Nepal Trail Running + Wellness Retreat (2024)

INCLUDED:

Guided runs with renowned Nepalese trail runner Mira Rai

3 nights twin-sharing, deluxe accommodations at Dwarika’s Kathmandu

2 nights twin-sharing, deluxe accommodations at Dwarika’s Dhulikhel

2 nights twin-sharing cottages at Begnas Lake Resort, Pokhara

2 nights twin-sharing accommodation at Fishtail Lodge, Pokhara

Roundtrip flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara and Pokhara to Kathmandu

Mindfulness meditation class with Minakshi Rana

Singing Bowl sound therapy session

Daily breakfasts, lunches and dinners

Private ground transportation during the retreat

Pick up and drop off at Katmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM)

Dedicated Retreat Leader

Mindful Running Clinics

Trail snacks/energy food

Gift bag

Donation to Mira Rai Initiative (non-profit organization)

EXCLUDED:

Flights to/from Kathmandhu

Alcoholic drinks

Spa treatments

Personal incidentals (laundry, souvenirs, etc)

Guide + driver gratuity

Some ground transportation

Travel/cancellation insurance

Anything else not listed under “What’s Included"

GETTING TO KATHMANDU, NEPAL (HOW TO PLAN YOUR TRAVEL)

Location: Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), Ring Rd, Kathmandu, Nepal

This retreat will start and end in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is recommended that you fly into Katmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) and that your flight arrives no later than 2:00 PM. Getting to Nepal is a long journey, so we highly recommend arriving a day early to help acclimate to the new time zone and altitude. Please contact us if you are interested in booking additional hotel nights or activities in Kathmandu prior to the start of the retreat.

A VISA IS REQUIRED FOR NEPAL (not included). A Nepal visa can be obtained in advance or upon arrival at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport.

This retreat will start on October 12, 2023. Upon arriving in Kathmandu, you will be met at the airport, by our representative. As you exit the baggage area look for a Activ Retreats sign and your driver. You will be transferred directly to the Dwarika’s Hotel. The retreat will officially start at 4:00 PM at the hotel.

This retreat will end on October 21, 2023. You will be provided with airport transportation from the Dwarika’s Hotel to the Kathmandu Airport. Transfers will be coordinated according to departure flight times.

Flights within Nepal: Round trip flights from Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu are included in your retreat and will be booked by our partner in Nepal. In order to book your flights, we will require a color copy of the picture page in your passport.

FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION

Fee Includes:

3 nights twin-sharing, deluxe accommodations at Dwarika’s Kathmandu

2 nights twin-sharing, deluxe accommodations at Dwarika’s Dhulikhel

2 nights twin-sharing cottages at Begnas Lake Resort, Pokhara

2 nights twin-sharing accommodation at Fishtail Lodge, Pokhara

Daily breakfasts, lunches and dinners

Trail snacks/energy food

The Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu

Location: The Dwarika's Hotel, Battisputali Road, Kathmandu, Nepal

Dwarika's hotel is an oasis in the bustling city of Kathmandu. The hotel's elegant courtyards, buildings and rooms aim to revive the stunning Newari architecture, capturing the beauty and spirit of ancient Kathmandu. Dwarka's ancient wooden hand carved masterpieces date back to the 13th century, creating a certain indefinable aura that enfolds the hotel. Enjoy relaxing by the pool or recharging at the Pancha Kosha Himalayan Spa that draws inspiration from ancient Ayurveda, Buddhist medicine and traditional rituals and treatments.

The Dwarika's Resort, Dhulikhel

Location: The Dwarika's Resort, Dhulikhel, Nepal

Inspired by a blend of Vedic Philosophy and Buddhist Medicine, the Dwarika's Resort in Dhulikhel is built on the philosophy of respecting nature and self. The Himalayan belt has been home to holistic healing and wellbeing for more than three thousand years. The resort has been designed based on the knowledge of ancient understandings about holistic wellness with all the spaces being consecrated and brought to life. The lifestyle spaces within the resort are designed to attract positive energy and keep negative energy at bay. Each element of the resort has been designed to enhance the wellness journey within, by addressing each of the five senses. Various experiences have been created in the resort to guide you through your personal journey. Spend time at the Pancha Kosha Himalayan Spa, or enjoy access to the many wellness experiences like the Himalayan Rock Salt House, Meditation Maze, and Chakra Sound Chambers. Under the guidance of the in-house Ayurvedic doctor and naturopathy expert, meditation, yoga and astrology masters, Hindu priest and visiting monk, you will be able to find an atmosphere of complete harmony, renewal and growth.

