Welcome to the North Shore! Join us this September 5 – 8, 2023 (3 nights) for our third annual Meditation Retreat in northern Minnesota. Experience the soothing energy of the largest fresh water lake in the world. Mediate on bird song, bubbling creek, sunshine, and fresh air. Our trip will revitalize and inspire you heart, your body, and your mind.

Surrounded by the lush forests and calming waters of Lake Superior, this retreat offers a serene environment for rejuvenation and self-discovery. Along with the power of yoga, this retreat emphasizes the art of meditation, with a special focus on exploring various meditation techniques in the great outdoors.

You will learn different types of meditation, including mindfulness, loving-kindness, and walking meditation, each designed to enhance your connection to the present moment and the world around you. Let nature’s tranquility bring balance to your mind, body, and spirit as you embark on this transformative journey of meditation and self-awareness. No experience required!

Meditation can be life changing. It is perhaps the most important practice to establish, and maintain in your day. It brings calmness, serenity, and fortitude in meetings life’s challenges. I will guide you through a beautiful morning and evening formal sitting practice, over three days to tune you in.

Along with hiking, the retreat will be spiritually uplifting, and relaxing. Indulge in epic views, options to kayak along the coast, take a restorative yoga class, explore the quaint town of Grand Marais, hike Cascade waterfall state park, and sit in the evenings by a crackling fire under a trillion twinkling stars. Meet like-minded yogis. Be blessed by the wilderness, pure nature, and untouched coast of the inland sea.

Dates

September 5 – 8, 2023 Check in Tuesday 5pm, Check out 11am Friday morning. Two full days and three nights. The retreat program will officially begin early Wednesday morning and end late Friday evening.

Location

Solbakken Lodge on Lake Superior in Northern Minnesota (right on the water!)

Room options

CABINS AND ROOMS AVAILABLE BELOW (keep scrolling). Prices below are per person. Includes your lodging, yoga, hiking, and meditation classes. Prices do not include meals (on your own!) All cabins are equipped with kitchens.

Ready to register? Send me an email with your requested lodging. Venmo your full payment to: @Jaina-Portwood with note “North Shore Meditation Retreat.” After receiving you will get a confirmation email from jaina@belovedretreat.com.

How about meals? On your own.Bring your own fresh food, and utilize the cabin kitchens and grills to prepare your own meals. Recreation equipment is also not included, but available to rent (like boats and bikes). There is also the Superior National Golf Course nearby, Cascade National Park, and Lake Superior North Shore. Enjoy canoeing, kayaking, small town shopping, biking, and more.

How do I get there? Solbakken Lodge is located at 4874 W Hwy 61
Lutsen, MN 55612. I know several of you are coming from out of state. Plan to fly into the Duluth International Airport and rent a car. The drive is approximately an hour and a half from airport to lodge.

What should I bring? Yoga mat, meditation cousin (that could mean a bolster and a beautiful white sheepskin, or even just a folded blanket.) A backjack if you need extra back support for sitting on the ground. Hiking shoes, light day backpack, water bottle, healthy food/snacks, journal, sunglasses, toiletries, sunscreen, bug spray, rain jacket & pants, comfortable clothes. Perhaps a mala or a crystal for meditation practice. You may end up finding a beautiful agate on the shore too! Lake Superior water is cold anytime of year, but bring a swimsuit if you want to brave the temps and try jumping in 🙂 There are also beautiful smaller lakes and rivers within driving distance from the lodge.

What’s the outline for the weekend? Each morning we will have a daily morning meditation practice and short yoga philosophy lecture. An optional sunrise-early-morning yoga asana class will also be available. Group hikes and excursions, along with ample free time during the day for hiking. Everything is optional. Journaling recommended. Evening meditation as a group at sunset. Check out is 11:00am Friday. We will have a closing fire ceremony the night before. Saturday night we have the options to add on a Sauna Experience at the luxurious Sisu & Loyly in Grand Marais.

TUESDAY NIGHT

arrive, settle in

WEDNESDAY

optional sunrise yoga

breakfast (on your own)

opening ceremony 

morning meditation workshop

optional hike, canoe/kayak, or free relax time

lunch (on your own)

afternoon meditation workshop

a la carte sauna experience in Grand Marais

dinner (on your own)

evening bonfire

THURSDAY

optional sunrise yoga

breakfast (on your own)

morning meditation workshop

optional hike, canoe/kayak, or free relax time

lunch (on your own)

afternoon meditation workshop

a la carte sauna experience in Grand Marais

dinner (on your own)

star gazing night hike

evening bonfire

closing ceremony

FRIDAY

departure in morning

How can I prepare before September? Start your daily morning meditation practice now. Sit for 5-20 minutes each morning upon waking. I will send out recommended reading throughout the year as we near the date.

What if I have to cancel my reservation? If you have to cancel at all, a full refund is issued (minus $20 processing fee) up until 60 days before, and after that date no refunds can be given. Read our full Terms and Conditions for Beloved Retreats here.

More about the location: Our cabins are in a picturesque location on the North Shore of Lake Superior also puts it in easy vicinity of Grand Marais, an artsy, bohemian village north east of the lodge. With a population of just 1200, Grand Marais is the embodiment of small-town charm and eclectic appeal; it’s not hard to see why Budget Travel Magazine named it “America’s Coolest Small Town”. Sip a coffee at an al fresco cafe in the early morning before the town wakes and the only sounds are the swooping seagulls and the lapping of the lake. Watch as the colors of the sunrise on the water’s surface fade to purest blue while rest of the world sleeps.

