Yoga. Travel. Recovery. Adventure!

We create transformational yoga and adventure experiences to inspire individual healing and cultivate connection to self, others, and the world.

"Yoga is not just a workout; it's a work-in." -Rolf Gates

Yoga is far more than just the poses, it is a spiritual path that can guide us in recovery and in every aspect of our lives!

Costa Rica Jungle Yoga Immersion Retreat

March 12-18, 2023
Daily yoga and meditation, special workshops, wildlife encounters, beach time, healthy food, and more!

Upcoming Adventures

Transformational yoga and adventure experiences to inspire individual healing

Catalina Island Hiking & Yoga Retreat

Costa Rica Jungle Yoga Immersion Retreat

Majestic Mountains Colorado Yoga & Adventure Retreat

Baja Mexico Yoga, Surf, and Culture Retreat

Thailand Yoga & Adventure Retreat

Yoga retreats for deep healing

Everyone is recovering from something

Our retreats are designed with recovery in mind. We are both in long term recovery from addiction, and proud of it. It doesn’t stop there though.
Everyone is recovering from something, whether it’s trauma, substance use, heartbreak, stress, or just the disconnection of life in our high-tech world.

If you want to keep up with us you can check out our blog or sign up for our newsletter:

So how do we heal?

Our retreats combine the following healing elements

  • New adventures

    When you get the opportunity to go somewhere new, get outside your comfort zone, and create community with people you’ve never met before, that brings deep healing.

  • Nature

    When you learn to live with more connection to nature, that brings deep healing.

  • Community

    When you get to leave your labels and baggage at home and meet a whole new group of people who have embarked on a similar journey, that brings deep healing.

  • Yoga

    Yoga reminds us to stay present, with each breath, movement, and moment.

Who benefits the most from our retreats?

  • People already on the path of recovery or healing who know a retreat like this can help unlock more joy and fulfillment on their journey. You don’t have to be sober; you can be in recovery from anything.

  • People in pursuit of authentic, adventurous, like-minded community.

  • People who are sober-curious, yoga-curious, or just ready to explore a more connected way of living!

  • Yoga retreats provide vital opportunities for digital detox and intention setting. We want our yoga retreats to be accessible to everyone so we offer recovery scholarships.

Testimonials

Carrie and Zach are a wonderful team. I loved everything about the retreat! The yoga and meditation program were perfect for all levels and provided many useful tools for my home practice. The food was delicious and always an exciting part of our days. They provide a comfortable, open space to be vulnerable and grow! I have already booked another adventure with Carrie and Zach! I wish I had found them sooner!

Misti, Joshua Tree 2020

What a fabulous experience – beautiful space, lovely people, and I did something I was so afraid to do and it was quite amazing – thanks Carrie and Zach for making such a magical place!

Marci, Breathwork & Cold Immersion Workshop

The best view comes after the hardest climb 🧗‍♀️ what an amazing weekend filled with some beautiful, unique personalities. I had so much fun meeting all of you. From all the stories, the amazing vegan food, laughs to happy tears, forever travel buddies. Grateful for everyone this weekend. Huge shoutout @biggerlifeadventures for testing our fears, and creating healthy fears and habits, learning new mantras and meditations. Carrie, you are one of the best hosts. I’ll see you in the future again. Love you all ✨💕⛰

Sammy, Arizona 2021 and Colorado 2022

Carrie and Zach are perfectly in sync with their purpose and it shows. They both create the ultimate safe space for healing, creation and connection. Whether you come for Zach’s food (THE BEST) Carries awesome asana, mindful meditations, art projects, ancient lectures, hiking, meeting new friends & sangha, discovering new places around the world or within yourself, amongst many other fun things, you will without a doubt leave a different person even if you hadn’t intended to. These retreats are worth so much more than what you pay for them. Their retreats have something for everyone and I am very excited to make these retreats with my soul fam a yearly if not twice yearly must do. Thank you Carrie and Zach for all that you make possible for all of us. So much love!!

