Fall Immersion: Awakening the Mind – Jewel of Creation: Oct 21-24, Ely, Mn

Posted by AB on May 11, 2026 in Featured Events, immersion, meditation, retreat, ritual, tantra, Uncategorized, yoga | Comments Off on Fall Immersion: Awakening the Mind – Jewel of Creation: Oct 21-24, Ely, Mn

Awakening the Mind – Jewel of Creation

October 21-24 – Ely, Mn ~ Fall Immersion w/ Ben Vincent

Our annual Fall Immersion is intended for those looking for in-depth study and practice of yoga in a communal retreat setting. This immersion will delve experientially into Awakening the Mind – Jewel of Creation. We will integrate dharma teachings, holistic practices (asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, chanting, kriya, yoga nidra, self-reflection, etc.), meditative ritual, music and devotion. We’ll share laughter, tears, songs, stories, meals and the joy of sangha. We invite you warmly to join us for this sacred time of practice, teachings and ritual – with abundant time for yourself, in nature and community.

Awakening the Mind – Jewel of Creation

The ancient seers (rishis) of the Vedic tradition sought to understand the nature of life through carefully observing and cultivating the inner and outer worlds. According to Vedic Wisdom, life’s two co-eternal principles are Consciousness and Creative Energy/Power. Consciousness is the limitless source and field of knowing, which expresses itself as the universe through creative power. Consciousness endows every-thing with an essential nature (sva-dharma), and weaves them together harmoniously. Creative Energy/power is the dynamic force through which the web of life has evolved, from the subtlest aspects of the human mind to the physical world of the elements. Amidst the abundance, diversity and beauty of life, the rishis came to understand the human mind as a crown jewel of creation. To be born with a human mind, able to perceive, unveil and illuminate the sacredness of life, is a profound blessing. They called the mind Antahkarana – “the inner instrument”, and knew it to be a tool of incredible power – abridge between the seen and unseen, between the individual and universal. When awakened, the mind is a prism which can reflect and transmit the light of consciousness, and transmit four great powers:

• dharma shakti– the power to see and live in harmony with the sacredness of Life
• jnana shakti- the power to know and discern between what is True and untrue
• vairagya shakti- the power to release self-limiting identities and conditionings that cause suffering
• aishvarya shakti– boundless power to be and to become

When un-awakened, the four great powers of the mind can become adharma (ignorance of dharma), ajnana (inability to know what is Real), avairagya (inability to release that which cause suffering) and anaishvarya (inability to exercise the power to be and become). Under the sway of ignorance (avidya), the unawakened mind is the root cause of much of the suffering in life, on the levels of great nature, human culture and within ourselves.

The ancient seers saw clearly the power of the mind – to be an instrument in service of dharma, bringing freedom and fulfillment, or to ben an instrument of avidya, and cause further suffering. The considered an un-awakened human life to be the greatest loss. The science of yoga is intended to understand, cultivate and refine the mind – so we may make the most of the human birth, and be an instrument in service of life.

The Immersion will delve into:

• The Human Mind: Jewel of Creation – a prism between The Absolute and the World
• Awakening Antahkarana: Four Aspects of the Yogic Mind: Buddhi, Manas, Citta, Ahamkara
• Refining and Empowering Buddhi – The Faculty of Intelligence, Discernment, Wisdom
• Evolving and Dissolving Ahamkara – The Faculty of Identification
• Purifying Citta – The Faculty of Memory, Storehouse of Karma
• Calming and Clarifying Manas – The Sensory and Emotional Mind
• Essential Teachings from the Yoga Sutra for Healing, Awakening and Empowering the Mind
• Essential Practices for Awakening the Mind: Meditation, Mantra, Self-Study, Trustful Surrender
• Integrating Breath and Prana – Master Keys for healing and Awakening the Mind
• Restoring harmony in relationship of prana, nervous system and mind
• Yoga as Self-mastery of the fluctuations of the mind
• The importance of Practice and Non-Attachment in awakening the Mind
• Four stages of Vairagya – removing limiting mental conditions through meditation
• Samayama – Awakening power through meditation
• Ahimsa and the Yamas: uprooting and transforming harmful tendencies of the mind
• Brahma Viharas– Cultivating the “divine abodes” of friendliness, compassion, sympathetic joy, equanimity to purify the heart-mind
• Isvara – The Divine as the Supreme Self, source of all knowing, ever free and wise
• Self-Knowledge and Education for making a life
• Personal and Group Rituals for awakening the mind
• So much more…

The Place:  Camp du Nord, near Ely, MN.  A stones throw from the Boudary Waters, Camp du Nord is set amongst the pine, maple and birch forest alongside Lake Burntside.  It has been a natural place of sanctuary, retreat, reconnection for more than 50 years.

