Straight from the Yogi's mouth...
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“This was my third retreat with Kahty, and it exceeded my expectations once again. Iceland is a beautiful setting for yoga and an outstanding location for adventure. Kathy's retreats are truly unparalleled and you will not regret this trip of a lifetime."
Alexandra
May 2022 / Toronto / Iceland Retreat
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“Having never attended a yoga retreat before, I wasn't sure what to expect from Kathy and Iceland. Would I be the least flexible person in the studio? I haven't done much yoga since covid started, so I was definitely uncertain how this would go, but my time in Iceland with Kathy exceeded every expectation I could've had. Kathy is an amazing teacher who matches the energy of the room, her playlists are legendary for a reason, and I can honestly say I've never felt so comfortable or had so much fun in a yoga class. But even more so, Kathy is a wonderful person and a great travel companion. We went all over Iceland, hiking, horseback riding, and checking out lagoons, and she added to every experience, was fun and easy to be around, and made our trip that much more amazing."
Elizabeth
May 2022 / Texas / Iceland Retreat
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“The Iceland retreat was an awesome and unforgettable experience. The careful planning, energy, and thoughtfulness that Kathy brought to all of the yoga classes made them inclusive and empowering for all levels. The excursions went way above and beyond your usual group travel experience, and included personalized touches from a wonderful local guide, with deep connection to the spiritual and magical aspects of the land, and a lot of hidden gems an average tourist would never discover, all in a gorgeous setting. It was a perfect balance of movement, mindfulness, and adventure with a great group. I highly recommend this trip!"
Thank you thank you thank you!
Allison
Allison
August 2021 / Toronto / Iceland Retreat
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"I had an amazing time! Thank you for all of your hard work, and attention to every detail of the retreat. You gave us all an incredible gift - an adventure to remember for life! I truly enjoyed the yoga! You create such a calm, fun, open yoga experience for participants at all levels."
Kim
May 2022 / Winnipeg / Iceland Retreat
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Kathy is an exceptional host. She put together an itinerary that accommodated all levels of fitness and adventure. Through her support and encouragement, Kathy helped everyone achieve a personal best; both on the mat and in our souls. Her humour, wisdom and kindness set the tone for what was an amazing trip, I will be looking to join her on adventures again.
Sandra
November 2019 / Toronto / Cabarete Retreat
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Restored and recentered — Kathy’s retreat in Lake Louise was an experience which exceeded my expectations on every level. A skilled teacher and motivator, Kathy tunes into each participants’ ability and coaches them to find and challenge their individual edge; along with Kathy’s mindfulness meditation workshop and practice, I came away feeling stronger physically and mentally prepared to incorporate mindfulness into the whirl of everyday madness. Accompanied by the stunning backdrop of Lake Louise, exceptional accommodation and meals at Chateau Lake Louise, hiking the Rockies, and a great group dynamic - Kathy is authentic, dynamic and fun, and worked hard in creating a memorable journey for all. My best yoga & meditation experience yet - I highly recommend Kathy’s retreats.
Judy
October 2019 / Toronto / Lake Louise Retreat
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It was such a wonderful time, Kathy. Thank you for working so hard to put together a retreat that I can confidently say every single person loved. I will never forget the sights I saw from the top of the mountain, or the thrill of cantering through a river on horseback! Not to mention I loved kick-starting the day with my favourite yoga class followed by a yummy breakfast! It was really what I needed to sort myself out a bit and get my head back in the game. My only suggestion is next time make it longer :)
Erica
July 2019 / Toronto / Ireland Retreat
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The yoga week in Crete with Kathy has been really a healing time for me. It was highly timely since I am in a transition period in my life. I have been doing different kinds of yoga and meditation and trying to understand and internalize the philosophy behind all of this for three years. I have had a chance to enhance what I have been practicing in this one-week intense retreat in a beautiful venue. Starting the day with a brief meditation session (facing the Mediterranean Sea) followed by a highly energizing flow in the mornings reminded us how mind, body and spirit are all one and inseparable. In the late afternoons, integration of rather slower flows, yin and restorative poses, as well as the chats that followed classes provided some food for thought in terms of the spiritual aspect of yoga and led to some inner journey. Personally, my perception on the matters that I have been working on for some time has changed and I feel empowered. I am glad I have done it.
