Bhakti Summer Holiday Retreat
Bhakti Summer Holiday Retreat
Up to 30 in group
July 4 - 6, 2025
Retreat Highlights
- Mantra Music Concert with Seán Johnson & The Wild Lotus Band on Friday night.
- "Celebration of Nature" Bhakti Flow Yoga session with live music on Saturday morning.
- Mythical Story Time Journey with music, journaling, and art exploration on Saturday afternoon.
- Saturday Night Satsang Concert featuring inspirational mantra music and chanting.
- Sanctuary: Deep Peace Reclining Yoga Practice with lullabies and live music on Sunday morning.
About this Retreat
Your Guides
"The much-beloved band evoke, conjure and celebrate that universally felt yet impossible-to-define essence that lies at the heart of all things, what Bob Marley once called 'a natural mystic, flowing through the air.' " - Alan di Perna (Rolling Stone, Creem, Billboard)
Seán Johnson & The Wild Lotus Band merge conscious lyrics, sacred chants from the spiritual traditions of yoga and beyond, and roots, rock, gospel, and global grooves to create a universal style of cross-cultural spiritual music.
They are known for creating interactive, soul-stirring songs to dance and sing along with as well as to grieve and heal. Their music has appeared on Putumayo World Music, they are the first mantra music band to play The New Orleans Jazz Festival. Their latest album Mystery was named one of the best albums in Louisiana music by Offbeat Magazine, and they have over 125,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
The band includes Seán on vocals and harmonium; Alvin Young on 6 string fretless bass & electric guitar; Gwendolyn Colman vocals and percussion; and Narada Wise on drums.
In addition to being a musician, Seán is also a respected yoga teacher, teacher trainer, and community leader who teaches at conferences and retreat centers internationally. He is the founder of Wild Lotus Yoga in his beloved hometown dubbed "New Orleans' Home for Heart-Centered Yoga," and Soul School, an interdisciplinary yoga teacher training program that focuses on teaching yoga with skill, heart, and imagination, and is also the new director of The Asheville Yoga Center in Asheville, NC.
Seán has a Master’s degree from The Naropa Institute-Oakland with focus on teaching chant as spiritual practice, apprenticing there with south Indian musician and teacher Russill Paul, author of The Yoga Of Sound. He is the co-curator and coordinator of Putumayo World Music’s yoga music series, and a co-founder of The Auricle Collective - a global community of chant and spiritual musicians. Seán is passionate about his Irish roots and ancestry, a pillar of his spirituality. He co-leads online Celtic Spirituality gatherings and retreats in Ireland each year with his friend, Ireland native Mary Meighan, founder of Celtic Journeys. In all these roles, Seán relishes creating a playful, tender, brave space for people to open their hearts and voices, and embrace their innate creativity.
Learn more at
www.SeanJohnsonAndTheWildLotusBand.com
Follow the band on Instagram
Follow the band on Spotify
Details of this retreat
This fourth of July weekend....
Join us at Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville to sing from the depths of your soul. Revel like a child in playful storytelling. Mend your heart through music. Deepen your sense of devotion through ritual. Feel gentle asana as a poetic dance of the heart. Float into mellifluous lullaby, all supported and nourished by the enchanting sounds of Seán Johnson & The Wild Lotus Band.
Bhakti is a Sanskrit word that points to the universal human experience of connecting to the mystery of life through the depths of the heart. Many of bhakti's practices are devotional folk arts like singing, dancing, storytelling, poetry, and ritual that are meant to be accessible for all.
In this special weekend holiday summer retreat, guided by Seán, and accompanied by The Wild Lotus Band (Alvin Young, Gwendolyn Colman & Narada Wise), experience the depths of bhakti through enchanting storytelling, live music, heartful kirtan chanting, and an imaginative yoga practice that weaves all these elements together.
Join us for a heart-opening Bhakti retreat that includes two concerts, two Bhakti Flow Yoga sessions, and a mythical, musical storytime journey.
