Join us for a magical retreat this October
The Hollow & The Honey :
A Fall Women's Retreat on the Yuba River
Oct 22–25, 2026
(Thursday night arrival, Sunday late morning departure)
Located at Sierra Shangri-La, Downieville, CA
Over four nourishing days, immerse yourself in nature, sisterhood, yoga, and so much more. Gentle flow, somatic, yin & restorative yoga. Sound healing. Yoga Nidra, Kundalini meditation. Journaling. Sacred ritual and ceremony. Nature walks and creative expression. A night out at an Old West Speakeasy. Enjoy nourishing chef-prepared meals and a small circle of amazing women.
Led by your guides, Kate Leist & Kellee Rich.
If you are interested in joining us please fill out the form below and we will be in touch with you very soon. Please email us if you have any questions! spiritrebelco@gmail.com
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About the Venue
Nestled in the Sierra
Tucked along the banks of the North Yuba River in the heart of the Northern Sierra Nevada, Sierra Shangri-La has been a quiet refuge since the 1940s — a small mountain resort just outside historic Downieville, once written up in Sunset Magazine and still cherished today as one of the Sierra's best-kept secrets. The land itself carries deep history, from its earlier stewardship by the Maidu and Washoe peoples to the gold rush era that shaped the surrounding towns.
For The Hollow & The Honey, this special place becomes our home for three nights — a collection of charming riverside cottages, cozy lodge rooms, and River House bedrooms, all woven together by shared grounds with direct access to the river, forest trails, and quiet corners for reflection. Whether you're tucked into a private cabin or sharing space in the lodge, you'll fall asleep to the sound of the river and wake up surrounded by pine, granite, and Sierra light.
Curious to see the cottages and grounds for yourself?
Accommodations
Accommodations at Sierra Shangri-La are part of the experience — each option offers its own flavor of retreat, from cozy lodge rooms perched above the river to private solo cabins tucked into the trees, to River House bedrooms just steps from the water's edge. However you choose to rest, you'll be surrounded by the same forest, the same river sounds, and the same slow Sierra mornings. Below, you'll find the different accommodation tiers and pricing so you can choose the space that feels right for you.
Lodge Rooms
Kingfisher, Robins Nest, and Water Ouzel are graciously appointed rooms on the second floor of The Lodge. La Siesta is a cozy one bedroom unit located on the ground floor of the Lodge. They feature queen beds, private baths, and a large common balcony overlooking the river.
LODGE ROOM PRICES
These prices include accommodations, meals, and all classes and activities during the retreat. It does not include: Saturday night dinner out and add-ons such as massage.
KINGFISHER, ROBINS NEST & WATER OUZEL
SOLO: $1,300
SHARED: $1,100
LA SIESTA
SOLO: $1,350
SHARED: $1,150
Cabins
Dogwood, Hummingbird, Flycaster, and Cedar Ridge are private cabins tucked along the riverbank at Sierra Shangri-La. They feature fully equipped kitchens, fireplaces, private bath, and large covered decks with dramatic river views. Dogwood, Hummingbird & Flycaster are one bedroom cabins. Cedar Ridge is a two bedroom cabin.
CABIN PRICES
These prices include accommodations, meals, and all classes and activities during the retreat. It does not include: Saturday night dinner out and add-ons such as massage.
DOGWOOD, HUMMINGBIRD, FLYCASTER
SOLO: $1,600
SHARED: $1,300
CEDAR RIDGE
SOLO ROOM IN CABIN: $1,450
SHARED ROOM IN CABIN (WITH YOUR OWN TWIN BED): $1,300
Bridge House Bedrooms
Bridge House bedrooms are bedrooms with queen size beds within the historic Sierra Bridge House, built directly over a rushing year-round creek tributary of the North Yuba River. Each bedroom offers peaceful water views, with shared access to the home's fireplaces, fully equipped kitchen, bathrooms, and detached recreation room.
BRIDGE HOUSE BEDROOM PRICES
These prices include accommodations, meals, and all classeDs and activities during the retreat. It does not include: Saturday night dinner out and add-ons such as massage.
SOLO: $1,350
SHARED: $1,150
About the Retreat
A hollow is a small, sheltered basin between mountains, a low place carved gently over time by a seasonal creek. It is a shape made by water that knew where it needed to go. In nature, the hollow is where snow lingers longest, where wildflowers grow thickest, where deer bed down at dusk. It is shelter.
Honey is what the bees make when they trust the season fully. Nectar gathered slowly, turned into something that nourishes long after the flowers are gone. It is sweetness that was earned, not rushed.
The Hollow & The Honey is both of these at once. It is permission to descend into the low, sheltered places within you, the ones carved by everything you have carried, and it is the promise that on the other side of that descent is something nourishing waiting to be tasted again. This is a retreat for women who are ready to slow down, put away the to-do list, set down all their hats, and give space to what part of her are ready to be seen, felt, and honored.
