North Carolina HSP & Introvert Retreat
Nurture Belonging with Ecotherapy, Yoga & Soulful Connection in the Blue Ridge Mountains
June 5-10, 2024
North Carolina HSP & Introvert Retreat
Nurture Belonging with Ecotherapy, Yoga & Soulful Connection in the Blue Ridge Mountains
June 5, 2024
Connect with kindred spirits at a gentle pace that honors your needs.
Join our 6-day / 5-night immersive nature retreat, crafted to facilitate belonging and meaningful connection.
Nestled among the Cherokee territory known as the Blue Ridge Mountains, our gathering takes place just outside of Asheville.
We’ll stay at an eco-minded retreat center set upon 63 acres amidst the blooms and birds of early summer.
This retreat is an invitation to cultivate meaningful relationships with each other, the Earth, and within ourselves. Each day offers a mix of embodied movement, restorative yoga, and ecotherapy.
Through ecotherapy practices and nature-based expressive arts, we’ll give expression to emotions, engage in creative play, converse with nature allies, and explore ways to steward our local ecosystems.
Enjoy spacious days that allow for savoring sunrises and sunsets, as well as contemplative time each afternoon to relax by the pond or enjoy a mindful hike.
Immerse yourself within the bonds of belonging, sprout new friendships, and nourish a sense of community.
At a Glance
Facilitator: Melissa Renzi
Highlights: Ecotherapy, Yoga, Nature Immersion on 63 acres
Venue: Mid-range retreat center focused on sustainability
Rooms: Single or shared occupancy, shared bathrooms
Food: Meat, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free options available
Activity Level: Mild to moderate (inquire about stairs & hills)
Weather: Variable – day 70s-80s °F, night 50s-60s °F
Group Size: 15-16 people, including facilitator
Cost: Starting at $1795.00 p.p.
Our retreats are LGBTQ+ Friendly & Affirming. By signing up, we ask you to help create a safe space for queer participants, and those of other marginalized identities.
The Land & Space
Bend of Ivy Lodge sits upon 63 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Marshall, NC. It’s located 20 minutes from downtown Asheville and 40 minutes from Asheville Regional Airport (AVL).
Once a tobacco farm, Bend of Ivy has been beautifully transformed into a nature center committed to stewarding the native ecosystem and supporting the intentional growth of people, planet and purposes. Solar panels supply much of the facility’s energy. Surroundings include a peaceful pond, friendly goats, permaculture gardens, mountain views, and a tranquil river.
With an elevation of roughly 2000 feet, the month of June enjoys moderate weather. Daytime temps average mid to upper 70s °F and nighttime temps in the 50s and 60s. June receives average rainfall.
Accommodations: Bend of Ivy’s primary building is The Lodge, which has 9 bedrooms (single or double), a sleeping loft (single), two lounge areas, and 4 full bathrooms. The Lodge has A/C & heat.
While The Lodge has capacity for 17, we will limit the number of participants in this building to 11-13 (roughly 3 people per bathroom). We may add other accommodations on the property after the Lodge rooms have filled.
Facilities: The caterers will be using the kitchen, but you may store items in the refrigerator. Bend of Ivy has a large pavilion for yoga and a massage room. You’ll find a labyrinth, pond, river, and cozy indoor and outdoor nooks to relax. The grounds and facilities will be private for our group.
When you travel with Melissa Renzi, whether it be to another continent or two hours from home, you will enter a new world. It is a world of caring, sharing, and learning.
Sample Schedule
6:00-7:30 – Sunrise Meditation, coffee & tea
7:30-8:30 – Breakfast
9:30-12:00 – Embodied Movement + Ecotherapy
12:00-1:00 – Lunch
1:00-4:30 – Downtime (hike, relax, journal, etc.)
4:30-6:00 – Gentle Flow + Restore Yoga
6:00-7:00 – Dinner
8:00-9:00 – Sunset Meditation (optional)
What’s Included
- 5 nights accommodation at Bend of Ivy Lodge
- 14 meals (starting w/ dinner, ending w/ breakfast)
- 4 embodied movement & eco arts sessions
- 5 yoga classes w/ Melissa, most evenings
- Facilitated opening & closing reflection circles
- Pre-Retreat Meet & Greet via Zoom
- WhatsApp Group for retreat participants
- Unlimited coffee, tea, and filtered water
- 63 acres of peaceful oases to wander
- Super cute goats!