Friday Night
Mantra Music Concert
We welcome you to our retreat together with a night of interactive, soul-stirring music and chant. We'll light up the room together, like fireworks, with our voices joined together in devotional song. Experience heart-expanding ancient mantras, given new voice through dynamic songs that merge conscious lyrics and New Orleans roots, rock, gospel, and world grooves.
Saturday Morning
"Celebration of Nature" Live Music Bhakti Flow
This bhakti-inspired all levels flow practice -- fueled by storytelling, imaginative vinyasa yoga, chant, and the heart-opening sounds of The Wild Lotus Band-- is an opportunity to celebrate the many gifts of nature this holiday weekend in full summer bloom. We'll embody the elements into this practice through song, movement, and ritual.
Saturday Afternoon
Story Time Journey
Dive deep into the playful, mythic world of Yoga. Relax your mind, laugh, cry, and unpack some inner wisdom. Seán believes that Yoga teachers can be modern day bards who help us remember who we are through storytelling. He puts a fun, deep, contemporary spin on inspirational tales from the lore of Yoga to bring the stories to life in your own heart. Each tale will be accompanied by the enchanting sounds of The Wild Lotus Band. You'll have the option to journal and explore what the stories mean to you through intuitive art. Bring a journal and markers or crayons.
Saturday Night Satsang Concert
An evening of Satsang and inspirational mantra music open to the wider Yogaville community! Another evening of interactive, soul-stirring music and chant. We'll light up the room together, like fireworks, with our voices joined together in devotional song. Experience heart-expanding ancient mantras, given new voice through dynamic songs that merge conscious lyrics and New Orleans roots, rock, gospel, and world grooves.
Sunday Morning
Sanctuary: Deep Peace - Live Music Reclining Yoga Practice & Lullabies
Indulge yourself, relax, recharge, with this slow, spacious, all levels practice guided by Seán and supported by the soothing live sounds of the band. This session includes calming seated and reclining poses, peaceful chants and serene lullabies to support deep rest, sweet closure, and integration to your summer bhakti holiday retreat experience. (
If you can’t make it for the weekend program, join Seán Johnson and The Wild Lotus Band for an intimate Saturday Evening Satsang Concert. All are welcome. The concert is part of the weekend workshop.
Interested in Receiving a Continuing Education (CE) Certificate for this program?
Yoga Alliance (YA): Approximately 8 contact hours.
You can input your contact hours using your YA login information.
Integral Yoga Teachers Association (IYTA) can provide you a CE certificate with your program’s total contact hours for a $10 fee (free for IYTA members.) For more information, email ce@iyta.org.
ௐ
Schedule
FRIDAY
3–5 pm
Registration
5-5:45 pm
Yoga Nidra: Deep Relaxation
5–6:30 pm
Integral Yoga Hatha - Mixed Level
6-6:30 pm
Meditation
6:30-7:15 pm
Dinner
8–9:30 pm
Mantra Music Concert
SATURDAY
6–6:45 am
Integral Yoga Meditation
7–8:30 am
Integral Yoga Hatha - Level 1
Integral Yoga Hatha - Level 2
8–9:15 am
Breakfast
9:30–11:30 am
"Celebration of Nature" Live Music Bhakti Flow
11:45 am
Van to LOTUS or Kailash (depart behind VV dorm)
12–12:30 pm
Meditation or Siva Puja
12:45–1:30 pm
Lunch
1:45–3:45 pm
Story Time Journey
4–5:30 pm
Integral Yoga Hatha - Mixed Level
5:30–6:15 pm
Dinner
7:30–9:00 pm
Mantra Music Concert with Seán Johnson & The Wild Lotus Band
SUNDAY
6–6:45 am
Integral Yoga Meditation
7–8:30 am
Integral Yoga Hatha - Level 1
Integral Yoga Hatha - Level 2
8–9:30 am
Breakfast
9:30–11:30 am
Sanctuary: Deep Peace – Live Music Reclining Yoga Practice & Lullabies
12–12:30 pm
Meditation
12:45–1:30 pm
Lunch
2:00 pm
Check out
Join us at Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville to sing from the depths of your soul. Revel like a child in playful storytelling. Mend your heart through music. Deepen your sense of devotion through ritual. Feel gentle asana as a poetic dance of the heart. Float into mellifluous lullaby, all supported and nourished by the enchanting sounds of Seán Johnson & The Wild Lotus Band.
