Retreat

With uS

Curated for a deeply rejuvenative, wellness experience.

Our retreats offer a holistic reboot of your entire being.

Why our retreats are unique

At the Shala, retreats are not an escape from life—they invite a return to wholeness that you can take back home with you.

Here, wellness is not reduced to a set of techniques, but experienced as the living relationship between your inner world and the world around you. We call our way of living and practicing Spiritual Ecology, a weaving together of practices that enliven all aspects of the human experience.

Unlike many retreat spaces, you don’t have to fit a mold, pretend to be someone you’re not, or strive to “be spiritual” in some artificial way. 

Our approach honors the whole human—your uniqueness, your beliefs, your story, your way of belonging.

What you’ll discover here is deceptively simple: when you align with nature and community, vitality and vibrancy emerge naturally.

The Shala becomes a place where transformation doesn’t feel forced—it feels like coming home.

Our guests often describe leaving with a deep sense of clarity and calm. They come for rest, but leave with something far greater: a felt experience of wellness that is sustainable, practical, and deeply human.

Welcome to retreats that nourish the roots of your being.

Our Signature Retreat

If you are new to the Shala, this is the first retreat we recommend! It is our most beloved offering—designed to restore, replenish, and reconnect you with what matters most. 

The Signature Retreat is a whole-being immersion in the Shala’s unique approach to Spiritual Ecology. Each day, you’ll be guided through experiences that invite deeper listening, creativity, and joy.

Every practice—whether movement, stillness, sound, taste, or play—is chosen to give you somatic access to the body, invite self-compassion and understanding, (re)awaken inner guidance, and remind you of your place in the greater whole.

This retreat is for you if you’re seeking:

  • Restorative time away from daily pressures

  • Practices that awaken clarity, vitality, and inspiration

  • Connection with a welcoming, like-hearted community

  • New ways of listening to yourself, others, and the world

You don’t need any prior yoga experience (we mean it!), a particular belief system, or any special preparation. Just bring your curiosity, your body, and your breath—we’ll meet you there.

Click to learn more and register for the next retreat.

“From the moment I arrived and throughout my stay, the people who are CYS made me feel welcome, comfortable, and supported.”

—Laurie, Retreat Participant

Learn about other other soulful retreats

Ayurvedic Cooking Weekends

The Ayurvedic Cooking Weekends are, hands-down, our favorite way to fall in love with cooking—and with yourself.

You'll spend a weekend at the Shala immersed in Spiritual Ecology through food—learning to prepare and savor meals that nourish more than just the body.

Each day unfolds with intention: hands-on cooking guided by friendly expertise; foundational wisdom shared in engaging talks on Ayurveda; mindful tasting and communal meals, inviting full attention to each flavor, scent, and texture; free time in nature to walk, rest, and soak in the surrounding Ozarks.

No culinary or Ayurvedic background required—you just need an appetite for discovery and a love for real connection.

Community Day

The Shala Community Day is an opportunity to experience the heart of what we do, connect with our community, and enjoy a beautiful fall day in the Ozarks.

Beginner-friendly activities throughout the day, representative of the teachings practiced here—Yoga, Movement, Inquiry—guided by our skilled and welcoming trainers.

And in the middle of it all: a lovingly prepared farm-to-table lunch with fresh, local ingredients.

Come solo, bring a friend, bring the family—no experience is needed.

Women’s Circle Retreat

The Women's Circle Retreat is a soulful gathering designed to reconnect you with your inner wisdom and the nurturing power of sisterhood.

This weekend retreat offers a blend of elemental rituals, embodied practices, and deep connection to the land and each other.

Come home to the sacred feminine.

This retreat is for you if you’re seeking:

  • A sacred space to reconnect with your authentic self

  • Practices that honor the wisdom of the body and spirit

  • Community and support from like-hearted women

  • A chance to immerse in nature and ceremony

Donation-based facilitation plus accommodations (private or shared).

Men’s Circle Retreat

The Men’s Circle Retreat is a weekend designed for men seeking something real—beyond performance, beyond perfection. It’s about presence, truth, and reclaiming strength in a circle of brothers.

Led by Matthew Krepps, co-founder of Circle Yoga Shala, this retreat blends ritual, physical challenge, and deep connection.

Step into a space where masks fall away, and brotherhood rises.

This retreat is for you if you’re seeking:

  • A deeper connection with yourself, your body, and your presence

  • Brotherhood and authentic connection with other men

  • Safe space to confront your edges, play, and explore vulnerability

  • Ritual, ceremony, and guided practices that ground, challenge, and inspire

Donation-based facilitation plus accommodations (private or shared).

Private retreat: Horse Inquiry with holly

Reconnect with your true self through the silent wisdom of horses.

The Equine Inquiry Session offers a profound opportunity to engage in guided self-inquiry alongside our intuitive rescue horses. In the serene sanctuary of the Ozarks, you'll experience somatic clarity, digestion of emotion, and deep reflection. These sessions are designed to help you uncover patterns, heal old wounds, and cultivate self-love and acceptance.

This retreat is for you if you’re seeking:

  • Healing from past wounds and repetitive patterns

  • Deeper self-acceptance and self-love

  • A profound connection with nature and animals

  • Guided inquiry that leads to personal transformation

No prior experience with horses is necessary—just an open heart and a willingness to explore.