Thanks a million for the great dynamics and energy you have created for the group, Kathy.
Looking forward to Cuba!
Thanks a million for the great dynamics and energy you have created for the group, Kathy.
Looking forward to Cuba!
Zeynep
July 2019 / Toronto / Greece Retreat
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Kathy’s Ireland retreat is a salve for the body and spirit. I’m a big fan of Kathy and daily yoga practices with her while living in the beautiful Irish countryside was amazing! Having the opportunity to also go for hikes and ride horses in such a scenic part of the country made the retreat even more special. Pilates instructor Lou Lynne amplified the experience even further with her challenging, expert instruction and her kind, fun-loving nature. The retreat was a great balance of yoga and other activities along with a lot of fun and laughter. I came back feeling so content!
Samantha
July 2019 / Toronto / Ireland Retreat
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I have been back from Cuba just over a week and I am still feeling so lit up! I am so grateful for all of the great teachers that have come into my life! Inspire means to excite, encourage or breathe life into and I feel touched in all of these ways. Kathy Parsons - an amazing storyteller who made me laugh, yet was so open and vulnerable incorporating all into to her yoga teachings and life . Eduardo Pimental - the Godfather of yoga who has such a gentle presence with so much wisdom, insight and determination to spread his teaching. Francesca Salvini (Kiki) - always smiling and so charismatic while guiding an extraordinarily talented team. And to all my fellow guests, thank you all for being a light in my life and creating an incredibly beautiful memory that I will treasure close to my heart!
Brenda
February 2019 / Victoria / Cuba Retreat
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What an incredible experience. I’ve wanted to go on a yoga retreat for many years and I am happy to say that Kathy’s retreat met and exceeded all my hopes and expectations. The trip was a true immersion in the Cuban culture after which I don’t think I could go back to a boring resort vacation. The food was insanely good. All nourishing, organic foods were truly made with love. I don’t think I’ve ever gone back for so many seconds in my life. And at the centre of it all were the yoga practices. Kathy put together an excellent program of flow and restorative classes. Doing the yoga outside was such an incredible experience. Watching the stars come out while resting in restorative poses…I don’t even know how to describe how relaxing that was. Kathy was also really great at reading the group, knowing when we needed a slower flow or when we were energized for a challenge. And the Vinales trip with the sunrise hike is by far one of my coolest travel experiences. I will definitely be going again.
Rachal
February 2019 / Toronto / Cuba Retreat
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- Kathy is a fabulous yoga instructor – dedicated, innovative, warm and very professional. What an absolute pleasure it was to begin every day with her classes (I'm still in withdrawal). They strike a perfect balance between energetic and restorative, all set to amazing music (none of those generic yoga tracks some instructors rely on) and in the most beautiful setting, looking out at the ocean and feeling its constant breeze. Kathy believes in the power of a great retreat and works very hard to ensure her students have a wonderful experience.
Cyndi
November 2017 / Toronto / Cuba Retreat
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Highly recommend doing this retreat, I did it last January and had an amazing time! Kathy produced a schedule that was the perfect balance between yoga, health and enjoyment of the Cuban culture. In addition, I met some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. Overall, one of the most memorable trips of my life to date. ;)
Cuba Retreat, January 2016
Cuba Retreat, January 2016
Brook
June 2016 / Montreal / Cuba Retreat
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If anyone’s interested in practicing yoga in a Cuban paradise - or elsewhere for that matter! I’d thoroughly recommend my amazing friend Kathy Parsons at Retreat Insider. I learnt more about yoga & grew so much in myself & my practice in just a week. A true professional & a beautiful human being! Thanks Kathy!
Sue
April 2018 / England / Cuba Retreat
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My retreat with Kathy came at the perfect time in my life. I was at a crossroads with regards to my career and personal life, and I knew a week away was what I needed. At the retreat not only did I learn new postures allowing me to deepen my yoga practice, I also learned how to better mentally prepare myself for challenges I would inevitably face off the mat. Kathy seamlessly wove in mindfulness training and meditation that has allowed me to very easily carry the learnings from the week into my daily life. We can't always break into yoga poses in public, but we can take 5 minutes to breathe in and out and recenter our thoughts. This was my first yoga retreat, and I could not have picked a better person. I am counting down the days when I can join Kathy for my next one!