Your Investment (Early Registration discount/ Full Rate):  

• $675/ $725 – Twin bed in a communal Loft Space
• $795/ $845 – Shared bedroom space (2 people/room, twin beds or queen bed for couples)
• $975 – Private bedroom space (queen bed)

**As of Aug 1, all loft spaces have been reserved – there are shared and private rooms still available. If you are interested in joining immersion, but the shared or private room rates are prohibitive, please email ben@vincentyoga.com, and we’ll do our best to make something work.

Early Registration Discount- Receive $50 off the shared bedroom or loft rates when you register and pay in full by August 7. Early registration discount does not apply to private rooms or cabins.

All rates are per person. This is a small group immersion and space will be allotted in the order in which registrations are received.

Rates are inclusive of:

• Lodging: For more information on accommodations and activities, visit the fall retreat page.
• Immersion Tuition
• Use of Camp du Nord facilities (sauna, hiking trails, canoes + kayaks, etc.)

Massage will be available during breaks.  Please note meals are not provided. Each cabin has a fully equipped kitchen for all your cooking needs. We will plan to eat dinners communally, with groups taking turns preparing food if the group size accommodates eating/cooking together.  

To reserve your space: please submit registration/waiver form + payment at the same time

1. Fall Immersion Registration + Waiver
2. Submit a $350 deposit (per-person, non-refundable)or payment in full. Payment are preferred through Venmo (@vincent-yoga), and can also be made through PayPal (bvrocksteady@gmail.com), check (see directions below), or CC. Venmo is free when paying as a friend. There is a 3.5% fee for paypal, CC or when paying for “goods and services” through Venmo to cover costs.  Contact us directly to pay via CC or paypal.

All payments are due by Sept 20. There will be a $50 fee for payments, payment plans and registrations received after Sept 20.  For those unable to pay-in-full before Sept 20, payment plans are available through paypal credit. All payments are final, there are no refunds unless the retreat gets cancelled. The non-refundable $350 deposit covers the costs to camp du Nord in the event that the retreat should have to be cancelled for unforeseen reasons.  Other discounts and scholarships are not available.

Please contact us with any questions or inquiries

Testimonials:

“I have attended several fall immerisons. Each one has been an enriching, nourishing, and powerful experience through Ben’s thoughtful, insightful, and poetic teachings. The most profound aspect of this sacred time is shedding the noise of the outer everyday world of tasks, to-do lists, and responsibilities to focus on the quietness of the inner self and life for a few days. I leave with a deeper understanding of my practice that I have carried forth in my everyday life and that continues to unfold. Every fall I look forward to reuniting with the astounding beauty of the north woods (especially Burntside Lake!) and the warm, welcoming community.”

“I can still feel such an expansive heart, and such a deep feeling of peace. It was like a horizon of peace, so steady and real, and heart all around me. I can still feel how I felt sitting in circle, laughing and crying, and feeling so grateful to be feeling so deeply.I can still feel the love and support of sangha, totally in awe that it’s possible to feel so known. I can still feel you holding us in that space, trusting us and what might be. I trust you too. I’m still totally in awe that the experience we just had is possible. That it’s possible to connect with one another and with life in such a deep way.”

“The fall immersion was powerfully healing for me. Life had crowded out and overwhelmed my sadhana. I needed a reset and I got one. Thank you!”

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Bringing the Yoga Sutra to Life Taking Refuge: April 2026-February 2027

Posted by AB on Jan 19, 2026 in immersion, meditation, retreat, Retreats, ritual, tantra, teacher training, Travel, Uncategorized, yoga | Comments Off on Bringing the Yoga Sutra to Life Taking Refuge: April 2026-February 2027

Bringing the Yoga Sutra to Life

Taking Refuge: April 2026 – February 2027

The Taking Refuge program is a one of a kind, in-depth offering, intended for committed students of yogis and spiritual seekers aspiring to healing, awakening and inspired living in vibrant and caring community. Traditionally, taking refuge is a vow to a life of dharma – rooted in the three jewels: 1) Dharma –Teachings + Practice 2) Teacher (inner and outer) 3) Sangha – Sacred community. It is a calling to live in alignment with the ultimate reality and our true nature – on all levels of life. It is a ritual of returning to sanctuary, to what truly nourishes and sustains us, especially during troubled times. In the yogic wisdom traditions,

In the Taking Refuge program, you’ll be supported through:

• Quarterly Seasonal Retreats
• Monthly Satsangs (Teachings, practices, community connection, ritual and more!)
• Guided Home Study and Practice
• Optional Private Sessions

Bringing the Yoga Sutra to Life

We are living through profoundly challenging times know in the Yogic Tradition as the Kali Yuga or “the Long Dark”. In this time, human consciousness is pervaded by avidya – lack of awareness of our True Nature and the Laws (dharma) which govern life – leading to collective suffering, and the dis-integration and desecration of great nature, human culture and our individual hearts and minds. It is not the first time humanity has faced great collective challenges, and the sacred wisdom of living traditions is both a refuge and a guiding light.

