Gia talks about what you can expect on this retreat.
Gia takes you on a short walking tour of Spirit Camp meeting room, grounds, and accommodations.
This special five-night residential retreat begins and ends in the Redwood coastal area of Mendocino County, CA at Spirit Camp near the coastal village of Albion.
This is our second retreat held at this magical setting surrounded by redwoods and touched by sea breezes. And it continues a long tradition of Summer Solstice celebrations with a dedicated group of practitioners. Many return year after year and we always welcome new faces to the group. The sense of camaraderie and support for teachers and practitioners alike grows from year to year.
We will enjoy simple, nourishing, vegetarian food created by our amazing local chef - James Sant, meanderings in the forest, hanging out around a camp-fire, sharing/being in silence with a delightful group of yogis committed to this time together and resting in the support of the natural world and our practice. Each day there will be long asana sessions - active and passive, along with breath-work, meditation, and optional evening events, like a mandala workshop and/or meditation/yoga discussions.
Partial registrations are not possible for this retreat as we wish to enhance the quiet and continuity for all participants. This is not a beginners retreat and part of the time—usually mornings until lunch—are in silence. This retreat qualifies for Yoga Alliance CEUs (certificate upon request at completion of program).
The unique site of Spirit Camp offers bountiful accommodation options with a collective bathroom area. Whether you are camping, in a shared/single cabin, or glamping, you will feel cradled by the redwood grove and the lawns, and the intention of our hosts (and ourselves!) to maintain an ecologically sustainable, safe and inspiring environment for all.
Our Group in 2025 at Spirit Camp
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Thursday July 2
DO NOT ARRIVE BEFORE 4PM!
4pm Arrival and check-in
5.30pm Yoga!
6.45pm Dinner
8pm Evening session - Intros and Agreements and Schedule - All show up please!
Friday thru Monday7.15am Pranayama followed by
7.30am Optional Silent Meditation8am Breakfast
9.45am Long Active Asana class
12.30pm Lunch
Rest timeOptional Silent Meditation pre-class
Afternoon class (5-6.30pm) with options earlier for those practicing advanced inversions 4.30pm onwards
Dinner
Evening events 7.30-8.30pm on some evenings depending on group interest
8.30-8.45pm Metta Meditation
Tuesday July 7
7am Meditation followed by Vinyasa Practice
8.30am Brunch
10am Departure
Possible Optional Local Outing! TBC -
Your $500 deposit is non refundable under any circumstance.
Full payment due from 1/1/26 - 1/31/26. After this time $100 late fee applies. This year there are no refunds - Please consider holiday insurance in the eventuality there is an emergency and you have to cancel.
Review the entire information in the registration form and be OK with potential health and wellbeing protocol before registering with your deposit.
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See this pdf for illustrations - https://www.maryyoga.com/s/Accommodation-Descriptions-Updated-8-2025.pdf
Everything is on a first come, first serve basis. When you register, if your option is not available, please select another option. if you want to share a room, indicate in your application if there is someone you wish to share with.
These fees only apply to those registering with a non refundable deposit by 9/30/25. Fees will go up after this time. Final fees are payable between 1/1/26 and 1/31/26.A - Private Cabin Room in Water Tower with Spirit Camp - 2550
Sharing 2300 each
Camp's most loved private room with queen bed and redwood views--feels like a tree house! On a 2nd story that requires walking up 1 flight of stairs. Newly renovated with oakwood floors and redwood furnishings. Soft cotton sheets, linen duvet bedding, and space heaters included. 1/2 bath available on ground floor. Communal bathrooms in separate building include private stalls and hot showers.
A2 - This can be a shared space for 2 people who are content with a queen bed and a great view!B - Private Cabin Room with Queen Bed with Spirit Camp 2450
This cozy private room is called Queen's Comb. Newly renovated with oakwood floors and redwood furnishings. Soft cotton sheets, linen duvet bedding, and space heaters included.
