Mindfulness has become the goalpost of modern life, the answer to our high-paced, overstretched schedules. Who doesn’t want to be “more mindful” in some aspect of their life? Just search for “Meditation” in the App store and you will find a mind- expanding number of apps intended to plug into the Here and Now. The benefits of Meditation in treating conditions such as anxiety, depression, and chronic pain are unparalleled. It is by far the most powerful tool in self-healing. But Meditation, while the biggest game changer and deepest fix, is also not a quick fix; early attempts to Sit in stillness for even short periods for many people are often met with resistance and misunderstanding, with new practitioners too quickly concluding “I can’t meditate.”

In this monthly three-hour afternoon class, we’ll tackle that dodgy self-talk. We’ll get down to the foundation to uncover what meditation is, studying the skills one develops with regular practice – Concentration, Relaxation, Insights into the Nature of Reality and an ability to Unconditionally Love. We’ll work with precision to actually practice, with several sits. And, with a little guidance, we’ll collectively begin experiencing the benefits of a regular practice, including reduced stress, developing a sense of inner calm, increasing physical and emotional pleasures and bolstering health, just to name a few. Every single person who attends this class will go away with a sharp new arrow in their quiver of life-skills. THE arrow in fact — a tool of immense power and generality that can be applied to improving just about every aspect of their personal human happiness.

For this Special Father’s Day Weekend Class, Dad’s can bring a child as our guest, and a registered child is free to bring their Dad. All in honor of my own Father, Sarkes Samuel Tootalian, whose Spirit will be in attendance. Happy Father’s Day. We look forward to celebrating and practicing with you.

Schedule

1pm – 4pm

Pricing

Individual Attendee (1) - $100

THE JUNE WAY OF THE CONTRARY CEREMONIAL RETREAT WEEKEND

In traditional cultures, the Contrarian brought teachings and healings of energetic renewal. Bad was turned to good, negative to positive, fear, anxiety, depression and other mental ills soothed with mind-training techniques and Ceremonial spiritual purification. By moving backwards or unconventionally and often outside societal restraints, Pueblos Jesters, Hopi Clowns and Lakota Heyokas tapped into supernatural forces that restored universal balance and harmony to the community, providing emotional healing, energetic uplift & renewed life vitality

In this overnight weekend workshop, we’ll study some of the most powerful indigenous techniques for restoring mental well-being. We’ll have an opportunity to reconnect with nature in a positive, primitive way. Everyone is welcome to take part in a traditional Purification Ceremony — although the sweat is optional and all participants benefit from meditation training and simply experiencing our natural, simplified environment. This retreat weekend is for anyone and everyone who needs to reboot, reconnect, and renew mind, body and soul. Come and gain insight into living, shake off some fears, feel more in harmony with the rest of creation and spark a generally healthier, more positive approach to life.

Saturday – June 27th Schedule

Welcome 1pm

Local, Organic, Scrumptious, Farm to Table Lunch 1-2pm

Relax, explore the woods, rivers and retreat grounds 2-6pm

Gather for Meditation, Orientation & Ceremonial Intention Setting 6:30 pm

Inipi (Sweatlodge Ceremony) 7-9pm

Wopila Celebration and Feast 9pm

Deep Rest and Relaxation 10pm

Sunday – June 28th Schedule

Morning Song – a Class on making Spiritual Connections and gaining strength and wisdom through Spiritual Practice 9-10am

Breakfast 10-11am

Wind down and close 11:11 am

Option for continued exploration of retreat grounds, Lake Mishigama beaches & surrounding area

Pricing

Couple’s Package: Retreat with Overnight stay in shared bed in private room – $700/couple
*If you’d like a private room you can book this option as a single person as well.

