Ring in the new year with wellness: Retreats & opportunities near & far

Need some time to focus on your wellness in the new year? Whether you’re looking to give yourself a holiday gift or set an intention for the new year, consider a retreat. There are plenty of options to fashion a mini-getaway for yourself close to home or to indulge in a farther-flung opportunity.

This summer I had the delight of seeing yoga teacher, speaker and On Being Human author Jen Pastiloff speak with DC-based author of Love You Hard Abby Maslin about Jen’s book.

Jen leads retreats around the world, and if I hadn’t been driving my kiddo to sleepaway camp the day after the reading, I would have jumped on her workshop!

Reading Jen’s book inspired me to think about getting away, someday, in one fashion or another.

Here are some options!

Book a deal now for Yogaville

One timely option is to take advantage of this Certifikid deal for two nights at Yogaville in Buckingham, Virginia. It includes several yoga and meditation classes plus a Saturday satsang and all meals Friday evening through midday Sunday. The deal – on for a limited time – is for $108 for two nights in a shared dorm, or you can split the $299 fee with a friend for two people in a private lotus cottage.

If 3.5 hours is too far to go, fashion your own retreat by blocking off a half day and taking a workshop or a yoga class followed by a meditation class at one of the area’s local yoga and wellness studios. Plan for a healthy meal nearby – or from food at the studio, if offered – and cap it off with a walk in nature if the weather feels cooperative.

A few mini retreat options inside or near the Beltway

Rise Well-Being Center in Reston, VA

Rise has several types of classes plus community programs, including concerts. The space also offers healing services and nap rooms. Enjoy lunch in its indoor garden and appreciate the energy of the crystals built into the space.

See my Rise grand opening post

Beloved Yoga in Reston, VA

Beloved offers regular free karma meditation classes plus various yoga classes and special events, including concerts. Housed in the space is Apurva Ayurveda, where you can get a variety of ayurvedic treatments. There is a living wall in the space, and Tasty 6 juices and River-Sea chocolates are available for sale.

See my Beloved grand re-opening post

Ease Yoga & Cafe in Alexandria (Del Ray), VA

Ease offers various yoga and mindfulness workshops & classes including a qi gong class and yoga & essential oils. Housed in the space is a South Block Juicery that sells acai bowls, smoothies and juices. See below for a Costa Rica retreat.

See my Ease grand opening post

Bethesda Salt Cave in Bethesda, MD

Book a halotherapy session in this meditative space to experience the healing powers of salt therapy. Tack on a healing spa service – like massage or skincare service on either side.

recharj in Washington, DC

Nap studio with sound bath and yoga nidra classes.

Find more studios and centers by searching “Meditation and Mindfulness Opportunities” and “Spas & Retreat Spots” in my eBook Guide to Holistic Family Living in Metro DC . The eBook will be updated in 2020, so be sure to send along any new spots that should be included in the already-extensive listings!