Private Group Retreat Application

Before applying, please review these important details about leading a guided retreat at Song of the Morning.

Introduction

Welcome! Please fill out this application to the best of your ability. Your application will be reviewed by the Spiritual Life Council of Song of the Morning. If there are any questions about your application, one of its members will reach out to you. Otherwise, the Retreat Office will reply to you with the next steps for setting your retreat in motion.

A Spiritual Retreat and Community

Song of the Morning is much more than a retreat center; ever since it was founded by Yogacharya Oliver Black in 1970, we have been a vibrant spiritual community dedicated to the timeless teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda. It is our joy and commitment to make this Retreat a place of sanctuary for all those on the path toward the Divine.

As an expression of respect for our spiritual foundation and with a spirit of sangha, fellowship, we humbly request that you commit to attend, with your group, at least one of our community meditations. You are also most welcome to join our Sunday inspirational service.

• Meditation takes place from 8-9 pm Tuesday-Saturday evening

• Sunday inspirational service is 11 am-12:15 pm

Is this a good fit for your group?

Song of the Morning has a few weekends available each year for private groups to rent our facilities. We look forward to sharing in this special place - which exists through the selfless services of thousands of devotees over the decades. Please read the information on this page to see if it’s a good fit for your group. A few points of compatibility we look for include:

• The facilitator must be known to SOM, and have a good standing relationship. They should know of Paramahansa Yogananda and have respect for this spiritual path. If they don't know SOM, they can attend an Inner Peace Retreat as a first step in getting to know us.

• Spiritual collaboration is essential. This reflects the principle that the guests of this group will be a part of our spiritual community in some way. It's not just about renting our venue - it’s about being part of the whole.  Examples including joining a meditation at least one night, or Sunday Service, or other ways of connecting with Sogn of the Morning. If a group does not want to do this, then it's likely not a good fit.

• A different pathway for groups is to join together in attending one of our Inner Peace Retreats, designed for new comers, or another program of interest.

Retreat Fees and Costs

A quote for your group retreat will be provided by the Retreat Office, with a special link for your group to choose and assign rooms (our rooms have various rates). This will include vegetarian meals. Special meal/dietary requests (such as gluten free, vegan) can be accommodated and may require an increase in cost.

Your quote will also cover the costs of using our larger group facilities. Spaces available include Center Dome, Upper Wheelhouse, or Central meeting area in the Lodge.

You will see on your quote a separate flat fee of $500.00 for  “Song of the Morning Retreat Fund” which helps cover the larger costs necessary for Song of the Morning’s ongoing work as a spiritual retreat and community.

Participant Registration and Minimums

Private group retreats must cover a minimum total fee, regardless of how many participants sign up. If you have cancellations of participants, you are still responsible for paying the minimum fee. Dates will be confirmed once we have approved a proposal and received payment of your initial deposit. Fees are nonrefundable.

Your retreat participants are required to register for the retreat and book accommodations before 3 days in advance. 

Cancellation Policies

If you must cancel your retreat, your deposit is non-refundable. Lodging and meal reservations will be refunded in full. If you cancel your retreat within 2 weeks of your date, the cost of meals will not be refunded. If you cancel your retreat within 72 hours before arrival, no refunds will be guaranteed but we’ll do our best to help. 

If individual guests cancel their lodging and meals before 2 weeks, a full refund is issued. Within two weeks, meal costs will not be refunded.  Within 72 hours of the scheduled arrival date, the payment is refunded minus the cost of the first night’s accommodations. No refund is available for no-shows.

Song of the Morning reserves the right to cancel a retreat in response to weather or other unforeseen emergencies. In these circumstances, the facility rental fee and all payments made for accommodations will be refunded in full.

Lead Coordinator Accommodations

• One lead coordinator will receive free meals and lodging for retreats that bring in at least 8 participants.

• Presenters will generally be given a single room but can upgrade to a larger room at an additional cost.

Participant Accommodations and Cancellation Policy

• A private link will be provided where your participants can make reservations for lodging through Song of the Morning’s website in advance. An option is also available for the facilitator to book and pay for their participant’s lodging on their behalf.

Planning Your Group Retreat

Sample Schedule - Download Here

Use this schedule to get an idea of how you can structure your program. It includes meals and the retreat center activities so you can easily tailor your retreat around whatever activities you wish to join. 

Retreat Rules: A Vibration of Purity and Peace

Please notify your guests that only vegetarian foods can be brought into the retreat property or facilities, even if purchased outside. Our Retreat property and facilities are also strictly free of smoking of any kind, alcohol, tobacco and drugs, including any recreational drugs. Please refrain from loud music. Observe quiet hours from 10:00pm-7:00am. No pets are allowed, nor hunting or any disturbance to animals or our land in Nature. Pets are not allowed at the Retreat. Campfires are only permitted in our designated area, organized in collaboration with Management. Some of our guests are environmentally sensitive, please refrain from using strong fragrances, scented candles or incense.

Chanting and laughter is much-appreciated!

Facilities
Each of our facilities are unique and therefore a particular space may be better suited for your retreat, depending on the size of your group and what activities you're doing.  In the application you can list your building request, though depending on the weekend your first choice may not be available. Song of the Morning has 40+ yoga mats available for guest use, along with an assortment of yoga props including 10 bolsters and a small number of blocks, blankets and pillows. Cushions for seated practice are plenty available in the Lodge where we host our evening meditation.

Meals
We serve two daily nutritious vegetarian meals at Song of the Morning, Brunch at 10:00am and Dinner at 5:00pm. Our meals often contain egg and dairy. Upon your request, and subject to additional charges, diet restrictions can be accommodated such as Gluten-Free and Vegan. We can also provide breakfast bars, fruits and coffee/tea in the early mornings and at other times of the day upon your request.

We Offer Hatha Yoga, Meditation and Nature Walks

Song of the Morning offers a hatha yoga class to all of our guests every Saturday at 2:00 pm. Upon your request, we can offer a customized Hatha Yoga class for your group, as well as a guided Nature walk, a guided meditation from one of our devotees, or a guided affirmation or prayer practice.

Culture of Service

When we host groups, sometimes they wish to help pitch in to help with dinner clean up or a simple service project such as helping our garden. If you are interested, please mention this in your application.

One Final Note – Our Culture of Respect

During his later years, Yogananda often spoke of creating World Brotherhood Colonies, centers where sincere seekers of diverse spiritual traditions would come together to live and work in friendship and deep mutual respect. Toward this end, he asked Yogacharya Oliver Black to establish Song of the Morning as such a community. Our intention at Song of the Morning is to provide a welcoming, friendly environment to all who visit, regardless of their respective beliefs and practices. In return, it is our expectation that guests extend a similar attitude of friendship and respect to others.

Thank you for working with us to put together a schedule of engaging, transformative programs in the coming season!

Sincerely,
The Programming Staff at Song of the Morning