Not Included:
- Airfare to/from Asheville (AVL)
- Ground transport to/from retreat
- Travel insurance
- Gratuity (approx. $40-50 USD in total)
- Additional activities, massages, etc.
Accommodations
The photos shown are examples of the 9 rooms, plus loft, in The Lodge. Each room has 1 or 2 beds and all rooms share 4 bathrooms. About 10-11 people total will placed in The Lodge (3 pax/bath). For further info, you can look at the floor plan.
Double Occupancy: $1795/person
Single in Loft: $1795/person
Single Occupancy: $2295/person
Re-imagine how you see yourself and your place in the world.
June 5-10, 2024
Read our Retreat Agreement, as well as the Payment & Cancellation Policy & other tabs below before booking.
Melissa was organized, accommodating and a beautiful person to connect with. She made the retreat exceptional. It was great to be surrounded with like-minded people, as we all felt we could easily open up and genuinely be ourselves.
Melissa sets everyone at ease without fuss. She arranges supportive yoga sessions and encourages adventures out on your own. I never felt rushed or overwhelmed. Lifelong friendships were forged and forever memories engraved on my heart.
Melissa is way more than just a trip organizer, she goes above and beyond to connect people together and creates an atmosphere of open-mindedness with other travelers, local people, and local experiences.
Payment + Cancellation Policy
Read the full policy and terms in our Yoga Retreat Agreement before reserving your spot.
Payment Details
– All deposits are non-refundable/non-transferable.
– Fifty (50) percent of the balance must be paid sixty (60) days before retreat start date.
– Total remaining balance must be paid thirty (30) days before retreat start date.
Trip Cancelled by Participant
If you decide to cancel your trip, the following fees apply and are due at the time we receive written notice of your cancellation.
– More than 60 days before the retreat start date, receive a full refund of your payment, excluding your deposit.
– 31 to 59 days before retreat start date, 75 percent of any payment previously made may be applied to another retreat, excluding your deposit. You will forfeit 25 percent of the price of your retreat, excluding the deposit.
– If you cancel 30 days or less before the retreat start date, you will forfeit your entire payment.
Trip Postponed by MNR Retreat, LLC.
We reserve the right to make reasonable changes to the itinerary or postpone the retreat where deemed advisable for the safety and well-being of participants. If it is necessary to postpone the retreat due to conditions that may be hazardous such as pandemics, weather, political, or any other reason we deem necessary, we reserve the right to postpone said retreat. In this case, 100 percent of all payments will be applied toward the same retreat on future dates.
We reserve the right to cancel any retreat prior to departure in the event that there are too few people booked in which case you will be given a full refund of your full payment, including your deposit. We strongly recommend that you purchase your flight after your retreat is confirmed, which will be no more than 60 days days prior to retreat start date.
You will not be entitled to claim any additional amounts or seek any compensation for any injury, loss, expenses or damage, either direct or consequential, or for any loss of time or inconvenience which may result from such cancellation, including but not limited to visa and passport fees, flights, flight cancellation, and other reservation fees. We strongly encourage and recommend that you purchase travel insurance for your trip.
Getting There + Check-In
Schedule
Day 1 (June 5th)
4:00 – Check-In
5:00 – Gentle Stretch & Opening Circle
7:00 – Welcome Dinner
Day 2 (June 6th)
6:00-7:30 – Self-Guided Sunrise Meditation / Mindful Walk (optional)
7:30-8:30 – Breakfast
9:30-12:00 – Embodied Movement + Ecotherapy (Earth Focus)
12:00-1:00 – Lunch
1:00-4:30 – Downtime (hike, relax, journal, etc.)
4:30-5:30 – Gentle Flow + Restore Yoga
5:30-6:30 – Reflection Circle
6:30-8:00 – Dinner
8:00-9:00 – Self-Guided Sunset Meditation (optional)
Day 3 (June 7th)
6:00-7:30 – Self-Guided Sunrise Meditation / Mindful Walk (optional)
7:30-8:30 – Breakfast
9:30-12:00 – Embodied Movement + Ecotherapy (Water Focus)
12:00-1:00 – Lunch
1:00-4:30 – Downtime (hike, relax, journal, etc.)
