The Power of the Pause
JJ Gormley
October 14 - 18, 2026
In a world that moves at a relentless pace, the simple act of pausing can feel radical. The Power of the Pause is a five-day yoga retreat designed to help you slow down, listen deeply, and reconnect with yourself.
Through a thoughtful blend of asana, pranayama, meditation, guided relaxation, and self-reflection, we will explore how pausing—between breaths, between thoughts, between actions—can become a source of clarity, strength, and inner freedom.
During this five-day retreat we will
- Reset the nervous system through gentle grounding practices and exercises that help reset the vagus nerve
- Deepen body awareness with mindful movement and alignment-based yoga connected with the breath
- Cultivate stillness with meditation, visualizations and breath-work
- Explore the wisdom of the pause through journaling and group inquiry
- Create space for integration with quiet time nature, and restorative practices.
Each day will include a morning and afternoon yoga session, guided meditation (in the afternoon session), and time for rest, reflection, and personal integration.
This retreat center offers time to disconnect from the digital world, unplug so you can go deeper in the experience of the pause.
Registration
Workshop discounted at $1015 if paid in full by Aug 15th. After Aug 15th, late registration increases to $1125.
Space is consciously limited. Price includes tuition, lodging, meals and full use of facilities. Pay via Paypal, Venmo, check or credit card accepted. Following registration, confirmation letter and additional information (including directions to Gray Bear) will be sent.
About the Instructor
JJ Gormley, Director, MS, C-IAYT, CN, E-RYT 500, RPYT, RCYT
SCHYS Director | Program Director | Certified Yoga Therapist | Certified Nutritionist | Certified Yoga Teacher
JJ Gormley is the Director of Surya Chandra Healing Yoga School. She is the core faculty and co-leader of all programs, and has been dedicated to teaching yoga since 1989. She is committed to the School, her students and faculty, and more importantly, the clients she serves as their Yoga Therapist and/or Nutritionist.
JJ received a B.S. degree in Mathematics and taught high-school math for several years. Graduate work led her to receiving a M.S. in Complementary Integrative Medicine and a Graduate Certificate in Nutrition (CN) (double-major). This education serves her well in running the training programs, as well as in her private practice as an Integrative Healthcare Practitioner, Holistic Nutritionist, and Yoga Therapist. She is a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) with the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), and Registered with the Yoga Alliance as an Experienced Yoga Teacher (ERYT500), Prenatal Teacher (RPYT), and Children’s Yoga Teacher (RCYT). She has been and continues to be a student of yoga (since 1979), teaching yoga since 1989, and running teacher training programs since 1994. Her teacher training programs have been registered with the Yoga Alliance since 1999 and her Yoga Therapy Certificate Program with the International Association of Yoga Therapists IAYT since 2017.
JJ has studied from some of the worlds leading teachers including TKV Desikachar and his son, Kausthub Desikachar, John Friend, Rodney Yee, Erich Schiffmann, Patricia Walden, Barbara Benagh, Donna Farhi, Richard Freeman, K.Patabhi Jois, George Purvis, Dean Lerner, Baron Baptiste, Swami Satchidananda, and many others. She has studied from many of the major yoga traditions including Integral Yoga, Kundalini, Iyengar, Anusara, Ashtanga, and Viniyoga. She has also had the privilege of working with yoga teachers: Claire Collins, Kate Holcombe, Leslie Kaminoff, Gary Kraftscow, Richard Miller, Sonia Nelson, Larry Payne, and Amy Wheeler as the event coordinator for the Yoga Therapy Summit in 2013 and again in 2017. She has also had the pleasure of presenting at the annual yoga therapy conference called the Symposium for Yoga Therapy & Research (SYTAR) sponsored by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) several times, taught an eight-week series on yoga philosophy for the Smithsonian Institute’s Resident Associate Program, has been a presenter for the Yoga As Medicine conference in Washington, DC, served on a panel on Yoga for Systemic Lupus at the National Institute for Health in Bethesda, MD, has served on the IAYT Accreditation Committee’s Peer Review Board, and is on the Advisory Board for their Yoga Therapy Today magazine. She has also published many VHS and DVD recordings, a chanting CD, numerous yoga and yoga therapy training manuals, co-authored Holistic Healing with Yoga Therapy, and has been featured in numerous magazines articles.
In her spare time JJ loves to hike, kayak, read, knit, garden, or hang out with friends who like to play cards, enjoy good food and good company.
Arrival Departure Schedule
We'll begin with guests arriving after lunch (2-6pm arrival) on Wednesday. Dinner is at 6:00pm, Orientation & opening circle follow. Sunday finishes with closing circle, lunch, and checkout is at 11:00am. (*) Gray Bear is a two hour drive from the airport, so please plan arrival time/ departure time with this in mind.
What to Pack
Gray Bear is home to 400 acres of rolling hills, thick forest, natural springs, and even a waterfall. You can experience the wonders of nature while sitting in a hand-built wood fire sauna; hear the silence of nature's symphony lying on a hammock while curled under a blanket; and revel in clear air and water while using shower outdoors.
With all of this nature we have some suggestions to consider when packing:
- Working flashlight ...it gets dark with only the light of the stars to guide you!
- A bathing suit ... good for the hot tub, sauna, and Watsu massage pool
- Water bottle ...Gray Bear does not use disposable cups. Purified water is available in the Main House and the Yoga Room
- A bath robe/sarong
- House slippers or socks to wear indoors ...no shoes inside please
- Comfortable walking shoes/sandals for an inspired nature hike
- Warm clothing ...mornings & evenings can be cool
- Comfortable clothes for exercising/yoga
Please do not bring any drugs, alcohol, or pets. Gray Bear is a non-smoking, pet-free and alcohol-free facility.