Set in Downieville at beautiful Sierra Shangri-La over 4 days, this immersive gathering weaves together gentle flow, somatic yoga, yin/restorative yoga, sound healing, nature walks, sacred ritual, Kundalini meditation, Yoga Nidra, journaling, a meditative art journey, a fun night out at an Old West Speakasy, and nourishing chef-prepared meals.
Yoga
Gentle Flow, Somatic, Yin & Restorative Designed for all-levels to calm and stabilize the nervous system, unwind, destress, and create space in the body & mind.
Forest Bathing
Slow, sensory, and immersive. Designed to reconnect you with the natural world, easing stress and restoring a sense of presence and calm.
Sacred Ritual & Sisterhood
Feel seen, safe & supported within sacred ritual, held by the warmth and strength of women gathered in community.
Sound Healing
Immersive, resonant, and deeply restful. Designed to quiet the mind, harmonize the nervous system, and guide the body into a state of deep relaxation.
Kundalini Meditation
Activating, breath-driven, and transformative. Designed to move stagnant energy, awaken inner clarity, and restore vitality to body and mind.
Meditative Art Journey
Slow, intuitive, and expressive. Designed to quiet the mind and let creativity become a doorway into presence and inner stillness.
Journaling
Reflective, personal, and unhurried. Designed to help you process, release, and listen inward, turning inner noise into clarity.
Yoga Nidra
Deep, restful, and transformative. Designed to guide you into a state of conscious rest where intentions take root, creating new neural pathways to help you receive them.
Sauna & Cold Plunge
Experience a mobile, wood-fired Finnish sauna with a cedar barrel cold plunge. Panoramic mirrored-glass walls open to the natural scenery around you. On-site Fri-Sun for the retreat.
SCHEDULE
10/22 THURSDAY
4:00pm Check-in
5:30-6:30pm Welcome Circle / Opening Ceremony with Kate & Kellee
6:30-7:30pm Dinner
7:45pm-8:45pm Yoga Nidra : Through the Hollow to the Honey with Kellee
9:00pm Fireside Tea Talks (optional)
10/23 FRIDAY
7:30am Coffee & Tea
8:00-9:00am BREAKFAST
9:30-11:00am Somatic Yoga & Kundalini Meditation with Kate
11:00-1:00pm FREE TIME for rest, reading, sauna, explore, etc.
1:00-2:00pm LUNCH
2:00-4:00pm Forest Bathing with Kate & Kellee
4:00-5:30pm Untamed Journaling with Kellee
6:00-7:00pm DINNER
7:00-8:00pm Sound Healing with Jade
8:00-9:00 FREE TIME for rest, reading, sauna, explore, etc.
9:00pm Fireside Tea Talks (optional)
10/24 SATURDAY
7:30 Coffee & Tea
8:00-9:00am BREAKFAST
9:30-10:30am Somatic Slow Flow with Kellee
10:30-12:30pm FREE TIME for rest, reading, sauna, explore, etc. + Kellee will be offering mini-Tarot readings!
12:30-1:30pm LUNCH
1:30-2:30pm Get Lost in the Sierra with Kate & Kellee
2:45-3:45 Yin & Restorative Yoga with Kate
3:45-4:45 Intuitive Art Journey with Kate
4:45-6:45 FREE TIME for rest, reading, sauna, explore, etc.
6:45 Leave for Dinner out in Downieville at Old West Speakeasy
10/25 SUNDAY
7:30 Coffee & Tea
8:00-9:00am BREAKFAST
9:00-10:30am Closing Ceremony
12:00 Check-out
This schedule is intended as a guide and may shift slightly to accommodate group energy, weather, or unforeseen circumstances. We appreciate your flexibility as we create the best possible experience for everyone.
Our amazing chef is working on the menu and we will add more details about the menu to the website once it is finalized.
We will serve Coffee & Tea at the Bridge House every morning starting at 7:30am and the Breakfast Buffet will be set-up at 8am and taken down at 9am. The cabins and rooms all have their own coffee makers and tea kettles if you prefer to have your tea or coffee in your cabin or room.
Meet your Retreat Guides
Yoga Instructor, Retreat Co-Facilitator
Kate Leist
Kate is a sacred space holder, playful spirit, community builder, and soul-led guide for women returning to themselves. Kate has been leading women through yoga, meditation, ritual, circle & ceremony since 2013. She weaves in deep permission to feel, rest, and receive. Kate creates safe, grounded spaces that are both spiritual and practical. Real talk. Real tools. Real connection. When she's not teaching you'll find Kate wandering through the mountains, petting all the dogs, or making mandalas in the sand.
Yoga Instructor, Retreat Co-Facilitator
Kellee Rich
Kellee is a wild soul and a free spirit, event curator and wellness guide. As founder of Wild Soul Events and Wild Soul Festival, she creates transformative experiences that blend nature, mindfulness, and personal growth. Through teacher trainings and mentorship, Kellee empowers the Tahoe and greater wellness community to deepen their practice and find their authentic voice. She also coaches female and creative entrepreneurs, helping them align spirit with strategy. Kellee's approach blends spiritual wisdom with somatic movement and dynamic flow, inviting others to explore their inner landscape while venturing into the wild unknown.