Jess, Joshua Tree 2022

The retreat in Costa Rica has the highest of recommendations I could ever give!! The entire week offered so much challenge, connection, adventure, restoration, rejuvenation, joy, laughs, insight, knowledge, awareness, jungle sounds, delicious meals, consistent practice, relaxation, and (insert at least 101 more wonderful adjectives here)! On every level, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, I grew and became a better version of myself! A group that started as friendly strangers completely transformed into an intimate and comfortable family by the end of the week! There was true magic, power and energy flow like I’ve never been apart of, and, if I may be so bold to say, EVERYONE was completely filled and changed in their own beautiful way! No one was even close to being ready to leave and didn’t want the jungle retreat to end! Of course, for anyone who knows Mr Zach (the baddest chef east of the Mississippi) and Sensei Carrie (the baddest yoga instructor I’ve ever known), they are such a beautiful and inspiring duo who offer their whole selves to the retreat and to everyone’s experience! They truly care about everyone and it shows in their personalized approach in how they communicate, educate, serve and enlighten their audience! They make the yoga practice (beyond just the physical movements) a beautiful journey that is so worth becoming intimate with! In a non-pressure, come-as-you-are way, you are treated with all the love and respect! I continue to reflect back on that week and know it will be one of my life’s highlights! Lifelong connection to the Sanctuary and to the people who I met, made a super great experience into a mesmerizing and awestruck one! Why you haven’t booked this retreat is beyond me! Do your heart, mind, body and spirit a solid by signing up for this impossible-to-regret experience!

Jamo, Costa Rica 2022

biggerlifeadventures

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biggerlifeadventures

How I opted outside this weekend:

Planned a nice 2-night backpacking trip on some new-to-me trails in the canyon.
Had the best company, 0 degree sleeping bags, delicious food, and @athleticbrewing of course.
Enjoyed visiting new rapids, beaches, towers, and dipping in and out of all the side canyons on the Tonto.
Had great chats, read many pages, stretched, lounged on rocks in sleeping bags, and then decided to hike all the way out on day 2 since we had too much energy and not enough sunshine at our camp.
Made our 5-mile day into a 17-mile day but enjoyed it by stopping to make dessert for dinner at Havasupai Gardens.
Hiked the last hard 4.5 miles up to the rim under the glorious Milky Way and enjoyed the forced presence of headlamp hiking - only seeing the next couple steps in front of us.

So next time we need more miles? Or sunnier campsites? Or, we don’t need to change anything, but to continue being open to whatever adventure feels right.
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#backpacking #optoutside #womenwhohike #havasupaigardens #tonto #grandcanyoncamping
#nature #reciprocity #desert #southwest #arizona #colorado #trailrunning #naturepoetry #whyirun #outside #adventurepoem #adventureisoutthere #grandcanyon #grandcanyoning #trailrunning #womenwhorun #grandcanyonretreat #arizonaretreat

Open
How I opted outside this weekend: Planned a nice 2-night backpacking trip on some new-to-me trails in the canyon. Had the best company, 0 degree sleeping bags, delicious food, and @athleticbrewing of course. Enjoyed visiting new rapids, beaches, towers, and dipping in and out of all the side canyons on the Tonto. Had great chats, read many pages, stretched, lounged on rocks in sleeping bags, and then decided to hike all the way out on day 2 since we had too much energy and not enough sunshine at our camp. Made our 5-mile day into a 17-mile day but enjoyed it by stopping to make dessert for dinner at Havasupai Gardens. Hiked the last hard 4.5 miles up to the rim under the glorious Milky Way and enjoyed the forced presence of headlamp hiking - only seeing the next couple steps in front of us. So next time we need more miles? Or sunnier campsites? Or, we don’t need to change anything, but to continue being open to whatever adventure feels right. . . . #backpacking #optoutside #womenwhohike #havasupaigardens #tonto #grandcanyoncamping #nature #reciprocity #desert #southwest #arizona #colorado #trailrunning #naturepoetry #whyirun #outside #adventurepoem #adventureisoutthere #grandcanyon #grandcanyoning #trailrunning #womenwhorun #grandcanyonretreat #arizonaretreat

ANNUAL HOLIDAY REMINDERS! 🎄🦃
I’ll be backpacking in the Grand Canyon and then celebrating Friendsgiving this year! What’s your plan for staying sane and sober this week?
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#sobertok #yogateacher #yogatok #recovery #recoveryyoga #soberholidays #emotionalsobriety #nothanksnogiving #backpacking #hikerthanksgiving

Open
ANNUAL HOLIDAY REMINDERS! 🎄🦃 I’ll be backpacking in the Grand Canyon and then celebrating Friendsgiving this year! What’s your plan for staying sane and sober this week? . . . #sobertok #yogateacher #yogatok #recovery #recoveryyoga #soberholidays #emotionalsobriety #nothanksnogiving #backpacking #hikerthanksgiving

