Exhale and Renew

Ready to close out the school year with intention and step into a summer of rest, clarity, and renewal? Join us for 3 days / 2 nights in the stunning Pocono Mountains, where you’ll have space to release what’s behind you and thoughtfully create the restorative summer you need.

Who is this retreat for?
This retreat is designed for educators who feel burned out, stuck, or simply ready for a fresh perspective. If you’re looking for better work/life balance, hoping to reconnect with your purpose in education, or ready to let go of beliefs and habits that drain your energy, you’re welcome here. Teachers of every subject, grade level, and specialty are invited. If you identify as an educator, you belong.

What to expect
While there will be plenty of time for reflection and rest, this retreat weekend also includes a rich variety of restorative experiences. Enjoy nourishing healthy meals, guided outdoor excursions, live sound baths, quiet moments in nature, and meaningful connection with educators who understand the realities of your work.

Every activity is completely optional, so you’re free to join any or all of the following:

• Evening property tour and sunset views: After our first dinner together, we’ll take a gentle walk to explore the peaceful pond, beautiful gardens, and other serene spaces on the property. Then we’ll head to Sound of Music Hill for a wide, unobstructed view of the mountains and valleys at sunset.
• Sound bath and intention setting: After getting to know the property, we’ll gather to set intentions for the weekend. Then you’ll lie back on a yoga mat and cushion, wrapped in blankets, while live chimes, gong, singing bowls, and other healing instruments create a deeply restorative sound experience designed to help release the stress and tension of the school year.
• Workshop: Restorative and mindfulness practices for educators: After a peaceful night’s sleep and breakfast together, we’ll hold an informal, discussion-based workshop on restorative practices. You’ll explore practical, evidence-based ways to bring mindfulness and nature into daily life and learn how these tools can support stress management, burnout prevention, and wellbeing throughout the school year.
• Guided sensory forest bathing: Take a mindfully guided walk into the summer woods and experience a sensory immersion practice that helps you slow down and connect deeply with nature’s restorative energy. You’ll also learn a practice you can use on your own at home whenever you need to de-stress.
• Restorative yoga with essential oils and healing sounds: Stretch and unwind in restorative postures that ease tension, while the scent of essential oils helps you remain present in your body. You’ll also be immersed in the beautiful instruments from our sound session.
• Sweet sensory adventure at Moka Origins: Join us for a short walk to the on-property cafe, where ethically sourced cacao and coffee beans are transformed into delicious treats. Learn about the production process, sip hot drinks, enjoy cookies or dark chocolate bars, and shop for tasty souvenirs. Bring your journal for a cozy reflection session and enjoy conversation with fellow educators in a new setting.
• Burn ceremony and fire pit gathering: On Saturday night, we’ll gather around the fire pit for a powerful outdoor ceremony and safely burn papers representing the beliefs, patterns, and burdens we’re ready to release. This creates space for new mindsets and possibilities in your life.
• Scenic summer hike: After our final breakfast and a restorative practices mini workshop on Sunday morning, we’ll walk the beautiful purple trail loop to the top of the property, pause for photos at the gazebo, and take in the summer landscape one last time.

Your retreat leader
Angela Watson is a productivity and mindset specialist with a deep commitment to holistic wellbeing and burnout prevention. She has more than 25 years of experience in K-12 education as a classroom teacher and instructional coach. Angela is the founder of TruthForTeachers.com and host of its podcast, the author of 6 books, and the creator of multiple courses and self-guided meditations that support teachers in finding work/life balance. She presents at events and conferences across the country and leads retreats that invite participants into greater clarity and presence. Angela holds accredited certifications as a Restorative Yoga Teacher, Sound Healing Guide, and Forest Therapy Guide. Her retreats are designed to make evidence-based mindfulness, meditation, and nature-immersion practices accessible to people of all backgrounds and belief systems.

How to join us
Your event ticket includes classes, activities, supplies, and everything provided by your guide. You’ll also book your accommodations separately, which include meals and lodging. If you prefer, you may stay off-site and pay a campus day rate for meals and amenity access.

Amenities
During your time at the Himalayan Institute Retreat Center, you’ll have access to:

• Simple, comfortable, quiet accommodations that support peaceful rest and conscious simplicity
• 3 delicious, nutritious, hearty vegetarian or vegan meals daily
• Tea lounge with unlimited hot tea beverages
• Complimentary Internet access
• Complimentary daily morning or evening yoga classes
• Independent meditation time at the Sri Vidya Meditation Shrine
• 400-acre wooded campus with 4 groomed forest trails, pond, and pavilions
• Sacred Grove Cafe
• MarketPlace gift shop with books, ayurveda products, yoga clothing, and gifts
• Optional massage or wellness services at the on-site PureRejuv Wellness Center