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.
Lodging & Meals: Our lodging will be communal in modern wooden cabins, beautiful and simple. Each cabin features a full kitchen, indoor bathroom, fireplace, living & dining room, bedrooms, sleeping loft and wireless internet. You will be responsible for your breakfast and lunch. Dinners will be communal, each participant will be part of the cooking group for one evening meal. We’ve done this for years, and it works wonderfully. Preference for lodging requests will be given in the order in which registrations are received. To view one of the cabins, please click here
Activities: Hiking, Canoeing + Kayaking, Sauna + Lake Plunge, Massage, Relaxing lakeside and fireside and the occasional hootenanny singalong ( *massage not included in the price of the retreat)
Daily Session Schedule:
- Sunday Oct 5: Check-In 4 pm, Dinner 5 pm, First Session 6:30-9 pm
- Monday Oct 6: 9-12 am, 3:00-5:30 pm
- Tuesday Oct 7: 9-12 am, 3:00-5:30 pm 7-9 pm
- Wednesday Oct 8: 8-11am – Option to stay to Oct 9 if available (more info below)
Chanting and Silent Meditation M-W from 6-7 am (recommended, but optional)
Transportation, Arrival & Departure
It is about a 4.5 hour drive from the Twin Cities. You are responsible for your own transportation. We encourage carpooling, and will assist in finding you a carpool if you like. For Directions, click here
Arrival time is anytime after 4pm On Sunday October 6. We’ll have a group meal Sunday at 5pm, and the immersion will begin officially at 6:30p. Teaching and group practice will end Wednesday Oct 9 around 12. There may be the possibility of staying an extra day until Oct 10. to rest and integrate. Please inquire when registering if interested.
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
- Fall Immersion Registration + Waiver
- 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.”
Read MoreRENEWAL : A Women’s Retreat ~ August 2-3, 2025
WOMEN, YOGA, MEDITATION, CONNECTION, FOOD, NATURE, WATER
Join Angela for Renewal : Women’s Yoga Retreat, a unique 2 day experience.
To retreat is an opportunity + an invitation to slow down, nourish oneself deeply, reflect, connect with Self and the community that is gathered. Late-summer is an incredible time to take a pause from the hustle of social gatherings + summer festivities to check-in, breath the fresh air + tend to one’s Self on multiple levels.
Welcome ease + enliven your inner vitality through:
~ 2 Yoga sessions each day that will include movement, meditation, guided relaxation + self-reflection
~ Ample time for walking in nature, swimming or simply basking in the beauty of Lake Sagatagan
~ Family style meals, community connection + space for solitude
All levels are welcome.
The retreat begins at 9:30am on Saturday, August 2, 2025 + closes at 4pm on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
The setting is the House of Prayer nestled amongst the maple trees on the edge of St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN. Approximately 1.5 hours from the Twin Cities of MN.
Accommodations: Private or shared rooms (all single beds)
1 light breakfast, 2 lunches + 1 dinner included. Delicious meals provided by House of Prayer + Eat for Equity. Although meals are provided, we will set tables + do meal clean-up as a community. Thank you in advance for your contribution.
Your Investment:
Private Room – $565
Shared Room – $495
Discounts –
Register with a friend : $25 off each registration.
Be a kitchen helper = extra $50 off Kitchen helpers will be assisting with light food prep + oversight in the kitchen. Email angela@vincentyoga.com if interested. Note *** This can be combined with early bird or friend discount.
Space is limited. Room preferences will be allotted in the order in which full payment and registration are received.
Add-on an extra night : Friday, August 1 or Sunday, August 3, $85 / night, email angela@vincentyoga.com to receive details on how to secure your additional space.
To reserve your spot on Retreat:
- Please complete the registration form.
- Submit a $200 deposit (non-refundable). Payment is preferred through Venmo (@vincent-yoga). Payment can also be made through cash, check, PayPal (bvrocksteady@gmail.com), CC. There is a 3.5% fee for paypal or CC to cover costs. Please contact Angela directly to pay via cash, check or CC.
Payments due in full prior to retreat. All payments are final and non-refundable, unless your reserved space in the retreat is filled. If filled, you will receive paid amount minus deposit.
