🙏 Namaste 🙏
Here is what past participants have said about their retreat experience…
“Thank you so much for such a beautiful experience at the 25th annual TYR. I came last year and this year was even better (I did not think that was possible). You and Charles and everyone who helps out does such a wonderful job putting this together. It is a true blessing to be able to be a part of this community and I look forward to joining you again in 2026. My experience this year was that the teachers seemed to be very high level. Master teachers. There was so much information to absorb. Again, thank you for another amazing experience. I am still riding my Zen high from the wonderful weekend and continuing to absorb all that I learned and shared with the community you made happen. I am so grateful I found you. With love and gratitude.”
“My best friend and I returned home today from the experience of a lifetime at the Texas Yoga Retreat. The quality and diversity of instruction were top incredible. The only regret was not being able to experience all of them. The food was delicious, the grounds were majestic. …and the roaming peacocks?! From the bottom of my heart, Thank you!”
“Still the best yoga retreat and best-kept secret in Texas!”
“The 2025 retreat was the best one that I have experienced. It must have been a combination of ambassadors and a variety of instructors/ classes. I love that there was a lot more music and singing. The food was great. The room was very comfortable. Everyone was very kind. I have never seen a TYR crowd so big.”
“Although the quality of the presenters was top notch as always I found myself learning and experiencing a more spiritual retreat than normal.”
“Thank you for the best retreat ever! Even the thunderstorm was a perfect cleansing that was gracious enough to happen at night when we weren’t walking to classes! 😊that was my face all weekend. I got a major dose of love, acceptance and kindness in a beautiful setting!”
“Thank you for another great year of enrichment and support. Will carry it with me… til next year…”
“This is the Best Kept Secret of a yoga retreat on the planet! ❤️”
“Oh my goodness, this is such a transformational experience, so much to learn and experience! It’s not so big that we get “lost” in crowds with crazy overlapping opinions to choose from. It’s large enough yet intimate, you are seen. Seriously, it was an amazing experience, what I learned has already enriched my life and teaching – not just Yoga but all other formats I teach. Yoga is intertwined into all aspects of our lives! What I loved most was the opportunity to stay onsite, the accommodations were very acceptable. Secondly, the quality of Yoga Teachers and classes offered, they are truly top-notch! Don’t overthink it, sign up and come join us! No need for fancy, come as you are. All people and all levels are welcomed! So much to learn and experience! Thank you so much for offering this Yoga retreat, I am spreading the message about it and will return each year!”
“How you keep this high of a standard year after year is amazing! Thanks to the many light-workers who make it happen!”
“The participants were amazing! Everyone is connected to the spiritual side of yoga. The grounds were so lovely and peaceful and I enjoyed walking around…I hope to be able to stay onsite next year! I also enjoyed the simple, tasty and nourishing food.”
“Everything was quite wonderful! Weather, walking workout, food! In addition to top teachers present! Did I mention great organization?”
“TYR is a well-organized, interesting, and fun yoga “conference; great people, location and activities. Thank you for all the thought and work!”
“I wanted to reach out following this past weekend’s retreat to let you know how much I enjoyed the whole event and how impressed I was with everything—from the amazing Indian dancers during the opening ceremony to the depth of knowledge shared by the presenters. I met many wonderful new friends and colleagues and left feeling very inspired! I will be contributing a brief piece about the retreat to the Winter 2025 issue of Yoga Therapy Today. My gratitude, and kudos to you both for a lovely event!”
~ Kelly Froio, C-IAYT, IAYT Membership Manager, International Association of Yoga Therapists
“Had another amazing year! Thanks for all the work you do to make it magical for us. ❤️”
“Exceeded my expectations which were high.”
“This was a lovely and helpful experience. Thank you for organizing it.”
“I come every year. Such a feeling of community + release. A time to let go + recharge.”
“Perfect timing for me to escape & destress. Thank you, TYR. ❤️”
“What a blessing this weekend has been.”
“This retreat was exactly what my soul needed right now.”
“I am so happy that the Texas yoga community is so strong!”
“Thank you for another amazing retreat! I’m already looking forward to next year. So happy I found you. 😊”
“A wonderful experience for newbies and professionals alike! Really filled my proverbial cup!”
“A beautiful and powerful experience that exceeded all expectations.”
“I loved the genuine sense of inclusivity.”
“Needs no improvement.”
“How welcoming and kind everyone is – no judgment.”
“The feeling of acceptance and camaraderie and the wealth of knowledge shared by teachers and attendees.”
“Thank you both for inviting me to share this wonderful retreat with you. Every year is nice but for some reason this year was especially sweet for me. You truly have grown a caring diverse yoga community and I feel very honored to be a part of it. Best wishes until we meet again.”
“I am glowing, my soul feels grounded, and it is so meaningful to be with community and friends.”
“The Texas Yoga Retreat is definitely one of the best in the country. It’s large enough to offer a wide diversity of yoga styles and philosophies yet small enough to visit with the presenters as well as make many new, good friends. I recommend it enthusiastically and without reservation.”