4:30-5:30 – Gentle Flow + Restore Yoga
5:30-6:30 – Reflection Circle
6:30-8:00 – Dinner
8:00-9:00 – Sunset Meditation (optional)
Day 4 (June 8th)
6:00-7:30 – Self-Guided Sunrise Meditation / Mindful Walk (optional)
7:30-8:30 – Breakfast
9:30-12:00 – Embodied Movement + Ecotherapy (Fire Focus)
12:00-1:00 – Lunch
1:00-5:00 – Downtime (hike, relax, journal, etc.)
5:00-6:30 – Gentle Flow + Restore Yoga
6:30-7:30 – Dinner
7:30-9:00 – Bonfire (weather permitting)
Day 5 (June 9th)
6:00-7:30 – Self-Guided Sunrise Meditation / Mindful Walk (optional)
7:30-8:30 – Breakfast
9:30-12:00 – Embodied Movement + Ecotherapy (Air Focus)
12:00-1:00 – Lunch
1:00-4:00 – Downtime (hike, relax, journal, etc.)
4:00-5:00 – Gentle Flow + Restore Yoga
5:00-6:30 – Closing Circle
6:30-8:00 – Dinner
8:00-9:00 – Sunset Meditation (optional)
Day 6 (June 10th)
6:00-7:30 – Self-Guided Sunrise Meditation / Mindful Walk (optional)
7:30-8:30 – Breakfast
9:30-10:00 – Final Ecotherapy Closing
10:00-11:00 – Check-out
Weather
Bend of Ivy Lodge is sits at roughly 2000 feet above sea level. Early June can see variable temperatures that may range from low 70s to low 80s during the day and drop down to 50s-60s at night. This time of year receives average rainfall. Plan to pack layers and bring a rain coat.
Food + Dietary Needs
Three (3) meals per day are included in your stay, beginning with dinner on the day of arrival and ending with breakfast on the day of departure. The caterer offers flexibility with dietary needs and can offer meat, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. If you have additional dietary needs, please reach out to discuss.
Alcohol / Drugs / Firearms
We ask that you refrain from consuming alcohol and other drugs during our retreat. This is not for any moral or health reason, but to create a supportive dynamic and have consideration for those who may be recovery. Firearms are NOT allowed on the property.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance to anyone coming from outside of the United States, as healthcare can be extremely expensive. While U.S. participants with health insurance should not need additional medical coverage, you may wish to insure your retreat package, flight, rental car, and any other travel costs.
We don’t recommend a specific company or policy, but we’ve partnered with InsureMyTrip as an affiliate for the best option to compare plans. They have thousands of travel insurance plans, as well as a recommendation engine to help travelers find the right plan. They will also provide support before, during, and after your trip if you should need anything, including help with a claim.
You might consider “Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR) coverage, which will cover your trip in the event you are unable or choose not to attend for any reason. CFAR insurance typically reimburses 50 or 75 percent of your trip cost if you need to cancel for reasons not otherwise covered and requires the following conditions:
- Purchase the policy within 14-21 days of first trip payment.
- Insure all prepaid and non-refundable travel expenses prior to departure.
- Cancel more than 48-72 hours prior to your departure date.
Read the policy terms. If you miss the window for CFAR coverage, you can still buy other policies.
Packing + Stay Tips
Bend of Ivy has compiled a basic packing list, along with a few other tips for your stay.
Resources + Guide Book
Take a look at Bend of Ivy’s Resource & Guide Book of restaurants, sights, and services in the area.
If you’re looking to extend your stay in Asheville, recommended neighborhoods are Downtown Asheville, the River Arts District, West Asheville, and the Montford Historic District.
Physical Accessibility
Unfortunately, the house is not ADA compliant. All rooms require walking up some stairs or a small hill, but there is at least one bathroom on every floor.
Melissa has been teaching yoga to special populations with varying abilities in healthcare settings for 7 years. Her yoga classes are highly accessible to all bodies.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to discuss your needs. My goal is to offer an ADA compliant retreat by the end of 2025.
WiFi / Cell Service
The Lodge is equipped with high speed WiFi and cell service is good with most major carriers.