Begnas Lake Resort

Location : The Begnas Lake Resort & Villas, begnas lake, Lekhnath, Nepal

The Begnas Lake Resort is surrounded by tropical jungle and a beautiful lake. It is the perfect setting to experience incredible peace and quiet. Observe the rich and diverse natural world as you relax by the pristine lake, or enjoy a walk around town to see authentic village life. Nestled among lush vegetation on a tranquil lake a short distance from Pokhara town, this all-natural sanctuary faces the snow-clad Annapurna massif that towers above flourishing paddy fields and the gentle Begnas lake. Rooms and suites look out to these picture-perfect lake and mountain views and are built in ethnic Gurung style stone-houses. All are tastefully appointed and enjoy bundles of space, with the waterfront cottages providing the maximum privacy. At the Begnas Lake Resort you'll have access to traditional Ayurvedic treatments and Yoga classes.

The resort is surrounded by chestnut, orange and other fruit trees, as well as coffee and cardamom bushes. The beautiful natural surrounds are echoed throughout the resort, creating a nourishing and healing environment, from traditional Ayurvedic remedies at the Himalayan Spa to a mountain spring water pool, and homegrown produce served at the restaurant.

Fishtail Lodge

Location : Fish Tail Lodge, Lakeside Road, Pokhara, Nepal

The Fish Tail Lodge is uniquely located on a peninsula across from Fewa Lake and has panoramic views of the Annapurna range and Mount ''Machhapuchre" (Fish Tail). Round cottages amidst a lush garden set the scene at this charming hotel. Relax and rejuvenate with a soothing treatment at the Spa, and freshen up your travel wardrobe by taking advantage of the laundry services offered at the lodge.

All profits generated by Fish Tail Lodge are donated to the Princess Jayanti Memorial Trust. The Trust provides free cardiac care to underprivileged Nepalese people and conducts various programs to raise public awareness regarding the causes of heart diseases in Nepal.

ON THE TRAIL

1. One pair of trail running shoes (Required). Road running shoes or minimalist shoes are not acceptable.
2. Hydration pack with bladder for at least 1.5L of water (we recommend a vest pack rather than a waist pack) with pockets for carrying food and extra clothes and water (Required)
3. Short-sleeve running shirts
4. Warm long-sleeve shirts (such as wool or another lightly insulating but wicking material)
5. Running shorts
6. Running capris or light tights
7. Lightweight, breathable running rain jacket that is easily packable (Required).
8. Three to four pairs of running socks
9. Running cap or visor
10. Sunglasses

• Optional: collapsible, lightweight trekking poles

OFF THE TRAIL

• Day pack (~20 L)*
• Casual clothes (dining is informal)
• Shoes for casual wear
• Warm jacket for cool evenings
• Bathing suit
• Journal
• Small, lightweight camera (or phone)
• Plug adapter (if traveling outside North America) for electronic devices
• Ear plugs (for sleeping)
• Sleeping attire suitable for shared sleeping quarters if sharing a room
• Other personal items/apparel and toiletries (shampoo, soap, conditioner, lotion, sunscreen, etc).

*You’ll use this day pack for extra clothing, snacks and personal items (not for running). You’ll have access to it while traveling in the van, when large luggage is not accessible. For ease of transport between hotels, please limit your luggage to one carry-on (backpack as described above is recommended) and one wheeled suitcase.

💡Note: Trail running shoes and a hydration pack are required items.

AGE LIMIT

We only offer tours and related activities to women aged 21 years and over.

INCIDENTALS

Guests are responsible for their own incidental expenses at the hotels, personal purchases, some lunches, snacks (outside of the runs) and alcoholic drinks in the restaurants. Please have cash on hand to pay for drinks during dinner.

GUIDE GRATUITY

At the end of the retreat, your retreat leader will collect cash (U.S. dollars) from all retreat participants as a gratuity for local guides. You may provide the amount that feels right to you; we recommend offering $50 - $80 dollars cash, which will be shared between the guides. Your retreat leader will place the group's gratuity inside a thank-you card and present it to the guides on everyone's behalf.

