Details

When and Where

The 2015 Writing Yoga retreat is July 9-12th, 2015 in Glen Cove, New York, which is a little over an hour by train from Manhattan and less than an hour from JFK and LGA airports. It’s in an area known as the “Gold Coast” of Long Island in a Gatsby-esque mansion built by the Pratt family in 1910. Parts of the film North by Northwest were filmed there. It’s really cool and has an amazing pub.

Who should attend? 

This is a retreat for writers who have a work in progress. Ideally you should have written at least the first 10-20 pages of something, but if you haven’t that’s ok. To apply you’ll  need to send 8-10 pages that you’ve already written. You can be unpublished or published. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you have a commitment to writing and you’re ready for a weekend full of  inspiration, support, fun, good conversation and allotting time to writing.

Yoga

Yoga teaches us how to live with balance, flexibility, intention, and focus. This weekend’s intention is to bring those qualities into your writing practice. Yoga can help you relax and let the words flow.  Take advantage of the twice daily classes. You don’t need to have ever taken a yoga class to attend this retreat. But you might want to try it.  The yoga is optional but it will inform the weekend. That is to say, writing prompts and meditations are pretty darn similar and who doesn’t want to have a nice stretch to wake up or after a day of writing? Yoga will be tailored to the participants’ skill level.

Exactly what happens during the weekend

Early morning yoga is offered each day, for those who are interested. We’ll be meeting for one workshop each day, plus doing one-on-one consults with each attendee. After a light breakfast each morning we go into workshop and do some exercises, followed by a few hours of writing. We come together again for lunch and conversation. It’s a great opportunity to bitch and moan or exclaim and crow about your progress. Then some more writing time. Or if you need a break from writing, there’s a gym, sauna, steam room, indoor and outdoor pool, tennis courts, ping pong tables, and a gorgeous pub. Early evening yoga is then offered, for those who are interested. Our dinner gatherings are off the charts fun. And then, of course, there’s Pub 1910 for those night owls who still want to hang out.

Friday night dinner is fantastic. We have a casual dinner with some top New York editors. This is  a great part of the weekend. It’s a totally informal event where you can ask questions, talk about writing, and get the inside scoop. It’s not a pitching opportunity. It’s like having dinner with a friend of a friend who knows tons about writing and publishing.

Saturday night dinner is our Participant Showcase, where we  go off site to the private dining room of La Ginestra, a local Italian restaurant, where you get to read from your work. Writing Yoga attendees usually feel the Participant Showcase is the highlight of the weekend. It’s not a critique session, just an opportunity to share what you’re working on.

And did we mention there’s a pub?! Evenings at ‘Pub 1910′ are great. You can toss back a couple, if you’re into it. Or just shoot pool, play foosball, throw some darts, or play the table shuffle board thingy that they have there. 

Cost

The price of the 2015 Writing Yoga Retreat is $1,399. That includes a private room; all meals plus snacks; 3 small group writing workshops; 6 yoga classes; 2 one-on-one consultations; use of the luxurious facilities; dinner with fancy shmancy editors; and an opportunity to read from your work in a supportive environment.

Why you need to first apply before you register 

This is a retreat for people who are serious about their writing. It doesn’t matter if you’re a total neophyte or an experienced writer, what matters is that you’re doing it. We screen for commitment not expertise. Space is limited, we’re capping registration at 15 people, so you should apply now.

Flights & transportation

JFK and LaGuardia airports are both convenient to The Glen Cove Mansion. JFK has the Air Train which brings you to the Long Island Railroad, where you will be picked up and driven to The Mansion. If you need to come into LGA just shoot us an email and we can help you figure out travel arrangements from there. Please do not book flights until your registration has been confirmed.

If you’re coming from out of town there’s plenty to do in the area, before or after the retreat 

Some of the things that we think are cool are: Kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboards at Seacliff Beach, Sailing from the Waterfront Center in Oyster Bay, going to one of the gorgeous arboretums in the area, Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay and Bailey Arboretum in Locust Valley, visiting Sagamore Hill, the home of Theodore Roosevelt, or checking out the Nassau County Museum of Art, which is also housed in a mansion (Bryce House, built in 1910). And then of course there’s all of Manhattan, hipster Brooklyn, Montauk and the Hamptons, and the vineyards of the north fork of Long Island. So yeah. There’s stuff to do here.

Are you the right person to apply? 

Yes. Of course you are. And you know it. Do it now: Click Here. 

Have questions? 

Send us an email! writingandyogaretreat@gmail.com

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