This day is yours.
Because something shifts when you step out of your everyday life and into nature. Your shoulders drop. Your breath deepens. The noise in your head starts to soften.
That's what this day is about — not another thing to manage, not another person to show up for. Just you, moving your body in the open air, making something with your hands, sitting still long enough to actually hear yourself think. And sharing a meal with people who get it.
You'll drive home Sunday evening feeling lighter, calmer, and quietly proud of yourself for saying yes.

Most wellness days ask you to choose — move your body or slow down or make something. This one doesn't.
Yoga releases what's held in the body. Art gives it somewhere to go.
That combination is rare. And it's why this day does something that a yoga class alone — or an art workshop alone — can't quite reach. You arrive carrying the weight of your week. You move, you breathe, you make something beautiful with your hands. And somewhere between the flow and the indigo dye and the shared meal in the open air, something shifts.
You don't just feel better. You feel more like yourself.
Add a small group of people who get it, a setting that does half the work just by being beautiful, and a day that's entirely planned so you don't have to think — and you have something genuinely rare.
A day that's yours, from start to finish.

Art invites us into presence, curiosity, and letting go of perfection, all of which are very much part of the yoga practice too.
What You’ll Leave With
Something beautiful, unique, and made by you.
And maybe also a reminder that it does not have to be perfect to be beautiful.
Learn more about why I included an indigo art workshop in this retreat.

For this retreat, I invited River, a Japanese American mixed media artist, to lead a beautiful indigo dye + shibori workshop.
She makes the process feel simple, fun, and completely doable.
If you have been craving more creativity in your life, but it never quite happens because it feels messy or overwhelming, this is for you.
No need to buy supplies. No need to know where to start. Just show up and enjoy the process.
We will explore shibori, the Japanese art of folding, tying, wrapping, or clamping fabric before dipping it into indigo dye.
The best part is the reveal: opening your piece and seeing the beautiful patterns appear.


You will be able to dye 2 to 3 pieces.
River will bring one item for you to work with, and you are welcome to bring a few of your own too.
Good options: a kitchen towel, pillowcase, T-shirt, or a simple summer dress.
One important note: your items need to be 100% natural material, like cotton or linen.

You do not need to be good at art.
This is about enjoying the experience, trying something new, and leaving with something beautiful you made with your own hands.
You’ll love this Yoga, Art, and Nature Retreat if you’re:
You're craving a day to slow down and step away from the noise of everyday life
You want to move your body, create with your hands, and spend time in nature — all in one day
You're feeling overstimulated or disconnected and need space to reset
You're curious and open — no yoga or art experience needed, just a willingness to show up


9:00 AM | Arrive & Settle In
Arrive, take in the beauty of the surroundings, and give yourself a moment to land. Ease into the day with a tea station, the warmth of the fire, and space to simply exhale.
9:30 AM | Active Yoga + Vinyasa Flow
Begin with a grounding yoga practice to help you arrive in your body, connect with your breath, and move in a way that feels good.
11:30 AM | Shared Lunch
Enjoy a nourishing vegetarian meal together, with time to relax, connect, and simply be present.
12:30 PM | Art Experience
A hands-on art experience designed to spark creativity, presence, and joy. No experience is needed, just a willingness to explore. This session will be guided by a real-life artist.
2:30 PM | Restorative Yoga with Guided Meditation
Unwind with deeply restful poses and a guided meditation to access your inner calm and clarity. A chance to soften, slow down, and let the day settle in.
3:00 PM | Depart
Head home feeling more spacious, connected, and restored after a day of yoga, art, and nature.