I loved my trip! I went to the Level 2 Moab, UT retreat on 3/2023! It was amazing! I went alone, which was new for me, but most others also came without knowing anyone! I quickly made friends! The group leader really facilitates getting to know everyone and camaraderie. We had 2 local running guides, in addition to the Run, Wild retreat leader, and they were amazing! They led us on a different trail each day, brought us snacks, took pics, and gave us local tips, they were awesome! Everything was well organized and taken care of. We ate at different local restaurants (or food was catered from there) and they were all delicious! I did level 2, as I run a lot, but very minimal trail experience. It was very doable. They are honest when they say no one is left behind. There were guides at the front, middle, and back of the pack. I highly recommend it!!

Lea (As seen in TripAdvisor, Mar 2023)

CANCELLATION BY YOU

Option 1: Transfer your payment to a different retreat date and/or destination taking place within the next 12 months. A $200 booking transfer fee is required to process this booking change. Deposits can only be transferred ONCE.

Option 2: Cancel your booking and receive a refund less the applicable cancellation fee ($500 for domestic retreats, and $800 for international retreats).

Option 3: If you had made a payment using our Refundable Booking option, your booking is eligible for refund if you are unable to attend the retreat due to one of the listed reasons (and can provide the specific documentation required).

CANCELLATION / RESCHEDULE BY THE HOST

The host reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any trip for any reason. We do our best not cancel a tour less than 30 days before departure except for Force Majeure, natural disasters, pandemic, travel bans, war, civil unrest or other unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside the Activ Retreats' control.

When a tour is canceled by Activ Retreats before the agreed date of departure for any reason, you have a number of options:

Option 1) Transfer your retreat payment (less any non-refundable costs already paid to suppliers) to the same retreat in the future, or to a different retreat. Tell us which retreat you choose and we will apply all remaining funds to your new booking. The $200 book transfer fee does not apply.

Option 2) Put your payment (less any non-refundable costs already paid to our suppliers) on file as credit with no expiration date.

Option 3) Request a refund you less any credit card processing fees, cancellation fees, and nonrefundable deposits we paid to local suppliers on your behalf. We work with our suppliers within each destination to minimize the amount of non-refundable costs and recover as much of your money as possible.

Note: If you purchased travel insurance, you can file a claim with your travel insurance provider for reimbursement of the non-refundable portion of your retreat payment. We can provide you with a receipt and notice of cancellation for this insurance claim.

To cancel your retreat, please call 970-930-1295. Please do not request a chargeback from your credit card company. We will work with you process your refund in a timely manner.

The host is not responsible for any incidental expenses or consequential losses that the Client may have incurred as a result of the booking such as visas, vaccinations, non-refundable flights or rail, non-refundable car parking or other fees, loss of earnings, or loss of enjoyment, etc. If the Client is offered a refund but requests an alternate tour of a higher value than that originally booked, then the Client must pay the difference in price.

Where, after departure, a significant element of the trip contracted for cannot be provided, Activ Retreats will make suitable alternative arrangements for the continuation of the trip. If it is not possible to provide a suitable alternative or the Client reasonably rejects any suitable alternatives, Activ Retreats will provide the Client a refund of unused tour portions. Where a significant alteration or cancellation occurs which is not due to Force Majeure or other circumstances beyond the Activ Retreats' control, Activ Retreats will in some circumstances offer compensation. Significant alterations do not include the substitution of a transportation method, modification of itineraries, change in hotel accommodation or meal offering.

RETREAT BOOKING TERMS + CONDITIONS

These are the Terms and Conditions that apply to all current bookings, regardless of the date of payment. The following terms and conditions replace the temporary Flexible Booking Terms that were put in place in spring 2020. Please read them carefully as you will be bound by them.

By making a booking with us, you accept these Terms and Conditions. A booking is accepted and becomes definite once you make a payment and we send you a confirmation email. Even after this initial confirmation, there may be changes to your booking. The host reserves the right to increase or decrease trip prices. The host reserves the right to change or update these terms and conditions at any time and without advance notice.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

You may secure your spot in a retreat with a deposit until the “Balance Due Date” as listed in the table below. If you make a new booking after the Balance Due Date, full payment is required to secure your spot (if any are still available). Full payment of the retreat package price is due by the Balance Due Date indicated for each trip.

