Spirit of the Forest 

October 16-18, 2026

Idyllwild, California

Intention

Nestled among the towering pines and granite peaks of Idyllwild, this private yoga and meditation retreat offers an opportunity to step away from the grind and noise of daily life and reconnect to Self.

Throughout our time together, we will weave together yoga asana, breathwork, meditation, mantra, guided inquiry, and ritual to explore the profound connection between mind, body, and Spirit. Through these practices, we will allow space for healing, connection to the natural world, and a more integrated, compassionate relationship with ourselves and the Sacred.

This is a space where you can arrive exactly as you are, and know that you belong. Every age, every gender, every body, every story; we welcome them all. There are no prerequisites or experience to join this retreat.

Lodging & Accommodations

We are thrilled to host this journey at a beautiful, private estate in Idyllwild, offering sweeping mountain views and peaceful spaces to rest and restore. The main house features three thoughtfully designed floors with two master suites, a private queen room, and a cozy shared option. For those seeking extra seclusion, a charming, separate guest cottage is also available.

Whether you are joining us solo, with a partner, or alongside close friends, we will help you find the perfect sanctuary.

Available Rooms:

  • The Cottage – King Private Guesthouse (1 of 1 available)

  • The Jacinto – Lower-Level King Private with ensuite (0 of 1 available) RESERVED

  • The Idy Sunset – Upstairs King Private with ensuite (0 of 1 available) RESERVED

  • The Queen Room – Private Queen with easy access to shared bath (1 of 1 available)

  • The Bunk Room (Double) – Shared Room with Double (1 of 2 available)

  • The Bunk Room (Twin) – Shared Room with Twin (0 of 2 available) RESERVED

Explore photos, pricing, and detailed descriptions for each option below.

The Cottage

Private Guesthouse

Tucked away from the main house, The Cottage is a newly updated, fully detached sanctuary. This private cabin features a King bed, an ensuite bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, and a cozy living area. Thoughtfully furnished with a Pack-n-Play/crib, this space is ideal for families or groups who want a dedicated sanctuary to call their own.

Rate: $1,500 (Can be shared for an additional $250 per person)

This package includes:

  • A two-night stay in a private, newly updated guesthouse completely separate from the main house

  • A King bed, private ensuite bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, and cozy living area

  • Four uniquely themed yoga and meditation sessions led by Beth and Sara (including Vinyasa, Yin, Nidra, and guided meditation)

  • Four freshly prepared, organic vegan meals, wholesome daily snacks, and a full coffee, tea, and sparkling water bar

  • Full use of the estate’s peaceful amenities, including the Japanese garden and scenic walking paths

  • Access to renowned Idyllwild hiking trails and charming downtown shopping

  • A curated welcome gift with local recommendations, premium linens and towels, high-speed Wi-Fi, AC, and a cozy space heater

  • All staff gratuities for our culinary and cleaning team

The Jacinto

Lower-Level Primary King Suite

Situated on the lower level, The Jacinto is an expansive, secluded sanctuary featuring a King bed, a private entrance, and a private deck overlooking the valley, this room is perfect for couples or solo travelers looking for a quiet haven. Indulge in the spa-like ensuite bathroom, complete with cozy heated floors, a standalone soaking tub, and a luxurious rainwater shower.

Rate: $1,400 (Can be shared for an additional $250 per person) RESERVED

This package includes:

  • A two-night stay in the expansive, lower-level primary King suite with a private entrance

  • A plush King bed, private deck overlooking the valley, and an ensuite bath with heated floors, a soaking tub, and a rainwater shower

  • Four uniquely themed yoga and meditation sessions led by Beth & Sara (including Vinyasa, Yin, Nidra, and guided meditation)

  • Four freshly prepared, organic meals, wholesome daily snacks, and a full coffee, tea, and sparkling water bar

  • Full use of the estate’s peaceful amenities, including the Japanese garden and scenic walking paths

  • Access to renowned Idyllwild hiking trails and charming downtown shopping

  • A curated welcome gift with local recommendations, premium linens and towels, high-speed Wi-Fi, AC, a fan, and a cozy space heater

  • All staff gratuities for our culinary and cleaning team

The Idy Sunset

Upstairs Primary King with ensuite 

The third floor primary bedroom is the original primary bedroom of the house with panoramic views of the natural habitat around the house. It has a private fireplace and ensuite bathroom. This room has a king size bed, as well as 2 futons. Great for a group of friends!

Rate: $1350 (can be shared for an additional $250 per person) RESERVED

This package includes:

  • Two-night stay in the upstairs primary King suite

  • A King bed, panoramic views, two futons, and an ensuite bathroom.