Tina Idhammar is the founder of Yoga Explorer, a yoga teacher and meditation guide who loves creating grounded, welcoming retreats that support stress relief and nervous-system regulation.
Her teaching style is breath-led, down-to-earth, and intentionally unpolished — no pressure to perform, no “perfect yoga” vibe. Expect a mix of active vinyasa, soothing rest, and simple tools you can actually take home .
Tina’s work is rooted in a love for nature, presence, and everyday mindfulness — creating space for you to exhale, reconnect, and head into the weekend feeling more like yourself.
Set at the serene Sky Pond in Apex, just off Hwy 64 near Jordan Lake — this cozy retreat offers nature, movement, stillness, and the kind of quiet that lets you hear yourself again.
A hidden gem made for small groups to slow down, connect, and reflect.
Picture the pond, the tall pines, fresh air, and a fire crackling nearby as you settle into a day of yoga, creativity, and nature.
📍 118 Rocky Rd, Apex, NC 27523
(FYI: Rocky Rd is a small dirt road — drive slowly and you’ll find us!)
Nestled beneath tall pines beside a rustic tobacco barn cabin
Indoor yoga studio, shady porch, and open grassy field
Meditative walking trail around the pond
It’s a place to step outside your routine — and return to yourself.
Rocking chairs. Quiet air. Honest connection.
You don’t have to go far to feel far away.


2 yoga sessions: active vinyasa + soothing restorative
A 2-hour art workshop led by a professional artist
Breathwork + guided meditation for a nervous-system reset
Nature setting to help you land and unplug
Cozy connection + quiet reflection
Delicious vegetarian meal enjoyed together
Time to simply be — soften, exhale, and come back to yourself
Small intimate group - max 10 people
Everything is planned for you.
You just arrive, settle in, move, create, eat, rest, and let the day hold you for a little while.
Investment: $175, $145 with discount code
Newsletter subscribers get the $145 retreat rate.
About the art workshop ?
You will be able to dye 2 to 3 pieces.
River will bring one item for you to work with, and you are welcome to bring a few of your own too.
Good options: a kitchen towel, pillowcase, T shirt, or a simple summer dress.
One important note: your items need to be 100% natural material, like cotton or linen.
Do I need to be “good” at yoga to join?
Not at all! This is about exploring, not performing. The practice is gentle and accessible — with plenty of modifications so everyone can find their own edge, whether you're brand new or have years of experience.
There’s space to go deeper if you choose — so wherever you are on your path, you’ll be met, supported, and inspired.
Where is it held?
Just beside Jordan Lake (Hwy 64), you’ll find Sky Pond — a hidden gem designed for small groups to slow down, connect, and reflect. SkyPond, 118 Rocky Rd, Apex, NC 27523
Is food included?
Yes, a delicious, nourishing vegetarian meal, served, and enjoyed together.
What can I expect during the retreat?
A balanced mix of mindful movement, calming breathwork, simple reflection, and space to connect — with yourself, nature, and likeminded souls. Think of it as going deeper than a regular class, without any pressure or fuss.
What is your refund policy?
If you can’t make it, no worries — you can save your credit and use it for any upcoming Yoga Explorer class, workshop, or retreat.
We’ll find something that works for you!
How long is the retreat?
The Yoga, Art, and Nature Retreat is from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Plenty of time to move, create, connect, and still be home by evening.
What should I bring?
Bring a yoga mat, comfortable clothes you can move in, a water bottle, and maybe a notebook or journal if you’d like to jot down reflections.
Anything else I should know?
Just come as you are. There’s no need to prepare — simply show up, breathe, and enjoy the chance to move, rest, and reconnect with what’s next.
"I am leaving feeling lighter, brighter, relaxed and with more peace in my heart. I so appreciated how she brought in elements from the land - from the food to the meditation walk. I look forward to participating in a future retreat with Tina & Yoga Explorer."
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"Tina is thoughtful in her approach of curating memorable and connective retreat experiences for participants. Having just participating in her New Year’s retreat at Sanctuary Farm, I can attest that the investment of time and resources to come to a retreat is so worth it. "
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"Tina creates a welcoming and inspiring space for experiencing yoga in all its variety. Taking time away from life with Tina is restorative."
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