Bhakti is a Sanskrit word that points to the universal human experience of connecting to the mystery of life through the depths of the heart. Many of bhakti's practices are devotional folk arts like singing, dancing, storytelling, poetry, and ritual that are meant to be accessible for all.
In this special weekend holiday summer retreat, guided by Seán, and accompanied by The Wild Lotus Band (Alvin Young, Gwendolyn Colman & Narada Wise), experience the depths of bhakti through enchanting storytelling, live music, heartful kirtan chanting, and an imaginative yoga practice that weaves all these elements together.
Join us for a heart-opening Bhakti retreat that includes two concerts, two Bhakti Flow Yoga sessions, and a mythical, musical storytime journey.
Friday Night
Mantra Music Concert
We welcome you to our retreat together with a night of interactive, soul-stirring music and chant. We'll light up the room together, like fireworks, with our voices joined together in devotional song. Experience heart-expanding ancient mantras, given new voice through dynamic songs that merge conscious lyrics and New Orleans roots, rock, gospel, and world grooves.
Saturday Morning
"Celebration of Nature" Live Music Bhakti Flow
This bhakti-inspired all levels flow practice -- fueled by storytelling, imaginative vinyasa yoga, chant, and the heart-opening sounds of The Wild Lotus Band-- is an opportunity to celebrate the many gifts of nature this holiday weekend in full summer bloom. We'll embody the elements into this practice through song, movement, and ritual.
Saturday Afternoon
Story Time Journey
Dive deep into the playful, mythic world of Yoga. Relax your mind, laugh, cry, and unpack some inner wisdom. Seán believes that Yoga teachers can be modern day bards who help us remember who we are through storytelling. He puts a fun, deep, contemporary spin on inspirational tales from the lore of Yoga to bring the stories to life in your own heart. Each tale will be accompanied by the enchanting sounds of The Wild Lotus Band. You'll have the option to journal and explore what the stories mean to you through intuitive art. Bring a journal and markers or crayons.
Saturday Night Satsang Concert
An evening of Satsang and inspirational mantra music open to the wider Yogaville community! Another evening of interactive, soul-stirring music and chant. We'll light up the room together, like fireworks, with our voices joined together in devotional song. Experience heart-expanding ancient mantras, given new voice through dynamic songs that merge conscious lyrics and New Orleans roots, rock, gospel, and world grooves.
Sunday Morning
Sanctuary: Deep Peace - Live Music Reclining Yoga Practice & Lullabies
Indulge yourself, relax, recharge, with this slow, spacious, all levels practice guided by Seán and supported by the soothing live sounds of the band. This session includes calming seated and reclining poses, peaceful chants and serene lullabies to support deep rest, sweet closure, and integration to your summer bhakti holiday retreat experience. (
If you can’t make it for the weekend program, join Seán Johnson and The Wild Lotus Band for an intimate Saturday Evening Satsang Concert. All are welcome. The concert is part of the weekend workshop.
Interested in Receiving a Continuing Education (CE) Certificate for this program?
Yoga Alliance (YA): Approximately 8 contact hours.
You can input your contact hours using your YA login information.
Integral Yoga Teachers Association (IYTA) can provide you a CE certificate with your program’s total contact hours for a $10 fee (free for IYTA members.) For more information, email ce@iyta.org.