Individual: Retreat with Overnight stay in Dorm room – $300/person

+ Note: no fee is ever charged for Ceremony, costs cover meals and retreat house stay and a contribution of any proceeds given to the Sicangu People of Rosebud, South Dakota, USA and The Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Tribe of Park Falls, Wisconsin, USA

THE JULY WAY OF THE CONTRARY CEREMONIAL RETREAT WEEKEND

In traditional cultures, the Contrarian brought teachings and healings of energetic renewal. Bad was turned to good, negative to positive, fear, anxiety, depression and other mental ills soothed with mind-training techniques and Ceremonial spiritual purification. By moving backwards or unconventionally and often outside societal restraints, Pueblos Jesters, Hopi Clowns and Lakota Heyokas tapped into supernatural forces that restored universal balance and harmony to the community, providing emotional healing, energetic uplift & renewed life vitality

In this overnight weekend workshop, we’ll study some of the most powerful indigenous techniques for restoring mental well-being. We’ll have an opportunity to reconnect with nature in a positive, primitive way. Everyone is welcome to take part in a traditional Purification Ceremony — although the sweat is optional and all participants benefit from meditation training and simply experiencing our natural, simplified environment. This retreat weekend is for anyone and everyone who needs to reboot, reconnect, and renew mind, body and soul. Come and gain insight into living, shake off some fears, feel more in harmony with the rest of creation and spark a generally healthier, more positive approach to life.

Saturday –July25th Schedule

Welcome 1pm

Local, Organic, Scrumptious, Farm to Table Lunch 1-2pm

Relax, explore the woods, rivers and retreat grounds 2-6pm

Gather for Meditation, Orientation & Ceremonial Intention Setting 6:30 pm

Inipi (Sweatlodge Ceremony) 7-9pm

Wopila Celebration and Feast 9pm

Deep Rest and Relaxation 10pm

Sunday – July 26th Schedule

Morning Song – a Class on making Spiritual Connections and gaining strength and wisdom through Spiritual Practice 9-10am

Breakfast 10-11am

Wind down and close 11:11 am

Option for continued exploration of retreat grounds, Lake Mishigama beaches & surrounding area

Pricing

Couple’s Package: Retreat with Overnight stay in shared bed in private room – $700/couple
*If you’d like a private room you can book this option as a single person as well.

Individual: Retreat with Overnight stay in Dorm room – $300/person

+ Note: no fee is ever charged for Ceremony, costs cover meals and retreat house stay and a contribution of any proceeds given to the Sicangu People of Rosebud, South Dakota, USA and The Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Tribe of Park Falls, Wisconsin, USA

This Dark Sky Event makes the most of Summer 26’s cool celestial occurrences! We marked this event starting at Noon on August 12th, this with an eye to the partial Solar Eclipse over South HaVen, Michigan USA, beginning 1:06 pm EDT, reaching its maximum obscuration at 1:30 pm and ending at 1:55.

We marked this event ending at midnight, or 12:00 am August 13th, with a darkened, evening sky eye to the Perseid Meteor Shower, which will peak the nights of August 12th-13th, in a moonless sky, with the best viewing in a dark, rural location. At some point, meditation will be taught and practiced, joy and ease will be left, as we’ll take a deeper look at the things within, and a closer look at the things above.

THE AUGUST WAY OF THE CONTRARY CEREMONIAL RETREAT WEEKEND

In traditional cultures, the Contrarian brought teachings and healings of energetic renewal. Bad was turned to good, negative to positive, fear, anxiety, depression and other mental ills soothed with mind-training techniques and Ceremonial spiritual purification. By moving backwards or unconventionally and often outside societal restraints, Pueblos Jesters, Hopi Clowns and Lakota Heyokas tapped into supernatural forces that restored universal balance and harmony to the community, providing emotional healing, energetic uplift & renewed life vitality

In this overnight weekend workshop, we’ll study some of the most powerful indigenous techniques for restoring mental well-being. We’ll have an opportunity to reconnect with nature in a positive, primitive way. Everyone is welcome to take part in a traditional Purification Ceremony — although the sweat is optional and all participants benefit from meditation training and simply experiencing our natural, simplified environment. This retreat weekend is for anyone and everyone who needs to reboot, reconnect, and renew mind, body and soul. Come and gain insight into living, shake off some fears, feel more in harmony with the rest of creation and spark a generally healthier, more positive approach to life.

