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.
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Thursday July 2
DO NOT ARRIVE BEFORE 4PM!
4pm Arrival and check-in
5pm Manager’s talk and orientation
6pm Dinner
7.30pm Evening session
Friday thru Monday7-7.30am Optional Silent Meditation
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 Covid protocol before registering with your deposit.
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.
If you have any ill health symptoms 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. -
See pdf for illustrations.
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.
Last year’s fees apply until 9/30/25A - Private Cabin Room in Water Tower with Spirit Camp 2550
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.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.
“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!”
“Simplify and slow down in elegance. Rest and reconnect to home.”
“Mary’s clarity, instruction, and presence is truly a gift to the soul.”
“Five Days of Wonder!”
“Mary’s solstice retreat has become a ritual in my life that allows me to recover lost and forgotten parts of myself. My deeper soul longings become revealed and refined. I am able to spend the days there in reflection of my life from a uniquely broadened vantage. All of this is born of being masterfully held in spiritual practices with a depth of teaching that is subtle, profound, and unparalleled. I experience healing and grounding from authentic connection in spiritual community, and from the magnificent natural world we’re surrounded by at the retreat center. It’s necessary and important to my life that I remember, year after year, who I really am and what really matters. Mary’s offering is a gift and a treasure in my life.”