Swimming, hiking, and fishing are just a few activities on offer throughout the warm weather months, while cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing keep snow days from ever getting dull. Canoeing the seemingly endless sparkling waters of the million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area is a diversion not to be missed by outdoor enthusiasts. For the truly adventurous, the trailhead for the 310-mile Superior Hiking Trail (a popular “through-hike”, akin to the better known Appalachian Trail) is just twenty minutes from the door of Cascade Lodge.

For those who prefer their vacation with more resting and reclining than summiting and sweating, take the scenic one-hour drive south to the lovely Split Rock Light House and the calm waters of Pebble Beach in Lake County. The photogenic backdrop is as appealing to honeymooning couples as the original lantern room housing a 1000-watt bulb (and interaction with the gregarious onsite lighthouse keeper) is to families and especially young children. Bring a picnic lunch and alternate between sunbathing and skipping stones for the perfect lazy summer afternoon.

Other mellow activities close to Solbakken include wildflower-gathering of vibrant and numerous starflowers and daisies, watching tiger swallowtail butterflies in bright yellow and black relief against velvety evergreens, or watching the waters of Lake Superior glimmer under the sun. Whatever encompasses the details of your ideal getaway, the lodge has something to offer to soothe your senses.

Is this retreat calling to you!? Save your spot today, this will fill up fast. Scroll down to see the exact room details and pricing options.

Prices below are per person. Includes cabins, yoga, hiking, and meditation classes. Prices do not include meals (on your own!) Cabins are equipped with kitchens.

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This spacious cabin features vaulted ceilings, large deck overlooking Lake Superior, and a grassy lawn, perfect for large families and reunions. 

• Living area is spacious with a couch, queen-size futon, and easy chair, table & chairs, TV, and a wood burning fireplace.  Windows with spectacular Lake Superior view. 
• Kitchen includes stove with oven, microwave, toaster, refrigerator, coffee maker with filters, dishes, cookware, dish soaps and towels. (you supply paper products, seasonings, coffee, etc.)
• 3 private bedrooms, each with a queen bed (bedding provided).
• Bathroom with shower + Bathroom with shower/tub
• Deck with table & chairs, charcoal grill (you supply the charcoal), and an outstanding Lake Superior view just feet from the lake. 
• No pets allowed.
• More pictures of Cabin 1

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This cozy cabin is the prefect getaway spot. Watch and listen to the waves right outside your door. 

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Get away from it all in this Northwoods cabin on Lake Superior. You are just feet from the dramatic ledgerock and lapping waves of The Big Lake. 

• Living area with table & chairs, double-size futon sleeper, TV, and windows with spectacular Lake Superior view. 
• Kitchen includes 4 Burner Stove with oven, microwave, toaster, refrigerator, coffee maker with filters, dishes, cookware, dish soaps and towels. (you supply paper products, seasonings, coffee, etc.)
• Two bedrooms with double bed (bedding provided).
• Double-size sofa sleeper in living area (bedding provided).
• Bathroom with shower
• Deck with table & chairs, charcoal grill (you supply the charcoal), and an outstanding Lake Superior view just feet from the shore.
• Pets accepted with advance reservation ($15.00 per night/per pet)
• More pictures of Cabin 3

2 Bedrooms with queen beds (Capacity 6)
One of our newest cabins, Cabin 4 has a vaulted ceiling, Knotty pine woodwork, and is at the edge of Lake Superior. The living area features large windows looking out over the lake. 

Living area with table & chairs, double-size futon, sitting chair, TV
Windows with spectacular Lake Superior view. 
Kitchen includes 4 burner stove with oven, microwave, toaster, refrigerator, coffee maker with filters, dishes, cookware, dish soaps and towels. (you supply paper products, seasonings, coffee, etc.)
Two bedrooms, each with a queen bed (bedding provided).
Double-sized futon in the living area (bedding provided).
Bathroom with shower/bathtub
Deck with table & chairs, charcoal grill (you supply the charcoal), and an outstanding Lake Superior view just feet from shore.
Pets accepted with advance reservation ($15 per night/per pet)

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This small, cozy fireplace cabin is just feet from Lake Superior with lovely views. 

• Living area with kitchen, table & chairs, couch, wood burning fireplace, TV
• Kitchen includes 4 Burner Stove with oven, small refrigerator, coffee maker, toaster, microwave, dishes, cooking utensils, pots, dish soap, and towels. (You supply paper products, seasonings, coffee, etc.)
• Bedroom with a double bed (bedding provided)
• Bathroom with shower
• Deck with table, chairs, charcoal grill (you supply the charcoal), and an outstanding Lake Superior view, just feet from shore. 
• Wood burning fireplace
• Pets accepted with advance reservation ($15 per night/per pet)
• More pictures of Cabin 5

This small, cozy fireplace cabin is just feet from Lake Superior with lovely views. 

• Living area with kitchen, table & chairs, couch, wood burning fireplace, TV
• Kitchen includes 4 Burner Stove with oven, small refrigerator, coffee maker, toaster, microwave, dishes, cooking utensils, pots, dish soap, and towels. (You supply paper products, seasonings, coffee, etc.)
• Bedroom with a double bed (bedding provided)
• Bathroom with shower
• Deck with table, chairs, charcoal grill (you supply the charcoal), and an outstanding Lake Superior view, just feet from shore. 
• Wood burning fireplace
• Pets accepted with advance reservation ($15 per night/per pet)
• More pictures of Cabin 6

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There are also options for camping (Cascade River State Park) if all the cabins sell out. Reach out to us for options.

Here’s how to register: Send me an email with your requested lodging. Venmo your full payment to: @Jaina-Portwood with note “North Shore Meditation Retreat.” After receiving you will get a confirmation email from jaina@belovedretreat.com.

Is this retreat calling to you!? Save your spot today, this will fill up fast.

Reach out with any questions!
Jaina Portwood 612-845-8175