THE OVERVIEW

Join Andrea Russell and Sheryl Lilke on a 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.

During this fully guided and supported retreat, we’ll focus on slowing down and deepening your meditation practice. Days will include gentle yoga to prepare your body for sitting, several periods of seated and walking meditation, dharma talks, and opportunities to ask questions and receive support. Much of our time together will be spent observing noble silence, enabling us to turn our attention inward and create community based on shared devotion to practice.

Each afternoon 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.

It’s a wonderful and welcoming environment for those who are new to retreats and/or yoga and meditation.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

This retreat will allow you to unplug from stresses and responsibilities, from electronics and newsfeeds, 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 meditation practice and develop insights into how you can find ease in your mind, in your body, and in your daily life. You’ll also be part of a supportive and inclusive community of fellow spiritual seekers.

YOU’LL GET:

• two nights of modest accommodation at The Christine Center

• six nourishing and satisfying vegetarian meals

• all-day coffee/tea and fruit

• daily yoga and meditation instruction

• dharma talks about the mechanics and philosophy of meditation

• personal support to deepen your practice
  

YOU’LL LEAVE:

• feeling rested and restored

• remembering what is meaningful and important in your life

• with a deeper understanding of meditation practice

• with tools for calming the mind and finding ease in the body

• having connected with fellow spiritual travelers

THE DETAILS

SCHEDULE

FRIDAY

• 3:30pm to 6:45pm | Arrival

• 5:30pm | Dinner

• 7pm to 8:30pm | Dharma talk & meditation

SATURDAY

• 7:30am | Meditation

• 8am | Breakfast

• 9am to 10:30am | Dharma talk & meditation

• 10:30 to noon | Yoga practice

• 12:30pm | Lunch

• 1:30pm to 3pm | Free time

• 3pm to 5pm | Dharma talk & meditation

• 5:30pm | Dinner

• 7pm to 8pm | Meditation

SUNDAY

• 7:30am | Meditation

• 8am | Breakfast

• 9am to 10:00am | Dharma talk & meditation

• 10:00 to 11:15am | Yoga

• 11:15-12:15pm | Closing Circle

• 12:30pm | Lunch

• 1:30pm | Depart

ACCOMMODATIONS

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 a shower, and a furnished kitchenette. Rustic hermitages have gas or wood stoves for heating and a Porta Potti.

Guest house rooms have private bathrooms, skylights, and in-floor radiant heating. A handicapped accessible room is available.

Several areas are set aside for tent camping. For campers and rustic hermitage guests there is a modern, beautiful bathroom facility nearby, which has separate women’s and men’s sections.

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 land.

Many of the vegetables, fruits, breads, honey, maple syrup, and eggs served are from The Christine Center’s own organic gardens and 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.

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 first yoga 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.

OTHER THINGS TO EXPECT

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 note that meditation is a strong component of this retreat. You must bring your own yoga mat, yoga strap and meditation cushion.

THE COST

PACKAGES

MODERN HERMITAGE

Triple occupancy $430
Double occupancy $440

RUSTIC HERMITAGE

Double occupancy $410
Single occupancy $445

MAIN HOUSE

Double occupancy $435
Single occupancy $545

GUEST ROOM

Single occupancy $480

ADDITIONAL OPTIONS

Camping $340
Commuter with meals $335

PLEASE NOTE

Refunds up to two weeks prior to the retreat will be honored. No refunds will be made for cancellations two weeks or less from the retreat start date.

ABOUT ANDREA RUSSELL

Andrea is an ayurvedic health counselor, yoga therapist, meditation teacher, and neuromuscular therapist living in Madison, Wisconsin with a super-sweet rescue pitiable named Lucy.