Aligned Equestrians: A Non-riding Retreat for Horse Enthusiasts

This program is for equine enthusiasts, horse lovers, riders & non-riders, Equestrians of all disciplines, equine-facilitated therapists and anyone who wants to enrich their relationship and communication with horses and the natural world.

We invite you to embark on a unique journey that blends the art of mindful and heart-based horsemanship with enriching yogic and HeartMath® experiences. This is not just a program; it's an opportunity to deepen your connection with yourself, the majestic equines, and the vibrant world around you.

Imagine spending your days in a serene and sacred ashram setting, where you can relax, renew, and rediscover your inner self. As you engage in this transformative experience, you'll explore the many facets of horsemanship that foster mindfulness and heart-centered connections.

Don't miss this chance to cultivate a profound relationship with nature and the equine spirit while enhancing your personal growth. Join us for an unforgettable experience that promises to rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul!
This retreat will include:

Gentle yoga classes for riders
Breathwork and meditations for equestrians
Workshops on the topics of mindfulness, energy, and the parallels of yoga & horsemanship
Practical yogic teachings and philosophy to incorporate into horsemanship and daily life
Exercises to connect energetically with your horse, regulate emotions, and improve health and well-being
Exploring HeartMath® techniques with real-time, biofeedback monitoring with HeartMath’s Inner Balance Technology
Understanding what meant by is “Coherence”, how does it relate to Heart-Rate Variability (HRV), and how the whole of Yoga can enhance and elevate coherence
Tapping into the power of our heart’s intelligence to access intuition, improve communication, improve self-awareness, and manifest positive outcomes

Schedule





Thursday



3:00–6:00 pm
Registration


5:00–6:30 pm
Hatha Yoga Mixed Level: Recommend to retreat participants


6:30–7:15 pm
Supper


7:30–8:00 pm
Yogaville Welcoming & Orientation


8:00–9:30 pm
Opening Circle – heart-focused meditation & the yoga horsemanship connection


10:00 pm
Lights out in dorms and quiet in all accommodations (please minimize talking between 10:00 PM & 8:00 AM)



Friday



5:00–6:15 am
Group Meditation


6:30–7:50 am
Yoga for Riders gentle, morning yoga class with Cathy


8:00–9:00 am
Breakfast


9:30–11:30 am
Morning Session: Parallels of Yoga & Horsemanship and Breathwork for Equestrians - Pranayama & HeartMath


12:00–12:30 pm
Group Meditation


12:45–1:30 pm
Lunch


2:00–5:00 pm
Afternoon Session: The Physiology of Coherence and Energy Matters


5:00–6:30 pm
Hatha Yoga Mixed Level


6:00–6:30 pm
Group Meditation


6:30–7:30 pm
Supper


7:30–9:00 pm
Simple Kirtan & Meditation: An evening session with Cathy & Kansas



Saturday



5:00–6:15 am
Group Meditation


6:20–7:50 am
Hatha Yoga Level 1 or Level 2


8:00–9:00 am
Breakfast


9:30–11:30 am
Morning Session: Mindfulness in Horsemanship and Handcrafting Your Horsemanship


12:00–12:30 pm
Group Meditation


12:45–1:30 pm
Lunch


1:45–3:15 pm
Ashram tour


3:30–5:30 pm
Afternoon Session: Coherent Communication - The energy of non-verbal communication + journaling


5:30–6:15 pm
Supper


7:30–9:30 pm
Satsang: Kirtan, DVD and Speaker



Sunday



6:00–7:00 am
Group Meditation


7:15–8:15 am
Yoga for Riders gentle, morning yoga class with Cathy


7:30–9:00 am
Breakfast


9:30–11:30 am
Session: Installing an Operating System of Compassion - Creating a Personal Practice and Closing Circle


12:00–12:30 pm
Group Meditation


12:45–1:30 pm
Lunch







Testimonials
“The Yoga of Horsemanship with Cathy Woods was truly an enjoyable and enlightening experience. Bridging the concepts of yoga with the wisdom and spirituality of the horse enables self-discovery and awareness. You don’t have to be an expert at either discipline to be able to take away new concepts and core benefits from this program. Both my husband and I truly enjoyed and learned from this experience.” - Mary Connaughty-Sullivan
“I was part of a HeartMathⓇ course that Kansas organized. It was a game changer. Her ability to explain the concepts and information and guide you through learning the practice of heart field mediations was deeply fulfilling. It gave me a finer appreciation of the heart's creative capacity, and practical eye opening tools for making positive change in my life, the lives of the people and animals around me, and very much with my horse. These are life changing tools that anyone can incorporate into your every day, for all scenarios. Thank you Kansas for your dedication and passion to making lasting progressive change in the hearts of many, one heart at a time.” - Jayne Sportelli