True Nature Retreat in The Great Smoky Mountains, TN

Jul 31 to Aug 3, 2025

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True Nature Retreat in The Great Smoky Mountains, TN
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This retreat will teach you how to align yourself with back-to-basics and natural approaches to healthy living through Yogic & Ayurvedic knowledge on philosophy, spirituality, meditation, daily routine, and food as medicine; helping you to return to your True Nature and thrive within your days.

The location gives us a chance to immerse ourselves in the simplicity of nature - giving us a break from our hectic lives while restoring and rejuvenating ourselves back to our center in order to rediscover our True Nature.​

We will be learning and practicing Ashtanga & Hatha Yoga, Pranayama and Meditation techniques, and Ayurvedic studies; how to live your best possible life through routine, healthy habits, and food as medicine. In addition we will spend time journaling, hiking, adventuring, relaxing, and building intentional community; the feeling that life is best when shared.  ​

Getting deeper into the classes you will learn how to discover freedom and discipline in Ashtanga, rejuvenate & re-energize yourself from the inside out with Dynamic Hatha, reconnect to your center through Breathwork and Meditation, find peace and calmness within the simplicity of nature, practice gratitude for the food that nourishes you, and discover how to align yourself with Ayurveda's approaches to healthy living in order to truly thrive within your day.​

This yoga retreat is a great opportunity to remind yourself that YOU MATTER, and you ADD VALUE to this world. You cannot give what you do not have, therefore this retreat will enable you to refill your cup so you can be the best version of yourself for you, your family, friends, community, and this world. You are worthy of creating and developing a path of ultimate health, happiness, abundance and whatever else you deeply desire - allow your journey to begin or continue with this True Nature Retreat. 

This retreat is for you:

The wanderer, wonderer, adventurer, explorer and yogi / yogini looking for some space to reset, renew, and restore yourself in order to reconnect with your True Nature. You seek to live a life that is in alignment with your values, beliefs, and intentions so you can thrive within your days. You love nature, being outside, exploring new places, diving deeper into the practice of yoga as a whole, meeting other like-minded people, and having time to yourself where you can reflect on how to live your most balanced, healthy, and happy life!

Three things you will get out of this retreat :

An opportunity to deepen and expand your yoga practice on and off the mat, enabling you to live life with more authenticity, meaning, and fulfillment.

A chance to disconnect from the outside world, and reconnect with your inner-world. When you are provided with a space to become still & silent, you are able to access your own inner-wisdom which guides you towards living a life in alignment with who you truly are.

A deeper understanding of Ayurvedic studies and how to honor and support your own true individual nature so you can live a long, happy, healthy, balanced, and thriving life!

About

3 nights/4 days accommodations - Choose from 2 accommodation options, ranging from Private or Shared Yurts.

All Meals - All meals are holistic vegetarian foods prepared with love and intention.

Daily Yoga Classes - Yoga practices will consist of Vinyasa, Hatha, or Core, Strengthen & Stretch. All classes included Asana, Pranayama, and Meditation.

Off The Mat Workshops - Let's go beyond the Asana with some 'Off The Mat' Workshops. We will dive deeper into Yoga Philosophy, Ayurveda, The Purushartas, and more. These workshops are intended to give you a better understanding of yourself so you can live a life of true meaning and fulfillment.

Cacao Ceremony - 2-hour Cacao Ceremony including ceremonial grade cacao and personalized ceremony. *This is led by the owners of Seven Springs, Jesse & Zach who are well-versed in the traditions of this ceremony and lead it from a place of honor and love. It is a retreat favorite!!

Fire Ceremony - The element of fire is responsible for Transformation; as we allow the old to burn away, we provide a space for something new to blossom, and transform into who we desire to become. This ceremony will include meditation, journaling, and connection.

Day Hike - Abrams Creek hike is the closest National Park trailhead to Seven Springs. It provides many beautiful trails filled with lush vegetation and classic hiking along streams through Hemlock forests. *This trail has become a favorite of past retreat participants!

Free Time - Free time for whatever your heart desires & your soul is craving!

Transportation to and the from the center.

Additional food or drinks.

Food

Fresh from the farm. Organic. Vegetarian

​We understand that we are what we eat, literally. We value providing organic, clean and local foods that nourish our bodies, minds and spirits. At Seven Springs you will enjoy three meals a day, lovingly prepared, with plenty of nutrients and proteins. Examples of meals may be a breakfast of organic oatmeal or pancakes with fruit, nuts, seeds, and sweet toppings of your choice; a lunch of build your own burritos with all the fixings, and a dinner of a nourishing soup or coconut cashew curry with rice and salad,

We also provide teas made with our homegrown herbs, as well as organic, fair trade coffee.

