Big Sky Yoga Retreats Bozeman, Montana About Schedule Contact


photo by Larry Stanley

COWGIRL YOGA™
Yoga & Horseback Riding Retreats for Women
For all levels of yoginis and equestrians

Featured in June 2009 issue of



2012 Dates

3-night retreats in Bozeman, Montana
ADVANCED CY July 19-22, 2012 (thurs-sun)
*please note this is CY "201" for alumnae only!

August 16-19, 2012 (thurs-sun)
reserve online now!

For doubles, we will place you with a roommate if you do not have a travel companion. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is due to hold your reservation. To better plan your travel (not included in the retreat cost), we begin the retreat at 5 pm on the arrival Thursday and end at noon on Sunday. We also offer an add-on trail ride on the Monday following the retreat; you must arrange your own accommodations for Sunday night (of course we will offer plenty of suggestions!)


If you’re on the fence about Cowgirl Yoga, just do it. Don’t hesitate. Stretch yourself physically, emotionally and soulfully, as I did, with the horses, yoga and people in this irresistible Montana setting. You will never meet finer, more caring people than Margaret (the brains behind CY), Janice (horse woman extraordinaire) and their compatriots (like the beautiful, agile yogini Autumn, the gifted chef Kate, and, of course, our honorary cowgirl Ron). Meet freshly-minted Cowgirls from all over the country! Learn to apply the sacred yogic principles of stillness and being in the moment to the sacred beings known as horses. During CY, I added many ‘firsts’ to my catalog of life experiences, and for that I will always be grateful.

Experience the unbridled joy of Cowgirl Yoga for yourself.
It is an enduring state of mind.
- Denise, North Caorlina

Imagine a long weekend of yoga and horses - a girl's dream come true. Explore how both can put you in touch with your potential and teach you a lot about yourself. We'll practice yoga, spend time with horses, and kick up our heels in cowgirl-friendly Bozeman.

Come join fellow wanna-be cowgirls for yoga and fun in and out of the saddle under Montana's legendary Big Sky. We'll explore the link between yoga and riding to improve not only your saddle skills, but also your overall well-being. Through yoga poses and breathing techniques we will learn how to improve balance and body alignment. Best of all, experience how the horse-human connection deepens as you practice yoga. We'll take all that out on the trail and ride with new friends both human and equine on scenic mountain trails, immersing ourselves in nature and the cowgirl yoga spirit.

The Cowgirl Yoga program includes:

Please note that this retreat is based in Bozeman, Montana and lodging will be at the Fox Hollow Bed & Breakfast - TripAdvisor's #1 Rated Bed and Breakfast in Bozeman. Now in their 17th year hosting over 16,000 vistors to Montana from all over the world!

Visit Athleta Chi and read:
OM on the range
Cowgirl Yoga: Poses for Riders
Breathe. Feel. Trust. Giddy Up.
Cowgirl Yoga: Poses for Riders II

Scroll all the way down for more photos!
And become a fan on Facebook for lots more!

PACK YOUR JEANS & YOUR COWGIRL BOOTS (or come early to shop for some) AND GET READY FOR A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE WITH US!

Yeehaw and Namaste.

You will need to rent a car for this retreat, or we can put you in touch with your roommate/other retreaters to possibly rent together. We highly recommend adding on a day or two in either Bozeman or Livingston, and are happy to make suggestions based on your interests and travel plans. Both places make great starting points for visiting Yellowstone National Park, a frequest add-on for our retreaters.

Bozeman is sophisticated Western chic meets college town. Great shopping, dining, and some of the best hiking trails in SW Montana.

Livingston is caught between very cowboy and very hip. Tons o' cute shops and restaurants, and celebrity sightings are common. They call its location "Paradise Valley" for a reason. A visit to nearby Chico Hot Springs is a must.

Things to know before you go...
or actually, before you book

Horses: safety is our top priority. Height and weight restrictions do apply; please call to discuss if you have any concerns. In general, 175-195 lbs. is our max for horseback riding (also depending on your height).

Yoga: we highly recommend that you have prior yoga experience in order to get the most out of your retreat, even if you start a practice with the retreat in mind. We practice vinyasa flow yoga. We're happy to help you with class suggestions for your area.