Greece Retreat, July 2017
Greece Retreat, July 2017
Maya
July 2017 / Minnesota / Greece Retreat
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Authentic, Intuitive and Fun
I had the pleasure of attending yoga retreat in Cuba lead by Kathy Parsons which far exceeded my expectations. Kathy has a very balanced and well rounded approach to yoga which can benefit anyone regardless of experience or fitness level. Her humour and relaxed approach creates a very comfortable atmosphere while her experience and knowledge of yoga helps each of her students grow and improve. Kathy demonstrated a great deal of patience, caring and love for yoga and a week at her retreat has inspired me to engage in my practice more consistently. My experience with Kathy has been my best yoga experience to date. I highly recommend a retreat with her.
I had the pleasure of attending yoga retreat in Cuba lead by Kathy Parsons which far exceeded my expectations. Kathy has a very balanced and well rounded approach to yoga which can benefit anyone regardless of experience or fitness level. Her humour and relaxed approach creates a very comfortable atmosphere while her experience and knowledge of yoga helps each of her students grow and improve. Kathy demonstrated a great deal of patience, caring and love for yoga and a week at her retreat has inspired me to engage in my practice more consistently. My experience with Kathy has been my best yoga experience to date. I highly recommend a retreat with her.
Peter
Germany / June 2016/ Cuba Retreat
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The Cuba retreat this April with Kathy exceeded all my expectations. A beautiful location, good food, a great group of people and fantastic yoga.
Kathy is a wonderful teacher; she leads her classes with clear instructions, correct positioning and makes hands-on adjustments as needed. She pushed us all to our own personal edge, making the retreat both accessible for beginners and challenging for more intermediate yogis. My practice became much stronger in a week thanks to her guidance.
During the retreat there were opportunities to visit Havana, tour an organic farm, learn salsa, and plenty of time to spend on the beach.
I left the retreat feeling both relaxed and energized. I can't wait to go back!
Kathy is a wonderful teacher; she leads her classes with clear instructions, correct positioning and makes hands-on adjustments as needed. She pushed us all to our own personal edge, making the retreat both accessible for beginners and challenging for more intermediate yogis. My practice became much stronger in a week thanks to her guidance.
During the retreat there were opportunities to visit Havana, tour an organic farm, learn salsa, and plenty of time to spend on the beach.
I left the retreat feeling both relaxed and energized. I can't wait to go back!
Alison
Toronto / April 2018 / Cuba Retreat
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I was both nervous and excited about attending the yoga & fitness retreat in Cabarete. I hadn't worked out regularly in years. I did an extra class with Kathy before the program started, and it gave me the confidence boost I needed to jump into classes with everyone else.
Kathy and Daryl were wonderful guides throughout the entire week. It's hard to imaging doing a similar retreat with anyone else! Kathy is kind and encouraging, with so much positive, infectious energy. She really made me feel good about myself and my new yoga practice. And Daryl's tough love and never-ending smile helped me excel in the fitness sessions... I was surprised by what I could do!
It was obvious a lot of thought and heart went into planning the retreat. For me, the mindfulness and attention to energy centers were as valuable as the physical fitness. It was great to have healthy, organic meal options from the local self-sustaining farm. And I loved being on this journey with others... I made many new friends!
The entire experience has inspired me to again make fitness and meditation an important part of my life, and I left with some tips and recommendations from both Kathy & Daryl on how best to start that journey.
Kathy and Daryl were wonderful guides throughout the entire week. It's hard to imaging doing a similar retreat with anyone else! Kathy is kind and encouraging, with so much positive, infectious energy. She really made me feel good about myself and my new yoga practice. And Daryl's tough love and never-ending smile helped me excel in the fitness sessions... I was surprised by what I could do!
It was obvious a lot of thought and heart went into planning the retreat. For me, the mindfulness and attention to energy centers were as valuable as the physical fitness. It was great to have healthy, organic meal options from the local self-sustaining farm. And I loved being on this journey with others... I made many new friends!
