Join us for an unforgettable retreat, surrounded by sea, sand, and storytelling!

Whether you are brand new to yoga, or a seasoned teacher looking to deepen your understanding of the spiritual and cultural underpinnings of yogic tradition, this retreat is an opportunity to feel the sand beneath your feet, the wind in your hair, and connect with your personal purpose.

Everyday Rebecca and Manju will guide us in centering our practice around the mythology of the divine feminine. We greet the day with a invigorating morning practice and meditation in a magical 80 foot yurt (or, weather permitting, on the beach). As we honor our bodies and elevate our personal values, we will conclude each day with a soothing restorative practices, reflection and ritual to harmonize our bodies, emotions and spirits. Our daily practices are a guided mix of flow, Hatha and tantric non-duality Himalayan traditions, complemented by Yin, Restorative and Nidra practices to support our meditations and reflections. We will integrate the mythology of the Hindu goddess into our nightly ritual, along with a special full moon pooja (blessing ceremony).

Our location and hosts!

Heather and Jarrod Gunn McQuillan, Nature Space Resort Center, St. Peter's Harbour, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Prince Edward Island has always been a magical place. The setting for pioneering feminist classics like Anne of Green Gables, the biodiversity and partnership with nature make this magical location an ideal spot for our retreat. Our hosts Heather and Jarrod from the Nature Space Retreat center are long time stewards of Prince Edward Island. Nature Space, located on the beautiful North Shore area of eastern Prince Edward Island is family-run, family and pet friendly boutique resort. You are likely to meet their children helping around the resort and Finlay and Emma will be sure to introduce you to our chickens or help you find what you are looking for while enjoying the grounds.

The resort is nestled quietly on 16 acres of land directly on an ocean lagoon. This area boasts one of the most diverse ecosystems on the Island, and is identified as an IBA (Important Bird Area) by Nature Canada due to the diverse bird life found in the area. It is an area of historical significance with many important indigenous settlements and later was a key area for Acadian and British settlements when the Province was bustled with shipbuilding and fishing.

Their goal is to create spaces & experiences to allow our guests to immerse in nature and connect to the history and the flora and fauna on this land. There are a variety of activities and experiences that help you explore nature and the natural world. On our kayak tours you can explore the natural life and history of the lagoon with the unique ability to explore the diversity of flora and fauna while paddling through fresh, brackish and full salt water! They offer a couple of guided walks focused on forest bathing and as well as adventuring through the woods at night and learning about how our bodies adapt and what animals are out and about.   Explore the local flavour of Prince Edward Island with some of our immersive culinary experiences - Jarrod is the past Oyster Biologist for the Province and loves to share his passion for oysters and seafood and will engage your tastebuds with the freshest seafood you can find, will share interesting and stories and also encourage you but get you involved to learn new skills.

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Optional Activities

Each late morning/early afternoon will be left open for excursions and activities. The following activities can be added to your experience for additional costs:

Forest Bathing- Come join Heather on a romp through the woods, but in a way in which you have never experienced the forest before. We slow things down and take the time to experience all of it. This is a 90 minute tour and the purpose is not to cover distance, but to be present for the experience. There will be a chance to tune into your senses, to enjoy breathing exercises, and to experience guided meditations among the trees. This evidence-based restorative practice enhances the immune system and helps manage stress. Done on snowshoes in the winter months for an added sensation. $30+tax per person (2 person minimum). Family rate of 2 adults and 2 kids for $100+tax. 20% off for groups greater than 6.

Guided Five-sense night experience- Don’t miss one of our signature tours during your stay! This four-season offering allows an exploration of your senses after-dark in a 60-90 minute forest-bathing experience. This is a little faster and less meditative than our daytime forest bathing, but the added excitement of being done in the dark without headlamps or flashlights (we do provide red light flashlights for those who are really nervous about being in the woods at night) Done on snowshoes in the winter (which are provided). Finishes with a bonfire and marshmallows. Great for families too! $30+tax per person (2 person minimum). Family rate of 2 adults and 2 kids for $100+tax. 20% off for groups greater than 6. Please note, this is weather dependent, and may not be possible for participant safety and comfort.

