Big Raven Farm · Spring Grove, MN
We Gather Together: A Women’s Yoga Retreat
September 24 - 27, 2026
Hosted by Merry Beth Freienmuth and Marcia Appel
Fall harvest time carries vivid images of preparing for the long winter to come: the gathering of fruits like apples and pears, root vegetables like potatoes and squash, and seeds for spring planting. What about ourselves, though? How do we gather our remaining energy from busy summers and replenish it not only for winter but also for the year to come? Join Marcia Appel and Merry Beth Freienmuth – friends, yoga teachers, and owners of Green Lotus Retreats – for a weekend of rest, reflection, yoga, and community as we nestle into Big Raven Farm only two hours from the Twin Cities near Lanesboro, Minnesota.
No flights, trains, or buses are necessary. Big Raven Farm is in the Driftless Area, also known as Bluff Country and the Paleozoic Plateau, a topographic and cultural region that comprises southwestern Wisconsin, southeastern Minnesota, northeastern Iowa, and the extreme northwestern corner of Illinois. It was never covered by ice during the Last Glacial Period, so the area lacks the characteristic glacial deposits known as drift. Its landscape is characterized by steep hills, forested ridges, deeply carved river valleys with spring-fed waterfalls, and cold-water trout streams. Ecologically, the Driftless Area's flora and fauna are more closely related to those of the Great Lakes Region and New England and do not include mosquitoes!
The architect-designed Federal-style home, complete with a commercial kitchen and a chef and staff, has 6 rooms that each accommodate 2 people and one room that can accommodate 4. So, invite a friend or family member or a group of 4, and register early. This venue sells out because of its location and beauty.
We Gather Together: A Women’s Retreat
What’s Included
4 days and 3 nights at a country estate
3 breakfasts, 3 dinners, and 2 lunches
An artful yoga mat designed and produced by Big Raven Yoga
Twice daily yoga & tai chi classes
Yoga Nidra (Yoga Deep Sleep) meditation sessions
Getting to Know Me writing workshop with Marcia
Mantra Bracelet-Making workshop with Merry Beth
My Inner Artist workshop with Joleen Emery, artist and co-owner of Big Raven Farm
Free time to explore the farm and its delightful, cozy nooks and crannies, indoors and outdoors
Complimentary high-speed wi-fi
A $500 deposit saves your spot on this dream trip
Be Prepared for Comfort and Beauty
Beautifully appointed rooms in a Federal-style estate home
Cozy beds topped with luxurious memory foam mattresses and smooth, silky sheets
Daily chef-created farm-to-table meals and home-baked desserts
Outdoor private spaces with comfortable seating and no mosquitoes
Lush gardens
Inky black night skies dotted with brilliant stars
Walking trails through rolling farmland
A serene and spacious yoga studio with views and ample props
Optional massage therapy
Accomodations and Fees
There is 1 Premier Room, 4 Double Rooms, and 1 Shared Room at Big Raven Farm in Spring Grove, Minnesota. No single occupancy rooms are available. Invite a friend, daughter, sister, mother, or aunt to room with you on this dream retreat.
Premier Room, 2 occupants, $1150 each
Double Room, 2 occupants, $1015 each
Shared Room, 4 occupants, $1000 each
Would you like to join us?
Have a question? Email us
What to bring
A friend, daughter, sister, mother, or aunt to share the experience
Comfortable yoga clothes
Layers for warm days and cooler evenings
Personal yoga props (optional)
Sunscreen
A journal or notebook for the workshops and to capture insights and inspirations
House slippers are suggested. Big Raven doesn’t require guests to remove their shoes. It does have a flock of beautiful and inquisitive free-range chickens roaming the property.
An extra pair of hiking or walking shoes for dewy mornings on birding trails
Your appetite and an adult beverage if you wish
An open mind and heart
Join us for this dream retreat. A $500 deposit saves your spot.
Refunds and Cancellations
Deposit
A $500 non-refundable deposit is due with your reservation. Deposit is due at minimum 180 days prior to departure. Should deposit not be made prior to 180 days prior to departure, trip pricing and availability is subject to change.
Final Payment
Final balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
Cancellation Charges
The following cancellation fees will be assessed on your tour:
More than 120 days prior to departure: non-refundable deposit will be retained
49 - 40 days 75% of fee will be retained
Fewer than 40 days prior to the retreat - 100% of fee will be retained