You are always welcome to bring snacks if you like. We ask that the snacks be kept in a special place in our kitchen and no food eaten in the yurts. If you enjoy animal proteins, we suggest bringing jerky or bone broth. We ask that you do not bring meat that needs to be cooked. The food we provide is well balanced with various protein sources to keep you full and energized throughout your stay!

Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions and we will do our best to accommodate.

Accommodation

Each yurt is decorated with traditional textiles and artwork from the countries that our family frequents. The yurts are fully furnished including electricity and outlets. We use 100% organic cotton sheets and towels. Each yurt has fans for the heat and extra blankets for the cool nights.

All accommodations have shared bathrooms with hot showers and water saving sinks and toilets.

Private Yurts sleeps one in a queen bed.

​​Shared Yurts sleeps 2-4. One queen is provided for couples, or single beds for solo travelers / friends. This option is great for couples, friends, family members, or solo travelers who do not mind sharing with others. *Please note in your registration the name(s) of who you desire to share with, otherwise you will be placed with other solo traveler(s). *Prices are per person​


"Carole is an absolute angel and amazing host/teacher. I couldn’t have asked for a better first yoga retreat. During her classes, she gives options for all yoga levels, assists you in postures & is always willing to help if needed. I can’t wait to return to another one of her retreats! Thank you so much!<3"

- Lexie Johnson

"Carole is a wonderful retreat leader. This was my third retreat with Carole and it won't be my last. I enjoy not only the physical yoga practice but also the Ayurveda and sustainability education, the meditations and the breathing practices too.

Carole can make a yoga class delightful for everyone, from beginners to the most experienced. She is considerate of everyone and goes with the flow of the group and is very flexible to arrange the day based on how everyone is feeling.

This was my second year joining her at Seven Springs and I can't wait to go back next year!"

- Ferra Hoover

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About The Host
Carole

Carole

Hi, I'm Carole

E-RYT 500 Yoga Teacher,

I have been practicing Yoga since 2012. First, it was a way to complement a life of running and soccer but it was also a means of learning to slow down, become more present, and discover more joy in the moment. As my interest in yoga grew, I found a strong desire to learn the traditional parts of this beautiful practice and eventually be able to share them, as a teacher, with others.

I completed my first 200-hour Hatha / Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training in Pokhara, Nepal in 2014 and my 300-hour Hatha / Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training in Kerala, India in 2018, both with Rishikul Yogshala.

I have completed two 200-hour Yoga Teacher Trainings (Rishikul Yogshala; Nepal 2014 & Y2 Yoga; Charlotte, NC 2022), one 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training (Rishikul Yogshala; India, 2018), two trainings with Para Yoga (Marma & Four Desires), a year-long Ashtanga Yoga Apprenticeship with AYS and countless immersions and workshops, all to deepen my skills as a student and teacher.

Within my classes, my goal is to create an atmosphere where everyone feels safe to show up as their truest, most authentic selves. My classes are structured in a traditional manner; following the 8-limbs and my love for Ashtanga. I teach breath, alignment, discipline, and strength & grace in order to help one be fully immersed in their practice. I provide a well-rounded class that will help one improve their strength, flexibility, self-awareness, and overall connection of mind, body, and soul. You will leave feeling rejuvenated, energized, and empowered. I encourage everyone to try yoga so they can discover their innate potential, personal power, and higher purpose, as well as a deeper understanding of their True Self.

Location
Things to keep in mind

Select your desired accommodation and you will be prompted to pay a $350 non-refundable deposit to secure your room. All deposits are non-refundable.

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Any cancellations done 91 days or more prior to retreat start date:

The deposit is transferable to another Activ Retreats retreat within the same calendar year of 2024.

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Any cancellations done 61-90 days prior to retreat start date:

The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. The balance (total cost minus the deposit) is not refundable, but it is transferable to a future Activ Retreats Retreat within one year.

Any cancellations done 0-60 days prior to retreat start date:

All payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.​

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Unforeseen Circumstances:

Activ Retreats is not responsible for any of the following, and there will be no refunds nor discounts for arriving late, leaving early, flight cancellations, travel delays, injury, or illness. For additional protection due to any unforeseen circumstances, it is highly recommend that all participants purchase travel insurance at the time of booking the retreat.

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Retreat Final Balance Late Payments: Your payment is not received within 48 hours of your original due date, a $25 late fee will be added. **Any final balance payments not received within 72 hours of your original due date may result in a forfeiture of your booking.

*All pricing is per person.

FAQ