Hiking and Yoga for Inner Peace
Hiking and Yoga for Inner Peace
Up to 30 in group
June 6 - 8, 2025
Retreat Highlights
- Experience meditative hikes through the Blue Ridge Mountains and James River Valley
- Practice mindfulness and nature meditations to deepen your connection with the earth
- Engage all five senses through guided walks, breathing exercises, and reflection
- Participate in tailored Hatha Yoga classes designed to complement nature immersion
- Take home practical tools to stay centered and connected to nature in daily life
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Diana takes a holistic approach to physical, mental, and emotional well-being. She utilizes her experience as a psychotherapist and certified yoga teacher to bring healing and insight through thoughtful movement, breath work, and inquiry. She believes humor, empathy, community, and connection to nature have the power to transform our relationships to self and others. Diana obtained her Integral Hatha Yoga teacher certification in 2018 from Yogaville, Satchidananda Ashram and has additional certifications in gentle somatic yoga, yin yoga, restorative yoga, and laughter yoga. She offers one-on-one coaching, group and private yoga classes. She enjoys being in nature, whether hiking, backpacking, or kayaking and creative writing. She is completing her pilgrimage of the Appalachian Trail, one section at a time.
Details of this retreat
Join Yogaville Meditation and Yoga Teachers, Diana Divya Santos and Linda Santoshi Goubeaux for a nature retreat in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and James River valley. Here you’ll enjoy meditative hikes on picturesque forested trails and developing an intimate relationship with mother earth and yourself. Feel inspired and refreshed as you engage all five senses in guided walks, breathing exercises, and nature meditations with a like-minded community.
Practice mindfulness as a path to deeper connection with the natural world and ourselves
Relax into the golden present and experience time with the earth
Participate in our tailored hatha yoga classes
Connect with like-minded sangha (community)
Take home simple tools to stay centered and connected to nature.
Recommended attire: sturdy hiking shoes, long pants, trekking poles, and a day pack with a water bottle and journal.
How to Prepare and What to Expect:
We will hike along trails of packed dirt, with roots and rocks as well as short trails of loose gravel. Our aim is to make this accessible to those who are able to balance on uneven terrain and move with ease in the great outdoors for hikes varying in length between 2 miles up to 5 miles with elevation gain of up to 200 ft.
As ticks are prevalent in spring time, we will have insect repellent available for guests and also encourage participants to wear long pants.
For additional questions about the program, please contact programs@yogaville.org or 434-969-3121 x 106.
Tentative Schedule
FRIDAY
3–5 pm
Registration
5-6:30
Mixed Level Hatha
5-5:45
Yoga Nidra
6-6:30
Meditation
6:30–7:15
Dinner
7:30–9
Opening Circle: Connecting to Nature, Connecting to Ourselves
SATURDAY
6:00-am
Morning Meditation at Kailash
7:10-8:40
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 1
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2
Joint Freeing Series with Hope Mell
8–9:30
Breakfast
10:00 departure
Mindful Hiking in periods of Noble Silence with opportunities to meditate, journal, and practice pranayama
12:30 pm
Vans pick up from LCC
12:45-1:30
Lunch
1:30-3:45 pm
Free time
4:00-5:30
Gentle Somatic Yoga or Restorative Yoga class
5:30–7:00
Dinner
7:30-9
Satsang (gathering of the seekers of Truth)
Kirtan (Music & Chanting), Video of Swami Satchidananda
Speaker
SUNDAY
6:00-am
Morning Meditation at Kailash
7:10–8:40
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 1
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2
8–9:30
Breakfast
10–12:00
Nature Walk/hike
12-12:30 pm
Meditation
12:45–1:30
Lunch
Practice mindfulness as a path to deeper connection with the natural world and ourselves
Relax into the golden present and experience time with the earth
Participate in our tailored hatha yoga classes
Connect with like-minded sangha (community)
Take home simple tools to stay centered and connected to nature.
Recommended attire: sturdy hiking shoes, long pants, trekking poles, and a day pack with a water bottle and journal.
How to Prepare and What to Expect:
We will hike along trails of packed dirt, with roots and rocks as well as short trails of loose gravel. Our aim is to make this accessible to those who are able to balance on uneven terrain and move with ease in the great outdoors for hikes varying in length between 2 miles up to 5 miles with elevation gain of up to 200 ft.
As ticks are prevalent in spring time, we will have insect repellent available for guests and also encourage participants to wear long pants.
For additional questions about the program, please contact programs@yogaville.org or 434-969-3121 x 106.
Tentative Schedule
FRIDAY
3–5 pm
Registration
5-6:30
Mixed Level Hatha
5-5:45
Yoga Nidra
6-6:30
Meditation
6:30–7:15
Dinner
7:30–9
Opening Circle: Connecting to Nature, Connecting to Ourselves
SATURDAY
6:00-am
Morning Meditation at Kailash
7:10-8:40
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 1
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2
Joint Freeing Series with Hope Mell
8–9:30
Breakfast
10:00 departure
Mindful Hiking in periods of Noble Silence with opportunities to meditate, journal, and practice pranayama
12:30 pm
Vans pick up from LCC
12:45-1:30
Lunch
1:30-3:45 pm
Free time
4:00-5:30
Gentle Somatic Yoga or Restorative Yoga class
5:30–7:00
Dinner
7:30-9
Satsang (gathering of the seekers of Truth)
Kirtan (Music & Chanting), Video of Swami Satchidananda
Speaker
SUNDAY
6:00-am
Morning Meditation at Kailash
7:10–8:40
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 1
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2
8–9:30
Breakfast
10–12:00
Nature Walk/hike
12-12:30 pm
Meditation
12:45–1:30
Lunch
Getting Here
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
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
This is a private room with a shared bathroom in our Ramalinga Nilayam Dorm - Females Only
LGH: Full Bed
Private room and Private Bath. A single Full bed and a private bath designed for those seeking peace in solitude.
LGH: 2 Twin beds
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
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
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
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
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
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
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
