Relaxation & Inspiration:A Reading and Yoga Retreat
Relaxation & Inspiration: A Reading and Yoga Retreat
Nourish your body and your mind! Join us for three days of reading, journaling, and yoga in the mountains of Pennsylvania. Independent bookstore owner Alison Rudolph and certified yoga instructor Brooke Hagerty lead this retreat focused on relaxing the body and inspiring the mind. Alison and Brooke have a long-standing collaboration with books and yoga. Alison’s book discussions are fun and focused, with the themes tying seamlessly into the yoga practice led by Brooke.
Your inspiration starts with the retreat’s book, The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life by Suleika Jaouad. Against the backdrop of her own journey as a cancer survivor, Jaouad sings the praises of journaling, calling it “a container for my restless mind.” In an incredibly accessible 10 chapters, she and a jaw-dropping array of writers focus on everything from memory to love to purpose, with each vignette accompanied by a journal prompt.
We encourage you to read the book and begin (or continue) your journaling practice before our April retreat. At the retreat we will discuss the book and our journals, and enjoy dedicated downtime for reading and journaling. Everyone will be asked to bring a new, paperback copy of their favorite book for our campfire bookswap.
The practice of yoga pairs perfectly with creativity and reflection inspired by The Book of Alchemy. We will begin and end our days with yoga, including Yin, Vinyasa, Gentle, and Restorative yoga, plus yoga walks on the beautiful River Mountain Grounds.
Those local to Westminster, MD can pick up their copy of The Book of Alchemy and their bookswap book at Rudolph Girls. Others are encouraged to shop online at bookshop.org/shop/rudolphgirls.
THURSDAY, April 16 - SUNDAY, April 19, 2026
All-Inclusive
4-Day, 3-Night Retreat
All-Inclusive Glamping Pod in Cabin for One Person - $827, plus taxes and fees
All-Inclusive Glamping Yurt for Two People - $1,954, plus taxes and fees
Glamping Yurts have two queen beds and can sleep up to Four People.
Each additional guest after first Two adds $527, plus taxes and fees to your reservation.
25% Deposit to reserve today - remaining balance charged 30 days before your retreat!
Meet your hosts
ALISON RUDOLPH + BROOKE HAGERTY
Alison Rudolph owns Rudolph Girls, an independent bookstore in Westminster, MD. She holds BAs in English Literature, Writing, and Women’s Studies, as well as a masters in teaching. Prior to owning the bookstore, she was a middle and high school English teacher, and now teaches composition at McDaniel College in Westminster.
Brooke Hagerty is a 200-hour certified and registered yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance. Brooke came to yoga after the death of her son and has often referred to yoga as lifesaving. Her classes offer up more than the physical practice of yoga, the mental and spiritual aspect are evident as soon as you step into the room. Brooke has received additional certifications in Grief Yoga®, Yin and Children’s Yoga.
In addition to Brooke’s yoga teaching, she is a chef and health coach focusing on movement and nourishment. In her free time, she enjoys golf, hiking, traveling, and spending time on the farm where she is so blessed to live with her husband, Ken; dog, Beaumont and cats, Socks and Little Baby Girl.
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
Glamping Yurts
Two Queen Beds
Picturesque Views of Tussey Mountain
Exterior Door Opens to Meadow Views
Electricity + Heated
Bedding, Linens + Towels
Indoor, Private Full Bathrooms with Shower Nearby
Filtered Water Nearby
Fiber WiFi Internet
Fridge + Microwave Nearby
Relaxation & Inspiration: A Reading and Yoga Retreat
Thursday, April 16 - Sunday, April 19, 2026
All-Inclusive
4-Day, 3-Night Retreat
All-Inclusive Glamping Pod in Cabin for One Person - $827, plus taxes and fees
All-Inclusive Glamping Yurt for Two People - $1,954, plus taxes and fees
Glamping Yurts have two queen beds and can sleep up to Four People.
Each additional guest after first Two adds $527, plus taxes and fees to your reservation.
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
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