For at least 5,000 years the spiritual traditions of India have been exploring the nature of life, what it is to be human, why we suffer, and how to realize lives of freedom and fulfillment. The quintessence of that search is Yoga – the spiritual science of Self-Realization through union. Across millennia, Yoga has been evolved, refined and passed down as a living tradition – a sacred gift to help humanity find healing, awakening, inspired and empowered living. Its teachings and practices are as relevant now as ever.

The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is one the most comprehensive and practical spiritual texts ever composed. Codified ~2,000 years ago, The Yoga Sutra is considered the essential text of Raja (Royal or Classical) yoga. It is a map for awakened living – illuminating a path from being afflicted by suffering (dukkha) and conditioned existence (samsara), to lives of freedom – through cultivating and awakening the heart and mind. Our exploration of the Yoga Sutra will focus on:

• Deepening into its timeless wisdom through chanting and study of the Sutras
• Integrating its profound, transformative teachings + practices in modern life
• Cultivating our hearts and minds as instruments of Sacred Peace and Power

Our In-Depth Study + Practice will include:

• Exploration of Yoga Sutra of Patanjali – Chanting the Sutras, Dharma Teachings, Self-Study, Personal + group reflection
• Holistic Yoga Practices: Asana, Pranayama, Meditation, Kriya, Mantra, Yoga Nidra, Chanting + more!
• Rituals for alignment with the cycles of Life, healing and transformation
• Raja (Royal or Classical) Yoga – The imperative of timeless wisdom in modern life
• Illuminating The Four Chapters of the Yoga Sutra: Union, Spiritual Practice, Empowerment, Freedom
• Kriya Yoga: The Yoga of Action
• Ashtanga Yoga: The Eight Limbed Path
• Yamas + Niyamas – Yoga’s foundations of awakened living
• Ahimsa (Non-harming) + Satya (Truth-fullness): The great vows in modern life
• Asana: The Yoga of Posture
• Pranayama: Energetic Breathwork
• The Yogic Science and Art of Meditation for healing and awakening the Heart-mind
• Awakening the Yogic Mind – the inner instrument of peace and power
• Samyama: The Process and Power of Meditation
• Samkhya Darshan: The ancient worldview beneath Yoga, Tantra, Buddhism and Ayurveda
• Kleshas, Karma and Obstacles to Yoga: Understanding and transforming the root causes of suffering
• Working Skillfully with challenging mental and emotional states
• Witness Awareness – The foundation of peace, healing and transformation
• Isvara: The Presence and Power of Divine Consciousness
• The Divine Abodes: Loving Kindness, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy and Equanimity
• Secret Teachings of the Sutras on Power and Freedom
• Finding stability, balance and peace in turbulent times
• The Lotus of the Heart – the Light Beyond all Sorrow
• So much more

Program Structure

1. Seasonal Retreats: Retreat is a sacred space from which to see ourselves and life clearly. A time to re-commune with the Sacred through Self, communal living, spiritual practice, nature, ritual, creative expression. Retreat is a ritual of honoring our inner call: to slow down, find rest, reflect upon, reconnect with and recommit to what is most important in life.

• Spring: May 1-3 at the House of Prayer in Collegeville, Mn
• Summer: July 24-26 at the House of Prayer
• Fall: October 22-25 or 25-28 at Camp du Nord near Ely, Mn
• Winter: January 29-31, 2027 – at the House of Prayer

Spring, Summer and Winter Retreats will be small group (16 people) immersive weekend retreats (Friday 4 pm – 1 pm Sunday) at the House of Prayer in Collegeville, MN. Fall Retreat for Taking Refuge will be at our annual Fall Immersion, Oct 22-25 or 25-28 (TBD) at beloved Camp du Nord! Retreats will consist of:

• 1-3 sessions of yoga practice + spiritual teachings daily
• Morning / Evening chanting + meditation
• Time in solitude, community + nature
• In Depth Exploration of the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali
• Sacred rituals for individual and collective healing, awakening and transformation
• Creative expression (music, poetry, art, etc.)
• Myths, Stories and Songs
• Shared meals, laughter and tears

2. Monthly Satsangs : A combination of practice, teachings + study of the Yoga Sutra, ritual and community time in Minneapolis.

• Weds. April 15, 6-8:45 pm
• Weds. June 17 or Saturday June 20, 6-8:45 pm (Summer Solstice Ritual)
• Weds. August 12, 6-8:45 pm
• Weds. September 16 or 20, 6-8:45 pm (Autumnal Equinox Ritual)
• Weds. November 18, 6-8:45 pm
• Weds. December 16 or Saturday Dec 13, 6-9 pm (Winter Solstice Ritual)
• Weds. February 17, 2027 6-8:45

Audio recordings of satsangs and retreats will be shared after each session. In person attendance is highly recommended for Satsangs. Livestream options will be available for most satsangs for those unable to attend in person. Any outdoor rituals at satsang will be in person only. Retreats will only be offered in-person.

3. Guided Home Study and Practice: Readings, journaling, audio recordings and home practice to support your learning and embodiment of the teachings. 

