RADICAL

A Winter Boreal Bliss Yoga Retreat

January 31-February 2, 2025

Deep Portage Learning Center | Hackensack, MN

This retreat is open to all-levels: beginners to seasoned yogis are welcome!

A yoga retreat is an ideal way to become immersed in your already existing yoga practice, or to inspire a lifelong personal journey.

Winter Yoga Retreat at Deep Portage

We love visiting Deep Portage in the depths of winter.

It’s quiet, it’s beautiful, it’s cozy, it’s adventurous, it’s memorable.

As always, we invite you to join us and make this retreat your own.

Leave your serious side at home….

let’s play!

Wear (and do) anything that makes you feel completely rad at anytime.

Bring your best rad snow gear and/or clothing and accessories (thrifted encouraged) and let’s have some good ol’ fashion FUN.

Play is important work for children, but ya know what… it actually is very important for adults too.

What’s included in this experience?

Well, a lot actually.

  • Yoga + meditation sessions: with several class options to choose from you have the opportunity to take A LOT OF YOGA, or hop in for a few.

  • Lodging: 2 nights + 3 days at secluded Deep Portage Learning Center.

  • Silver Creek Sauna Co: a gorgeous mobile wood-fired sauna experience. Stacy Nightwine provides you with a relaxing way to sweat it out.

  • Green Scene Market & Eatery meals: organic food with incredible flavor & appeal. You will LOVE the food.

  • Well Rooted Tea: organic, Minnesota-made, loose-leaf tea. A soothing experience from brewing to sipping.

  • Coffee: don’t leave home without it…am I right? ;)

  • Indoor Rock Climbing Wall: in the heart of our gigantic venue, is an impressive rock climbing wall with 5+ climbing routes. A fun indoor challenge on Saturday afternoon!

  • Hiking: Deep Portage has 11+ miles of trails.

  • Lookout Tower Hike: a stunning 360º view above the trees. Hike to the lookout tower with us at sunrise to start your day with awe.

  • Cross Country Ski + Snowshoes: included in your retreat! Snowshoe at anytime. Join the Saturday afternoon Cross Country Ski guided experience on Deep Portage’s groomed trails OR bring your own skis and head out anytime you’d like.

  • Guided Journaling: we find writing reflection to be an invaluable tool for well-being.

  • Winter Campfire: one of our favorite ways to enjoy winter is a snowy campfire in the woods, under the stars. With no city light pollution - the stars are stunning up north!

  • Secluded Exploration: there are over 6,000 acres of wilderness at Deep Portage Learning Center!

  • But there’s more! We have optional add-on experiences and workshops that you can read more about below! (i.e. massage, art workshops, juice, mocktails, and more)

Your Retreat Experience is Unique

What to Expect

We always try to have a little something extra special up our sleeves.  We pride ourselves in lovingly and uniquely creating each yoga retreat.  Expect top notch yoga sessions, as well as extra special workshop and specialty topic sessions! We will have lots of indoor cozy yoga and meditation sessions + opportunity for outdoor adventure.

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This retreat will focus on FUN, MINDFULNESS, and PLAY!

You can also expect to feel empowered to choose! We want you to choose what feels right to you throughout the weekend, opt in (or out) for yoga sessions, workshops, outdoor winter recreation, and indoor recreation options.

The Food!

Four meals are included in your weekend: Friday dinner, Saturday brunch & dinner, and Sunday breakfast.

All meals catered by The Green Scene: Eatery & Market. Green Scene does food SO WELL! It’s a whole experience of the senses. For real.

Options available for vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free etc. Tea + coffee will also be available. We send out a survey a month prior to learn about any dietary restrictions/allergies.

Optional Add-ons + Workshops

We have so many ideas to enhance your already amazing weekend. Check out your choices below!

Cross Country Skiing

+ Snowshoeing 

Deep Portage Learning Center boasts 11 miles of trails, including several miles of groomed cross country ski trails and snowshoe trails.

Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe rentals are included in your retreat!

You also have the opportunity for a guided cross country ski and tutorial on the beginner ski loop on Saturday afternoon.

Silver Creek Sauna Co.

There is absolutely nothing like enjoying a sauna in a Minnesota winter.

Our very own Stacy Nightwine has an incredible mobile sauna!