Communal bathrooms in separate building include private stalls and hot showers.C - Private Cabin Room with Twin Bed with Spirit Camp 2350
This cozy private room is called Nectar Nook. Newly renovated with oakwood floors and redwood furnishings. Soft cotton sheets, linen duvet bedding, and space heaters included. Bed is an extra long twin.
Communal bathrooms in separate building include private stalls and hot showers.
D - Private Glamping Tent with Queen Bed - 2350
A cozy private glamping tent with a queen bed and furnishings. Soft cotton sheets, pillows and linen duvet bedding.Communal bathrooms in separate building include private stalls and hot showers.
E - Queen/Twin Bed in a Shared 2 or 3 Person Wood Cabin 2250 each
A Queen bed in a cabin shared with 1 or 2 other guests. You'll be in one of three cabins: Fox Den, Deer Haven, or Raven Roost. Newly renovated with oakwood floors and redwood furnishings. Soft cotton sheets, linen duvet bedding, and space heaters included.
Communal bathrooms in separate building include private stalls and hot showers.F - Twin Bed in a 2-Person Tent Cabin - Double Sharing: 2100 each
These are new additions to Spirit Camp and will be permanent fixtures with the same cosy interior furnishings as the glamping tents, along with electricity for lamp and bed pad. No illustrations available at this time – please contact us if you need more information.
Communal bathrooms in separate building include private stalls and hot showers.G - Twin Bed/ Bunk Bed in the Bunkhouse with Spirit Camp 1850
A Twin bed in the 600 sq ft bunkhouse called Honey Hive with a maximum of 8 guests. Newly renovated with oakwood floors and redwood furnishings. Soft cotton sheets, linen duvet bedding, and space heaters included.
Communal bathrooms in separate building include private stalls and hot showers.H - Tent Camping with Spirit Camp 1700
Pitch your own tent in the Sunset Meadow surrounded by redwoods. Requires bringing your own tent and camping gear. Fly cover and ground tarp required due to potential for rain.
Communal bathrooms in separate building include private stalls and hot showers.
I - Commuter with Spirit Camp 1650
For locals or anyone providing their own nearby accommodation. Albion River Inn is the closest recommended hotel, only a 2-minute drive. -
COVID: In 2026 we are asking everyone to do a rapid test immediately prior to attending the retreat and to avoid large gatherings, and to mask if you are flying or on public transport. Please bring an extra test with you in your luggage.
GENERAL HEALTH: If you have any symptoms of ill health prior or during the retreat, you will need to mask and isolate until symptoms abate, or to return home, or go to a hotel to avoid passing on your symptoms to anyone else. In this way we can ensure the health of the entire group.
WELL-BEING: On this retreat we create a wonderful community for deep practice and restoration, by asking everyone to respect the silence, to respect each other, to use wise, compassionate, inclusive speech, and to bring to the attention of the leader of the retreat (Mary!) any issue that needs to be resolved in a timely fashion. On our first evening together we will review guidelines that have been helpful to us all in the past to maintain as safe and supportive a space as is possible.
If you have any questions about these agreements, contact Mary directly prior to registering for the retreat.
Thank You!
“A magical gathering occurs when Mary Paffard calls yogis together. With expert instruction and open hearted building of community, the solstice retreat is special. You have an opportunity to be totally present with the like-minded individuals in a beautiful setting. GO!”
“This retreat is a well whose spring feeds my movement into the future and supports what is authentic within me to flow forward with bolstered confidence and trust in what is longing to be birthed and healed. Contributions made by all, lit fires of inspiration and reflection, and stirred callings and invitations to quality responses towards life. Deep bow to the land and more than human ones, and to the keepers of this land past and present for co creating a true place and time of beauty. ”
“Mary’s clarity, instruction, and presence is truly a gift to the soul.”
“Five Days of Wonder!”
“Summer retreat with Mary is a deep reset and recalibration. Mary is a master yoga and meditation teacher whose practices are exquisitely refined. She expertly holds space for us to rest, recover and reflect. We’re held in a gorgeous natural setting in a grand redwood forest near the Mendocino coast. We feast upon the most delicious and healing foods I’ve ever had the privilege of eating. I participate year after year to remember who I really am and what’s really important.
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