Mary invites you to River’s Bend!
This special five-night residential retreat begins and ends in the Anderson Valley area of Mendocino County, CA at River’s Bend Retreat Center near the village of Philo, and close to the redwood splendor of Hendy Woods..
Note: The photos above are mainly of River’s Bend. The people photos above and below are sited from previous years retreats at Spirit Camp
This is our first retreat held at this magical setting surrounded by redwoods and with the river running through the property. This site was actually one of the first places many eons ago that Mary taught her first yoga classes!
Our 2027 retreat continues a long tradition of Summer 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 or by the river,, 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 River’s Bend offers bountiful accommodation options with plenty of bathroom options! . Whether you are camping, in a shared or single room in the lodges, or in a rustic/tent cabin, you will feel cradled by the redwoods, river and 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 1
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 6
7am Meditation followed by Vinyasa Practice
8.30am Brunch
10am Departure
Participants are welcome to linger a little longer until 2pm if vacated from lodging. -
Your $600 deposit is non refundable under any circumstance.
Full payment due from 1/1/27 - 1/31/27. After this time $100 late fee applies. 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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As this is the first time we are holding the retreat at this center we are asking your patience so that we can ensure that we find the best accommodation option for you!
On your deposit form you will be asked to list 3 preferences for your accommodation and if you are going to share with someone. You will be contacted if your first option is not available.
Italicized items indicate these options are not currently available. Wait list only.A - Private Room in Manitou or Sunset Lodge - 2200/2300 after 10/1/26
The lodges have several single and double/triple options. There are bathrooms in each lodge and also a whole unit of bathrooms in a separate building. Each lodge also includes a very basic kitchen/fridge, a collective sitting area and deck. All bedding is provided except for towels which can be rented from the facility.B - Sharing Double/Triple Room in Manitou or Sunset Lodge - 2000/2100* each - If you are a couple make sure you request the queen beds! There are bathrooms in each lodge and also a whole unit of bathrooms in a separate building. Each lodge also includes a very basic kitchen/fridge, a collective sitting area and deck. All bedding is provided except for towels which can be rented from the facility.
C - Tent Cabin/Rustic Cabin - 1900/2000*
These cabins are very basic and are in the campground or close to the river away from main area. The only bedding is a bottom sheet and a pillow. No electricity. Those that need to avoid damp, avoid the rustic cabins, charming as they are!
A whole building of bathrooms is available closer to the central area of the site.
Sharing encouraged as there are 2 of each type of cabin available. They may be available for singles (at a higher fee), if not requested for sharing
D - Camping in Van or own Tent - 1700/1800*
There are 3 slots for those bringing their own van in the parking lot. No trailer sites available.
The camping site which is close to the river is lovely and has camping toilets and indoor solar hot water showers. You can park in the parking lot there unless you have a large vehicle. It is a few minutes walk away from the main parking lot at the center of site.
E - Commuter - 1600/1700*
For locals or anyone providing their own nearby accommodation.
*Early Bird ends 10/1 -
COVID: If there is any evidence of Covid prior to the retreat, we will ask folks to do a rapid test prior to arrival and ask folks to avoid large social settings where infections can spread.
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!
The images below are from our 2025 and 2026 Retreats at Spirit Camp.
This page allows you to pay your $600 non refundable deposit for your preferred accommodation. Final payments of the remainder will be paid in January 2027. Your final payment will be the fee below minus your deposit.
These are the Accommodation Options:
As this is the first time we are holding the retreat at this center we are asking your patience so that we can ensure that we find the best accommodation option for you and for the group!
On your deposit form you will be asked to list 3 preferences for your accommodation and if you are going to share with someone. You will be contacted if your first option is not available.
A - Private Room in Manitou or Sunset Lodge - 2200/2300 after 10/1/26
The lodges have several single and double/triple options. There are bathrooms in each lodge and also a whole unit of bathrooms in a separate building. Each lodge also includes a very basic kitchen/fridge, a collective sitting area and deck. All bedding is provided except for towels which can be rented from the facility.
B - Sharing Double/Triple Room in Manitou or Sunset Lodge - 2000/2100* each - If you are a couple make sure you request the queen beds! There are bathrooms in each lodge and also a whole unit of bathrooms in a separate building. Each lodge also includes a very basic kitchen/fridge, a collective sitting area and deck. All bedding is provided except for towels which can be rented from the facility.
C - Tent Cabin/Rustic Cabin - 1900/2000*
These cabins are very basic and are in the campground or close to the river away from main area. The only bedding is a bottom sheet and a pillow. No electricity. Those that need to avoid damp, avoid the rustic cabins, charming as they are!
A whole building of bathrooms is available closer to the central area of the site.
Sharing encouraged as there are 2 of each type of cabin available. They may be available for singles (at a higher fee), if not requested for sharing
D - Camping in Van or own Tent - 1700/1800*
There are 3 slots for those bringing their own van in the parking lot. No trailer sites available.
The camping site which is close to the river is lovely and has camping toilets and indoor solar hot water showers. You can park in the parking lot there unless you have a large vehicle. It is a few minutes walk away from the main parking lot at the center of site.
E - Commuter - 1600/1700*
For locals or anyone providing their own nearby accommodation.
*Early Bird ends 10/1
“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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