Sound Healer
Jade Adams
Jade is a sound healer, intuitive guide, and compassionate space holder who creates experiences that support deep rest, release, and reconnection. Inspired by a profound healing experience during her Yoga Teacher Training in Maui, she followed the call to study the transformative power of sound. Through crystal bowls, sacred instruments, and intentional vibration, Jade helps others soften, let go, and return to a greater sense of ease and balance. Her approach blends heart-centered presence with sound-based healing, creating spaces where people can reconnect with themselves and the wisdom within.
FAQ
Will I be able to arrive late or leave early?
Yes, but there will be no discounts applied or any change in price. Our preference is that you are there for the full duration of the retreat, but we understand if you need to arrive late or leave early. We ask that you just inform us ahead of time of your plans.
How are the rooms / cabins assigned?
Once you fill out the interest form with your preferences we will follow up with you via email or text to let you know which accommodations are still available. We will let you know where you are staying and then decide the payment arrangement; either you pay in full or put down a deposit for the payment plan.
Are meals included? And what type of meals are they?
Yes, all the meals are included except for our Saturday night dinner outing to a fun local Speakeasy style place.
BREAKFAST
We will have a breakfast bar with oatmeal, granola, fruit, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, toast & bagels.
LUNCH & DINNER
The meals we are going to focus on serving are delicious, nutritious, gluten-free and dairy-free with both vegetarian and meat options prepared by an amazing local chef. We don't yet have the exact menu dialed in, but we will let you know when we do!
FYI : All cabins have their own kitchen, the lodge rooms have their own kitchenette, and there is a kitchen in the River House. We encourage you to please bring snacks and any of your own personal food items for your own needs and comfort.
Are there payment plans available? What forms of payment do you accept?
Yes. A $400 non-refundable deposit is necessary to secure your space. For the payment plan we can split the payment into 3 payments (we can discuss a schedule that works for you). The full amount must be paid in full by the start of the retreat at the very latest on Oct 22nd.
We accept Venmo, Zelle, and payments through Square.
What is the cancellation / refund policy?
Cancellation & Refund Policy
A non-refundable deposit of $400 is required to secure your spot and is not eligible for refund or credit under most circumstances.
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30+ days before the retreat: You may receive a 50% refund of your remaining balance (deposit remains non-refundable).
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Under 30 days before the retreat: No refunds will be issued. You are welcome to transfer your spot to a friend.
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No-shows: No refunds or credits will be issued for no-shows or early departures.
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Weather: In the rare event the retreat is impacted by circumstances beyond our control — including road closures, wildfire smoke, extreme weather, or venue disruption we will do our best to offer an alternate date or credit toward a future offering. Refunds are not guaranteed in these situations.
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Retreat Cancellation by Kate/Kellee: If we need to cancel the retreat for any reason, all guests will receive a full refund, including their deposit
What is included in the price? And what is not included?
INCLUDED: Accommodations, all meals (except Sat night dinner outing), all retreat classes & activities, art supplies.
NOT INCLUDED: Saturday night dinner outing, massage add-on.
Arrival & Departure Times
Thursday Oct 22nd : 5:30pm ARRIVAL
Sunday Oct 25th : 12pm DEPARTURE
Is there cell service / WiFi?
There is cell service and WiFi at the Bridge House and at the Lodge. There is no WiFi in the cabins, and the cell service is spotty in the cabins.
Guests will be encouraged to unplug and stay off their phones unless you need it for emergencies, work, or to stay in contact with family. Please let those who you stay in consistent contact with that you will at a retreat and unavailable / trying to unplug.
Is this retreat ok for beginners?
Yes! The style of yoga we will be doing is accessible and approachable for all-levels of yoga practitioners including beginners, and there will be modifications offered throughout.
Is this an alcohol-free retreat?
YES & NO.
NO: There will be no alcohol offered or available at the retreat and we ask that you refrain from drinking any alcohol during the retreat and/or bringing alcohol to the retreat center.
YES: When we have our Saturday night dinner outing guests will have the option of purchasing alcoholic beverages to have during dinner if that is their personal preference. We ask that guests refrain from any heavy drinking during our outing.
What do I need to bring?
All of the items you would normally bring for a 3 night / 4 day trip, plus a yoga mat, water bottle, journal and writing utensil, good walking shoes, headlamp (for walking back and forth in the evening between where you are staying and where we are meeting), a small backpack or fanny pack for our forest bathing outing. Optional: eye pillow/mask, yoga props, book, essential oils or anything you need to relax and feel cozy, snacks and any food or drink items you would like to have in your room or cabin. We will send a packing suggestion list out to all attendees several days prior to the retreat start date.