4. Optional Private Sessions – For those interested in more personalized guidance and support, you may add quarterly individual sessions with Ben. See “your investment” below for more info.

Retreat Locations, Accommodations and Meals

Spring, Summer and Winter Retreats will be at the Episcopal House of Prayer (EHoP) in Collegeville, MN – 75 miles NW of Mpls. For 30+ years, they’ve been welcoming groups for retreat and spiritual practice. Renowned for its potent sacred space, natural + architectural beauty, EHoP is a sanctuary designed to support deep connection.

The House of Prayer is nestled on the edge of Saint John’s Abbey and University – amidst the remarkable beauty and sanctuary of 2,700 acres of extensive forest, wetlands, lakes, oak savanna, restored prairie, and hiking trails.  Its been a place of learning and spiritual refuge for over 165 years.

Fall retreat of Taking Refuge will be the annual fall immersion at beloved Camp du Nord. Nestled in the northwoods on pristine Burntside Lake, near the Boundary Waters, this area has been a place of sanctuary for generations. 3 days of in-depth study + practice. Free time for hiking, paddling, sauna, massage and deep connection.

EHoP is designed to support both community and solitude. There are single and double rooms with twin beds, individual sinks, desks, chairs and reading lamps. The larger living/ dining spaces and restrooms are shared. The oratory and prayer room are available as quiet, contemplative spaces. In the spirit of community, we will eat meals communally. Each person will be assigned to a group responsible for planning and bringing/ preparing one meal per retreat. Meals will be vegetarian and we’ll do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions. We’ve done meals this way for years on fall immersion, and they are always wonderful! Accommodation on the fall retreat at Camp du Nord are in comfortable modern cabins.

Participant Testimonials

“Taking Refuge has been such a source of nourishment and support – a powerful way to be held by sangha and live in closer alignment with what is true for me. It is a gift of practices, teachings, song, story, ritual, and opportunities to be in community in a way that is real, unique and sacred. I haven’t experienced anything like it in my life. I have felt supported and inspired by the group, by our teacher, and by the beautiful space in which we have gathered. It has allowed me to see myself and my relationships more clearly, to feel more alive and connected, and more devoted to caring for myself and others. Gathering throughout the year has been the support I need to grow closer to myself and life. I feel so grateful for this program and for the way Ben weaves it all together. ”

“The Taking Refuge program is a great gift and an opportunity to connect more deeply with community, with dharma, and spirit. Ben has cultivated a sangha community so supportive of one another, that shares and encourages a commitment to living dharmicly in these times. I appreciated having this throughout the year and to find ways to offer service and more fully expand my practice into all areas of my life. The opportunity to take refuge in teachings, teacher, and sangha during times of darkness in our outer world, and to practice in the sacred Oratory at EHoP, is truly special.”

“This program truly embodies the three jewels in a way that held me and allowed me the grounding and resources to continue to work deeply with life. The power of a sacred community cannot be underestimated in its ability to contradict the feelings of aloneness or fear that are ever creeping in the times we live in. The retreats and were empowering and re-vitalizing… giving me practices, community, and guidance that kept me oriented toward dharma and supported in daily life.” 

“This will be my third year taking part in this unique program and I can’t recommend it enough. Ben thoughtfully cultivates the experience of learning, retreating, and connecting in a powerful and supportive space, complete with community meals and time in nature. The three gems of Taking Refuge have become increasingly important pillars in my life and practice. Come join us, you’ll be glad you did!”

“Taking Refuge has been a profound and transformative part of my yoga journey, offering me invaluable tools to deepen my practice and nurture my soul. It has provided a compassionate and supportive community—a space where I can share, grow, and connect with others on a meaningful level.  I am deeply grateful to Ben for his guidance and the sacred space he has cultivated, allowing us all to find refuge in our practice.”

Your Investment

Space is limited in this small group program to 16 people. Spaces + accommodation preferences will be allotted in the order in which payment and registration are received. Rates are inclusive of program tuition and lodging – including accommodation in private or shared rooms at EHoP, and in communal loft spaces at Camp du Nord. You can upgrade to shared or private rooms for the fall retreat.

Private Room – $3695                                                                                                      Shared Room – $3275

Early Registration Discount – $150 off the above rates when paid in full by Feb 15. Payment Plans: May be available on an individual basis. Contact ben@vincentyoga.com for more information.

Optional Add-ons

Quarterly Private Session w/ Ben: $450 for four sessions, 1/ quarter throughout the year.

To reserve your space:

1. Please email the completed the registration form to Ben@vincentyoga.com
2. Submit a $500 deposit (non-refundable) through Venmo (@ben-vincent-9). Payment can also be made through cash, check, PayPal (bvrocksteady@gmail.com). There is a 3.5% fee for paypal or if “paying for a service” via venmo to cover costs. Please contact Ben directly to pay via cash, check.

