vihar dormitory. Camping is available from March 15th to December 1st.

Shared Dormitory: Bottom Bunk

Accommodation
Bottom bunk in a shared dorm room. Dorm rooms contain 4-8 beds. Shared bathroom Dorm rooms are not coed Availability is Gender Specific

Private Dormitory

Accommodation
This is a private room with a shared bathroom in our Ramalinga Nilayam Dorm - Females Only

LGH: Full Bed

Accommodation
Private room and Private Bath. A single Full bed and a private bath designed for those seeking peace in solitude.    

LGH: 2 Twin beds

Accommodation
Private Room and Private Bath. Two twin Beds and a private bath that is ideal for friends looking to experience the bliss of Yogaville.  

LGH: Queen Bed

Accommodation
Private Room and Private Bath. A queen bed or a queen with two day beds and a private bath that is perfect for couples and families searching for a peaceful time together. Please put in the personal comments if you need a room that includes trundles.  

Tent-Site

Accommodation
Open from Mar. 16–Nov. 30. Closed from Dec. 1–Mar. 15 Set off in a quiet, wooded area adjacent to the Lotus Guest Houses are Eighteen campsites. Campers have use of the nearby bathhouse as well as laundry facilities at the LGH Building 3.   Also, all tent sites have tent platforms for a more comfortable and dry tenting experience.  Fires and Stoves are not Permitted. Price is per person per night. Please bring your own tent, tie downs, tarp (weather protection). bedding and towels.  

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
Yogaville is home to the Light of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS). The LOTUS is a unique temple dedicated to interfaith understanding and the Light within all faiths. Individual altars represent and honor the different world faiths and spiritual paths. The vision, design and inspiration of Sri Swami Satchidananda, LOTUS was dedicated in 1986. It demonstrates, “Truth is One, Paths are Many.” In the peaceful countryside of Virginia, the doors of LOTUS are open to welcome people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

Meals

Menu Types

Organic, vegetarian/vegan food Labeled ingredients Lacto-vegetarian Gluten-free and vegan options Salad bar Large herbal tea selection Coffee is available for purchase at Mandala Cafe

What's Included

  • Accomodations
  • Meals
  • Meditation Sessions
  • Yoga Classes

What's Not Included

  • Transportation
  • Airfare

Customer Reviews

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