April 30 - May 8, 2026
The Language of Animacy – Exploring Yoga through the Gurus of the Natural World
Thur April 30th- Pre-Arrival
3 Day Intensive for Teachers & Yoga enthusiasts/Nutz: May 1-3
5 Day Presence in Yoga May 3-8
In the verdant beauty of Gray Bear, with its rustling leaves, soft light seeping through the trees, gurgling of streams and waterfall, along with the nourishing welcoming heart-filled structures, peoples, animals and plant life, we come home to ourselves. This year’s retreat which can be 3 days, 5 days or 9, will remind you why you love this practice and how inspirational the elemental and natural life around and within us can be.
CONNECTING: Advanced Practice Intensive – Teachers’ Talk and Play! May 1 - May 3 This intensive is designed to re-energize one’s own personal practice and teaching for those that teach. In these first 3 days we will use the guidance of our animal kin and the elements to support our inner life at a time when much of the world is in overwhelm, confusion or disarray. How do we encourage deep listening beyond the distractions of the day? How do we evolve our physical and emotional well-being through metaphor, imagery, poetry and simple clear embodied guidance? A nourished and nourishing yoga and teaching practice sustains itself and shares its fruits wide, beyond our limited notions of time and space and planetary kin! These 3 days are intense – the schedule is full! You do not have to be a teacher, but you do need to be willing to use our teaching reflections as a metaphor for practice. We will explore pranayama, advanced asana, restorative practice, meditation along with analysis and discussion in our 18 contact hours and a minimum of 2 hours of self-study/practice. The intensive begins at 12pm on May 1 and ends at 10.00am on May 3.
LISTENING: Presence in Yoga – A 5 day Retreat, May 3 - 8 held partly in silence to allow participants to let go of the outer conversations and busyness and drop into a quieter rhythm, with an emphasis on simple vipassana meditation – seated and walking, calm balanced asana – active and passive, and plenty of time to be in nature, inspired by the woods, plants, waterfalls all around us. This retreat begins with dinner on Saturday, May 3rd at 5.30pm and ends Thursday May 8 at 9am, with 25 contact hours of mat/zafu time.
Robin Kimmerer: I come here to listen, to nestle in the curve of the roots in a soft hollow of pine needles, to lean my bones against the column of white pine needles, to turn off the voice in my head until I can hear the voices outside it: the shhh of the wind in needles, water trickling over rock, nuthatch tapping, chipmunks digging, beechnut falling, mosquito in my ear, and something more, something that is not me, for which we have no language, the wordless being of others in which we are never alone. After the drumbeat of my mother’s hear, this was my first language.
Mary: Let us explore this quality of deep listening and the language of animacy, together at Gray Bear in May 2026
Registration Details/Retreat Cost
Dates |
Earlybird Rate (if paid by 12/15/2025 ) |
Discounted Rate (if paid by 2/25/2026) |
Standard Rate (paid after 2/25/2026 ) | |
|
Thursday early arrival |
4/30 |
$140 (includes meals) |
$160 (includes meals) |
$160 (includes meals) |
|
Full 8 day Retreat |
5/1 to 5/8 |
$1,555 |
$1,635 |
$1,705 |
|
3 Day Only |
5/1 to 5/3 |
$695 |
$750 |
$765 |
|
Presence Only |
5/3 to 5/8 |
$1050 |
$1075 |
$1105 |
Register by 12/15/2025 for best savings.
Venmo, PayPal and MC/Visa all major cc’s accepted
- Price listed is for shared lodging in our main lodge.
- A limited number of Private cabins are available as well; please inquire.
Old school Check is still our preferred payment method.
Mailing address: Gray Bear PO Box 682 Hohenwald, TN 38462
Payment plans available on request.
Arrival Departure Schedule
Retreat begins Friday May 1st with arrival between 10-12. Lunch will be served. Our first gathering is from 1:45 to 5. Dinner served at 6:00.
If you would like to arrive a day early for our Pre-event option (Thursday 30th) because of flights/travel schedule or just to settle in and relax, our space will be ready. Most guests will do this. Please plan 3:00-5:45 arrival time. Dinner will be served at 6:00pm.
(*) If attending Presence only , (May 3rd-8th) please plan to arrive between 2:00-5:30 pm on Sunday, May 3rd. Dinner is served at 6:00
(*) If attending weekend intensive only (May 1 to 3) check out time is 1:00 May 3rd.
Departing Schedule Friday 8th: Morning Practice 8-9:45, Brunch at 10:15 followed by checkout at 11:00.
Good to remember for flights: We are a two hour drive from the airport plus at least one hour of checkin time at airport, so a minimum three hour window is normally recommended.
Airport shuttle info: If you can arrange your arrival towards the early time (by/before 1:00 to 3:00 time frame) this helps to avoid Nashville traffic rush of 4:00 hour. Gray Bear promotes ride -sharing. If you let us know your arrival times, we will try our best to coordinate you with other participants arriving to share your ride down (and back). Nashville is the nearest airport. The drive from BNA (Nashville Airport is about 2 hours. Please plan plenty of time (at least one hour each way) for arrival and departure/check in. A Nashville shuttle company can also be utilized; please inquire and we will give you reference.
Gray Bear Lodge P.O. Box 682 Hohenwald, TN 38462
Telephone: 615-782-0469
Accommodations
Confirmation letter and additional information (including directions to Gray Bear) will be sent. Listed price is for shared occupancy in the main lodge (upgrades to private cabins are available; please inquire).
Who Should Attend
For this retreat our definition of ongoing practice is as follows: some fluency in basic standing poses, an understanding of your personal limitations for safety concerns, a willingness to listen closely and bravely explore that which we often ignore .
The TT/Weekend Only is NOT limited to yoga teachers. You do not have to be a Yoga instructor to attend. Ongoing students or those wanting to deepen their understanding are encouraged to attend.
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.