All payments are due in full by April 1. There will be a $150 fee for late payments. All payments are final and non-refundable, unless your reserved space in the program is filled. If you choose to withdraw from the program, your payment will be forfeited. Other discounts and scholarships are not available.

Please contact ben@vincentyoga.com with any inquiries about the program, registration or payment plans.

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New Years Retreat in the City – Sat. Jan 3, 12-5:30 w/ Ben

Posted by AB on Dec 3, 2025 in community, immersion, meditation, Retreats, ritual, sacred, tantra, Uncategorized, yoga | Comments Off on New Years Retreat in the City – Sat. Jan 3, 12-5:30 w/ Ben

The Power of Inspired Intention: New Years Retreat in the City – Sat. Jan. 3, 12-5:30pm w/ Ben

The New Year is an auspicious time for spiritual practice. At the threshold between years, we’re inspired to reflect upon the year that has passed, remember what’s most important in the present and envision and recommit to what calls us in the coming year. Self-reflection is an essential part of our humanity – through which we can heal and transform our lives and contribute meaningfully to the life of the world.

This special retreat in the city will integrate:

• holistic yoga practices: postures, breath work, meditation, mantra, guided relaxation)
• Awakening Sankalpa Shakti: The Power of Inspired Intention
• self-reflection, journaling and visioning
• ritual and song

Join Ben for a day of reflection, remembrance and recommitment to bring in the New Year!

This event is offered in the spirit of dana or generosity. There is no set fee. Your sliding scale donations ($50-250) supports our ability to make these offerings accessible. Space is limited and Pre-registration is highly recommend.

Reserve Your Space Here

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Fall Immersion: The Lotus of the Heart – Oct 5-8, Ely MN

Posted by AB on May 28, 2025 in immersion, meditation, Retreats, ritual, sacred, Self-Care, tantra, teacher training, Travel, Uncategorized, yoga | Comments Off on Fall Immersion: The Lotus of the Heart – Oct 5-8, Ely MN

Fall Immersion: The Lotus of the Heart

October 5-8 – Ely, Mn ~ with Ben Vincent

Our annual Fall Immersion is intended for those looking for in-depth study and practice of yoga in a communal retreat setting. This immersion will delve experientially into the Lotus of the Heart. We will integrate dharma teachings, holistic practices (asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, chanting, kriya, yoga nidra, self-reflection, etc.), meditative ritual, music and devotion. We’ll share laughter, tears, songs, stories, meals and the joy of sangha. We invite you warmly to join us for this sacred time of practice, teachings and ritual – with abundant time in nature, community and solitude.

The Lotus of the Heart

 Across time, diverse cultures and spiritual traditions, the Spiritual Heart or Heart Center has been revered as a Sacred place of union (yoga) between the seen and unseen, the individual and the universal, the human and divine. In the Yoga, Tantra and many mystical traditions, the heart center (Anahata or Hridaya), is the seat of the Divine within – where the True Self/ Soul (Atman) is in communion with the Universal (Brahman, Para Shakti). Thus, it is considered a sacred refuge and the innermost shrine in the living temple of the human body.

As the abode of the Soul, in the Lotus of the Heart dwell many shaktis (sacred powers). These include love, wisdom, compassion, grief and gratitude, non-attachment and our sva-dharma – our essential nature and unique creative genius. We long for the freedom and fulfillment of the Heart, because it is our ultimate nature. Thus, the journey to the heart is often considered the essential pilgrimage in life.

 Along this life journey, we will encounter the full experience of human life – both the beauty and sacredness of life, the joys and sorrows of the world, the pain of feeling separate from the Sacred and the longing for our return. Ultimately, these sufferings can initiate us into the deeper territory of the heart – calling us to heal, awaken + bring forth our gifts. We long to bring forth our Sva Dharma and its gifts, because they are fullest expression of and offering to life – and they are the needed medicine for ourselves and the world.

In the Lotus of the Heart, we’ll explore:

• The heart center as refuge and living temple of the Sacred
• The power of the Soul in these times
• Karma, Dharma and the journey to the Heart
• In depth Teachings and Practices for Healing and Awakening the Heart
• The Yogic Understanding of the Divinity as transcendent consciousness and immanent power  
• Awakening the Shaktis (sacred powers) of the Heart: Love, Wisdom, Compassion, etc.
• Answering the call of the times to Compassionate Dharmic Action
• Caring for our hearts and the heart of the world
• Grief + Gratitude – being stretched large by the heart
• Internal and Communal Rituals for the heart
• So much more                                       

The Place:  Camp du Nord, near Ely, MN.  A stones throw from the Boudary Waters, Camp du Nord is set amongst the pine, maple and birch forest alongside Lake Burntside.  It has been a natural place of sanctuary, retreat, reconnection for more than 50 years.

Your Investment: 

• $695 – Twin bed in a communal Loft Space
• $795 – Shared bedroom space (2 people/room, twin beds or queen bed for couples)
• $950 – Private bedroom space (queen bed)

As of Sept 2, just a few spaces remaining!