  • Four uniquely themed yoga and meditation sessions led by Beth & Sara (including Vinyasa, Yin, Nidra, and guided meditation)

  • Four freshly prepared, organic vegan meals, wholesome daily snacks, and a full coffee, tea, and sparkling water bar

  • Full use of the estate’s peaceful amenities, including the Japanese garden and scenic walking paths

  • Steps away from renowned Idyllwild hiking trails and charming downtown shopping

  • A curated welcome gift with local recommendations, premium linens and towels, high-speed Wi-Fi, AC, a fan, and a cozy space heater

  • All staff gratuities for our culinary and cleaning team

The Queen Room

Queen bed with shared bath 

The main floor bedroom with a Queen bed and easy access to the main floor bathroom. This is a private room for one guest.

Rate: $950 (1 of 1 available)

This package includes:

  • Two-night accommodations in a private comfy queen bedroom on the main floor overlooking the valley with easy access to the main floor bathroom.

  • Four uniquely themed yoga and meditation sessions led by Beth & Sara (including Vinyasa, Yin, Nidra, and guided meditation)

  • Four freshly prepared, organic vegan meals and wholesome daily snacks prepared daily by private chef, and a full coffee, tea, and sparkling water bar

  • Full use of the estate’s peaceful amenities, including the Japanese garden and scenic walking paths. Access to renowned Idyllwild hiking trails and charming downtown shopping

  • A curated welcome gift with local recommendations, premium linens and towels, high-speed Wi-Fi, AC, a fan, and a cozy space heater

  • All staff gratuities for our culinary and cleaning team

The Bunk Room

Shared Room with Double or Twin Beds

The Bunk Room is a welcoming, shared space with two premium tiered bunk structures. Each structure offers a Full-size mattress on the bottom and a Twin mattress on top. Perfect for friends traveling together or solo seekers looking to connect, we ensure roommates are thoughtfully matched to give you a comfortable, supportive environment.

Rates:

  • Lower Bed (Full/Double): $750 (1 of 2 available)

  • Upper Bed (Twin): $650 (0 of 2 available) - RESERVED

This package includes:

  • A two-night stay in our thoughtfully arranged, shared community bunk room

  • Your choice of a premium Double lower bed or a Twin upper bed, with easy access to the main floor shared bath

  • Four uniquely themed yoga and meditation sessions led by Beth & Sara (including Vinyasa, Yin, Nidra, and guided meditation)

  • Four freshly prepared, organic vegan meals, wholesome daily snacks, and a full coffee, tea, and sparkling water bar

  • Full use of the estate’s peaceful amenities, including the Japanese garden and scenic walking paths

  • Steps away from renowned Idyllwild hiking trails and charming downtown shopping

  • A curated welcome gift with local recommendations, premium linens and towels, high-speed Wi-Fi, AC, a fan, and a cozy space heater

  • All staff gratuities for our culinary and cleaning team

Booking & Reservation Details

  • Availability: Rooms are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Deposit: A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to hold your room, with the full balance due before September 30th. Please review our FAQs for the complete cancellation policy.

  • Payment Methods: We gladly accept Venmo, Zelle, and PayPal. Secure payment details will be provided upon contacting us.

Schedule of Events

  • Friday

    3:00 PM Arrivals

    4:00 PM Intro & Intentions

    6:30 PM Welcome Dinner

    8:30 PM Candlelit Yoga Nidra

  • Saturday

    8:30 AM Breakfast & Journaling

    10:00 AM Vinyasa Yoga (90 min)

    (free time in Idyllwild)

    5:00 PM Sunset Yin Yoga (75 min)

    7:30 PM Dinner & Reflections

  • Sunday

    8:00 AM Breakfast & Journaling

    9:00 AM Gentle Yoga (75m)

    11:00 AM Closing Ceremony

    Note: schedule is subject to minor changes

Food as Medicine

We are thrilled to welcome Katya Zakharenko back to our retreat to share her love and passion for cooking. Since 2017, Katya has brought her culinary gifts to more than ten yoga retreats in Idyllwild, where her nourishing meals have become a beloved highlight of the retreat experience. She blends global inspiration with Ayurvedic recipes, organic ingredients, and locally sourced produce to create food that is as thoughtful and delicious as it is nourishing.

At our upcoming October retreat, Katya will once again guide us through a culinary experience rooted in care, connection, and a deep love of food.

In addition to being a gifted host and chef, Katya is an RYT-500 yoga teacher and an experienced international travel agent with more than a decade of experience crafting transformative retreats around the world. Her love of travel, yoga, food, and creating meaningful experiences makes her a truly special part of our retreat community.

What’s included:

Yoga Classes

Four thoughtfully crafted, uniquely themed classes led by Sara and Beth, designed to inspire and deepen your practice.

Delicious Meals

Four delicious organic meals served fresh daily, plus daily snacks and sweet treats, and a full coffee and tea bar.