After booking your retreat with a payment, you will receive a booking confirmation email. Confirmation of your participation does not necessarily mean that your trip is confirmed to depart as scheduled. Retreats are typically confirmed to proceed as scheduled by the Balance Due Date specific to that retreat. If your balance payment is not received by the Balance Due Date, your deposit is forfeited and your booking is cancelled.

PRICING

All retreat prices are quoted and payable in USD. The host is not responsible for any fees incurred due to currency exchange or fees charged by your credit card/bank for processing funds in another currency.

PRIVATE ROOM CHARGES FOR SOLO TRAVELERS

Private-room accommodations are subject to a private-room package price, which guarantees a private room without a roommate (where available). See individual trip pages on our website for pricing details. In order to keep our private-room package prices as low as possible, on occasion private rooms may be smaller than shared occupancy rooms. Private-room accommodations may not available on all trips. Additionally, we cannot always guarantee private accommodations, even after reservations and confirmations have been made.

SHARED ROOM CHARGES FOR TRAVELERS WISHING TO BE PAIRED WITH A ROOMMATE

For guests who wish to book into a shared accommodate package, we are happy to pair you with a roommate. We will do our best to find a roommate; however, if we cannot arrange a match, The host may charge 50% of the private-room surcharge. Please consult specific trip pages on our website for details. This amount will be charged approximately 30 prior to departure for domestic trips and 60 days prior to departure for international trips.

AIRFARE

Activ Retreats trips do not include national or international airfare. You are responsible for your airfare and are responsible for any non-refundable expenses you incur in the event we cancel a retreat (generally not less than 90 days before it begins). We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance for all your travel expenses.

TRAVEL + HEALTH INSURANCE

The host requires international retreat participants, and highly recommends domestic retreat participants to obtain travel medical insurance with a minimum medical coverage of $100,000. This insurance must cover personal injury and emergency medical expenses including, but not limited to, helicopter evacuation, air ambulance and repatriation. It is strongly recommended the coverage be extended to include cancellation, curtailment, and all other expenses that might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience that may occur during travel.

We have partnered with Travel Guard to offer you travel insurance options from a trusted provider.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS + SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

You must notify us in writing during the process of booking (on your registration form) of any medical conditions, pregnancy, disability or any other mental and or physical condition which may affect fitness to travel and/or any medical condition. This includes any symptoms of Covid-19 or our suspected exposure to the virus that causes Covid-19. Failure to notify us of such a medical condition may result in your being refused travel, in which case the client is bound by the cancellation terms as laid out here.

Some retreats may be unsuitable for you due to age, mobility, disability, pregnancy or physical or mental conditions. It is your responsibility to clear major medical issues with your doctor and with our representative prior to booking. We may refuse to carry pregnant women over 24 weeks or clients with certain conditions. We are not required to provide any special facilities unless it has agreed to do so in writing. We do our best to meet clients’ special requests including dietary restrictions, but such requests do not form part of the booking contract and therefore the host is not liable for not providing these requests. Medical facilities vary from country to country and we makes no representations and gives no warranties in relation to the standard of such treatment.

EVACUATION PROCEDURES AND COSTS

Evacuations costs are to be covered by the person being evacuated. You may file a claim with your travel insurance company to try to recoup any additional costs related to injury or illness treatment or travel.

REQUIRED TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Valid Passport: You must have a valid passport required for entry, departure and travel to retreat destinations outside the U.S. (passport must be valid 6 months past the return date), all visas, permits and certificates including vaccination certificates (if required), insurance policies, etc. are required for the whole of the journey. The Client accepts full responsibility for obtaining all such documents, visas and permits prior to the start of the retreat and is solely responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from missing or defective documentation. Any information or advice given by Activ Retreats regarding visas, vaccinations, climate, clothing, baggage, special equipment, etc. is purely advisory, provided as a courtesy to the Client and Activ Retreats is not responsible for any errors or omissions as to the information provided by third parties such as the appropriate governmental authorities.

If other documentation is required by the country, state or county (such as proof of vaccination, health declaration, affidavit, Covid-19 test results, etc), we do our best to relay that information to you during the trip planning period. However, it is ultimately your responsibility to have all the required documents completed prior to departure.