Kayak/StandUpPaddleboard rentals and tours - Rentals and tours are weather dependent. Information on rentals and tours can be found here: https://naturespaceresort.com/tours-and-experience/rentals &  https://naturespaceresort.com/tours-and-experience

Oyster Experiences- Jarrod was the oyster biologist for the province of PEI for more than a decade and loves to talk about oysters and shellfish with people. PEI is famous for its shellfish, so come hang out with him and learn to shuck. This can be done on the water in the Oyster Lover’s Kayak Experience in Cavendish (~45 minutes away) or can be done on-site on the resort.

The kayak experience is a nature-based adventure focused on learning where and how oysters are grown and paddling over one of PEI’s most famous oyster leases, Raspberry Point. https://naturespaceresort.com/tours/culinary-kayak/oyster-lover-s-kayak-experience- cavendish-
Our on-resort experience is a culinary adventure, where we introduce you to more than just oysters. In addition to learning about oysters, learning to shuck and try oysters in a few different ways, you’ll also sample scallops made 2 ways, homemade bread, salads, and a fabulous dessert. It’s a deliciously educational experience!  Cost is $119/person and the experience is 2-3 hours in length.

We offer a pared down version of the experience called oysters 101 (a 90 minute session) where you learn all about oysters (how they’re grown, their life cycle, etc) as well as how to shuck (and of course lots of sampling of both raw and grilled oysters). Oysters 101 is $49 per person and each participant gets to sample 6 oysters.

Other possible experiences from off resort facilitators (once a retreat group is formed and as we get closer, we will inquire as to which of these people are interested in to line them up in advance)-

-Sound Baths

-Tarot card reading, crystal healing, and spell jar workshops. Spell jars are a favourite as the facilitator brings a huge assortment of herbs, spices, medicinal plants, crystals, and other elements and helps the participant make a visual representation of their intention.

-Wool felting workshops in either flatforms (wool painting) or 3D. A fun and creative way to play with colour and texture, while also releasing stress through the repetitive “stabbing” of the wool with a needle.

- Driftwood wreath workshops hosted by Heather using locally collected driftwood to create fabulous, unique souvenirs from your time on PEI.

- Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and registered acupuncturist for body work, which includes gua sha, cupping, acupuncture/acupressure, and massage to help relieve stress and release tense muscles.

- Registered Massage Therapist- Isabelle Arsenault, a gifted massage therapist, will come on site for therapeutic massage.

- Additionally bikes can be rented locally, and the rental place can typically bring the bikes to the resort.

Room Options

Our accommodations!

Please note: there is only space for 12-15 people on this retreat so book now!
$500 deposit due at sign up; Final payment due April 1st.  We are happy to set up monthly installment payments - please reach out.

Yurts:

There are 4 yurts on the property, each with a queen bed, 2 twin beds, hot tubs, wifi and ac/woodstove.  Each yurt is suitable for 2-3 adults or a family of up to 4 (2 adults, 2 children). Bathrooms for the yurts are located outside the structures, in the central shared dining, kitchen and washroom building called "The Hive".  One of these yurts is pet friendly.

Retreat cost for Yurt accommodation (USD), prices are per person and include all meals/snacks, access to the basic resort amenities such as trails, fire pits, sauna, dock and all yoga classes/activities:

- Single accommodation: $3,200

- Shared accommodation w/ 1 additional person (either assigned by us or selected by you):  $1,900

- Shared accommodation w/ 2 additional people (currently only available if all three register as a group, contact us to book this so we may create a pricing menu item for you)): $1,600

For a family of 1-2 adults/1-2 children please contact us for pricing.