Early Registration Discount- Receive $35 off the shared bedroom or loft rates when you register and pay in full by Aug 10. Early registration discount does not apply to private rooms or cabins.

All rates are per person. This is a small group immersion and space will be allotted in the order in which registrations are received.

Rates are inclusive of:

• Lodging: For more information on accommodations and activities, visit the fall retreat page.
• Immersion Tuition
• Use of Camp du Nord facilities (sauna, hiking trails, canoes + kayaks, etc.)

Massage will be available during breaks.  Please note meals are not provided. Each cabin has a fully equipped kitchen for all your cooking needs. We will plan to eat dinners communally, with groups taking turns preparing food if the group size accommodates eating/cooking together.  

To reserve your space: please submit registration/waiver form + payment at the same time

1. Fall Immersion Registration + Waiver
2. Submit a $300 deposit (per-person, non-refundable) or payment in full. Payment are preferred through Venmo (@vincent-yoga), and can also be made through PayPal (bvrocksteady@gmail.com), check (see directions below), or CC. Venmo is free when paying as a friend. There is a 3.5% fee for paypal, CC or when paying for “goods and services” through Venmo to cover costs.  Contact us directly to pay via CC or paypal.

All payments are due by Sept 5. There will be a $50 fee for payments, payment plans and registrations received after Sept 5.  For those unable to pay-in-full before Sept 5, payment plans are available through paypal credit. All payments are final, there are no refunds unless the retreat gets cancelled. The non-refundable $300 deposit covers the costs to camp du Nord in the event that the retreat should have to be cancelled for unforeseen reasons.  Other discounts and scholarships are not available.

Please contact us with any questions or inquiries

Testimonials:

“I have attended several fall immerisons. Each one has been an enriching, nourishing, and powerful experience through Ben’s thoughtful, insightful, and poetic teachings. The most profound aspect of this sacred time is shedding the noise of the outer everyday world of tasks, to-do lists, and responsibilities to focus on the quietness of the inner self and life for a few days. I leave with a deeper understanding of my practice that I have carried forth in my everyday life and that continues to unfold. Every fall I look forward to reuniting with the astounding beauty of the north woods (especially Burntside Lake!) and the warm, welcoming community.”

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Shakti Shala Grand Opening – April 26-27

Posted by AB on Apr 22, 2025 in immersion, ritual, sacred, tantra, Uncategorized, yoga, Yoga Studio | Comments Off on Shakti Shala Grand Opening – April 26-27

Join us for our Grand Opening weekend April 26-27!

We are delighted to formally open Shakti Shala… please join us in our Grand Opening weekend to help us in consecrating our sanctuary in the city! Our sunlit studio in the Ivy Building for the Arts will be – a sacred space for yoga, healing, community and inspired living. The grand opening weekend will feature:

• Free Classes: Sat April 26 (8:30 + 10am) + Sun April 27 (9 + 10:30) – Pre-register here to reserve your space
• Open House Sat April 26, 12-2 pm – Light Snacks + Beverages, Raffle for class passes and yoga props, meet the sangha (sacred community). Families and children are welcome!
• Space Consecration Sunday April 27, 3-4 pm. Short welcome with Ben + Angela, group chanting and consecration ritual. Please arrive by 2:45 and bring a small sacred object to place on the altar.

Our Location: You can find us in the Ivy Building for the Arts – 2637 27th Ave S, Suite 201, Mpls. When you enter the building, go up the stairs, take three right turns and head up the ramp. You’ll find us just through the fire door. There’s also an elevator down the hall to the right when you enter the building. We are the closet studio to the elevator on the second floor.

Feel free to message ben@vincentyoga.com with any questions. We hope to see you there!

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Taking Refuge Apr 2025 – Jan 2026: Living Yoga in the Kali Yuga

Posted by AB on Jan 9, 2025 in immersion, meditation, Retreats, ritual, sacred, tantra, Travel, Uncategorized, yoga | Comments Off on Taking Refuge Apr 2025 – Jan 2026: Living Yoga in the Kali Yuga

 

Taking Refuge 2025

Living Yoga in the Kali Yuga

April 2025 – January 2026 w/ Ben Vincent

Taking refuge is a vow to a life of dharma – living in alignment with the ultimate reality and our true nature – on all levels of life. It is a ritual of returning to sanctuary, to what truly nourishes and sustains us, especially during troubled times. Taking Refuge is rooted in the teaching of the three jewels in the yogic wisdom traditions:

• Teacher (inner and outer)
• Teachings + Practice (dharma)
• Sacred community (sangha)

Living Yoga in the Kali Yuga – The Long Dark

We are living through dark times. 

This is a time of radical disturbance and dis-integration in great nature and human culture.  A time when humanity has lost its way – when fear, vitriol, suffering, and greed consume our consciousness, and we live in discord with ourselves, one another and the living world.  A time when our deep wounds are surfacing individually and collectively, and the webs of self, family, community, country and world are fraying.  A time when our collective actions and inaction violate and desecrate the sacredness of life.  The ancient seers of the yoga foretold of this time as “The Kali Yuga” or “The Long Dark” – a prolonged period of darkness, dissolution and a-dharma.  