SUPPLIERS + INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS

Hotels, shuttle services, guiding or other elements of our retreats are provided by local suppliers who may themselves engage the services of local operators and/or sub-contractors. We at all times endeavor to appoint reputable and competent local suppliers, though we cannot guarantee a certain standard of service quality or performance as these contractors are outside our direct control.

RETREAT ITINERARY CHANGES

The host and its partners reserves the right to alter retreat programs and itineraries due to weather, road conditions, local circumstances or events, which may include mechanical breakdown, flight cancellations, illness, strikes, political disputes, natural disasters and other unforeseeable factors. This includes changes or cancellation of planned runs and any other aspect of the retreat itinerary to ensure the safety of our clients and staff. We accept no responsibility for losses, expenses due to delays, changes of flights or other services because of strikes, accidents, sickness, damage, negligence, weather, war, natural disasters, changes in schedules or other similar causes. The host and its partners do not assume responsibility for accidents or deaths that can be traced to the participants’ negligence, acts of third parties or exterior circumstances.

In the event a client elects to not participate in any part of the retreat itinerary (such as a guided run, group meal or other activity), the client is not entitled to any refund.

SAFETY + TRIP ENJOYMENT

We take your safety and well-being very seriously, which is why we partner with accredited tour operators, licensed guiding companies and other trained professionals for our all of domestic and international retreats. However, you are ultimately responsible for your safety, which is why we ask all retreat participants to sign a liability waiver before departure. To avoid possibly dangerous situations, it is extremely important that you obey any rules and regulations imposed by the Activ Retreats Retreat Leaders and/or Local Guides and instructions given by them.

Activ Retreats reserves the right to prohibit any Client from continuing on a trip or participating in any runs or activities, with no right of refund if, in our opinion, that Client’s actions pose a threat to their own safety or that of others, or seriously jeopardizes the enjoyment of the other participants. The decision of the Activ Retreats Retreat Leader or representative will at all times be final on all matters likely to affect the safety and well-being of the trip. All Clients must, at all times, strictly comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited, and Activ Retreats will not accept responsibility or liability for any Client who contravenes any laws or other regulations of any country visited.

HEALTH + FITNESS

Most of our retreats should not be overly strenuous for people who are healthy and reasonably fit. You are expected to carry your own luggage and supplies on the trail (water, snacks, additional clothes). If you are affected by any condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect your or other people’s enjoyment of the trip, you must advise us of this at the time of booking. If your health or fitness changes between the time of booking and the trip departure date, you must notify us of these changes before the trip starts.

PHOTOGRAPHY

In the course of participation in a retreat, photos or video may be taken by participants, your retreat leader or guides. These images may be used in any Activ Retreats materials, website, Facebook, etc., unless you specifically request that we not use any material in which your image is depicted. Otherwise, you agree to allow us to perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, irrevocable license to use such images for publicity and promotional purposes.

CLAIMS + COMPLAINTS

If you have a complaint, please first inform the Retreat Leader or guide at the earliest opportunity to allow the grievance to be rectified. If satisfaction is not reached, contact us while on retreat in order to give us the opportunity to rectify the matter. Failure to indicate dissatisfaction during the retreat will result in your ability to claim compensation from us being extinguished or at least reduced. If satisfaction is still not reached through these means on retreat then any further complaint must be put in writing us within 15 days of the end of the trip.

Why we created a technology policy for our running and wellness retreats

A runner at the Iceland Trail Running + Wellness Retreat pauses mid-run to savor the view of one of the country’s largest active volcano glaciers.

The sound of running shoes crunching the soft pine needles lining the loamy trail lulls the runners into a relaxed rhythm. A forest thick with conifer tress hugs the trail, so all they can see is the well-worn trail ahead. There’s no sound of cars or traffic of any kind. Their inhalation and exhalation breath cycles fall into a similar rhythm. They’re not all running at the same pace, yet somehow are in a shared state of flow.

That is, until, a digital female voice says “workout paused.” “Workout resumed” the voice followed up.
“Ping” goes another watch from the back of the pack. “Beep, beep beep!” goes another device, its exact location indeterminate.