This is an active vacation, so if you prepare accordingly you will have more fun.

TESTIMONIALS

Thank you so much for a healthy, active, balanced, peaceful, refreshing, life-changing retreat. The experience gave me a new perspective on friendship and connection between women, the wisdom and power of horses, the strength resulting from being gentle with our body and soul, vast beauty and being present at all times.
- Becky, Indianapolis

Cowgirl Yoga: An experience of enlightenment on the yoga mat and horseback. A journey every yogini should take!    
- Linda, from Salem, Oregon 

The Cowgirl Yoga vacation was one of my best vacations ever!
I was looking for something that would be active but at the same time reflective and relaxing...The yoga classes exceeded my expectations with a strong attention to technique balanced with a focus on introspection...The time with horses was too incredible to put into words...the people and the place-- the other women on the retreat...truly made the vacation special. As if all this weren't enough, the setting was just stunning. Mountains and open spaces as far as you could see.
I'm still daydreaming about it all after being back home over a month!
- Gargi, New York, New York

As I’m getting ready to head into work…my mind is lingering on my wonderful week in Montana. As someone who appreciates the little things that make for extraordinary experiences, I just wanted to thank you for creating such a magical mind/body/spirit retreat. From picking horse cards and meditation to our hike to the waterfalls, the trail ride to an alpine lake…your touch made everything special.
- Dana, Atlanta
pictured: Dana & Margaret - tree pose in cowgirl boots!

It was the best time. I enjoyed every moment. The Montana Big Sky, gorgeous regal horses, those beautiful Bridger Mountains, the sweet smell of pine trees, amazing yoga, amazing food, and simply the feeling of cantering through the open fields on your new favorite horse...there is nothing like it. Riding a horse at that speed makes me feel alive. I have said it before but it is worth repeating...Thank you for one of the best vacations of my life...I will cherish the memories.
- Rebecca, Maine

It was an absolutely indescribable experience! Margaret and Janice led us on a life-changing adventure. Rocky - the horse I was blessed to spend the week with during our retreat - taught me how to connect with being present and in the moment again. Cowgirl Yoga enabled me to be strong and true to the people I love when I returned home to meet my 2-day old nephew in intensive care, and days later when my mom had a stroke. No words can explain how thankful I am for my week in Montana. i strongly recommend anyone with an interest in yoga and horses to go visit and experience CY for yourself - I am SO glad I did!
- Jess, Connecticut

Just want to thank you guys again for the great week of yoga and horses. Even though we were knee deep in activities, it is one of the few vacations in which I returned actually relaxed and ready to hit the work week. 
- Mindy, Chicago

Sign says: God Bless Cowgirls

Sign says: Cowgirl Yoginis Welcome Here

riding in the field at Horsecamp

Hike to Pioneer Falls in the Gallatin Canyon

Ranch Day

Janice, Cowgirl Yogini Anne, and Rocky

 

RECOMMENDED READING

TAEReviewed by Margaret
The Tao of Equus examines the horse-human relationship in detail, and how horses can awaken our intuition; in fact, it goes so far as to suggest that we cannot establish a meaningful interspecies connection without first being "emotionally congruent". In short, horses know when we are lying to ourselves and they won't tolerate it. Similarly, we won't grow in our yoga practice if we are not open to the process of self-discovery it causes. How wonderful to have another being be a mirror for our true selves. There are moments when I feel I have connected with whomever I am riding that have brought on powerful and pure emotion. These are moments where I am truly present and authentic, as when I am able to be present in my yoga practice. The parallels continue to astonish me.

The following quote from The Tao of Equus could be applied to either horse or yoga experience: "Ultimately the willingness to relinquish accepted concepts and respond authentically in the moment [leads] to an increasing ability to navigate through the unknown, to become more fluid and adaptable, to embrace all experiences and emotions as meaningful information." I love the idea that my horseback riding is an extension of my yoga practice, and that horses are my teachers. I look forward to sharing this with you on a retreat!

 

does your daughter love horses too?
check out www.girlshorseclub.com

Interested in learning more about natural horsemanship?
check out www.gothorsemanship.com