The Glowbug Cottage:

This adorable dog friendly 2-bedroom cottage is surrounded by forests and trails. It holds up to 6 people and has a full kitchen and bathroom (with a clawfoot soaker tub). It also has a beautiful deck with a large screened in porch. One of the bedrooms has a queen bed, the other with a bunk bed (2 twins).  In the central living space is a day bed/trundle that can hold two additional adults.  The cottage is also pet friendly.

Retreat cost for Cottage accommodation (USD), prices are per person and include all meals/snacks, access to the basic resort amenities such as trails, fire pits, sauna, dock and all yoga classes/activities:

- Single accommodation in queen bedroom: $3,400

- Shared accommodation in queen bedroom w/ 1 additional person (sharing bed so you must register together - contact us to book this so we may create a pricing menu item for you):  $1,800

- Single accommodation in bunk bedroom: $3,200

- Shared accommodation in bunk bedroom (either assigned by us or selected by you):  $2,100

Note: We are currently not opening up the cottage for the accommodations on the day/trundle in shared living room space, but may do so if there is demand for the space

For a group or family of up to 6 people booking together please contact us for pricing.

What's Included

FOOD:

All food and drink (alcoholic beverages not included), including breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as snacks, and coffee & tea services. While meat options are available, there are many vegan and vegetarian options, and Heather and Jarrod can accommodate dietary restrictions.  All food is made on site with attention to local flavors and traditions. Group meals are served in "The Hive".

In addition, as a group, we may choose to incorporate an oyster education/tasting experience into one of our meals (for an additional cost) led by our host Jarrod.

YOGA:

All Yoga classes and experiences led by Manju and Rebecca, including a more energetic practice in the morning, followed by a 15-30 min meditation practice (style to be determined day by day!!) prior to breakfast. Each day either before dinner or bedtime, we will also have a more restful practice, style to be determined day by day, as well as ending the day with yoga story time that will influence our theme for the following day.  Additional activities may include simple sound healing practices and pooja rituals at the fire pit. 

Our Yoga space will be the The Great Blue Heron Yoga Yurt on site (and possibly, weather permitting, the beach, occasionally!) which is well equipped with mats, blocks, props, bolsters, foam wedges, eye pillows, straps, etc.  It is rare to find a Yoga retreat space so well equipped with ample props for Yin and Restorative practices, and we will take advantage of it!

USE OF RESORT AMENITIES:

What's Not Included

Travel to and from the resort and around the island.

Rentals, including on site paddleboards and kayaks as well as off site rentals such as bicycles

Optional daily excursions/food experiences listed above.

Alcoholic beverages.

Travel

There are a number of options to get to Prince Edward Island. 

By Air:

The Charlottetown Airport (YYG) is conveniently located in central Prince Edward Island and offers a variety of direct and connecting commercial flights. For a list of air carriers from the Charlottetown airport, visit FlyPEI. There are a number of flights that connect through Montreal, Toronto, Halifax and even New York and Newark airports. 

We do generally recommend that if you choose to fly, you will probably want to rent a car (or coordinate with other retreat member(s) to share one) as the Island is quite rural/agricultural and the best way to get around to see the sites is via car.

By Bridge:

Confederation Bridge If you choose to drive to PEI, you can drive over the 13 kilometre Confederation Bridge, which is the longest bridge over ice covered waters in the world and takes about 10 minutes to cross. It links New Brunswick to Bordon-Carleton, PEI. The bridge is approximately a 6hr drive from Bangor, ME through beautiful New Brunswick province.

By Ferry:

Sail aboard Northumberland Ferries from Caribou, Nova Scotia and Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island. The 75-minute car ferry trip offers a pleasant break from driving. Ferries run from May to late December. Tolls are collected upon leaving PEI at Wood Islands.The ferry crossing takes about 75 minutes.

From early April to November, regular ferry service runs from Cap-aux-Meules, Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec to Souris, Prince Edward Island. Visit CTMA for schedule, fees and more information. The bridge and ferry tolls are paid only on departure.