{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Retreats & Offsites Unpacked","title":"How to Organize a Yoga Retreat","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1296,"description":"When COVID shut down her brick-and-mortar yoga studio, Bethany Forest was forced to rethink everything. What began as a crisis became the catalyst for a retreat business rooted in healing, nature, and deep human connection.In this episode, Dan Berger talks with Bethany—founder of Heal Yoga—about the leap from studio classes to immersive retreats, the hard lessons learned from her first retreat, and how thoughtful design, systems, and pricing make long-term sustainability possible.Bethany shares how yoga retreats go far beyond poses on a mat, why discomfort can be a powerful teacher, and how intentional outdoor experiences help people regulate their nervous systems, reconnect with their bodies, and form lasting bonds.Episode ThemesPivoting from a brick-and-mortar studio to retreats after COVIDWhy retreats create deeper transformation than weekly classesDesigning yoga retreats that balance movement, reflection, and adventureLearning pricing, margins, and systems the hard wayCreating psychological safety for first-time retreat guestsUsing nature and outdoor challenge to foster growthBuilding connection and belonging among strangersWhat makes people return to retreats again and againChapters00:00 – Welcome and introduction01:33 – COVID, studio closure, and the pivot to retreats03:36 – Why retreats felt more aligned than a yoga studio04:40 – Lessons learned from the first retreat06:42 – Building systems and pricing retreats sustainably08:46 – What a yoga retreat really looks like10:40 – Healing, the nervous system, and connection12:46 – Structuring retreat days and setting expectations16:02 – Adventure days and the role of discomfort17:51 – Retreat size, frequency, and growth18:27 – Marketing retreats and filling spots20:31 – Final reflections on facilitation and belongingAbout the Guest – Bethany ForestBethany Forest is the founder of Heal Yoga and a retreat facilitator who designs immersive experiences focused on healing, resilience, and connection. A multi-business...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/bOBTiJs7vh0BXESSAuKMgrIiALFaXvXWvSKoFPBd1Co/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS85ZDE1/NmMxYmI2MTM4YzRk/ZWI5ZmE3ZTc4MmYx/OGUwMy5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}