Private retreat: Movement with matt

In these one-on-one sessions, Matt Krepps—Founder and Co-owner of Circle Yoga Shala—guides you through a tailored movement practice grounded in his Method.

Drawing from decades of experience and work with elite athletes, Matt’s sessions address your unique needs, from rehabilitation to high performance.

Over the course of two days, you'll engage in:

  • Movement Assessment: Identify and understand your body's current patterns and limitations

  • Corrective Strategies: Implement techniques to address imbalances and enhance movement efficiency

  • Personalized Plan Development: Create a sustainable practice tailored to your goals and lifestyle

Whether you're recovering from an injury, seeking to enhance athletic performance, or simply aiming to move with greater ease and awareness, these sessions provide the tools and insights to support your journey.

Experience a personalized journey toward becoming an attentive, resilient, and exuberant mover.

Recovery Retreats

The Recovery Retreats with Holly Krepps are intimate, donation-based, gatherings designed to support your journey of recovery from addiction and self-discovery.

Held at Holly's homestead in the Ozarks, these retreats offer a unique opportunity to pause, reflect, and reconnect with your true self.

Each retreat is intentionally small, fostering a nurturing environment where participants can engage in deep self-inquiry, share experiences, and receive guidance from Holly, a seasoned facilitator with over three decades of experience in the recovery tradition.

This retreat is for you if you’re seeking:

  • A supportive space to explore your recovery journey

  • Connection with like-hearted individuals

  • Guidance from an experienced mentor in the recovery tradition

  • Time away from daily distractions to focus on personal growth

Spiritual sobriety Retreats

The Spiritual Sobriety Retreats are immersive gatherings where you slow down, drop distractions, and reconnect with yourself at the deepest level. Through guided inquiry, movement, and ritual, you’ll explore patterns that no longer serve you and give way to a grounded sense of clarity and presence.

These retreats are part of the year-long Spiritual Sobriety Mentorship program, offering a taste of the full journey—providing tools, guidance, and practices that continue long after you leave the Ozarks. 

Participants often report:

  • A profound sense of inner clarity and renewed energy

  • The ability to witness and shift old habits with compassion

  • A deepened connection to themselves, others, and life itself

  • Access to embodied practices that support sobriety, balance, and spiritual alignment

To participate in these exclusive retreats, you must join Holly’s year-long mentorship. Click below to learn more about Spiritual Sobriety and book a call with Holly to see if it’s a fit.

Here’s what to expect when you arrive at the Shala–

Our Accommodations

We offer private and shared rooms in our converted barn, as well as a limited number of private cabins. Our rooms are rustic, comfortable, and designed to help you fully immerse in the experience. 

For more photos of our accommodations, click here.

Meals at the Shala

You’ll enjoy 3 freshly-prepared, vegetarian meals daily. Coffee and tea are available throughout the day. 

For more photos of some of our favorite meals, click here.

Our Location

Our homestead is nestled deep in the Arkansas Ozarks—just 20 minutes from the town of Jasper. We are surrounded by the beauty of the Ozark National Forest and within close reach of the Buffalo National River.

For directions and nearby airports, click here.

FAQs

If you still have questions after reading these FAQs, don't hesitate to contact us.

  • No problem! We welcome beginners. We don’t use Sanskrit names in our classes and we don’t practice with out students. Rather, we use a language method where we describe what to do (the actions that you need to take) so that nobody is ever lost. And nobody is ever left out, no matter the age, ability, or level of practice.

  • We get this question a lot. What we teach in our Foundational 200hr YTT is the basis for all styles. We believe that your Yoga Teacher Training should enable you to teach any style you wish, like for example: Power, Vinyasa, Chair Yoga, Pre-Natal and so on. Our other trainings have an overt therapeutic focus, but they are equally suitable to inform all styles of practice.

  • Yes, of course. If you want to share private accommodations with a friend, partner, or spouse, please contact us for a custom payment that includes a small discount.

  • If you’ll be spending the night, bring your bedding (sheets, pillow, blanket) and towels. Bring a water bottle, flashlight (phone flashlight works), yoga mat, and weather appropriate clothing + shoes (sun, rain, snow), bug spray, and sunscreen.

  • Absolutely not. :) We have plenty for your enjoyment.

  • T-Mobile and Verizon provide good signal while on property. AT&T has spotty coverage. Don't forget to turn on "Calls over Wifi" on your phone, if needed, upon arrival.

  • Yes. Wi-fi is available at the pavilion, the barn, and the dining hall. No password is required.

  • Google Maps has added us! Still, the safest way to get here is to map Rio Buffalo Outfitters, on HWY 74, zip code 72641, as the closest point of reference on the map.

    From the Rio Buffalo Outfitter, turn south onto Shiloh Road, proceeding immediately uphill (you'll see a green highway sign saying “Shiloh”). Go exactly 2.2 miles: the first mile is paved and the last 1.2 miles is gravel, which will bring you to our driveway, on the right. 

    As you pull into the property, you will find yourself in our parking lot. There is pasture and horses on the right and a hay barn, dining hall, and barn on the left.

    There are only a few locations for gasoline. Do not miss an opportunity to fill up before arriving.

    You may lose your cell signal when you get close to the Shala, so keep these directions handy.