Bloom Yoga on the Farm: 4-Night Yoga and Mindfulness Retreat on Salt Spring Island

The retreat starts on Thursday 6 May 2027 with check-in from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, orientation at 5:30 pm, dinner at 6:00 pm and an opening circle and yoga with Melissa at 7:30 pm. Friday begins at 7:45 am with movement and meditation led by Laura, followed by breakfast at 8:30 am. At 9:30 am there is a talk with a farm community member, then yoga with Laura at 11:00 am, walking meditation at noon, lunch at 12:30 pm, a walking farm tour at 2:00 pm, yoga with Melissa at 4:30 pm, dinner at 6:00 pm and more yoga with Melissa at 7:30 pm.

Saturday keeps the same morning start: movement and meditation with Laura at 7:45 am, breakfast at 8:30 am, then a trip to the Salt Spring Market in Ganges at 9:30 am. Lunch is at 12:30 pm, yoga with Melissa at 4:30 pm, dinner at 6:00 pm, and a social night in the barn at 7:30 pm. Sunday follows the pattern with movement and meditation at 7:45 am, breakfast at 8:30 am, yoga with Laura at 11:00 am, lunch at 12:30 pm, a group hike at 2:00 pm, yoga with Melissa at 4:30 pm, dinner at 6:00 pm and a closing circle and yoga with Melissa at 7:30 pm. On Monday, the final day, there is movement and meditation with Laura at 7:45 am, breakfast at 8:30 am, yoga with Melissa at 10:30 am, lunch at noon and check-out.

Melissa Krieger has taught yoga full time since 2005 and has hosted groups at Stowel Lake since 2016. She focuses on helping people stay active, age well and reduce stress. Laura Benson has taught yoga since 2012 and teaches alongside her mentor Melissa; her classes mix dynamic slow flow with long holds and a focus on mindfulness. Both are based in Victoria, BC, and offer free online videos and classes for anyone who wants a sense of their teaching before booking.

The location is Stowel Lake Farm on Salt Spring Island, a 120-acre organic farm with a retreat centre and a thriving community. The farm is five minutes from Fulford Harbour, which is served by the Victoria (Swartz Bay) ferry, and about 20 minutes from both Vesuvius Bay (Crofton ferry) and Long Harbour (Tsawwassen ferry). The closest airport is Victoria International, and float planes from downtown Vancouver, Richmond YVR and Maple Ridge arrive in Ganges, where pick-ups can be arranged. The farm has wifi in the Barn and Village building, limited cell reception, and a landline. No shoes are worn indoors, and guests are asked to bring warm layers, a rain jacket, slip-on shoes, rubber boots in spring and autumn, a flashlight, a water bottle, an outdoor towel and toiletries; yoga mats and props are provided at the Gatehouse.

What sets this retreat apart is the farm itself: meals are 100% organic and mostly grown on the 120 acres, and the schedule includes a talk with a farm community member and a walking farm tour, so guests spend time with the working farm rather than only in a studio. The yoga is deliberately gentle to moderate, with no fast vinyasa, deep backbends like wheel, or handstands and headstands. Two bursary spots are available at 359 for a shared regular room or shared yurt, and the operators also point people towards shorter two-night yoga and wellness retreats at the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga if four nights is too much of a commitment.

What's included

- 4 nights accommodation (shared or private room or yurt) - All meals (vegetarian, farm-to-table) - All yoga and movement classes - Mindfulness activities including Yoga Nidra, meditation and pranayama - Walking meditation and farm tour - Talk with a farm community member - Social night in the barn - Group hike - Trip to Salt Spring Market in Ganges - Use of yoga props at the Gatehouse - Pick-up from Fulford ferry and Ganges (for float plane arrivals)

What's not included

- Travel to Salt Spring Island (ferry or float plane) - 5% GST (added to the price) - $350 non-refundable deposit (included in the price but non-refundable on cancellation) - Gratuities for Stowel Lake staff - Personal expenses - Cash for farm stand purchases - Bath towel (only if camping) - Travel insurance