Willard, Wisconsin
July 18-20, September 5-7 & December 5-7, 2025
A 3-Day Seasonal Retreat
Each Afternoon
Experience Transformation and a Reset
Join me on an Ayurveda, yoga, and meditation retreat close to home in the tranquil woods of northern Wisconsin. The retreat will be held at The Christine Center in Willard (three hours northwest from Madison) on 125 acres of land, offering a nurturing and supportive environment for deepening practice and connection. The retreat center was founded by a Franciscan nun and for 30 years has been open to all paths of faith and spirituality.
During the retreat, we’ll focus on slowing down and deepening your yoga and meditation practice. We’ll also learn Āyurvedic lifestyle and practice recommendations to align harmoniously with the season, so your health and well-being may flourish.
There will be free time to walk in the woods, sit on benches overlooking the pond, drink tea, read, knit, or whatever else feels relaxing and restorative.
There is a real sense of community at these retreats and many participants return time and time again. It’s a wonderful and welcoming environment for those who are new to retreats and/or yoga and meditation. These retreats are short and sweet, but offer just enough time to come back home to yourself without having to travel far.
Nurture Your
Inner
This retreat will allow you to unplug and remember what is really important to you. You will get the time you need for introspection so that you can reset and come home to yourself. You’ll go deeper into your yoga and mindfulness practice and learn to create new habits.
You’ll also be part of an open and inclusive community of fellow spiritual seekers.
Self
During This Retreat You'll Receive:
Two nights of modest accommodation at The Christine Center
Six nourishing and satisfying vegetarian meals
All-day coffee/tea and fruit
Daily Āyurveda, yoga & meditation classes
"Andrea is one of the best yoga instructors I’ve had in 12 years"
This was a weekend to completely unplug from your daily life and focus on self-care and mindfulness, while creating community with like-minded people. Andrea is one of the best yoga instructors I’ve had in 12 years of yoga practice and is an excellent retreat leader.
"This retreat was what I truly needed. A break from the everyday hustle and bustle."
Many words of wisdom. I enjoyed learning more about Ayurveda. The yoga and meditation sessions were rejuvenating and the food that the Christine Center prepared was nourishing. I’d definitely attend another one of Andrea’s retreats and am grateful I was able to attend this one.
Schedule
Friday
- 3:30pm to 6:45pm Arrival
- 5:30pm Dinner
- 7pm to 8:30pm Welcome & Orientation
Saturday
- 7:30am Meditation
- 8am Mindful Eating, Silent Breakfast
- 9am to 10am Āyurveda or Dharma Talk
- 10am to noon Hatha Yoga, Somatics & Mindful Strength
- 12:30pm Lunch
- 1:30pm to 3:30pm Free Time
- 3:30pm to 5pm Āyurveda, Hatha Yoga & Inquiry
- 5:30pm Dinner
- 7pm to 8pm Meditation
Sunday
- 7:30am Meditation
- 8am Mindful Eating, Silent Breakfast
- 9am to 9:30am Āyurveda or Dharma Talk
- 9:30-11am Hatha Yoga, Somatics & Mindful Strength
- 11am to 12pm Closing
- 12:30pm Lunch
- 1:30pm Depart
Accomodations
The Christine Center offers four kinds of modest accommodations, including: both modern and rustic hermitages that are unique and simple, guest house rooms, and tent camping spots. Both single, double, and triple occupancy are available.
All hermitages have electricity. The Modern hermitages have gas or electric heat, a bathroom with shower and furnished kitchenette. Rustic hermitages are simple yet comfortable, with gas or electric heat (one has a wood stove).
Guest house rooms have private bathrooms, skylights, and in-floor radiant heating. A handicapped accessible room is available.
Several areas are set aside for camping. For rustic hermitage guests, and campers we offer the all-modern, beautiful Siloe bathroom and laundry facility.
Meals
The Christine Center emphasizes natural foods and meals made from scratch. The food on their tables has a sense of inner spiritual nourishment in harmony with the season.
Many of the vegetables, fruits, breads, honey, maple syrup, and eggs served are from local farmers. Their cooks bring unique creativity and style to preparing nurturing dishes with these ingredients.
Seven vegetarian meals are included. Coffee/tea and fruit are always available. Additional special dietary needs can be accommodated upon advance request.
To experience the practice of mindful eating and to enjoy an easeful entry into the start of the day, breakfast will be enjoyed in noble silence.
Travel & Arrival
Please plan to arrive at The Christine Center—a three hour drive from Madison—between 3:30pm and 6:45pm on Friday. A welcome dinner will be served at 5:30pm. The orientation and class begins at 7pm.
On Sunday, class ends at noon and is followed by a closing lunch at 12:30pm.
If you would like to also stay Sunday night, additional reservations can be made through The Christine Center.
Accommodations are not luxurious at The Christine Center, but the price reflects that and the setting is beautiful. You’ll be in a wooded wetland just far enough north of Madison to feel like you’re out of the city and in nature. Please also remember that Ayurveda is a strong component of this retreat.
You must bring your own yoga mat, yoga block, and yoga strap.
This is a substance-free retreat. A substance-free environment is one in which all guests agree to keep their space free from substances. Substances are defined to include alcohol, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cannabis, other smoking materials, and illicit and illegal drugs.
Other Things
To Expect
The Investment
Single Occupancy
$825
Double Occupancy
$725
Single Occupancy
$755
Double Occupancy
$655
Single Occupancy
$725
Single Occupancy
$625
Double Occupancy
$575
Camping
$510
Commuter with Meals
$455
Triple Occupancy
$695
This may be right for you
if...
pause and check-in
Transformative Experience That Leaves You Feeling
rested, rejuvenated, and restored
you desire a
reminded of what is meaningful and important in your life
deepened in your meditation, yoga, and breathing practices
inspired to keep practicing at home
with a deeper understanding of your constitutional makeup and how to cultivate healthier habits and routines
with simple ways to enhance your health and wellbeing
with tools for living in tune with the season
Refunds
Refunds available up to two weeks prior to the retreat, minus payment processing fees, no refunds thereafter.
Pay in Full
Payment is required in full to reserve your sport.
Continuing Education
For Yoga Alliance registered teachers 10 hours of continuing education are available with this retreat.
registration details
Ready to Experience?
Secure your place and begin planning your remarkable retreat to paradise. Choose the dates that work best for you below:
“Everything I'd hoped for and more!”
- Ashley
Andrea was so welcoming, warm, and personable. I loved her yoga class and hope to take more in Madison. The location was perfect too - beautiful, serene, clean. I felt safe there and was able to fully focus on my goals for this retreat. One zillion stars out of five - I hope to do this again soon!
"This retreat was a delight."
- Martha
Andrea balances informative dharma talks with lightness, humor and humility. The retreat had the right amount of both meditation and gentle yoga. I left with lots of new information on yoga movement practices and Ayurveda along with tools that can easily be integrated into my daily meditation and movement practices. The Christine Center is a lovely, calm and simple retreat space.
Retreat Facilitator
Meet Andrea
Andrea Russell, lead instructor and retreat host, is an Āyurvedic doctor, yoga therapist, and meditation teacher. She is devoted to sharing timeless eastern wisdom teachings and practices in order to give you the tools and support you need to heal, thrive, and move well. Andrea has led over 30 international retreats and 50 stateside retreats.