The entire experience has inspired me to again make fitness and meditation an important part of my life, and I left with some tips and recommendations from both Kathy & Daryl on how best to start that journey.
Bonnie
Seattle / February 2018 / Cabarete Retreat
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I was pretty nervous that attending this retreat the second time around would somehow change all the amazing memories I had from the first one, but all it did was just double all those memories because this one was just as amazing as the first one. I already can't wait until the next time!
Julia
New York / April & September 2017 / Catskills Retreat
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I went on my 2nd yoga retreat in Cuba in April ’16.
Our teacher, Kathy Parsons, was a big reason for a life changing experience.
Kathy is a playful and unbelievably talented yoga teacher.
Her deep love for Yoga is present in every minute of her teachings.
Our teacher, Kathy Parsons, was a big reason for a life changing experience.
Kathy is a playful and unbelievably talented yoga teacher.
Her deep love for Yoga is present in every minute of her teachings.
Manuela
Los Angeles / April 2016 / Cuba Retreat
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Kathy is my favorite yoga teacher!!
I've practiced various styles of yoga for about 13 years, but Kathy is the first teacher who ever made yoga personal for me. For the first time, I experienced the connection of mind, body, breath, and spirit, and it changed the way I view yoga forever.
Kathy is so much fun, funny, and friendly in class, and at the same time, teaches in a very loving way. Each of our classes started with a focus on one of the 7 chakras, then flowed through a physical practice with an emphasis on form, and breath.
After seven classes, I saw a change in the definition of my abs, improvements in my posture, and a relaxing of tension that I had been carrying all year in my shoulders.
I live in NYC and I miss Kathy's classes so much!
I've practiced various styles of yoga for about 13 years, but Kathy is the first teacher who ever made yoga personal for me. For the first time, I experienced the connection of mind, body, breath, and spirit, and it changed the way I view yoga forever.
Kathy is so much fun, funny, and friendly in class, and at the same time, teaches in a very loving way. Each of our classes started with a focus on one of the 7 chakras, then flowed through a physical practice with an emphasis on form, and breath.
After seven classes, I saw a change in the definition of my abs, improvements in my posture, and a relaxing of tension that I had been carrying all year in my shoulders.
I live in NYC and I miss Kathy's classes so much!
Elizabeth
January 2016 / New York / Cuba Retreat
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Loved the retreat!
Kathy is very friendly, outgoing, open-minded and enlightening with yoga teaching.
We spent one full week, focusing each day on a particular chakra, starting with the root and working our way up!
She's excellent with explaining philosophy behind some of the poses and techniques, sharing her experience and ensuring each yogi is posing properly with good form.
She includes some light humour making the class and story telling with the group very engaging. It's a joyful positive experience and I look forward to more with Kathy!
Kathy is very friendly, outgoing, open-minded and enlightening with yoga teaching.
We spent one full week, focusing each day on a particular chakra, starting with the root and working our way up!
She's excellent with explaining philosophy behind some of the poses and techniques, sharing her experience and ensuring each yogi is posing properly with good form.
She includes some light humour making the class and story telling with the group very engaging. It's a joyful positive experience and I look forward to more with Kathy!
Christina
January 2016 / Toronto / Cuba Retreat
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Kathy is an amazing yoga teacher with a lovely sense of humour. She is very attentive and dedicated to all her students, and with her tasteful music tracks makes a challenging class feel really easy. Kathy is very friendly in her approach, yet her expectations are clear and consistent, which makes one achieve and a bit more in every class.
Kathy is warm and inspiring with a beautiful smile and heart. Every moment spent learning from her was a blessing. I had a lot of fun adventures with Kathy at the excursions. I look forward to joining more of Kathy's yoga retreats in the future. Namaste!
Kathy is warm and inspiring with a beautiful smile and heart. Every moment spent learning from her was a blessing. I had a lot of fun adventures with Kathy at the excursions. I look forward to joining more of Kathy's yoga retreats in the future. Namaste!
Kim
July 2017 / England / Greece Retreat
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I was both nervous and excited about attending the yoga & fitness retreat in Cabarete. I hadn't worked out regularly in years, and missed doing the planned prep Kathy & I discussed due to a lengthy flu. I did an extra class with her there, before the program started, and it gave me the confidence boost I needed to jump into classes with everyone else.
