A Spring Retreat
Yoga means unity—of body, mind, and spirit. This springtime retreat offers a unified practice of movement, breathwork, and meditation for relaxation and renewal in the Green Mountains.
We’ll enjoy the outdoors with mindful walks in the forest and breathtaking mountaintop views. We’ll explore inner realms to learn about our doshas and chakras—elements and energies that shape our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual selves.
Corinne Matti and Doug Hattaway co-teach yoga and meditation workshops in Washington, DC, that combine movement, breathing, and meditation practices with learning about ancient philosophies and modern science. Corinne studied and instructed at the School of Ayurveda and Panchakarma in Kerala, India. Doug completed the 200-hour meditation teacher training program at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health.
This retreat counts towards 8 Yoga Alliance continuing education credits. Contact Corinne Matti for more information.
Movement and Meditation
Each day opens with movement and meditation — all abilities, levels and practice are welcome at Willow retreats.
In this retreat, we’ll greet the morning with Movement and Meditation classes—60 minutes of yoga followed by 20 minutes of meditation to move the body and prepare the mind for a nourishing day ahead.
Immediately after morning movement and meditation, we’ll enjoy a nutritious breakfast.
After a healthy breakfast, learning workshops will explore the practices and philosophies of Ayurveda and the Chakras. Optional deep-learning workshops and outdoor activities will be offered in the afternoon.
Learning
We’ll engage with the practices and philosophies of Ayurveda. We’ll learn experientially about Chakras, how energy moves through the body.
In Ayurveda—the “science of life” originating in India 5,000 years ago—each of us has a combination of life forces, or doshas, that form the foundation of our physical, emotional and mental lives. We’ll learn about our unique doshas to help us make healthful choices about our nutrition and lifestyles.
Chakras are energy centers in the body associated with different physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual functions. We’ll explore insights on the chakras from ancient philosophy and modern science, along with breathing and meditation techniques to activate and balance our energy system.
Exploring
We’ll explore the natural world around us by walking out together into the trails and mountains right from Willow’s back yard.
You’ll leave refreshed and re-energized, with knowledge and practices to enhance your physical wellness, spiritual growth, and everyday life.
What’s Included
Comfortable, casual lodging in shared rooms with separate beds and private bathrooms (2 people per room)
Meals from dinner Friday to brunch Monday
Movement and Meditation Classes
Ayurveda and Chakra Workshops
Optional Deep-Learning Sessions and Mindful Hikes
Free time to relax and explore nature and nearby villages
Fee Options
Fees cover accommodations for three nights, meals, and a full program of meditation and workshops.
Double Occupancy: 12 spots are available for $1078.05 each, inclusive of taxes and fees. You may book a room together with a friend or be matched with another participant by the retreat instructor. All rooms have two beds and one dedicated bathroom.
Single Occupancy: one spot is available for $1,308.75, inclusive of all taxes and fees. Available only by phone.
Payment schedule
A 50% deposit is due at booking. The deposit may be split into two payments of 25% when you book by phone.
The balance is due Friday, May 30, 2025
Refunds. We understand that travel plans may change. We offer a number of refund options.
Grace Window: Willow offers a full refund for cancelations made within 24 hours of booking.
Early Cancelation Window: When you call or email to cancel at least 60 days prior to a retreat, Willow offers a 75% refund of your paid deposit(s).
Travel Insurance and Late Cancelations: Our travel insurance partner, ResNexus, offers partial to full refund options right up to the day your retreat starts. Travel insurance must be purchased at booking. If you opt not to purchase travel insurance at booking, refunds are not possible after the early cancelation window closes.
In rare circumstances—such as a natural disaster or global pandemic—Willow may be required to cancel the retreat. If we cancel the retreat for any reason, you will receive a full refund of all payments made to date.
Schedule
(subject to change)
FRIDAY
4:00 Arrivals
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Opening Circle
8:00 Campfire and Conversation
SATURDAY
7:30 Movement and Meditation
9:30 Breakfast
10:30 Learning Workshop: Intro to Ayurveda
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Outdoor Meditation and Mindful Hike (Optional)
3:00 Dive Deeper: Intro to Ayurveda (Optional)
6:00 Dinner
8:00 Yin Yoga
SUNDAY
7:30 Movement and Meditation
9:30 Breakfast
10:30 Learning Workshop: Intro to Charkras
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Outdoor Meditation and Mindful Hike (Optional)
3:00 Dive Deeper: Intro to Chakras (Optional)
6:00 Dinner
8:00 Yoga Nidra
MONDAY
7:30 Movement and Meditation
9:30 Breakfast
10:30 Closing Circle
12:00 Departure
What to Bring
Slippers, house shoes or comfy socks. Willow is a shoeless household.