Saturday –August 15th Schedule

Welcome 1pm

Local, Organic, Scrumptious, Farm to Table Lunch 1-2pm

Relax, explore the woods, rivers and retreat grounds 2-6pm

Gather for Meditation, Orientation & Ceremonial Intention Setting 6:30 pm

Inipi (Sweatlodge Ceremony) 7-9pm

Wopila Celebration and Feast 9pm

Deep Rest and Relaxation 10pm

Sunday – August 16th Schedule

Morning Song – a Class on making Spiritual Connections and gaining strength and wisdom through Spiritual Practice 9-10am

Breakfast 10-11am

Wind down and close 11:11 am

Option for continued exploration of retreat grounds, Lake Mishigama beaches & surrounding area

Pricing

Couple’s Package: Retreat with Overnight stay in shared bed in private room – $700/couple
*If you’d like a private room you can book this option as a single person as well.

Individual: Retreat with Overnight stay in Dorm room – $300/person

+ Note: no fee is ever charged for Ceremony, costs cover meals and retreat house stay and a contribution of any proceeds given to the Sicangu People of Rosebud, South Dakota, USA and The Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Tribe of Park Falls, Wisconsin, USA

DEEP SUMMER YOGA RETREAT with KELLIE L.

Take your yoga practice to a peace-filled new level on our one-of-a-kind Wildlands practice platform by joining our Deep Summer Yoga Retreat Weekend with standout new teacher Kellie Lindsay. Way, way out beyond the intense heat and pounding play lists of a typical, pedestrian yoga class lies a clearing for the true heart and original purpose of practice: to calm the mind and keep the body supple for extended periods of sitting in stillness. Guided by the singular style of our beloved Kellie L., Kellie’s approach is full of good intention, weaving vigorous, challenging flows with traditional yogic philosophy, taking aim and pointing the way to the true teacher within.

During this very special Deep Summer Yoga weekend, Kellie will lead us through several enlivening practice periods. Guided Meditations focused on the purification of the senses — hearing, smelling, tasting, smelling and tender touch — will help bridge the gap between attendees and the natural world. And simple, healthy, delicious meals will, as always, help nurture our physical forms. Come and be led by the illustrious Kellie L.. as well as the wisdom of your own body to create a feeling of energetic well-being, while enjoying a peaceful weekend and sacred place for restoration, release and renewal.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28TH SCHEDULE

Arrival Welcome and Check-In 6:00pm

Light, Healthy Dinner 6:30-7:30pm

Yoga Nidra/ Restorative Yoga with Kellie L. 8:00 – 9:00pm

Deep Rest, Relaxation and Sweet Sleep 9:00pm

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29TH SCHEDULE

Wake, Rise and Shine 8:00am

Light, Healthy Breakfast 8:00 – 9:00am

Power Flow Class with Kellie 9:30 — 11:00am

Meditation Teaching and Guided Sit 11:00 — 12:00pm

Light, Healthy Lunch 12:00 – 2:00pm

Gentle Flow class with Kellie  2:00 – 3:30pm

Free Time for Relaxation and Nature exploration 3:30 – 6:00 pm

Light, Healthy Dinner 6:00 – 7:30pm

Evening Meditation and Ceremonial Teaching and Song 7:30 – 8:30pm

Deep Rest, Relaxation and Sweet Sleep 9:00pm

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30TH SCHEDULE

Wake, Rise and Shine 8:00am

Light, Healthy Breakfast 8:00 – 9:00am

Yin Yoga Class with Kellie 9:30 – 11:00am

Light, Healthy Lunch 12:00 – 1:00pm

Final Meditation, Wind Down and Closing Ceremony 1:30 – 2:00pm

PRICING

Couple’s Package: Retreat with Overnight stay in shared bed in private room – $1,200/couple *If you’d like a private room you can book this option as an individual as well.

Individual: Retreat with Overnight stay in Dorm room – $595/person