We are bringing the Finnish tradition of sauna to invite relaxation, warmth, and wellness to your weekend. Enjoy the power of hot/cold and even take a playful roll in the snow.

Silver Creek Sauna Co. of Two Harbors, MN will be available throughout our weekend.

Read more at: silvercreeksauna.com

Indoor Rock Climbing

A highlight of Deep Portage Learning Center is the indoor rock climbing wall in the heart of the giant facility.

This experience is included in your retreat! On Saturday afternoon you will have the opportunity to rock climb with guidance from the Deep Portage educational team!

Just Juice Pre-Order Packages

All registered retreaters will receive instructions on the option to add juice to their weekend! Pre-order fresh juice, wellnes shots, and kombucha juice (Booch Juice) made by Jami.

  • recipes of juices based on seasonally available produce

  • accommodating of most any allergies as the juices are DF and GF

  • if guests would like larger quantities, option to email directly for even more to take home and enjoy!

Massage Therapy

Add a private massage appointment to your retreat!

Jill Jacobson grew up in northern Minnesota. She went to college for Horticulture, Floral Design, and Massage Therapy. In 2014, she married into the Jacobson family who owns Hiawatha Beach Resort on Steamboat Bay of Leech Lake, 8 miles north of Walker. She is currently a stay-at-home mom of three little ones. Massage is where she finds peace and relaxation; a way to ground herself and connect with the energy of others. Jill has been doing massage for over 10 years.

She loves to be able to provide a modality where people can begin to heal and restore their mind, body, and spirit.

All registered attendees will receive an email 5-8 weeks prior to the event with limited (first come, first serve) specialty appointment reservation opportunities.

Do you have weird (awesome) old coats, hats, and/or accessories hiding in a closet?

Perfect, bring those.

Meet the Team

  • Amanda Imes

    Retreat Leader, Yoga Teacher

    MS, RYT 200, Corepower Yoga Sculpt Certified, Economist

    Amanda is a master at creating a welcoming group space. She teaches vinyasa, while you may be moving fast-paced, she keeps things light, upbeat, and fun. She loves breaking away from strict, straight lines and tapping into creative, fluid movements.

    Amanda is an economist for the State of MN; twice each year she helps produce a forecast of Minnesota’s state General Fund revenues and expenditures for current and future bienniums. Amanda turned to yoga in 2009 to balance stress and anxiety and fell in love with the practice.

    Amanda enjoys reading, hiking, camping, running, working out, laughing, travel, and spending time with her husband and two young children (nearly 4 & 2 years-old).

    Amanda co-owns Boreal Bliss Yoga Retreats. She was certified to teach Yoga Sculpt through CorePower Yoga in 2014. She’s taught around 1,000+ yoga sculpt classes in the past 8 years. She obtained her 200 RYT certification through a 250 hour trauma informed training at the House of the Gathering Yoga School in Duluth.

  • Bryana Cook

    Retreat Leader, Yoga Teacher

    MSW, LICSW, E-RYT 500, YACEP

    Bryana is passionate about pursuing outdoor adventure, and loves to celebrate the benefits of yoga, meditation, breathwork, and nature immersion.

    She enjoys teaching gentle and fluid vinyasa classes. Yoga philosophy and the subtle benefits of consistent practice are elements that she can never learn enough about.

    In addition to co-owning Boreal Bliss, Bryana also owns Northern Yoga and Wellness. She is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISCW).

    Bryana’s husband Dan Ryan is a fishing guide. They live outside of small-town Longville, MN with their two boys (4 & 2 years old), black lab Sunny, and cat Lucy. Entrepreneurial life in the Northwoods suits them!

  • Stacy Nightwine

    Retreat Leader, Yoga Teacher, Sauna Expert

    RYT 200, Yin Certified

    Stacy lives with her husband 10 miles north of Two Harbors with their fur babies: two pups and two kitties. She also has many “outdoor pets”: deer, birds, frogs, and even a moose! Stacy enjoys the simple life and the great outdoors: fishing in both summer and winter, kayaking, and snowshoeing. Her favorite shows are Dateline 20/20 and Golden Girls. She uses essential oils for anything and everything.

    Stacy owns her own yoga business in Two Harbors: Lake Effect Yoga. She also owns Silver Creek Sauna Co. & loves to bring her mobile sauna to retreats!