A water bottle
Hiking boots and outdoor clothing
Rain gear just in case
Flashlight or headlamp for evening walks
Rooms and Amenities at Willow
Willow is a comforting and nurturing environment — furnished with a harmonious combination of custom contemporary and vintage furniture, rugs, artwork and crafts.
We provide comfortable overnight accommodations in double occupancy rooms. All rooms have dedicated ensuite or hall baths. We are outfitted with all the comforts of a typical guest house — linens, blowdryers, individually controlled heating and air conditioning. Our mattresses, pillows and furniture are exceptionally comfortable. Our soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions are organic. We support local craftspeople by supplying Willow with handmade and high quality goods — everything from lamps to rugs have been made by hand. You will feel very much at home.
The Colonial Revival main house offers open living space on the first floor: a grand foyer with sitting area and library, a spacious and light-filled living room with fireplace, a sunny veranda, a dining room, and a 14-person yoga studio painted in soft colors of the willow tree. The studio is fully outfitted with yoga mats, cushions, straps, blocks and blankets.
Meals
Meals are provided throughout the retreat, including dinner on arrival day, 3 meals each full day, and brunch on departure day.
Our menu is Indian, Tex-Mex and American-inspired vegetarian dishes with balanced proteins, fats and carbs. Our meals are healthy, filling, and made of local organic and natural ingredients. Please let us know at registration if you prefer vegan or gluten-free options. Please let us know if you have any food allergies. We cannot accommodate last minute requests during the retreat.
Delicious vegetarian meals are prepared fresh by Willow’s owner-operator Ravi Shimpi. Read more about Willow’s retreat meals here.
Coffee is served with breakfast at no charge. Tea is available all day at no charge.
Espresso, cappuccino, and fresh-pressed juices are available for purchase throughout the retreat. A menu of options will be posted in the dining room. Charges will be added to your account and billed at the end of the retreat.
Meet our cats
Willow is home to two sweet and friendly cats, Bear and Scratch. They love our guests and they absolutely adore being petted. But we ask that guests not pick them up. Too much of that and they will become stressed little souls.
We do our best to keep cats out of the guest rooms so that people with allergies can comfortably stay with us. Please help with this by discouraging the cats from entering or napping in your room.
Want to stay longer? Extend your stay!
Willow encourages retreat participants who wish to stay in the area longer to book rooms or book the treehouse on nights before and after the retreat at sharply reduced rates. Extended bookings include a hearty continental breakfast.
Individual rooms are $150-375/night for up to two people. A discount of 10% applies to bookings of 3 or more nights.
Traveling to Willow
Willow is located in the beautiful and quintessential village of South Newfane (population 300), a satellite of Newfane (population 1,700). We are located 20 minutes northwest of Brattleboro, 20 minutes northeast of Wilmington, and 20 minutes east of Dover and Mount Snow.
By car:
From Brattleboro, take Route 30 north about 9 miles. Go left on Depot Road where the West River and Rock River meet; travel 2 miles on Depot Road until you cross a small bridge over the Rock River; go left on Dover Road through the village of Williamsville; after passing through Williamsville you will cross a covered bridge. Willow is exactly 1.2 miles on your left. If you come to a stop sign you have gone 300 feet past our driveway.
From Wilmington, take Route 100 north toward West Dover about 3.5 miles. A half mile past the River Valley Market, take a right on East Dover Road; travel 1 mile. Take a right on Dover Hill Road; travel 8 miles on Dover Hill Road and E Dover Road (they are continuous) until you reach a 3-way stop sign in the village of South Newfane. Willow is 300 feet past the stop sign on your right.
By train: the daily Amtrak Vermonter stops in Brattleboro as it travels from Washington DC to Montreal and back. You can pick it up in New York, Hartford, Springfield to the south or in Montpelier to the north. Taxis are available in Brattleboro or Willow’s owners will pick you up in Brattleboro on the Vermonter’s arrival at 5pm (note this is after check in time).
By plane: Travelers may find Hartford (BDL—64.4 miles, 90 minutes) and Boston (BOS—85.7 miles, 2 hours 20 minutes) to be most convenient. Other nearby airports to check are Rutland VT (RUT, 55 miles, 1 hour 20 minutes), Manchester NH (MHT—85 miles, 2 hours), Albany NY (ALB—73 miles, 1 hour 40 minutes), and Worcester MA (ORH, 81 miles, 1 hour 50 minutes).
A note on driving: We are located in rural Vermont! You may have spotty cell service in areas throughout our area. Be sure to set your GPS before leaving from home. Set it by typing our business name “Willow Vermont Retreat” into your search bar. Please don’t use our address, as most GPS engines get rural addresses wrong. But don’t worry one bit, just remember this: following our guidance will land you safely with us; following Google to our address will lead you 4 miles off target.