Yet even in these times, life is Sacred.  

Kali also refers to the power of time to destroy and re-create.  In the cycles of life, creation and dissolution are ongoing and deeply connected.  Humanity has been through dark times before.  Just as the fallow times of winter precede the rebirth of Spring, so too times of darkness may be both a tomb and a womb.  The Kali Yuga carries the hidden potential for life to renew through individual and collective healing, awakening and transformation.  This will not come from the top down, but from re-awakening to the Sacred, remembering our interconnectedness, reimagining the way we live and bringing forth of the dharmic gifts each of us carries.  

Your dharmic gifts are the medicine needed in these times.

The three refuges of dharma, sangha and teacher each play an essential role in sustaining us.  When interwoven, they form the fabric of our spiritual lives: supporting our healing journeys, helping us return to the Sacred, and empowering us to bringing forth our unique dharma for the healing and awakening of ourselves and the world. Living Yoga in the Kali Yuga will be rooted in the three refuges. We’ll share the depth and beauty of holistic yoga practices, in-depth study of the Bhagavad Gita, sacred rituals, meals, stories, songs, tears, laughter, time in community, solitude and nature.

Will you to join us in Taking Refuge + answer the call of these times?!?

Program Structure

1. Seasonal Retreats: Retreat is a sacred space from which to see ourselves and life clearly. A time to re-commune with the Sacred through Self, community, practice, nature, ritual, creative expression. Retreat is a ritual of honoring our inner call: to slow down, find rest, reflect upon, reconnect with and recommit to what is most important in life.

• Spring: May 16-18 at the House of Prayer (EHoP) in Collegeville, Mn
• Summer: August 8-10 at the House of Prayer
• Fall: October 5-8 at Camp du Nord near Ely, Mn
• Winter: January 23-23, 2026 – at the House of Prayer

Spring, Summer and Winter Retreats will be small group (16 people) immersive weekend retreats (Friday 5:30 pm – 2 pm Sunday) at the House of Prayer in Collegeville, MN. Fall Retreat for Taking Refuge will be at our annual Fall Immersion, Oct 5-8 at beloved Camp du Nord! Retreats will consist of:

• 1-3 sessions of yoga practice + spiritual teachings daily
• Morning / Evening chanting + meditation
• Time in solitude, community + nature
• Study of the Bhagavad Gita – Living Yoga in times of crisis
• Sacred rituals for individual and collective healing, awakening and transformation
• Creative expression (music, poetry, art, etc.)
• Myths, Stories and Songs
• Shared meals, laughter and tears

2. Monthly Satsangs : A combination of practice, teachings + study of the Bhagavad Gita, ritual and community time in Minneapolis.

• Weds. April 16, 6-8:45 pm
• Sat. June 21, 10:30a-1:30p (Summer Solstice Ritual)
• Weds. July 9, 6-8:45 pm
• Sat. Sept. 13, 10:30a-1:30p (Autumnal Equinox Ritual)
• Weds. Nov. 5, 6-8:45p
• Sat. Dec. 13, 5-8p (Winter Solstice Ritual)

Audio recordings of satsangs and retreats will be shared after each session. In person attendance is highly recommended for Satsangs., with livestream options available for those unable to attend in person. Retreats will only be offered in-person.

3. Guided Home Study and Practice: Readings, journaling, audio recordings and home practice to support your learning and embodiment of the teachings. 

4. Optional Private Sessions – For those interested in more personalized guidance and support, you may add quarterly individual sessions with Ben. See “your investment” below for more info.

Our Study + Practice will include:

• What is the Kali Yuga – aka the Long Dark? What is the nature of this time?
• What is living Yoga? How do we do it in times of darkness?
• Darkness as womb and tomb
• Darkness and rites of passage, individually and collectively
• Facing fear and cultivating courage
• Healing, Awakening and transformation in times of darkness
• The living refuges of dharma, sangha and teacher
• Awakening + Empowering Dharma – As refuge, medicine and offering
• Holistic Yoga Practices: Asana, Pranayama, Meditation, Kriya, Mantra, Yoga Nidra and more!
• In depth study of the Bhagavad Gita: India’s timeless wisdom for living yoga in times of Crisis
• Seasonal Rituals for alignment with the cycles of Life, healing and transformation
• Finding stability, balance and peace in turbulent times
• Tantra and reclaiming the Sacred in the Kali Yuga
• Kindling the Sacred Fire of Transformation + Alchemy
• The Lotus of the Heart
• Caring for the Heart of the world through grief + gratitude
• Caring for the Heart of the world through compassion, devotion and dharmic action

Retreat Locations, Accommodations and Meals

Spring, Summer and Winter Retreats will be at the Episcopal House of Prayer (EHoP) in Collegeville, MN – 75 miles NW of Mpls. For 30+ years, they’ve been welcoming groups for retreat and spiritual practice. Renowned for its potent sacred space, natural + architectural beauty, EHoP is a sanctuary designed to support deep connection.