~ Victor M. Parachin, author of several books including Eastern Wisdom For Western Minds.
“Peace envelopes you as you arrive at the ashram, and continues through community, meals, practices and lectures. All enveloped in love and wonder amidst the beautiful surrounds. TYR is energizingly awesome in so many ways, and so great to interact with knowledgeable instructors and practitioners. Great weekend.Thank you!”
“The retreat was incredible! We had such an amazing time and will be making it a yearly priority.”
“TYR is a consistent spot on my fall calendar as I know it will be a time to fill my soul with peace, community, and grounding.”
“My word for this retreat is connection: with myself, the Universe, + everyone here..”
“Thanks for putting on a top notch event. Happy to spend my time, money, + energy at something like this. Namaste!”
“I am still buzzing from the amazing weekend.”
“Being at this training was the most peaceful I have ever felt in my life.”
“The first time I came to a retreat was October 2005 just two months after Hurricane Katrina had devastated our area. My friend Gaye and I lay in the corners of the classes; not participating but just absorbing the calm. July 2006, Janie and I came for the ten day intensive. I believe we have been there 5 times since then bringing other yogis often. We all love it there. I always learn so much and feel so renewed after the retreat and love meeting the excellent teachers you bring. I heard someone refer to the gathering as Returning To The Mother Ship. I agree.”
“What a great TYR! It was really well attended and such great energy shared throughout. I always feel so blessed to be a part of the program. Offering this retreat twice a year would be such a blessing! ❤️”
“There is such a sense of community. This is the easiest way to make friends as an adult. 😊 I have no suggestions – this BLEW MY EXPECTATIONS!!”
“Great sense of community, excellent teachers, many options to choose from, very organized from registration, etc. Thank you Ellen & Charles for a job well done. I am hooked! Have it on my calendar for the next 10 years!”
“L❤️❤️❤️VE being back! Thanks for an epic retreat!”
“TYR is the space I come to breathe, be my best self, and remember where and how to find my own grace. It fills my empty cup. Thank you. ❤️”
“It is such a safe, loving community.”
“All hard work and planning was evident. It was a perfect experience. All the teachers were perfect meeting so many different needs. The community was extraordinary!”
“I was a “newbie” to the retreat this year. This is just what I was looking for. I will come back every year if my schedule allows it. Thank you for everything. P.S. I cried 5x my last day.”
“I had a great experience at the retreat! What an amazing group of presenters and beautiful setting. The only problem was choosing which session to attend. My room was very comfortable and the food was delicious. You did a wonderful job organizing everything and I appreciate all your hard work!”
“This weekend was – tridoshically perfect experience for John and me! Thank you! You can certainly see our joy. It was a fantastic weekend. We will be back next year! I proudly stand by what a wonderful experience it was. Smiles.”
“Each year I attend TYR my core values of grace and loving kindness are affirmed once again.”
“I come away from the Texas Yoga Retreat a little stronger, a little clearer and a little more changed ….. and my heart is forever touched. I am very thankful for the opportunity to have been there, and to have been in the presence of such incredible teachers. Feeling deeply blessed.”
“I feel so blessed to be a part of this time… Thank you for the well planned and multi layered learning. Spiritually, physically and emotionally balanced. The weekend, I will try to do yearly to fill my mind and soul!”
“THANK YOU (and congratulations) on an excellent retreat! Superb all the way around.”
“This is one of the best yoga mini-conference/retreats out there. Full of grace, heart and intentionality every step of the weekend, wonderful teachers, warm community, in a breath taking, sacred setting. If you are ready to get out and connect in person in a spacious, thoughtful, not over crowded environment, this is the perfect choice. The Texas Yoga Retreat is one of the sweetest, most engaging, thoughtful retreat/conference options out there. Always planned with love, grace and intentionality, the community is connected and welcoming. Wonderful teachers, kind-hearted students, and the most sacred breath taking location – if you’re ready to get out and connect in person, this is a perfect option.”
~ Molly Lannon-Kenny
“I just wanted to thank you both for the wonderful retreat and tell you how much I enjoyed it. It definitely went above and beyond my expectations.”
“Today was such a wonderful day. It was exactly what I’ve been needing…connection with body, mind, spirit, AND COMMUNITY!!!”
“Last year I attended the Yoga Retreat which affected my life and allowed me a deeper meaning to my practice. I was moved in a huge way at the Texas Yoga Retreat last year. I was very emotional on my drive home.”
“Wow! I wanted to be sure to tell you both how amazing this thing that you do, is, so very , very important! I am extremely grateful to have been a small part of it. You are both doing something so important. You both and mix of teachers coming together to offer so much information in one place is incredible. AMAZING! I still and will forever feel the energy! And will benefit from and pass on through my own teachings. How Inspiring!!!!!!”
“Best Yoga Retreat I’ve experienced!!!!”