ௐ
Schedule
FRIDAY
3–5 pm
Registration
5-5:45 pm
Yoga Nidra: Deep Relaxation
5–6:30 pm
Integral Yoga Hatha - Mixed Level
6-6:30 pm
Meditation
6:30-7:15 pm
Dinner
8–9:30 pm
Mantra Music Concert
SATURDAY
6–6:45 am
Integral Yoga Meditation
7–8:30 am
Integral Yoga Hatha - Level 1
Integral Yoga Hatha - Level 2
8–9:15 am
Breakfast
9:30–11:30 am
"Celebration of Nature" Live Music Bhakti Flow
11:45 am
Van to LOTUS or Kailash (depart behind VV dorm)
12–12:30 pm
Meditation or Siva Puja
12:45–1:30 pm
Lunch
1:45–3:45 pm
Story Time Journey
4–5:30 pm
Integral Yoga Hatha - Mixed Level
5:30–6:15 pm
Dinner
7:30–9:00 pm
Mantra Music Concert with Seán Johnson & The Wild Lotus Band
SUNDAY
6–6:45 am
Integral Yoga Meditation
7–8:30 am
Integral Yoga Hatha - Level 1
Integral Yoga Hatha - Level 2
8–9:30 am
Breakfast
9:30–11:30 am
Sanctuary: Deep Peace – Live Music Reclining Yoga Practice & Lullabies
12–12:30 pm
Meditation
12:45–1:30 pm
Lunch
2:00 pm
Check out
Getting Here
Directions
Yogaville offers transportation from the airport, train and bus stations in Charlottesville, VA. If you are driving Google Maps has reliable turn-by-turn directions.
Accommodation
Availability of complimentary accommodations is determined by the order of booking.
Dormitory
The most popular accommodations we have are Dormitory Accommodations – shared room and shared bath. We have two dormitories, Vivekananda Vihar and Ramalinga Nilayam, which are centrally heated and air-conditioned and convenient to meals and programs.
Lotus Guest House (Private Room)
Each room in our six unit guest house is equipped with a small refrigerator, queen size bed and full bath. Each room in our nine unit guest house is equipped with a queen sized bed and full bath, and no refrigerator.
Tenting
Set off in a quiet, wooded area adjacent to the Lotus Guest Houses are twelve campsites. Campers have use of the bathroom, shower, and laundry facilities nearby Vivekananda Vihar dormitory. Camping is available from March 15th to December 1st.
Shared Dormitory: Bottom Bunk
Bottom bunk in a shared dorm room.
Dorm rooms contain 4-8 beds.
Shared bathroom
Dorm rooms are not coed
Availability is Gender Specific
Private Dormitory
This is a private room with a shared bathroom in our Ramalinga Nilayam Dorm - Females Only
LGH: Full Bed
Private room and Private Bath. A single Full bed and a private bath designed for those seeking peace in solitude.
LGH: 2 Twin beds
Private Room and Private Bath. Two twin Beds and a private bath that is ideal for friends looking to experience the bliss of Yogaville.
LGH: Queen Bed
Private Room and Private Bath. A queen bed or a queen with two day beds and a private bath that is perfect for couples and families searching for a peaceful time together. Please put in the personal comments if you need a room that includes trundles.
Tent-Site
Open from Mar. 16–Nov. 30. Closed from Dec. 1–Mar. 15
Set off in a quiet, wooded area adjacent to the Lotus Guest Houses are Eighteen campsites. Campers have use of the nearby bathhouse as well as laundry facilities at the LGH Building 3. Also, all tent sites have tent platforms for a more comfortable and dry tenting experience. Fires and Stoves are not Permitted. Price is per person per night.
Please bring your own tent, tie downs, tarp (weather protection). bedding and towels.
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Yogaville is home to the Light of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS). The LOTUS is a unique temple dedicated to interfaith understanding and the Light within all faiths. Individual altars represent and honor the different world faiths and spiritual paths. The vision, design and inspiration of Sri Swami Satchidananda, LOTUS was dedicated in 1986. It demonstrates, “Truth is One, Paths are Many.” In the peaceful countryside of Virginia, the doors of LOTUS are open to welcome people of all backgrounds and beliefs.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Organic, vegetarian/vegan food
Labeled ingredients
Lacto-vegetarian
Gluten-free and vegan options
Salad bar
Large herbal tea selection
Coffee is available for purchase at Mandala Cafe
What's Included
- Accomodations
- Meals
- Meditation Sessions
- Yoga Classes
What's Not Included
- Transportation
- Airfare
Last Chance