The House of Prayer is nestled on the edge of Saint John’s Abbey and University – amidst the remarkable beauty and sanctuary of 2,700 acres of extensive forest, wetlands, lakes, oak savanna, restored prairie, and hiking trails.  Its been a place of learning and spiritual refuge for over 165 years.

Fall retreat of Taking Refuge will be the annual fall immersion at beloved Camp du Nord. Nestled in the northwoods on pristine Burntside Lake, near the Boundary Waters, this area has been a place of sanctuary for generations. 3 days of in-depth study + practice. Free time for hiking, paddling, sauna, massage and deep connection.

EHoP is designed to support both community and solitude. There are single and double rooms with twin beds, individual sinks, desks, chairs and reading lamps. The larger living/ dining spaces and restrooms are shared. The oratory and prayer room are available as quiet, contemplative spaces. In the spirit of community, we will eat meals communally. Each person will be assigned to a group responsible for planning and bringing/ preparing one meal per retreat. Meals will be vegetarian and we’ll do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions. We’ve done meals this way for years on fall immersion, and they are always wonderful! Accommodation on the fall retreat at Camp du Nord are in comfortable modern cabins.

Participant Testimonials

“Taking Refuge has been such a source of nourishment and support – a powerful way to be held by sangha and live in closer alignment with what is true for me. It is a gift of practices, teachings, song, story, ritual, and opportunities to be in community in a way that is real, unique and sacred. I haven’t experienced anything like it in my life. I have felt supported and inspired by the group, by our teacher, and by the beautiful space in which we have gathered. It has allowed me to see myself and my relationships more clearly, to feel more alive and connected, and more devoted to caring for myself and others. Gathering throughout the year has been the support I need to grow closer to myself and life. I feel so grateful for this program and for the way Ben weaves it all together. ”

“The Taking Refuge program is a great gift and an opportunity to connect more deeply with community, with dharma, and spirit. Ben has cultivated a sangha community so supportive of one another, that shares and encourages a commitment to living dharmicly in these times. I appreciated having this throughout the year and to find ways to offer service and more fully expand my practice into all areas of my life. The opportunity to take refuge in teachings, teacher, and sangha during times of darkness in our outer world, and to practice in the sacred Oratory at EHoP, is truly special.”

“This program truly embodies the three jewels in a way that held me and allowed me the grounding and resources to continue to work deeply with life. The power of a sacred community cannot be underestimated in its ability to contradict the feelings of aloneness or fear that are ever creeping in the times we live in. The retreats and were empowering and re-vitalizing… giving me practices, community, and guidance that kept me oriented toward dharma and supported in daily life.” 

“This will be my third year taking part in this unique program and I can’t recommend it enough. Ben thoughtfully cultivates the experience of learning, retreating, and connecting in a powerful and supportive space, complete with community meals and time in nature. The three gems of Taking Refuge have become increasingly important pillars in my life and practice. Come join us, you’ll be glad you did!”

“Taking Refuge has been a profound and transformative part of my yoga journey, offering me invaluable tools to deepen my practice and nurture my soul. It has provided a compassionate and supportive community—a space where I can share, grow, and connect with others on a meaningful level.  I am deeply grateful to Ben for his guidance and the sacred space he has cultivated, allowing us all to find refuge in our practice.”

Your Investment

Space is limited in this small group program to 16 people – There are currently 8 spaces still available. Spaces + accommodation preferences will be allotted in the order in which payment and registration are received. Rates are inclusive of program tuition and lodging – including accommodation in private or shared rooms at EHoP, and in communal loft spaces at Camp du Nord. You can upgrade to shared or private rooms for the fall retreat.

Private Room – $3650                                                                                                    Shared Room – $3250

Early Registration Discount – $150 off the above rates when paid in full by Feb 15. Payment Plans: $3850/$3450 – $1000 due by March 25, then $500/monthly beginning May 1 until PIF.

Optional Add-ons

Quarterly Private Session w/ Ben: $450 for four sessions, 1/ quarter throughout the year.

To reserve your space:

1. Please email the completed the registration form to Ben@vincentyoga.com
2. Submit a $500 deposit (non-refundable) through Venmo (@vincent-yoga). Payment can also be made through cash, check, PayPal (bvrocksteady@gmail.com). There is a 3.5% fee for paypal or if “paying for a service” via venmo to cover costs. Please contact Ben directly to pay via cash, check.

All payments are due in full by April 1. There will be a $150 fee for late payments and payment plans. All payments are final and non-refundable, unless your reserved space in the program is filled. If you choose to withdraw from the program, your payment will be forfeited. Other discounts and scholarships are not available.

Please contact ben@vincentyoga.com with any inquiries about the program, registration or payment plans.

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