a 4-Night New Year’s retreat focused onsound and movement as medicineThis 5-day, 4-night all inclusive New Year’s Retreat provides opportunities for participants to experience the powerful impact sound and movement has on physical and mental health, while being surrounded by nature and in community with others. Participants will receive a daily sound bath from crystal alchemy singing bowls, which promote deep relaxation of the body and mind. Guests will also create music in group sound sessions where everyone will play an instrument and feel the joy of playing a rhythm together with others. Movement is woven into each day in the form of gentle yoga, snow shoeing through the forest (if no snowfall, hiking through the forest), and dance. If you’ve always wanted to experience a sound bath, participate in a drum circle, or sing medicine melodies, this retreat is for you. What better way to ring in the new year than by taking care of yourself, mind and body, and experiencing the healing benefits of sound and movement in nature.
*No prior musical or instrument experience required. If a participant has a percussive instrument (e.g., a rattle, drum, chakapa) they would like to bring to the retreat to play they are welcome to do so, though it is not required to bring a sound instrument as they will be provided.
This 5-day, 4-night all inclusive New Year’s Retreat provides opportunities for participants to experience the powerful impact sound and movement has on physical and mental health, while being surrounded by nature and in community with others. Participants will receive a daily sound bath from crystal alchemy singing bowls, which promote deep relaxation of the body and mind. Guests will also create music in group sound sessions where everyone will play an instrument and feel the joy of playing a rhythm together with others. Movement is woven into each day in the form of gentle yoga, snow shoeing through the forest (if no snowfall, hiking through the forest), and dance. If you’ve always wanted to experience a sound bath, participate in a drum circle, or sing medicine melodies, this retreat is for you. What better way to ring in the new year than by taking care of yourself, mind and body, and experiencing the healing benefits of sound and movement in nature.
*No prior musical or instrument experience required. If a participant has a percussive instrument (e.g., a rattle, drum, chakapa) they would like to bring to the retreat to play they are welcome to do so, though it is not required to bring a sound instrument as they will be provided.
Wednesday, December 31, 2025 - SUNDAY, January 4, 2026
All-Inclusive
5-Day, 4-Night Retreat
All-Inclusive Glamping Pod for One Person - $880, plus taxes and fees
25% Deposit to reserve today - remaining balance charged 30 days before your retreat!
Meet your host
Mel Beyond Yoga
Mel is a certified yoga teacher and sound healing practitioner based in the D.C. area. She first began teaching yoga to military service members and civilians in Afghanistan as a volunteer. That experience will always remain with her as it taught her the positive impact a regular yoga practice had on the body and mind. Mel got certified in crystal alchemy sound healing during the pandemic and immediately began playing complimentary virtual sound baths via Zoom to her cancer friends going through treatment and recovery alone. As things started opening up again she began playing at venues including the Smithsonian and other venues and studios throughout the D.C. area. Mel specializes in playing crystal alchemy singing bowls and singing harmonies with her bowls. She believes movement and sound are medicine, and whenever she leads a yoga flow or sound session, she does so with the intention to promote healing. She is excited to lead this New Year’s retreat at River Mountain surrounded by trees.
Wellness with Nature
Resting on 150 acres, River Mountain is bordered by Sweet Root Creek, Warrior Ridge and Tussey Mountain. River Mountain's stunning spaces are designed for reflection, mindfulness, and good vibrations on your self-care journey. Creekside yoga platforms, a restored barn turned wellness space, and the calm of nature make this the ideal destination for peace and wellness.
Located just a few hours from D.C., Baltimore, and Pittsburgh, in the mountains of Pennsylvania, River Mountain is remote yet easy to access.
THE GREENHOUSE
HAMMOCK HIDEAWAY
RESTORED 1850'S BARN
YOGA PLATFORMS
SPRINGS HOT SOAKING TUBS
SWEET ROOT CREEK
FRESH AIR + OPEN SPACE
EXPLORE
HIKE
STARGAZING
HIKE
CAMPFIRES + S'MORES
MEADOW TERRACE
HONEY + HIVE TOURS
History
Warrior Path
Running parallel to River Mountain's eastern ridge is Warriors Path, the great Iroquois Indian highway from Six Nations country, New York, to the Catawba country in the Carolinas. The historic path along Sweet Root Creek was one of the longest and most heavily traveled land routes in eastern North America, connecting Indigenous peoples over hundreds of miles.
The Underground Railroad
Black Valley was an active route along the Underground Railroad. Local histories principally credit four, free black residents with leading the aid network in this area: Rev. John Fidler, Elias Rouse, Joseph Crawley, and James Graham. Just to the south of the River Mountain property are 13 unmarked graves of enslaved people who died traveling the route to freedom.
Accommodations
Glamping Pods
Modern Design to Align with the Body's Circadian Rhythm
Standard Glamping Pod - Sleeps 1 Guest
Located in Cabin with Other Retreat Guests
Expansive Deck with Patio Seating
Top Pod Skylights to Fall Asleep to the Stars
Bedside Windows to Nature
Nestled Among Trees, Meadow + Creek
Mountain Views of Warrior Ridge
The Sound of Community
Wednesday, December 31, 2025 - Sunday, January 4, 2026
All-Inclusive
5-Day, 4-Night Retreat
All-Inclusive Glamping Pod for One Person - $880, plus taxes and fees
25% Deposit to reserve today - remaining balance charged 30 days before your retreat!
Retreat Inclusions:
All Retreat Experiences
150 Acres of Nature
Accommodations
Daily Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Access to Hot Soaking Tubs
Campfire + S'mores
Daily Housekeeping
Fresh Linens, Towels, Blankets
Fiber Internet Wi-Fi
Check-In After 3PM
Check-Out By 11AM
Retreat Policies, Payments, Deposit, and Cancellations:
DOGS ARE NOT PERMITTED ON RETREATS. This is for the safety and wellness of the dog and other guests joining the retreat.
25% non-refundable deposit to reserve. The remaining balance is automatically charged 30 days prior to the retreat start date using the initial card on file used to make the reservation and deposit. If reserving within less than 30 days of retreat start date, the remaining balance is automatically charged within 48 hours after reservation is made.
Please note that because River Mountain retreats are limited to a small number of attendees, to allow for a more personable, intimate experience, our cancellation policy is in place to help guests, hosts, and us alike work together sharing expenses that may arise from unexpected cancellations.
• All deposits are non-refundable.
• Full balance is automatically charged 30 days prior to retreat start date, unless otherwise noted.
• Cancellation requests submitted 61 days or more before the retreat start date, 50% of the total is due.
• Within 60 days of your retreat: full balance due, sorry but no refunds given, no exceptions.
Please know that our cancellation policy is designed to mitigate damages and costs incurred to retreat hosts and River Mountain in order to maintain the retreat experience and affordability for other retreat guests. Exceptions cannot be made for any reason, including weather, injury/illness, or personal emergencies. No refunds or credits for failure to attend or failure to complete the retreat, or for arriving late or leaving early.
For reservations or general questions
Give us a call
Or email
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