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.
This retreat invites you into:
🌱 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
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.
You don’t need any prior yoga experience, a particular belief system, or any special preparation (we mean it)! Just bring your curiosity, your body, and your breath—we’ll meet you there.
“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 soul-filled 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 physical body.
Each day unfolds with intention: hands-on cooking guided by friendly expertise; foundational wisdom shared in engaging talks; 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—just bring an appetite for discovery and a love for real connection.
Shala 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 kids—no prior experience is needed.
Women’s Circle Retreat
The Women's Circle Retreat is a soulful gathering to reconnect you with your inner wisdom and the nurturing power of sisterhood.
Come home to the sacred feminine. Led by Holly Krepps, this weekend retreat offers a blend of elemental rituals, embodied practices, and deep connection to the land and each other.
This retreat is purposely and gracefully curated to create sacred space to to (re)connect with yourself and a community of like-hearted women. You will be led through practices that honor the wisdom of the body and spirit and you will have the opportunity 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 for men seeking something real—beyond performance, beyond perfection. It’s about presence, truth, and reclaiming strength in a circle of brothers.
Step into a space where masks fall away, and brotherhood rises. Led by Matthew Krepps, this retreat invites you into a deeper connection with yourself, your body, and a community of other men; space to confront your edges, play, and explore vulnerability; ritual and guided practices that ground, challenge, and inspire.
Donation-based facilitation plus accommodations (private or shared).
Private Horse Inquiry with holly
Private Horse Inquiry is a one-on-one experience to support deep personal healing and transformation through the quiet presence of horses and the restorative setting of the Ozarks.
You’ll work privately with Holly Krepps and her intuitive rescue horses in a safe, supportive environment. Through guided self-inquiry, somatic awareness, and reflection, you’ll gain insight into unconscious patterns that contribute to your suffering, release emotional burdens, and cultivate greater self-understanding and peace.
With the horses as mirrors and allies, you’ll have the opportunity to soften old wounds, strengthen self-acceptance, and step more fully into your authentic self.
No prior experience with horses is necessary—just an open heart and a willingness to explore. Come for 1 session, 1 day or a whole weekend.
Private Movement training with matt
The Private Movement Training is designed to help you restore balance, build resilience, and rediscover the joy of moving well.
With decades of experience spanning rehabilitation to elite athletic performance, Matthew Krepps will guide you through an individualized process that meets your body exactly where it is. Over two days, you’ll receive focused attention through a biomechanical assessment, corrective strategies, and a sustainable movement plan tailored to your unique goals and lifestyle.
Through this work, you’ll gain greater awareness of your body’s patterns, improve efficiency, and cultivate confidence in your ability to move with freedom and strength.
Recovery Retreats with Holly
Holly’s Recovery Retreats are intimate, donation-based, gatherings designed to support your journey of recovery from addiction of all kinds, not just substances.
This retreat is intentionally small, fostering a nurturing environment where you can engage in deep self-inquiry, share experiences, and receive guidance from a seasoned facilitator with three decades of experience in the recovery tradition.
Come reclaim hidden parts of yourself, heal from past wounds in a community of fellow seekers, experience profound connection to self, source, and nature.
Spiritual sobriety Retreats
The Spiritual Sobriety Retreats are immersive gatherings to slow down, drop distractions, and reconnect with yourself at the deepest level. You’ll be expertly guided to explore patterns that no longer serve you and give way to a grounded sense of clarity and presence.
These retreats are part of Holly’s year-long Spiritual Sobriety Mentorship program, providing tools, guidance, and practices that continue long after you leave the Ozarks.
To participate in these exclusive retreats, you must join Holly’s year-long mentorship. Click below to learn more and book a call with Holly to see if you are a fit.
“I joined the Ayurvedic Cooking Weekends to further develop my connection with food. I found the wisdom shared in the kitchen felt like home... I felt refreshed and encouraged. Highly recommend to all.”
Lindsey H, personal chef
“The weekend of Equine Inquiry was a process of unlearning, or of learning differently, how to have a relationship with horses that isn’t controlled-based, forced, or goal-oriented. It was about coming into ‘right relationship’ in a mutually beneficial way that is all about connection, patience, and a sense of allowing.”
Calli, therapist
"I worked privately with Matt to address ongoing chronic pain issues. Matt’s breadth and depth of knowledge, assessment, and skills is unparalleled. As a chronic pain sufferer, being able to work with Matt was a gift. Matt is a true master!"
Ryan, MD
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.