Take a pause, reconnect with yourself, and return feeling renewed.
As the school year comes to a close, this retreat offers educators a restorative space to step back, restore balance, and reconnect with the inspiration that brought them to this work in the first place.
Throughout the retreat, you will be gently supported in practices that cultivate compassion and strengthen emotional steadiness—qualities that can support both your personal well-being and your life in schools.
This is a place to rest without demands: no lesson planning, no grading, and no expectation to teach mindfulness to students. Instead, it is time to care for the teacher within.
Leave feeling replenished, centered, and ready for whatever comes next.
Participants will receive a certificate for 35 Continuing Education hours.
Andra Brill, Ph.D. (she/her) is an education consultant and innovator in the growing field of mindful education. Her work, grounded in neuroscience, psychology, and Buddhist traditions, helps educators and families create greater balance and well-being. Before founding her own consulting firm, Andra spent many years working as a literacy coach and early literacy specialist.
Lisa Vratny-Smith, MSW, E-RYT 200, RYT 500 (she/her) served as a School Social Worker in Aurora Public Schools from 1994 to 2024 and launched her wellness and consulting business, Finding the Balance Within, LLC, in 2019. She has practiced yoga, mindfulness, and meditation since 1994 and has been teaching since 2002.
Day 1
Saturday, June 13th – Welcome to the Land
2:00 – 5:00 Registration
6:00 – 7:00 pm Dinner
7:00 – 7:30 pm Orientation
7:30 or 8:00 – 9:00 pm Program Session
Day 2
Sunday, June 14th – Welcome to the Retreat
7:00 – 7:30 am Yoga (optional)
7:30 – 9:00 am Breakfast
9:00 – 12:00 pm Program Session
12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 – 3:00 pm Free Time
3:00 – 6:00 pm Program Session
6:00 – 7:00 pm Dinner
7:00 – 9:00 pm Program Session
Day 3
Monday, June 15th (Day of Silence)
7:00 – 7:30 am Yoga (optional)
7:30 – 9:00 am Breakfast
9:00 – 12:00 pm Program Session
12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 – 3:00 pm Free Time (Stupa visit on Tuesday)
3:00 – 6:00 pm Program Session
6:00 – 7:00 pm Dinner
7:00 – 9:00 pm Program Session
Day 4
Tuesday, June 16th
7:00 – 7:30 am Yoga (optional)
7:30 – 9:00 am Breakfast
9:00 – 12:00 pm Program Session
12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 – 3:00 pm Visit the Stupa of Dharmakaya
3:00 – 6:00 pm Program Session
6:00 – 7:00 pm Dinner
7:00 – 9:00 pm Program Session
Day 5
Wednesday, June 17th – Last Day
7:30 – 9:00 am Breakfast
9:00 – 12:30 pm Program Session
12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
Several accommodation options are available during checkout. All choices include healthy meals and drinks. Inc V, VG, GF.
Off Land
Participants who prefer to commute from home or arrange off-campus lodging, such as a bed and breakfast or nearby camping, pay tuition plus $40/night for meals (3 meals per day) and use of the facilities.
Car Camping
Five primitive parking spots are available in the Rigden parking lot for parking and sleeping. This includes food and access to the bathhouses in Rigden Lodge.
Note: there are no water or electric hookups for RVs.
Single and Double Tents
Located in campgrounds throughout the property, these 12′ x 14′ tents include two twin beds, two bookcases, and a hanging clothes rack. Each campground has a shared bathhouse. Summer platform tents are available from late May through early September. A tent may be rented as a single (without a roommate) or a double (with a roommate).
Some campgrounds were affected by a recent wildfire, and the effects may still be visible this summer; however, they are safe to use.
Bedding is not provided. Please bring twin sheets, a blanket or sleeping bag, a pillow, and towels.
Dormitories
Rooms accommodate up to 7–8 people. They are gender-segregated, with men in one dorm and women in another. Bathrooms are shared down the hall and include shower stalls.
Monk Rooms
A more affordable indoor option for those seeking solitary lodging and comfortable using a shared bathroom. These rooms are located in the same hall as the Rigden Dormitories, but offer greater privacy than the dorms. Each room includes a bed, bedding, a private room and closet, plus a large window, desk, and desk chair.
Single and Double Rooms
An ideal choice for those who want both personal space and a private bathroom. Each room offers a little more space, a dresser and closet, and a 3/4 bathroom with toilet, sink, and shower, without a bathtub.
Junior Suite
The Lodge Junior Suites feature a queen-size bed with a cozy comforter, a desk, dresser, closet, private bath with bathtub, and a sitting area.
Designed for a restful and comfortable stay, our Lodge Junior Suites offer a welcoming space with everything you need to unwind after a full day. Each suite features a queen-size bed with a cozy comforter, creating a soft and inviting place to relax and recharge. A dedicated sitting area adds extra room to settle in, whether you want to read, reflect, or simply enjoy a quiet moment.
For added convenience, the suite also includes a desk, dresser, and closet, making it easy to organize your belongings and feel at home throughout your stay. The private bath comes with a bathtub, offering a soothing place to refresh and enjoy a little extra comfort.
Thoughtfully arranged and pleasantly spacious, the Junior Suite is a great choice for guests looking for a peaceful retreat with practical amenities and a relaxed lodge atmosphere.
Ph.D. (she/her) is an education consultant and innovator working at the intersection of mindful education, neuroscience, psychology, and Buddhist traditions. Through her thoughtful approach, she supports educators and families in cultivating greater balance, well-being, and resilience in everyday life. Her work is grounded in research while remaining deeply practical, offering guidance that can be meaningfully applied in classrooms, homes, and...
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MSW, E-RYT 200, RYT 500 (she/her), Lisa Vratny-Smith brings decades of experience in both education and wellness to her work. From 1994 to 2024, she served as a School Social Worker in Aurora Public Schools, supporting students and school communities with care and dedication. In 2019, she expanded her path by launching her wellness and consulting business, Finding the Balance...
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Sat, Jun 13 – Wed, Jun 17