Angela Vincent is a guide, coach, facilitator and teacher in Minneapolis. She is committed to supporting growth + connection throughout all of life’s journey. She has been teaching Yoga for 20 years + loves weaving in other modalities to inspire students to harness their inner vitality + trust their inner knowing. She’s offered retreats for 15 years + is always struck by how a unique collection of individuals can come together to create something magical as inner insights arise, community is created + people tend themselves + one another with great compassion.
Please contact angela@vincentyoga.com with any inquiries about the retreat or registration.
Read MoreShakti 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!
Read MoreSHAKTI Studio Opens April 5: A Sacred Space for Yoga, Healing and Inspired Living!
Hello dear ones:)
For the last two months, we’ve been fully immersed in preparing to open Shakti Studio: A Sacred Space for Yoga, Healing and Inspired Living. For 20 years, it’s been our joy and honor to serve the twin cities community through authentic, transformative, and accessible yoga – bringing healing and connection through public classes, nonprofit initiatives, in-depth programs, retreats, yoga therapy, spiritual life guidance, and more.
Our offerings are rooted in holistic yoga practices, teachings and diverse wisdom traditions – and have evolved to include communal ritual, music, creative expression, men’s and women’s circles, and grief work. We are called Now to seat the shakti (sacred power) of tradition, teachings, practices and community in a single space: Shakti Studio. We will also be expanding into a library of streamable practices and teachings, and a podcast to bring inspiration, connection and healing to wherever you are.
Location: Shakti to Studio will be located in the Ivy Building for the Arts- 2637 27th Ave S, Suite 201 – in the Seward neighborhood of South Minneapolis.
Leap with us to Shakti Studio: In-person and virtual classes will begin April 5. We are in the process of launching our redesigned website and new software system for class information, registration, payments and streaming. We will continue to teach our existing class schedules through Shakti and add more classes each week!
Our full schedule and pricing options will be posted here by March 27.
As we approach opening, there is still much more to do! We have almost reached our fundraising goal for opening the new space. If you’d like to support bringing this vision to life, please visit Shakti Studio: Go Fund Me
We are profoundly grateful for your presence in our lives and look forward to growing together in Shakti.
With love, Ben + Angela
Read MoreTaking 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:
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
- 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:
- Please email the completed the registration form to Ben@vincentyoga.com
- 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.
Read MoreThis Sacred Dark: A Solstice Season Practice + Ritual, Dec. 18, 6-9 pm w/ Ben in Mpls.
This Sacred Dark
A Solstice Season Practice + Ritual – Weds. Dec 18, 6-9 PM w/ Ben
We are approaching the Winter Solstice, literally the time when the “sun stands still”. Also known as the hibernal solstice, this is a natural time of deep rest, rejuvenation which allow for re-creation in the cycles of life. In many cultures, spiritual traditions and creation myths, the darker times are also considered the most sacred – a microcosm of the primordial darkness before the universe was born. A time of timelessness when the veil between the worlds is the thin. It calls us to step back from our worldly lives, to commune with and celebrate the source of life, and play our part in the return of light.
You ‘re warmly invited to join ben for a solstice season practice and ritual honoring ” This Sacred Dark.” Our time will include:
- Teachings + Stories about the Sacred Dark
- Candlelight yoga practice
- Communal ritual
- Self reflection/ journaling
- Song
- and more
Date + Time: 6-9 pm, Weds. Dec. 18
Location: Riversway Meditation Center in the Ivy Building for the Arts in Minneapolis. 2637 27th Ave S., Suite 201, just down the hall from One Yoga.
Registration and Investment: Space is limited, pre-registration and payment are required. This offerings is on a sliding scale from $40-150 – please contribute as appropriate for your means and in support of our work. To reserve a space, please complete the registration form an submit payment via venmo to @vincent-yoga (last 4 digits 7040 if needed. Registration will not be complete with payment. Once registration and payment are complete, you’ll receive an email confirming your space with all the necessary details. If you’re not able to make it, here’s a link to here’s a beautiful episode of one of my favorite podcasts in the spirit of the season – Living Myth: Darkness and the Light .
All payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. Please email ben@vincent-yoga with any questions.
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