Journey to the Pose

Step into a weekend of exploration, movement, and connection.

This immersive retreat blends the art of Thai stretching with the depth and intelligence of yoga asana. Held on the lush grounds of Seven Springs Retreat Center, this training invites yoga teachers, bodyworkers, and curious practitioners to deepen their understanding of movement, fascia, and mindful touch.

Through guided practice and hands-on exploration, you will learn how gentle rocking, acupressure, and body momentum can support mobility, increase awareness, and bring ease to the body.

Whether you are an experienced yoga teacher or a practitioner drawn to somatic exploration, this retreat offers tools to expand your practice and deepen your connection with others.

Discover how mindful touch and Thai stretching can transform the experience of yoga.

Throughout this training, you will explore the principles of Thai Yoga stretching and Osteothai-inspired bodywork through experiential learning and anatomical understanding.

Participants will:

• Learn hands-on Thai Yoga stretching techniques grounded in Osteothai principles
• Explore the role of fascia in movement, mobility, and energetic flow
• Practice supportive techniques including compression, decompression, and gentle rocking
• Develop sensitivity and awareness when offering touch in yoga practice
• Study functional movement and posture groups including hip openers, heart openers, and spinal twists
• Learn techniques that support both beginner and advanced yoga practitioners

The course integrates active, passive, and dynamic stretching methods designed to enhance body awareness and functional mobility while cultivating a therapeutic mindset.

Thai Yoga techniques can support both practitioners and teachers in developing a deeper relationship with the body and the practice of yoga.

Benefits include:

• Decreasing muscle soreness and tension
• Improving functional mobility and range of motion
• Supporting injury prevention
• Increasing circulation and energetic flow
• Enhancing proprioception and body awareness
• Encouraging relaxation of the nervous system
• Developing interpersonal connection and co-regulation
• Deepening breath awareness and mindfulness in asana practice

Each day blends yoga practice, hands-on training, and time for rest and integration.

Thursday

• 4:00PM — Check in
• 5:00PM — Grounding Yoga & Opening Circle
• 7:00PM — Dinner

Friday & Saturday

• 7:30AM — Morning Yoga & Movement Practice
• 8:30AM — Breakfast
• 10:00AM — Thai Yoga Training
• 1:00PM — Lunch & Rest
• 3:00PM — Afternoon Thai Training
• 7:00 PM — Dinner

Sunday

• 7:30AM — Morning Yoga & Movement Practice
• 8:30AM — Breakfast
• 11:00AM — Check out

Evenings offer time for rest, reflection, and connection with the retreat community.

All packages include Full Thai Yoga training and workshops, Daily yoga and movement practices, 30 YACEP continuing education hours, 15 CE Hours – National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, Three nourishing vegetarian meals daily, Lodging at Seven Springs Retreat Center, Access to sauna, nature trails, and natural springs, Community circles and evening gatherings.

Retreat Add-Ons: 60-Minute Massage — $135 (gratuity included), 90-Minute Massage — $185 (gratuity included), Additional Night Stay — $125 (lodging only, meals not included).

Meet your Facilitators

Jessi Townesmith

Jessi was born and raised on the land of Seven Springs. She completed her first YTT200 in 2007 and her YTT300 in 2012. She co-founded Kula Collective Yoga School and Seven Springs in 2015. Jessi has always loved to combine elements of dance and natural movement with traditional yogic sequencing. She incorporates attention to rhythm of the breath, and allows for organic movement to flow in each pose. She is passionate about anatomy and physiology and especially women's health.

Her first son was born in 2018, and since that time, Jessi has dedicated herself to learning more about birth and birth keeping, as well as focused on creating support circles for women. She has trained as a Birth Doula and Post-partum Doula, and she is passionate about Pre and Post Natal Yoga.

Most of all, Jessi believes yoga is a holistic practice that can benefit every woman, and while the asana practice may have brought her into the yoga path, Jessi now enjoys exploring the subtler aspects of the yoga journey through ceremony and circle.

Kelly Nichols Scott

Kelly's attraction to Thai Yoga Massage was immediate. Within a couple of months of receiving her first Thai Yoga Massage, she set off on an international journey to immerse herself in Thai healing arts.

Her unique approach is inspired by her studies at Costa Rica School and the Integral Touch Institute in Thailand and Indonesia. In 2016 she met a french teacher, David Lutt, co-founder of Osteothai, a meeting of the two arts of Thai massage and Osteopathy. In 2019 she entered a masters program in Osteothai with David Lutt and Jörg Schürp. She is the first American to complete the masters program in Osteothai and shares her passion for this practice in a holistic, culturally rich, and playful way. She resides in Knoxville, TN specializing and teaches Thai and Osteothai locally, nationally and internationally.