Kundalini Yoga, Gong & Cacao: A 3-Day Mississippi River Wellness Reset in Lansing, Iowa

Mornings follow the same rhythm each day. You start with an easy walk outdoors as it gets light, which is mostly about waking up slowly and getting your head quiet before practice. Then comes the main event: a 60-minute Kundalini yoga class. If you haven't done Kundalini before, expect it to feel different from a typical vinyasa class — there's repeated movement, strong breathing patterns, holding postures, and chanting. Michelle picks the kriyas (set sequences) and meditations based on who's in the group rather than running a fixed script.

Every Kundalini class ends with a live gong immersion. You lie down, the gong is played, and the vibration is something you feel in your body as much as hear. For a lot of people this is the part they remember most, and it's a big part of what separates this weekend from a regular studio class.

The rest of the schedule spreads out across the three days. There's a 90-minute integrated bodywork session focused on releasing tension in muscles and fascia — useful if you carry stress in your shoulders, neck or back. There's an ecstatic dance class, which is just music and free movement with no choreography and nobody watching how you look. A ceremonial cacao sharing brings the group together around a warm cup of pure cacao, with time for quiet reflection. Sound immersion sessions with singing bowls and other resonant instruments round things out.

What makes this one different from a typical yoga weekend is the mix: Kundalini instead of a flow-based style, live gong every morning, and the dance and cacao elements sitting alongside the bodywork. It's less about getting a workout in and more about slowing down and paying attention to how your body and mind actually feel.

The setting is Lansing, Iowa — a quiet river town on the Mississippi with bluffs, water and not much traffic. You stay in a private queen room in The Thornton Home. There's no big resort here; it's small, quiet and close to the river, which suits the slow pace of the weekend.

Meals are simple and nourishing, tailored to the group and any dietary needs you share in advance. Screen time is discouraged throughout, so it's a good chance to actually leave your phone in a drawer for a few days.

What's included

- Accommodation in a private queen room at The Thornton Home - Daily 60-minute Kundalini yoga classes - Live gong immersion after each Kundalini class - Daily guided morning walks - 90-minute integrated bodywork session - Ecstatic dance class - Ceremonial cacao sharing - Sound immersion with singing bowls and other instruments - Simple, nourishing meals tailored to the group - Free evenings by the river

What's not included

- Travel to and from Lansing, Iowa - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Optional upgrades and extras - Exact exclusions confirmed with the retreat leader for your dates