serve

Live the Rhythm of Simplicity —

Choose a path that leads to the quiet joy of serving something greater than yourself.

why service?

Here at the Shala, service is not separate from practice—it is practice. Through caring for the land and the people on it, service becomes an act of belonging. It is how we remember ourselves as part of a greater whole and how daily tasks are transformed into sacred acts of devotion.

When we give our time and energy in this way, we cultivate resilience in the body, compassion in the heart, clarity in the mind, and connection in community. Service becomes a bridge—between the inner life and the outer world, between our individual healing and the wellbeing of all beings.

In living this way, we discover that service is not self-sacrifice, but self-realization: a path of wisdom, wellness, and wholeness that manifests naturally when we remember our place in the great circle of life.

At the Shala, we believe wisdom isn’t just taught—it’s lived.

Whether you’re coming for a short, restorative immersion or are interested in a longer stay, our service path will help you deepen your connection with yourself, your relationships, and the land.

When you serve, you not only benefit others, you also transform yourself.

Seva stays

Five soul-soothing days of daily yoga practice, genuine rest, nourishing meals, joyful community, and giving back to the land.

Our Seva Stays invite you into the simple, restorative rhythm of a living practice. Over the course of five days (four nights), you’ll slow down—unplug, breathe deeply, and reconnect with what truly sustains you.

Every day, for just a few hours you’ll care for the land and animals, and in doing so you’ll receive the medicine of stillness, community, and nature. Plus, you’re invited to join daily guided meditation, posture practice and Yoga philosophy.

This is not a retreat. It is Karma Yoga in action—where service becomes the sweetest practice of all.

“SEVA fostered a softness in me. I left the Shala willing to meet others and myself with gentleness and grace. I find myself slowing down to listen with more intention and curiosity.”

— Lynette

Residencies

Interested in a longer stay? The “Work That Matters” Residency is a transformative long-term immersion that starts with one month and can be extended to up to 6 months of living, working, and practicing at the Shala.

What makes a residency at the Shala so special is the opportunity to cultivate a sustainable daily rhythm—a balance of meaningful work, genuine rest, and dedicated study that continues to nourish long after you leave.

Each day you’ll offer your hands and heart to the land, gardens, or animals, and in return, you’ll receive the grounding medicine of nature and community.

Alongside this rhythm, you’ll be supported by mentorship in movement, meditation, or self-inquiry, deepening your practice in a way that’s both personal and enduring.

A residency is not time away—it is a time for deep clarity, inner growth, and personal renewal, where the land, the practice, and the community weave together to sustain lasting change.

"My experience at the Circle Yoga Shala has left me with a different sense of myself and what I want to do next."

Kim S

Service as a process of “mutual Feeding”

How we serve you

We believe service to be a practice of mutual feeding—where giving and receiving nourish each other.

To do that, we offer several low-cost programs like Seva and Residencies that invite you to contribute your hands and heart to the land, while receiving the gifts of practice, community, and rest.

Through our donation-based retreats—the Men’s Circle Retreat, Women’s Circle Retreat, and Recovery Retreats—we extend that same spirit, offering spaces where everyone is supported to give what they can and receive what they need.

Practice becomes a shared table where all are fed.

How you serve us

When you come for one of our Signature offerings, you serve the Shala in the deepest way possible. Through your presence on the land, you serve us!

When you step into the Foundational 200hr Yoga Teacher Training, join the Signature Retreat, or walk alongside Holly in Spiritual Sobriety, you are not only receiving teachings—you are sustaining the lineage of practice that makes all our other work possible.

In choosing our Signature programs, you feed the Shala with your commitment, your curiosity, and your willingness to grow.

Other Ways to Serve

You don’t have to be on the land to serve. Here are other ways to get involved.

give to the Rose Angel Foundation

Circle Yoga Shala is also home to the Rose Angel Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization through which Holly rescues from slaughter and rehabilitates them.

Rescue horses usually arrive lacking the regular care needed for good health, and all too often also with severe infections and injuries from the harsh conditions and mistreatment they endure while in kill pens.

​Should you be able to donate toward this cause, your vital support covers essential expenses such as their purchase, transport fees, comprehensive medical care, including dental treatments, chiropractic sessions, and vaccinations, hoof-trimming, and daily feeding, which can be as high as $500 per month, per horse.

Our sustainability practices

Sustainability is woven into the way we live and practice at Circle Yoga Shala. You don’t have to join us in person to start living in harmony with the earth.

You can start implementing these simple sustainability practices in your home and community today.

  • Composting – a simple yet powerful way to reduce waste and return nutrients to the land.

  • Mindful water conservation – honoring this precious resource by using it with care and intention.

  • Conscious energy use – making thoughtful choices to reduce electricity consumption and keep our footprint light, in balance with the natural rhythms around us.

When done with dedication, together we can sustain a cycle that turns waste into renewal, conserves resources, and helps protect the planet for generations to come.

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.

  • No experience is needed! All projects are completed with the guidance of staff members who will show you exactly what to do.

  • 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.