Kathy and Daryl were wonderful guides throughout the entire week. It's hard to imaging doing a similar retreat with anyone else! Kathy is kind and encouraging, with so much positive, infectious energy. She really made me feel good about myself and my new yoga practice. And Daryl's tough love and never-ending smile helped me excel in the fitness sessions... I was surprised by what I could do!
It was obvious a lot of thought and heart went into planning the retreat. For me, the mindfulness and attention to energy centers were as valuable as the physical fitness. It was great to have healthy, organic meal options from the local self-sustaining farm. And I loved being on this journey with others... I made many new friends!
The entire experience has inspired me to again make fitness and meditation an important part of my life, and I left with some tips and recommendations from both Kathy & Daryl on how best to start that journey.
Kathy and Daryl were wonderful guides throughout the entire week. It's hard to imaging doing a similar retreat with anyone else! Kathy is kind and encouraging, with so much positive, infectious energy. She really made me feel good about myself and my new yoga practice. And Daryl's tough love and never-ending smile helped me excel in the fitness sessions... I was surprised by what I could do!
It was obvious a lot of thought and heart went into planning the retreat. For me, the mindfulness and attention to energy centers were as valuable as the physical fitness. It was great to have healthy, organic meal options from the local self-sustaining farm. And I loved being on this journey with others... I made many new friends!
The entire experience has inspired me to again make fitness and meditation an important part of my life, and I left with some tips and recommendations from both Kathy & Daryl on how best to start that journey.
Renée
February 2018 / Montreal / Cabarete Retreat
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Going on a retreat can be a intimidating to someone especially if you've never done it before. I was nervous about my first yoga retreat, the idea of meeting new people stepping out of my comfort zone and being away from family weighed heavily on my mind. But, I can honestly say all those feelings stopped the moment I met my bright lighted yoga teacher Kathy Parsons who was just DYNAMIC and a pure pleasure to be around.
Kathy is a beautiful spirit, with tons of knowledge and made sure that every student had the best experience in her awesome classes.
I am grateful for the time I had at the retreat, and I plan on taking more classes with Kathy in the future. I've met a lifetime friend and fantastic yoga teacher in one. #grateful
Kathy is a beautiful spirit, with tons of knowledge and made sure that every student had the best experience in her awesome classes.
I am grateful for the time I had at the retreat, and I plan on taking more classes with Kathy in the future. I've met a lifetime friend and fantastic yoga teacher in one. #grateful
Robyyn
April 2016 / Los Angeles / Cuba Retreat
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Kathy is on a journey of grace, light, happiness and connection. If you have a chance to share this walk with her, do it. Her teaching is amazing and her style is a perfect balance between relaxation and challenge. Plus she is one of the funniest people I have ever met. Being around her is just wonderful! It's impossible to not like her! Whether you are a long time practitioner or a beginner you will find what you are looking for.
Valerie
June 2016 / Montreal / Cuba Retreat
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An amazing retreat!
Kathy incorporates a harmonious ambiance by way of her music choice, which reflects each segment of practice in an a creative way. Her choice of poses add flow and rejuvenation to the mind, body and spirit, where one feels awakened. What is more, Kathy applies essential oils to each member during savasana which creates a sense of warmth and comfort while the body relaxes, as well as stimulates the senses of the chakras.
She intuitively coaches each individual to ease a little deeper into their pose, which gives one purpose and challenge. Kathy enables one to take their own direction within the practice, which depends on the learners level of experience and which enables everyone to feel as they are a part of the group.
Her teaching has been a blessing to me.
Kathy incorporates a harmonious ambiance by way of her music choice, which reflects each segment of practice in an a creative way. Her choice of poses add flow and rejuvenation to the mind, body and spirit, where one feels awakened. What is more, Kathy applies essential oils to each member during savasana which creates a sense of warmth and comfort while the body relaxes, as well as stimulates the senses of the chakras.
She intuitively coaches each individual to ease a little deeper into their pose, which gives one purpose and challenge. Kathy enables one to take their own direction within the practice, which depends on the learners level of experience and which enables everyone to feel as they are a part of the group.
Her teaching has been a blessing to me.