Activities

Free-time on Saturday to visit local shops and restaurants, explore Idyllwild’s renowned hiking trails, or stay onsite to enjoy the tranquil property.

Two-Night Stay

Accommodations nestled on a stunning private estate in Idyllwild, surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, offering a serene and peaceful setting for your retreat experience.

Gratuity

Our talented culinary team will prepare exquisite, locally sourced meals that are both nourishing and delicious, tailored to support your wellness journey throughout the retreat.

Not included:

Transportation

Participants are responsible for their own airfare and transportation to and from the retreat location.

Lunch on Saturday

Participants are free to explore town during this time on Saturday.

FAQ’s

  • BIG YES. We encourage all levels and ages to join us. We welcome participants that have never been on retreat to advanced practitioners. We are experienced in guiding individuals of varying experience levels, ensuring that everyone gets what they need.

  • So many options! Idyllwild, California is in the mountains above Palm Desert.

    By car: It is accessible by car via various routes from LA, Orange County, San Diego, and Palm Desert. We encourage you to check the route that is the most comfortable for you.

    • Please note that if you are coming from Los Angeles, the 10E via the 243 in Banning, it is a windy road and might not be suitable for those with car sickness.

    By plane: If you are flying in, Palm Springs airport is within 45 min of Idyllwild. There are also nearby airports in San Diego, Orange County, Burbank, and Ontario.

  • We have private and shared options available. See rooming options.

    If you book the bunk room, we will pair you with another retreat participant(s).

    If you would like to share accommodations with someone you know, please note the name of the other person upon booking.

    The king room(s) can be shared for an additional $250 per person

  • All deposits are non-refundable and are used to secure your spot on the trip. The remaining balance will be refunded if we are able to fill your room.

    We understand last minute cancellations do happen due to injury or illness. If you have to cancel within 7 days, we will do our best to recover funds from the property but we cannot guarantee any refunds.

  • Potentially, Idyllwild is a very dog friendly town (the Mayor is a dog). Friendly dogs are welcome in private rooms with advanced approval.

  • CANCELLATION BY US

    In the unlikely event that WE have to cancel the trip for any reason then we will offer you a full refund.

    CANCELLATION BY YOU

    Deposits are non-refundable. If you cancel within 7 days of the trip, we are not able to guarantee a refund due to the cancellation policy of the property.

Meet Your Hosts

  • Sara Ruffin

    FOUNDER, CO-HOST

    Sara Ruffin (RYT-500) is a Tantra Hatha teacher who teaches classes at One Life Yoga in Pasadena. She loves to explore liberation through her teachings, with a focus on embodied movement, meditation, mantra, and celebration of the divine feminine.

    Sara teaches and practices Tantra Hatha yoga in the tradition of Krishnamacharya. She first studied Jivamukti yoga before completing various advanced studies (RYT-500) in Tantra Para Yoga. Always a student, she continues education in yoga therapy, yoga nidra, and meditation, with deep reverence for the source of yoga and tradition of the practice.

    Sara is a proud wife and mother of two beautiful sons. She also serves on the board of Building Trust Americas, a nonprofit focused on international philanthropic work.

  • Beth Imai

    FOUNDER, CO-HOST

    Beth Imai is a Certified Massage Therapist and Registered Yoga Teacher based in Los Angeles. She teaches public yoga classes at North Ray Yoga and One Life Yoga, and owns her own massage therapy practice (Beth Imai Bodywork) in Pasadena.

    In her yoga classes, she challenges students to explore breath and movement in a fun and safe way, with functional anatomy at the core. She aims to empower students to deepen their relationship to body, mind and spirit.

    ​Beth studied Massage Therapy, Myofascial Release and Energy Work at IPSB (Institute of Psycho-Structural Bodywork) in Santa Monica, California. Her education at IPSB not only gifted Beth the technical skill in the art of Massage, but it brought her back home to her body in a profound way that she was eager to share with others.

If you are reading this, consider it an open-hearted invitation to embrace your whole self…the parts that feel grounded, clear, and confident, as well as the parts that feel tender, reactive, uncertain or unresolved. Rather than turning away from these experiences, we will learn how to meet them with curiosity, presence and compassion.

Surrounded by the wild beauty of the San Jacinto Mountains, the sacred stillness of the forest, and the expansive mountain sky, the land itself becomes part of our practice. We will be nourished by wholesome plant-based meals, fresh mountain air, time in nature, restorative self-care practices, and the support of a community of like-hearted seekers committed to their own inner growth and spiritual exploration.

Our intention is to create a space where you feel safe, supported, and deeply held. We hope you will join us for this embodied, mystical journey in the mountains of Idyllwild.

Love,

Sara and Beth

Interested?