Book by April 3rd and use code: EARLYBIRD at checkout for $222 off!
Awakening the Peaceful Warrior Within
Hot Springs, NC
August 14 - 17, 2025
Get away to the gorgeous Appalachian Mountains for a 4-day immersive experience connecting with your inner warrior. Experience movement classes, guided journaling, 3 delicious chef prepared meals daily, sound baths, nature hikes, private waterfalls, and more. This retreat also offers you the opportunity to give back locally, as we will spend time in the community helping rebuild western NC in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Focus and Intentions
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Awakening our inner peaceful warrior through daily movement and introspective guided journaling practices
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Grounding and finding peace in nature and through sound and breath
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One day service work - Volunteering to help rebuild Western NC after Hurricane Helene
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Nourishing our bodies through 3 delicious private chef-prepared meals daily
What’s Included
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3 nights accommodation
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Steel Mace Vinyasa
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Animal Flow
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Vinyasa Style Yoga
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Gentle Yoga
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Breathwork/Pranayama
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Nightly sound baths
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3 chef-prepared, gluten-free meals daily
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vegetarian/vegan upon request
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Journaling Workshop: Awakening the Peaceful Warrior Within
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Coordinated volunteer work helping the Western North Carolina community recover post Helene
Venue
Wheel of Bliss Retreat House
Located roughly an hour from Asheville, the Wheel of Bliss retreat house is nestled deep within the serene Pisgah National Forest, surrounded by untouched nature. Bliss House is more than just a retreat center; it’s a sacred space thoughtfully cultivated over time. Here, you’ll find the perfect environment to reconnect with nature and connect with yourself. The retreat center’s grounds include hiking trails, a stream to play in, comfortable shared bedrooms and bathrooms, a restaurant-style dining hall, several movement spaces for practice, and lounging areas.
Service Work
North Carolina is Katina’s home, and has been for many years. Part of the why for this retreat being held in Western NC, is to help the community in this part of our state recover from the devastation experienced during and after Hurricane Helene. On Thursday morning before coming to the retreat center, we will meet in the local community to offer hands-on assistance with the efforts to rebuild after the hurricane; lunch will be provided during this day of service work. Later that afternoon we will arrive at the retreat center as a group and enjoy the remainder of the retreat.
Through this act of peace we are helping to build a strong community, and when we do this we strengthen not just others but ourselves too. We are excited to organize this opportunity to be of service to people who are in need as part of our retreat. Working together I hope we are able to accomplish something great in the NC mountains, and I look forward to you joining in this opportunity to leave this area a little better than before.
Overview
Building the mindset of a warrior: 2 part guided journaling workshop to dive inward, find focus and courage, build self confidence, and develop mental toughness.
Strength Training for Yogis: loaded asana class where you will learn how to use a gada - Steel Mace Vinyasa
Community time with bonfires and games. There is also a small sauna on site.
All activities are optional.
Breathwork will be incorporated daily in all classes, and we will enjoy a group sound healing session nightly right before bedtime to invoke blissful dreams.
Vinyasa Yoga: slow flow class in the evening to ground down and turn inward, preparing for rest.
Enjoy the retreat centers’ hiking trails - including private waterfalls and creeks to swim in.
Find your flow State through movement: Quadrupedal Movement Training strengthens the muscles and mind, scientifically proven to improve mobility - Animal Flow
3 chef-prepared gluten-free meals daily - (gluten included + vegan/vegetarian meals by request)
Free time - there will be down time for yourself daily to spend however you want.
Pricing
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Use code: EARLYBIRD at checkout for $222 off!
Flow of the Day
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Breakfast, lunch, and dinner served at the retreat center
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Group excursions throughout the week
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Plenty of free time to relax
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A more active vinyasa/power/flow morning session and a more passive yin/restorative/gentle evening session
All classes are suitable for all levels. Beginners welcome.
*All activities are optional*
Sample Itinerary
6am - coffee and tea available
7:30 - 9:00am Steel Mace Vinyasa
9:00am - breakfast served & free time
11:30 - 1:00pm Animal Flow
1:00pm - lunch served & free time
3:00 - 4:00pm Workshop: Awakening the Peaceful Warrior Within
4:30 - 6pm Yoga
6pm - Dinner Served & free time
8pm - Bonfire
9:00 - 10:00pm - Sound Bath
This retreat offers a balanced opportunity for participants to embody the warrior archetype, which taps into our strength, courage, determination, and a deep desire to protect and fight for justice while also giving time to unplug and relax.
During this retreat Katina will offer a diverse style of movement training designed to both strengthen your body and mind, and also tap you into the flow state through the practices of Steel Mace Vinyasa, Animal Flow, and Hatha Vinyasa Yoga. She will also guide you through two workshops to guide you to cultivate a peaceful warrior mindset and lifestyle. Nightly soundbaths, ample time in nature, and nutritious freshly prepared meals will strike a beautiful balance. There will be lots of time to rest and recharge included too.
FAQs
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Where is the closest airport?
Asheville Regional Airport is the closest airport, and it is 52 miles away, it is serviced by most major US airlines. They have rental cars available there, and we will have parking available on site.
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Do I need to be experienced with yoga/Animal Flow/Steel Mace or can beginners join?
Beginners are absolutely welcome. This retreat offers longer practices with more time to dive into instruction on how to perform all the movements and poses. I will work with the group to correct alignment individually, to achieve goals, and to answer any questions you may have. This retreat is a great way to start your practice in any of these forms of movement, and I look forward to equipping you with every tool you’ll need for a successful movement journey.
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What can I expect daily?
If you do plan to do all of the movement classes it will be an intense workout, so plan for clothing changes and extra showers during the day, pace yourself but get the most out of the experience, all activities are optional. There will be coffee and tea starting at 6am daily, 3 meals will be provided by our private chef in the dining hall. You will get free time daily to enjoy the trails on the property and walk around. There is a creek you can swim in and waterfalls. All bedrooms and bathrooms are shared. the sauna is shared but small. There will be a late night bonfire or sound bath nightly. Check out the retreat overview and/or sample schedule.
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What is the retreat group size?
This retreat will be limited to 14 participants, plus me (the host) and our private chefs. We will also have a guest instructor coming in to do a sound bath.
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Is this retreat for men or women?
This retreat is for all gender identities. I will have men's and women's rooms separately, but there is a chance one room might be combined (I expect 50/50%) when you sign up there is a space to specify your preference if you want to be in a men or women only room.
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Do I need to know someone going already?
Most of our attendees are solo, but couples, friends, daughter-mom/father-son duos, etc. All are welcome. If you are attending with another guest please share that info when you register so I can set you up to room together.
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What kind of meals are served, and will my dietary restriction be an issue? Is it really gluten free?
Our retreat’s meals are prepared by a private chef on site.These meals will be omnivore (vegan/vegetarian by request) and Gluten Free. The kitchen has previously been used so we can’t promise 100% gluten free, but we will not be using any gluten in the kitchen where the meals are prepared. There will be gluten options available upon request provided separately in a separate kitchen. We gladly accommodate all diet restrictions and allergies so please let us know so we can accommodate you (I have celiac disease, so trust me, I get it!). You can learn more about our talented chef for this event on their website at: White Clover Catering | Custom Event Menus | Durham, North Carolina
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How do I book?
Bookings can be made on our website on the retreat page. A $300 nonrefundable deposit is required to hold your space, and the remaining payment is due in two parts before the start date of the retreat. You can also pay in full, or make a custom payment plan that concludes before the start of the retreat. Book by April 3rd and use code: EARLYBIRD for $222 off!