Roberta
April 2016 / Toronto / Cuba Retreat
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It’s hard to imagine that The Kaaterskill is only 120 miles away from New York City. From the moment you pull into the gates, you are instantly transported into a land that feels a million miles away. My wife and I first experienced The Kaaterskill back in April when we attended this very same retreat.
We left the first retreat thinking there was no way it would ever be as good if we attended a second time around, but boy were we wrong. The moment we found out that Kathy and Mary were hosting the retreat again in September we immediately signed up. Arriving at
The Kaaterskill on Thursday afternoon is a bit surreal. You pull up and park and the first thing you might notice is the idyllic tranquility of the place. The brick red buildings are faded, but still stand stark against the green grass and blue sky. The grounds are neat, but not perfect. The “Guest Entrance” sign can be a bit hard to miss, but you’ll soon find your way through the trellis and into the main guest house. The main guest house has six guest rooms, a couple of common space rooms and my favorite room of all which is the full kitchen and dining area. Upon arriving, you are shown to your guest room (we actually got to pick our room this last go around!) and depending on what time you arrive you probably have some time to go exploring before the first yoga class of the retreat.
If you are wondering what to pack, my suggestion would be tons of your favorite yoga clothes and maybe a pair of jeans and a sweater if you want to do a quick wardrobe change before dinner one night. If you decided to only wear your yoga clothes all weekend, trust me you will fit right in with the rest of the group.
One of the many magical things about The Kaaterskill property is that you and your fellow yogi’s are the only ones there (sans the grounds keeper and property manager.) It’s hard to describe, but without any additional guests or activities going on around you it feels like you actually are living there and for those brief few days it feels like home.
The property is also home to a couple dozen farm animals, so if you ever wondered what it feels like to wake up to a rooster crowing this is your chance. The retreat itinerary is pretty simple – yoga, eat, relax, (maybe more yoga) eat, relax, yoga, eat, relax, and sleep. Let’s start with what most people would say is probably the most important activity of the retreat and that is the yoga (I mean, it is a yoga retreat.)
My wife and I had been attending Mary Horne’s classes here in Manhattan for about two years before we attended the first retreat back in April, so we were already very familiar with her and her teaching style.
On the flip side, the first time we met Kathy Parsons was back in April when we attended the retreat the first time around and we had no idea what to expect. Kathy and Mary complement each other well – Kathy teaching the evening yoga classes and Mary the morning classes. The evening yoga classes start around 5:30 pm and take place in “the barn” or somewhere outside on the property.
The barn is basically just a wooden structure that opens up overlooking the pond and tree line and is perfect for a yoga class. It was even more magical this time as they still had string lights and a chandelier hanging in the barn as the property is mostly used for weddings throughout the summer months.
Kathy’s evening classes typically last close to 90 minutes and will be a mix of a vinyasa flow, followed by a yin practice and maybe even some meditation. Overall Kathy is a wonderful, gracious instructor and makes something as scary as meditation seem easy and accessible. Mary Horne leads the morning classes which last at least 75 minutes and would be classified as strong vinyasa flow.
Starting at 8 am, these morning classes will make you sweat but will also energize you for the day ahead. Mary is an inspirational and beautiful instructor, but completely grounded and down to earth.
Kathy and Mary are both very generous with their yoga knowledge and this retreat is perfect for those of you who want/need a little extra attention. Besides doing a ton of yoga, you also spend a lot of time eating. I know this sounds a bit counterproductive, but wait I haven’t told you about Emmett Moeller. Who is Emmett you ask? Well Emmett is a chef and a very special one at that. Remember how I mentioned the kitchen and dining area as being my favorite in the guest house? It’s all due to this guy and his amazing cooking. Emmett has this spectacular ability to make meals that are not only extremely healthy, but that also tastes good and looks like something straight out of your favorite cooking magazine. My wife loves to cook and she has now come away both times inspired by Emmett and all of his amazing dishes.
If the weather is nice, you can expect to eat dinner outside. Think rustic old furniture, candlelight and seasonal floral arrangements all while watching the sun set and farm animals grazing in the open. The long weekend goes by too fast and it’s a bit heartbreaking when you have to say goodbye to your fellow retreaters, but you will feel strong, well fed, and hopefully super relaxed.