~ Jeff Chen, owner Pure Austin
“Congratulations on the overwhelming success of number 19!! I had so much fun and learned so much not only from the presenters, but the new friends I made. The time just flew by. I heard several people say they didn’t want to go home!”
~ Melynda Murphy
“What a gift of a weekend at The Texas Yoga Retreat! A great variety of classes, wonderful accommodations, well organized, amazing food and plenty of SPACE to BE. Played 🎶 for an attentive peacock, hung out with a drummer girl and enjoyed the lights celebrating Diwali.”
“Thank you for one of the most numinous, life changing experiences of my life. What a gift to be able to bring all of these beautiful souls together. You are expanding the light. Grateful to be a part of it all, Love love love to you both ❤️”
“The setting was an ideal complement to all the different topics in the classes. The entire weekend had the perfect blend of intensity and peace!!”
“Due to this retreat, I got inspired to do yoga and to teach yoga.”
“I feel like a better version of myself after the retreat!”
~ Trisha Leslie
“It’s hard to describe what I’ve been able to witness and experience in the last 3 days. I attended the annual Texas Yoga Retreat for the first time. I didn’t know a soul… but every soul I met, felt like family. We were kindred spirits, gathering to learn, teach, witness, and grow. Peacocks, deer, and all sorts of wild life roamed around – completely comfortable in the presence of humans. The location was breathtakingly beautiful, and the weather was perfect.”
“From 9:30am until 9:30pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I attended back to back workshops with titles such as “The Peaceful Warrior”, “Heart Awakened Yoga”, “Yoga as Service, Inquiry and Inclusion”, “Co-Human Harmony”, “Understanding Trauma- Cultural Competency”, “Opening Our Hearts Through Yoga”, etc. – led by seasoned, nationally and internationally recognized yoga instructors.”
“I could barely stop my conversations in between the classes, for lunch and dinner break (the delicious food’s fragrance was too distracting to ignore).”
“It was one of the most spiritual moments of my life. The experience was pure, unadulterated Love. Race, religion, gender, creed, nationality, sexual orientation, skin color – none of it mattered. I felt at one with Humanity.”
“This was a community of some of the biggest-hearted and most resilient people I had ever met, who traveled to be there from all over the world. They were brought together out of a shared desire to transform pain into purpose- in order to help ease the pain of others.”
“What I observed at the Texas Yoga Retreat.
I saw and felt Bridges.
Seasonal Bridges taking us to a new season and into Fall.
Bridges crossing over cultural divides.
Bridges crossing generational divides.
Bridges crossing religious divides.
And,
Bridges connecting Mind to Body and back.”
~ Thank you, Jay
“I can see some welcome changes in myself after the retreat. It was a wonderful experience from beginning to end. Thanks for planning such a well carried out event.”
“Love the passionate teachers, being with like-minded folks, food, wide variety of topics and styles of yoga.”
“In my visit to the Texas Yoga Retreat… I experienced a welcome and an immediate sense of community. This retreat offers an opportunity for Texas yoginis, new and experienced, to connect at a deeper level with each other and to reconnect with Self.”
~ Amy Weintraub, Yoga for Depression, California
“Texas yoga retreat provided a sense of community with fellow yogis as well as experiencing a wealth of information. The sheer amount of quality classes offered provided a great opportunity to take in so much at one place. Wonderful.”
Someone posted this in their business newsletter (thank you!): “The Texas Yoga Retreat was another big highlight—it was their 25th anniversary. Ellen Smith did an incredible job of creating safety and connection with the participants. She also brought some of the greatest spiritual teachers to give workshops. It felt so good to connect with a new community of truly committed people on their path of harmony. While taking a workshop on Neuroscience and Yoga, I realized how connected our nervous system is to the energy we give off. Then I thought: NERVOUS system… we equate it so often to nervousness in the system. We need a new word. I came up with Ner-VINE system—for when we are connected to the DIVINE as our energy system.”
We asked our attendees, “What did you like most about the retreat?” Here are some answers:
“Loved the vibe/energy of presenters + ambassadors + attendees, plus the tasty, healthy food.”
“The loving space you cultivate. Please make the retreat longer.”
“It is so hard to pick a favorite part… teachers, variety of classes, food, great community!”
“Space/freedom to be/nourishment”
“Accepting community, Charles + Ellen!, food, variety of offerings.”
“The theme of honoring your true self…”
“I would be willing to give up another day so I could attend all of the classes!”
“Sense of community, Incredible teachers, diversity of offerings, Ellen + Charles!”
“Fantastic education opportunities – best of any retreat I have been on.”
“The kindness of everyone. Spending time with family. I would love to have the recipes for all the delicious meals. 😊”
“Vibe = warm, accepting, awesome food.”
“Inclusiveness, community, support of one another. Amazing information, especially the scientific based lectures!”
“Community, excellent teachers, being with friends! Share Chef Jo’s recipes! ❤️”