    Stacy traveled to Isla Mujeres, Mexico in 2019 to complete her 200 hour YTT with Marianne Wells Yoga School. This was a transformational experience for her on many levels. This was her first time traveling out of the country, first time on a plane, and a huge leap to pursue the study of yoga, and continue to to work on a deeper understanding of herself.

  • Elizabeth Sorensen

    Retreat Photographer

    Elizabeth is thrilled to have the opportunity to capture the serenity, self-discovery, & fun that unfolds at Boreal Bliss Retreats!

    While her passion for photography began at a young age, it was in 2010 when she turned her creative outlet into a successful business where she had the privilege of working with many clients, businesses, and families over the years. And while she is no longer taking on new clients, she is excited to have the opportunity to blend her passion for photography with her love for the Boreal Bliss Yoga Retreat community!

    Elizabeth lives in Lino Lakes with her husband Will, their 17 year old daughter Jenna, and sweet old dog Odie. You can find her at Pressed Hot Yoga in Blaine teaching a candlelit class on Tuesday and Thursdays at 8:30! If you attend her class, make sure to introduce yourself, she loves meeting you and connecting with others who love Boreal Bliss as much as she does!

Registration Opens October 6th at 8:00am.

  • A group rate at this retreat includes 3-6 people (we typically only room 3-4 together unless a larger group of 5-6 is requested).

    You can register with a group of your friends, or you can register solo and room with soon-to-be friends. You and your roommates will have an attached bathroom with shower, toilet, and two sinks to yourselves.

  • A semi-private room is for you and a friend, or opt to bring your partner along. You can also register solo and meet a new soon-to-be friend as your roommate. You and your roommate will have an attached bathroom with shower, toilet, and two sinks to yourselves.

  • Opt for a private room and attached bathroom all to yourself! Your private bathroom has a private attached shower, toilet, and two sinks.

  • Enjoy a full weekend retreat experience. Commute to and from your own home/vacation spot in the area. Everything is included except for the lodging.

  • Enjoy a Saturday day retreat experience. Commute to and from your own home/vacation spot in the area. Everything is included for your Saturday experience except for the lodging.

 FAQs

  • Arrivals at 4pm Friday and departures beginning at 10:30am Sunday. You can typically opt to arrive a little earlier than 4pm as well. More details emailed to registered retreaters.

  • 4 yoga classes (with many options to choose from), lodging for 2 nights/3 days, 4 Green Scene Market & Eatery meals, tea & coffee, workshops, indoor climbing wall, 11 miles of trails, meditation, hiking, lookout tower hike, snowshoe/cross country ski rental, journaling experiences, campfire, sauna, over 6,000 acres of wilderness at Deep Portage Learning Center!

  • As part of our ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion in the yoga space, we are offering scholarships to Black, Indigenous, people of color for our fall and winter yoga retreats. Please fill out a BIPOC scholarship application here. Thank you!

  • 6+ weeks notice: $40 fee

    4-6 weeks notice: $80 fee

    6 weeks and less notice : 75% of total amount fee

    14 days or less notice: no refunds available

    We hope that you can appreciate the amount of time, love, and energy we wholeheartedly put into each retreat. Not just during the event, but the many months leading up to it.

    Please note: Our winter venue does not issue refunds due to weather. As such, we are unlikely to cancel the retreat except in a very extreme scenario. In most situations, we hope our guests plan ahead to accommodate Minnesota weather conditions in winter to safely travel to and from the retreat- which may occasionally mean allowing extra travel time.

    In the event of widespread extreme weather, including highway closures, the retreat will be rescheduled. If you are unable to attend the rescheduled weekend, you may be able to receive a partial refund or transfer credit to a future retreat. If the retreat is not cancelled/rescheduled, we will be unable to issue refunds on an individual basis due to the weather.

  • Deep Portage Learning Center is located amongst 6,000 acres of preserved wilderness.

    Address: 2197 Nature Drive NW Hackensack, MN 56452

  • Check your emails! Approximately 5-8 weeks prior to the weekend, we send you an email with important information regarding your weekend retreat including a detailed itinerary, FAQ, pre-retreat survey with roommate requests, dietary needs, and more. Your timely response is important! Thank you!