Whether you’re a yogi looking to deepen your practice or for a temporary escape from daily life, a retreat is always a wonderful option.
These passionate North Fork yoga instructors and studios offer immersive trips or staycation-type opportunities to explore the goodness that comes with the relaxing ritual, alongside like-minded individuals in all walks of life and yoga expertise.
Jen Conway Farino (631-375-4034, instagram.com/yogawithjen1/, facebook.com/jennifer.roalefconway)
Jen Conway Farino, a yoga instructor across the North Fork, is hosting her first retreat to San Carlos, Costa Rica.
From Jan. 19 to 25, she’ll teach students at the boutique hotel Finca 360, overlooking a volcanic national forest.
On Jen Conway Farino’s upcoming retreat to Costa Rica, attendees will be immersed in nature. (Photo credit: Jen Conway Farino)
This specific property features an infinity pool and jacuzzi great for downtime and a communal kitchen and fridge with meals provided. Conway Farino and the property owner will also guide excursions between yoga sessions.
“It’s an immersion,” says Conway Farino. “You get to leave your life. It’s a combination of being on vacation but also immersing yourself into yoga, which are two of the most beautiful things on the planet.”
To book your spot, it’s $2,695 for a solo room and $2,295 for a shared room. Message Conway Farino via text or private message.
Solaris Hot Yoga (99-25 Route 25A, Shoreham, 631-965-8334, solarishotyoga.com)
Ina Visich, founder of Solntse Yoga which moved and rebranded as Solaris Hot Yoga, is nearly at a decade of her retreat hosting career.
“I love traveling more than anything and love exploring different cultures and places,” says Visich. “I wanted to share my love for cultural exploration with my students and take them on magical adventures. I love watching someone arrive tense and leave lighter.”
In the past, she’s led retreats in Portugal, Italy, Costa Rica, Greece, Morocco and domestic locations like Joshua Tree National Park and right here on our own North Fork.
Visich is currently coordinating a yoga-packed escape to Tulum, Mexico for this year among others that can be booked here.
The Giving Room (56215 Main Road, Southold, 631-765-6670, givingroom.net)
Paula DiDonato, owner of The Giving Room, has been hosting retreats for 15 years.
DiDonato and other instructors from The Giving Room have brough students to locations like Tulum, Mexico; Tuscany and Sicily, Italy; Culebra, Puerto Rico and Sedona, Arizona.
Having gone on retreats herself, DiDonato saw value in the process and wanted to provide that for the members of her studio.
With The Giving Room, yogis have explored domestic and international locations on retreats since 2015. (Photo credit: Paul DIDONATO.
“I personally felt the huge benefit being in that kind of beautiful environment and just wanted to share it with the rest of the students,” says DiDonato.
When scheduling the trips, DiDonato focuses on the natural experience, whether that’s being on the water or at an energy vortex.
Yoga and meditation practices are scheduled following the natural clock with sunrise and sunset sessions and attendees are treated to organic, locally grown food.
Heidi Fokine, an instructor at The Giving Room, is hosting a retreat to Sicily, Italy from April 18 to 25. This one will have two classes a day plus excursions to historic sites, walking around villages, shopping and Aperol Spritzes, Fokine says.
The Giving Room Retreats have a registration fee somewhere between $3,000 and $5,000.
Visit here to learn more.
Greenport Pilates Yoga and Wellness (308 Front St., Greenport, 631-477-6011, greenportpyw.com)
Greenport Pilates Yoga and Wellness hosts reformer and mat Pilates onsite as well as barre, yoga and meditation.
Marcia Sheldon, a Pilates instructor from the studio, will host the first retreat from the brand in April to Portugal.
Additional retreats are in the works, including North Fork opportunities for locals, Long Islanders and New Yorkers far from the East End.
For more updates on future retreats follow the studio on Instagram here and visit their website.
North Fork Yoga Shala (516-443-5626, northforkyogashala.com)
Claire Copersino, founder of North Fork Yoga Shala, held her first retreat in January 2008. As a well-seasoned leader, Copersino brings her community to cities in Morocco, Italy, France and Mexico.
From April 27 to May 4, she’s hosting a retreat at Masseria Specula in Puglia, Italy for $2,050.
Since 2008, Claire Copersino has brought yoga students to cities in Morocco, Italy, France and Mexico. (Photo credit: Claire Copersino)
While each trip is different, they each feature excursions and daily — or sometimes twice daily — yoga throughout where Copersino spends more time breaking down complex poses or introducing new yogis to intricacies.
“I love teaching on retreats so much because I don’t have to do anything else,” says Copersino. “I don’t have to take care of the animals, I don’t have to take care of the house, I don’t have to get to the next private yoga client, I’m not preparing my food, so I can be 100% present for teaching yoga exclusively for that week.”
For Copersino, the first group meal always lights her up, as all the travelers connect and become a family for the week.
To learn about upcoming retreats, visit here.
