Wild Nature Retreats: Forest Wellness Weekends at BlackHouse, Ontario

A typical retreat day at BlackHouse starts slowly. There is no 6am bootcamp here. Mornings might begin with yoga or meditation, then breakfast, then a guided forest walk or a session with the facilitator. Afternoons leave room for the salt water pool, the cedar sauna, or sitting by the fire. Evenings often centre on shared meals and fire pits, with conversation running late if people want it to.

The programme changes with each retreat. A Weekend to Exhale with Salti Yoga (20–22 November 2026) is three days of yoga, meditation, sauna and forest, with no fixed agenda beyond what guests want. The ForREST Winter Transitions Weekend (28–29 November 2026) is a shorter overnight stay built around sleeping in, sitting by the fire and slowing down before the holiday season. The Winter Solstice Retreat (19–20 December 2026) is led by Erin Moe and includes land-based ceremony and reflection on the longest night.

Slay the Mic Fall Wellness Edition (23–25 October 2026) is a different kind of weekend, focused on voice and confidence rather than fitness. It is run in collaboration with facilitator Jam Gamble, whose Slay the Mic programme is described by past participants as helping them reclaim their voice in professional and personal life. The weekend combines nature connection, meals, movement and open conversation.

What separates Wild Nature from a standard yoga retreat is the property itself. BlackHouse is an artwork you can stay in, built from repurposed materials, with each bedroom named and individually designed. The mattresses were custom-made for the space. The Yes Room looks out over the trees and is set up for birdwatching from bed. The Sunset Room has its own evening views. Guests share the 2,000 sq ft kitchen and dining area, and there are multiple fire pits and lounge areas across the land.

The operator also runs professional women's leadership retreats, created by founder Ana Silva and cultural architect Karlyn Percil-Mercieca, which combine forest therapy, somatic practice and coaching. Team nature immersion days are available for groups, and the whole property can be booked privately for retreats, celebrations or creative gatherings. A separate Toronto property, BLKStar, is a shipping container home on Graffiti Alley available by the day or overnight.

What's included

- Accommodation at BlackHouse for the duration of the retreat - All meals during the retreat - Guided programme with the retreat facilitator - Access to the salt water pool and wood-fired sauna - Use of forest trails, meadows and gardens - Fire pit evenings and communal spaces - Yoga and meditation sessions where scheduled

What's not included

- Travel to and from BlackHouse - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Alcohol - Optional treatments or extras not listed in the retreat programme