Woah! Only 2 spots are left for our Trans Catalina Trail retreat next year! This has quickly become one of my favorite of all our retreats, even though I’ve now hiked the trail 4 times! I’m not tired of it ‘cause it’s sooo beautiful and every group we take makes it a new and fresh experience. Come join for a hiking challenge (training plan provided), beach camping, @zacharyminnich ‘s delicious campfire cooking, daily warmups and nightly yin yoga to stretch out, community, and more! I would love it if 1 of these spots could be given to someone in recovery for a reduced scholarship rate. Who wants in??? Come join a fabulous group of @poisonivy820 @s.dne.ra.e @elaidlaw2 @joshcowenmsu @zacharyminnich and myself, plus all the buffalos and foxes, April 27-May 1, 2023!
After all, “Hills hurt but couches kill!” - @les333lilly
☀️🌴🦬🌊🦊
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#hikingretreat #yogahikingretreat #catalina #transcatalinatrail #backpackingretreat #wildernessretreat #catalinaisland #soberyogaretreat #soberadventures #yogaoutside

Open
Woah! Only 2 spots are left for our Trans Catalina Trail retreat next year! This has quickly become one of my favorite of all our retreats, even though I’ve now hiked the trail 4 times! I’m not tired of it ‘cause it’s sooo beautiful and every group we take makes it a new and fresh experience. Come join for a hiking challenge (training plan provided), beach camping, @zacharyminnich ‘s delicious campfire cooking, daily warmups and nightly yin yoga to stretch out, community, and more! I would love it if 1 of these spots could be given to someone in recovery for a reduced scholarship rate. Who wants in??? Come join a fabulous group of @poisonivy820 @s.dne.ra.e @elaidlaw2 @joshcowenmsu @zacharyminnich and myself, plus all the buffalos and foxes, April 27-May 1, 2023! After all, “Hills hurt but couches kill!” - @les333lilly ☀️🌴🦬🌊🦊 . . . #hikingretreat #yogahikingretreat #catalina #transcatalinatrail #backpackingretreat #wildernessretreat #catalinaisland #soberyogaretreat #soberadventures #yogaoutside

Healing is difficult. It requires work & energy. I notice this in myself when I have to make the choice between spiraling into anxiety or using my tools. At least lately I’ve felt like there is a choice. It’s hard work to go to therapy, to make healthier choices, to stay away from doom scrolling, to manage all our different relationships. Just wanted to acknowledge that in case you’re feeling it too. It’s hard work but necessary. 🤗
Also, if you, like me, are a person with strained or estranged family relationships, this time of year can be tough. 7 years ago was the last time I spent a holiday with my family. It did not go well; our relationships have not gone well since then, and thus I no longer do family holidays.
Just know that you have a choice. You can protect your energy, your boundaries, your sobriety. You can put yourself first this time of year. Create your own rituals and traditions. Reach out if you need support going into this busy holiday weekend.
Pic from one of my purest moments of joy recently, on our Baja retreat! 🌊🏄‍♀️🌞🇲🇽
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#emotionalsobriety #healing #healitforward #costaricaretreat #alanon #acoarecovery #costaricaretreat #soberholidays
#mexicoretreat #yogaretreat #mexicoyogaretreat #recreateresponsibly #sustainabletravel #mexicoyoga #bajayoga #bajayogaretreat #ensenada #rosarito #bookyogaretreats #surfretreat #surfyogaretreat #yogasurfretreat #vivamexico #tijuanafood #tacotour #mexicanfood #ecoretreat #diadelosmuertos #mexicanculture #tacotour #halloween

Open
Healing is difficult. It requires work & energy. I notice this in myself when I have to make the choice between spiraling into anxiety or using my tools. At least lately I’ve felt like there is a choice. It’s hard work to go to therapy, to make healthier choices, to stay away from doom scrolling, to manage all our different relationships. Just wanted to acknowledge that in case you’re feeling it too. It’s hard work but necessary. 🤗 Also, if you, like me, are a person with strained or estranged family relationships, this time of year can be tough. 7 years ago was the last time I spent a holiday with my family. It did not go well; our relationships have not gone well since then, and thus I no longer do family holidays. Just know that you have a choice. You can protect your energy, your boundaries, your sobriety. You can put yourself first this time of year. Create your own rituals and traditions. Reach out if you need support going into this busy holiday weekend. Pic from one of my purest moments of joy recently, on our Baja retreat! 🌊🏄‍♀️🌞🇲🇽 . . . #emotionalsobriety #healing #healitforward #costaricaretreat #alanon #acoarecovery #costaricaretreat #soberholidays #mexicoretreat #yogaretreat #mexicoyogaretreat #recreateresponsibly #sustainabletravel #mexicoyoga #bajayoga #bajayogaretreat #ensenada #rosarito #bookyogaretreats #surfretreat #surfyogaretreat #yogasurfretreat #vivamexico #tijuanafood #tacotour #mexicanfood #ecoretreat #diadelosmuertos #mexicanculture #tacotour #halloween