Chelsea's Yoga Retreats: Sedona, Arizona

She told us to close our eyes and put one hand on the shoulder of the person in front of us. We trusted that she wasn’t going to lead us over the edge of the canyon... haha. She guided us, and eventually our hands, to a railing and counted us down, “3….2….1!” Our eyes peeled open slowly and our jaws dropped as The Grand Canyon in all of her glory unfolded before our eyes.

This was my second domestic retreat and definitely one of my favorites! We spent four days in Sedona, Arizona and one of them was a day trip to the Grand Canyon. A first for me and it felt like a painting. But let me go back to the beginning and walk you through this absolutely incredible retreat!

Day 1

We arrived a few hours before sunset and hopped in our transfer van to head to the Sky Rock Inn of Sedona. It was a quick turnaround as we arrived because I had to set up the gift bags for all of my travelers/students. I was gifting everyone yoga pads from Liforme, skincare from Trish McEvoy, CBD from the best - Cured Nutrition, yoga leggings from Sweaty Betty, my favorite Pigma Micron pens, and bullet journals. Kevin helped me pack all of the bags and I headed over to teach our first class, a mellow flow, to the group!

I had 16 women in total and many yoga teachers and moms! This group was an absolute blast. I feel like the more I host retreats the more I find my people. I laughed harder than I have in a long time!

Day 2

We woke up bright and early for sunrise yoga. We dressed in lots of layers as the desert gets mighty cold at night but the sky made up for it that morning! It was layered with pinks and peach tones as we looked over the red rocks from the terrace that morning.

Following class we grabbed snacks at Whole Foods and headed for the Grand Canyon! The way Nicole (our guide) led us to the grand reveal was incredible. Many of us had never seen the GC, so to have us cover our eyes and all experience it together was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience! We hiked two miles around the rim and then entered into the Canyon on the Bright Angel Trailhead. Guys, this day was so so special! Another wonder of the world checked off my list.

Day 3

We got to sleep in! It was glorious! Then, later in the day, we headed for Crescent Moon Ranch for a 90 min class and were offered a list of activities to do with the rest of our day. I always love that for everyone - getting to “pick your own ending” on the retreat! Some went to do a jeep tour, others took the day to explore Sedona, and the group I hung with embarked on a four-mile hike up to Cathedral Rock. We had to cross a river with water up to our knees and rock scramble our way to the top of the rock and ultimately, the Vortex! It was an absolute blast and we ALL made it, which I know for many felt like an emotional and physical breakthrough. This is the stuff that makes me love retreats -  opportunities like this off the mat. We are always stronger than we think but coming together to do hard stuff gives us the opportunity to keep moving forward with the pack to support us.

Cathedral Rock is the only one of the four major vortices with “feminine” energy - where the energy enters the earth - and is said to have introspective power that connects you to memories and past lives. While the energy is more subtle, it is quite powerful, encourages you to slow down, become calm and grow quiet.

Day 4

Our last sunrise yoga met us with 30º temps so we moved indoors for our last flow. As much of the group was moms, we took an extra-long savasana to sink into those last sweet moments of knowing there was nowhere else to be. That no one needed us. And to be fully and completely present.

This was my first retreat since Patagonia in February 2020 and I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch or a better place!

I think the more I teach these retreats the more I find my people. I’ve learned a lot about myself and this process over the last nine retreats (!). I’m growing more comfortable in this space as students (often strangers) gather together from all over the world. I’m honing what I love to offer during these retreats and how to continually hold space for the dozens of people that join each time. I’m crafting my “why” and it makes it so much easier to keep saying “yes” to hosting more. I love bringing people together to a safe space where we practice, get out of our comfort zones, and let go (even if just for a little while) of our daily habits and to-dos.

Here’s to rising up stronger and choosing ourselves! Sometimes we don’t know what we need until we lean in... thankful this group chose me to lean in with me.