The retreat sits on a large wooded property in Otsego County, northern Michigan, with the Pigeon River running through it. The main building holds the meditation hall and dining room, and guests sleep in simple rooms on site. Trails leave from the property and lead through pine and hardwood forest to the river.

A typical day starts with early meditation, followed by breakfast and a morning yoga class. Classes are taught in the centre's own style, drawing on the Yogananda lineage, and tend to be slower and more breath-focused than a gym yoga class. Afternoons are unscheduled, which is the point. Guests walk, read, sit by the river or take a sauna.

Meals are vegetarian and served communally, so you eat with the other guests and the staff. The kitchen cooks three meals a day and can work around dietary needs if you tell them in advance.

The centre has run for decades and has a settled, unflashy feel. It is not a luxury resort. Rooms are basic and the pace is slow. People who come back year after year tend to be after the routine and the quiet rather than facilities.

It is a reasonable drive from Detroit or Chicago, and close to Gaylord for anyone flying in and hiring a car. The surrounding area has state forest, lakes and cross-country ski trails, so a stay can be combined with hiking or skiing depending on the season.

What's included

- On-site accommodation at the retreat centre - Three vegetarian meals a day - Daily yoga classes - Daily group meditation sessions - Evening programmes - Access to the trails and grounds

What's not included

- Travel to and from Vanderbilt, Michigan - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Massage or other treatments, if available - Anything not confirmed by the centre at booking

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