The Downshift:A Yoga and Forest Therapy Experience
The Downshift: A Yoga and Forest Therapy Experience
Shift into a lower gear with a long weekend, late summer yoga and forest therapy retreat in the mountains of Pennsylvania.
This retreat blends the sweat and stillness of yoga with the awe and centering of guided forest therapy. Each day will include two yoga classes, starting the day with dynamic morning yoga sessions and ending with evening stretching and gentle movement as the sun goes down. In between yoga practices, we will offer expertly led forest therapy walks through the creeks, meadows and forests at River Mountain.
Forest therapy is a practice that involves guided walks in nature to promote mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It is based on the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing”, and focuses on nature connection through sensory experiences.
Together, these two practices serve to create a true “retreat”, offering guests the opportunity to slow down and experience the scientifically-backed benefits of nature, movement, connection, and relaxation.
Interspersed with guided activities, guests will have unstructured time to enjoy and explore the spacious and calming grounds of River Mountain and the surrounding area, including late afternoons dips in the swimming pond, relaxing in the wooded hammock hideaways, and so much more. Throughout, we’ll gather for delicious shared meals, campfires, and, of course, plenty of time stargazing from the cedar soaking tubs.
Consider it a gift to your nervous system. Feel good movement, the calm of nature, community (new and old!), and a rejuvenated spirit.
Thursday, August 20 - Sunday, August 23, 2026
All-Inclusive
4-Days, 3-Nights
EARLY BIRD RATES: BOOK BY APRIL 30TH TO SAVE $75 PER PERSON
DISCOUNT APPLIED IN CART
All-Inclusive Glamping Pod for One Person - $815, plus taxes and fees
All-Inclusive Glamping Yurt for Two People - $1,930, plus taxes and fees
Glamping Yurts have two queen beds and can sleep up to four people.
Each additional guest (up to four total) will add only $515, plus taxes and fees to your reservation.
25% Deposit to reserve today - remaining balance charged 30 days before your retreat!
Meet Your Hosts
Danielle and Jeff
Jeff and Danielle met on the yoga mat, and since then have shared a friendship rooted in a love of yoga, the natural world, deep conversations and healing connection.
Jeff Percaccainte has been a vinyasa yoga teacher for over decade, as well as a licensed clinical psychotherapist, embodiment guide and yoga teacher trainer. His yoga classes are loved for their physical inquiry, curious spirit, humor and welcoming environment.
Danielle Smith is a certified Forest Therapy Guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy and a DC Master Naturalist trainee. Her forest therapy walks offer thoughtful invitations for somatic and sensory immersion and engage curiosity and playful exploration of the natural world.
Together, we have curated a retreat rich in movement, curiosity, and exploration and plenty of opportunities to slow down and just be - with yourself, each other, and the natural world.
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 in the main lodge
Standard Glamping Pod - Sleeps 1 Guest
Located in Main Lodge Room with Other Retreat Guests
Spring-Fed Cedar Host Soaking Tubs Outside Your Door
Black-Out Curtains
Lockable Storage
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
The Downshift: A Yoga and Forest Therapy Experience
Thursday, August 20 - Sunday, August 23, 2026
All-Inclusive
4-Days, 3-Nights
EARLY BIRD RATES: BOOK BY APRIL 30TH TO SAVE $75 PER PERSON
DISCOUNT APPLIED IN CART
All-Inclusive Glamping Pod for One Person - $815, plus taxes and fees
All-Inclusive Glamping Yurt for Two People - $1,930, plus taxes and fees
Glamping Yurts have two queen beds and can sleep up to four people.
Each additional guest (up to four total) will add only $515, 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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