The group slows to a fast hike as the trail’s pitch kicks up a few notches. “Workout paused,” a sharp digital female voice declares.

The group stops at point where the trees open to reveal a view of the valley below. Runners pull out their phones to take photos of a waterfall, while many also press the “pause” button on their GPS watches. A few reply to text messages flooding in thanks to the 4G connection randomly available on the (what had seemed like a remote) mountain trail.

The technology seems radically out of place in this serene natural environment. More than half their time standing at the lookout is spent looking at glowing screens. Not only are these runners seeing and experiencing less than they would without their devices, they are checking their time, mileage and pace-per-mile, even though, it could be argued, such metrics detract from their actual experience.

A More Mindful Way to Run

Runners who chose to run without their devices reported feeling “liberated” and more relaxed throughout the retreat.

A running and wellness retreat is not only a journey to a beautiful new destination, one that offers scenery and cultural experiences you can savor and enjoy. It also offers space to be more mindful and present, if you make space for it. And our devices (watches, GPS, phones) don’t help that process in this setting.

So how does this enhance running as a mindful experience?

1. When you don’t know your pace per mile, you are better at noticing the body’s natural feedback system to gauge your effort level. Feeling tired, you slow down. Feeling charged up, you speed up.

2. When you no longer hear a “ping” for each mile completed, you are better able to focus on the process of running rather than the progress from start to finish. Knowing that your running guide is keeping you on track, you are more open to taking in your surroundings, your fellow runners and notice how your body is feeling.

3. Replacing digital cues and alarms with the sounds of nature and your own body’s movement is a powerful experience. When you pay attention, you can hear your breath (is it soft and even, or shallow and ragged?) and the sound of your feet on the ground (are they pounding or tapping lightly?). These sounds are key indicators to the quality of your running form. And you can only improve your form if you develop a high level of body awareness.

4. Metrics have nothing to do with the quality of the running experience. On retreat, we encourage another type of success measurement: your degree of joy. And joy has everything to do with how running makes you feel, and nothing to do with how far or fast you ran.

Science Supports that Ditching Devices Can Help you Run Better

Fitness writer and author of the book, Peak Performance: Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, and Thrive with the New Science of Success, Brad Stulberg, who experimented with gadget-less training, reported that he had some performance breakthroughs when he ran by feel (slowing when he felt tired, and speeding up when he felt strong) rather than by pace-per mile.

But more important, in my opinion, was what Noel Brick, a sports psychologist at Ulster University in Northern Ireland, told Stulberg in an interview: “Relying on a watch excessively can promote unhelpful thoughts and emotions, such as anxiety.” This anxiety can even occur on a subconscious level, fueling negative self-talk or judgement without you even realizing it’s happening.”

Another side effect of metrics-driven anxiety is physical tension. “In a recent study, Brick and his colleagues found that runners were a whopping 10 percent faster when they were focused on relaxing or the act of running itself versus external metrics like pace,” reports Stulberg.

Even though running faster isn’t a focus of the retreats, running more relaxed is in essence a mindful running practice that lowers stress as well as increases performance. This is why posture is the focus of the first mindful running clinic our retreat leaders offer at the start of each retreat. Practice the postural cues she offers and you may notice more flow and ease throughout each run.

Enter: the Presence Policy

With that in mind, we introduced a Presence Policy for all its retreats that is designed to enhance runners’ personal experience, on and off the trails. We share this policy with all of our retreat participants prior to the retreat, and review as a group at the opening meeting.

This policy states:

• When on the trails, keep your phone in Airplane Mode. This way, you can use as much as you like to take photos (which we strongly encourage!), but aren’t distracted by incoming messages or phone calls.

• Turn off all audible sounds from your watch or GPS devices. If you have an electronic device that is making sounds, your retreat leader will ask you turn it off.

• Don’t use your device to listen to music or podcasts during retreat runs.

• Even better: leave your watch behind! There’s no need to log, map, measure or time your runs while on the retreat. You will have a richer retreat experience if you forego all forms of measurement and focus on the purpose of each day’s run: to practice mindful presence.

• Turn off your phone (or leave it in your hotel room) during Wellness Workshops, retreat meetings and during group meals. There is plenty of time in the day, while traveling from place to place or free time, during which you can catch up with friends and family, post photos to social media, etc. We simply ask that you don’t do this during group time.