Background: my first “real job” after graduating from St. Olaf was in Austin and I consider it my first international living experience. There, I learned to speak Texan, muddle my way through a two-step, and hoot/holler properly at a rodeo. I also embraced a slower pace, margarita work lunches, and clocking out at precisely 5 pm. My bosses at one of Austin’s largest credit unions also called me “Shaila-belle” and explained it was bad for morale if other employees saw me working late.
I am pleased to announce I have a gem of a rental which I’m calling The Yoga Fun House! As usual, I have some colorful boots-on-the-ground characters to help us settle in for an authentic slice of Central Texan Life. Frankly, that’s what you won’t find on other retreats. I usually do retreats in locations where I’ve lived and/or know people. I bring the local flavor so you can go beyond the tourist trade and interact with locals. That said, If you’d rather go shopping, that’s up to you– but you’ll miss out!
The thing about Austin: you could drive it. It’s a long drive, but an easy one. You won’t have trouble finding a hotel en route, just pulling off the road when you get tired. The weather can be fantastic in early March and it leaves my schedule open for Cherry Blossoms in Japan come April if need be.
“Yee-Haw Yoga Retreat” includes the usual: big breakfasts, yoga in the AM and heavy hors d’oeuvres with drinks in the PM. Snacks and beverages (alcoholic/non) all day. All yoga, drinks, breakfasts, and PM apps are included in the price. This retreat is “yoga forward,” meaning we’d have at least 2 hours of daily yoga, likely in the AM. Additional opportunities, say pool yoga, or PM yin yoga would be woven into the schedule based on interest.
The location of this property is what makes it so compelling. The walking score is pretty good as it’s adjacent to the SOCO (Southern Congress) area full of cool shops, restaurants, galleries, etc. Good access to bike/hiking trails nearby around Zilker Park, Barton Springs, Ladybird Lake. Many of Austins cool spots are accessible via walking or Uber.
Potential activities:
1)Yoga on the Enchanted Rock, followed by fantastic German fare in Frederiksburg
2) Horseback riding, hiking, exploring in the hill country
3) Austin’s Answer to Saturday Night Live, Esther’s Follies
4) Swimming in Barton Springs (stays 60+ degrees year-round) March could be 60-80 degrees–never know!
5) Day trip to WACO for HGTV fans (Magnolia).
6) Lostsa LIVE music–rock, blues, country, jazz…
7) Shopping, art galleries, and nearby wine-tasting facility.
8) Possible rugby match the first Saturday: 2 rival Austin teams square off.
9) GOLF?! Joe would love to hit the links.
10) Pickleball. It’s OK if you don’t know how. I can teach you in an hour!
11) Oh–and The Alamo–I almost forgot! San Antonio Riverwalk is only an hour’s drive.
The cost would shake out to @ $1500 per person,DBL OCCUPANCY, for 7 nights. This is just an estimate, so email me at shailayoga @ gmail.com for exact pricing. In any case, plan on a bit more if you want the Master Suite, a bit less if you’d be interested in bunking it. As this is a more urban situation (tho’ not downtown) there are no ensuite bathrooms beyond the master. If that’s an issue, I recommend snagging the master suite. There will then be 2 bathrooms shared between approx. 6 people. That means pack your bathroom caddie and spa robe so you can pretend you’re in college. This property gets rave reviews and no one has mentioned bathrooms being an issue.
While the hill country is beautiful, Austin proper is where the action is. This would be the week right before SXSW. You could extend your trip to stay if you’d like. I’m surprised this property is even available, so I need to figure it out fast if we have enough. AGAIN, pricing is DOUBLE OCCUPANCY (or triple if bunking). No worries if you have a non-yoga-trailing spouse: plenty of golf courses and other activities.
Something new: I’m starting a $150 Guest Fee for your +1’s new to YogaHotDish. This is for few reasons. First, they tend to see things “transactionally” as we don’t have a student-teacher relationship yet. Also, your +1’s haven’t done my yoga classes so it’s more energy/ effort on my end. Secondly, it’s important for +1’s to realize that they are, in fact, guests. We hope they’ll “join the club” and be with us on future Bold Ventures; that said, this club isn’t for everyone –and that’s OK!
Rooms as follows. Contact me for exact photos and prices.
2 bedrooms w/ one queen bed each (rooms are mirror image, 2nd floor) $3200 per room (1-2 people)
1 master w/ King and ensuite. Desk for those on a working holiday! Large ensuite soaking tub. When and if you share that w/ the group is entirely up to you! $3500 (1-2 people)
1 additional bedroom w/ King Bed, first floor, off the kitchen. $3200 (1-2 people).
BUNK ROOM w/ adjacent sitting area! ($1400 per person, based on triple occupancy).
What now? We’ll you gotta holler back. This retreat has very little lead time! shailayoga @ gmail.com