All in all, worth every penny and we can’t wait to do it all over again.
We left the first retreat thinking there was no way it would ever be as good if we attended a second time around, but boy were we wrong. The moment we found out that Kathy and Mary were hosting the retreat again in September we immediately signed up. Arriving at
The Kaaterskill on Thursday afternoon is a bit surreal. You pull up and park and the first thing you might notice is the idyllic tranquility of the place. The brick red buildings are faded, but still stand stark against the green grass and blue sky. The grounds are neat, but not perfect. The “Guest Entrance” sign can be a bit hard to miss, but you’ll soon find your way through the trellis and into the main guest house. The main guest house has six guest rooms, a couple of common space rooms and my favorite room of all which is the full kitchen and dining area. Upon arriving, you are shown to your guest room (we actually got to pick our room this last go around!) and depending on what time you arrive you probably have some time to go exploring before the first yoga class of the retreat.
If you are wondering what to pack, my suggestion would be tons of your favorite yoga clothes and maybe a pair of jeans and a sweater if you want to do a quick wardrobe change before dinner one night. If you decided to only wear your yoga clothes all weekend, trust me you will fit right in with the rest of the group.
One of the many magical things about The Kaaterskill property is that you and your fellow yogi’s are the only ones there (sans the grounds keeper and property manager.) It’s hard to describe, but without any additional guests or activities going on around you it feels like you actually are living there and for those brief few days it feels like home.
The property is also home to a couple dozen farm animals, so if you ever wondered what it feels like to wake up to a rooster crowing this is your chance. The retreat itinerary is pretty simple – yoga, eat, relax, (maybe more yoga) eat, relax, yoga, eat, relax, and sleep. Let’s start with what most people would say is probably the most important activity of the retreat and that is the yoga (I mean, it is a yoga retreat.)
My wife and I had been attending Mary Horne’s classes here in Manhattan for about two years before we attended the first retreat back in April, so we were already very familiar with her and her teaching style.
On the flip side, the first time we met Kathy Parsons was back in April when we attended the retreat the first time around and we had no idea what to expect. Kathy and Mary complement each other well – Kathy teaching the evening yoga classes and Mary the morning classes. The evening yoga classes start around 5:30 pm and take place in “the barn” or somewhere outside on the property.
The barn is basically just a wooden structure that opens up overlooking the pond and tree line and is perfect for a yoga class. It was even more magical this time as they still had string lights and a chandelier hanging in the barn as the property is mostly used for weddings throughout the summer months.
Kathy’s evening classes typically last close to 90 minutes and will be a mix of a vinyasa flow, followed by a yin practice and maybe even some meditation. Overall Kathy is a wonderful, gracious instructor and makes something as scary as meditation seem easy and accessible. Mary Horne leads the morning classes which last at least 75 minutes and would be classified as strong vinyasa flow.
Starting at 8 am, these morning classes will make you sweat but will also energize you for the day ahead. Mary is an inspirational and beautiful instructor, but completely grounded and down to earth.
Kathy and Mary are both very generous with their yoga knowledge and this retreat is perfect for those of you who want/need a little extra attention. Besides doing a ton of yoga, you also spend a lot of time eating. I know this sounds a bit counterproductive, but wait I haven’t told you about Emmett Moeller. Who is Emmett you ask? Well Emmett is a chef and a very special one at that. Remember how I mentioned the kitchen and dining area as being my favorite in the guest house? It’s all due to this guy and his amazing cooking. Emmett has this spectacular ability to make meals that are not only extremely healthy, but that also tastes good and looks like something straight out of your favorite cooking magazine. My wife loves to cook and she has now come away both times inspired by Emmett and all of his amazing dishes.
If the weather is nice, you can expect to eat dinner outside. Think rustic old furniture, candlelight and seasonal floral arrangements all while watching the sun set and farm animals grazing in the open. The long weekend goes by too fast and it’s a bit heartbreaking when you have to say goodbye to your fellow retreaters, but you will feel strong, well fed, and hopefully super relaxed.
All in all, worth every penny and we can’t wait to do it all over again.
Timothy
NYC / Kaaterskill Retreat, September 2017
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