Caravan of the Heart (Joy) ~ A Heart Medicine Bhakti Yoga Retreat!

~3 Full Days & Nights of Chanting, Devotion, Yoga, Meditation & Practices for Joy! 

“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.” ~ Joseph Campbell 

May 1 – 4, 2026
Smokebrush Farms, Manitou Springs, Colorado

Saul David Raye &  Special Guest Judith Piazza
with Gayan Gregory Long & The Smokebrush Players

Cost:
Full Program & Meals starts at $555
Non Resident Rate – $375
Bhakti Day Pass – $175 [Saturday & Sunday Only]
See below for all options + Partial Scholarships 

Calling all Bhakti Yogi’s, music and chant lovers and seekers on the path of  love!  Join us for an inspiring and renewing  Spring Retreat in the foothills of the Rockies.
3 full days and nights of community, practice, presence, lots of chanting, dancing and learning to sing, play and even lead kirtan & soul songs.

Together we dive deeply into the power of mantra, song, music, dance, breath, movement & prayer. A long weekend devoted to practice of Bhakti, Kirtan, Mantra, Dance and Heart wisdom. Tap into the power of chant, you own voice and learn to sing, play and lead kirtan & soul songs.

This years retreat, Inspired by the Rumi poem ‘Caravan’, will be a playful, inspiring, heart warming, nourishing and super fun 4 days!
We will practice yoga, meditation and breath-work each day, chant mantras, sing kirtan, read poetry, make art and spend time in the warmth of community and shared practice. There will be daily teachings and sartsanghs on the path of the heart and lessons available for harmonium, voice, guitar and percussion [please bring your own instrument:] This retreat is open to all who wish to experience and learn more about Bhakti & Tantra Yoga, Sufism and the path of the heart.
My favorite part is when we are all in the room together, singing, dancing and playing various instruments, it is a sight to behold!

Come, come, whoever you are. 

Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving. It doesn’t matter. 

Ours is not a caravan of despair. 

come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times. 

Come, yet again, come , come. ~ Rumi

 


Program: 

  • Daily Kirtan, Mantra & Chanting practice
  • Daily Yoga, Meditation & Breathwork
  • Daily Teachings & Satsangh
  • Beltaine Ball on Saturday Night
  • Drum / Percussion Workshop with Judith
  • Lessons for Harmonium, Guitar & Voice **
  • Ecstatic Dance
  • Learn to sing, play and lead chants
  • Awaken and heal with your voice
  • Poetry Readings [all can share] and Art Classes
  • Healing Soundbath
  • Soul Haiku Practice

Also:

  • Delicious Locally Sourced Meals
  • Hot Tub on site
  • Hiking trails, Garden of the Gods, Manitou Incline
  • Sunwater Spa – Book a hot tub at this world famous sister spa
  • Relax on the beautiful grounds and visit the bio-dynamic farm

** Please bring your own instrument. We will have a few extra insturments on hand, but please plan to bring your own if you have one.
For a new harmonium we recommend our friend Nic Dillon at Olde Delhi Harmoniums.

 

Sample Daily ScheduleCoffee / Tea

Friday May 1
1:00 PM – Arrival & Relax at Smokebrush Farms / Rockledge
3:30 PM –  Chanting 101, Introduction, Deepening our practice
6:00 Pm – Dinner
7:30 – Soundbath, Kirtan & Soul Songs

Saturday May 2
6:30 am – Coffee / Tea 
7:00 ~  Prana Yoga & Mediation Practice – all levels
8:45 AM ~ Breakfast
10:00 AM  – Morning Chant Session [Teaching, Chanting, Lessons & Group Practices]
1 Pm ~ Lunch /Afternoon Break
2:30 PM – Rhythm / Percussion Masterclass with Judith
4:30 PM Tea Break
4:45 PM Afternoon Chant Session – Deepening our Practice & The Mysticism of Sound
6:15 PM Dinner
7 PM – Beltaine Heart Fire Ball – Public Program  [Kirtan, Dance & Meditation}

Sunday May 3
6:30 am – Coffee / Tea 
7:00 ~  Prana Yoga & Mediation Practice – all levels
8:45 AM ~ Breakfast
10:00 AM  – Morning Chant Session [Teaching, Chanting, Lessons & Group Practices] with Saul
1 Pm ~ Lunch /Afternoon Break
3 PM – Afternoon Chant Session – Deepening our Practice & The Mysticism of Sound
4:45 PM Tea Break
6:15 PM Dinner
7:30 PM – Community Kirtan + Dance

Monday May 4
6:30 am – Coffee / Tea 
7:00 ~  Prana Yoga & Mediation Practice – all levels
8:00  AM ~ Breakfast
9 AM  – Closing Chant Session [Teaching, Chanting, Lessons & Group Practices] with Saul
11:0 AM – Program Finish

• You can arrange to stay an extra day, before or after the retreat.
• You can arrange to book a private hot tub or spa session at SUNWATERSPA.COM / there is a hot tub on site:)

 

Heart Medicine Sessions will include: 

  • Teachings on Bhakti Yoga, Nada Yoga &  Mantra Yoga
  • Mantra Practice for Healing and Awakening
  • Kirtan Practice as Devotion & Meditation
  • Heart Wisdom Teachings for Everyday life
  • Learning to sing, play and lead Kirtan
  • Art Class, Poetry & Dance
  • Teachings of Bhakti & the Moods ( Bhava’s) of  Bhakti Yoga
  • Harmonium, Guitar & Percussion Lessons
  • Teachings on the Deities &  Archetypes
  • HEART Centered Meditations
  • Ecstatic Dance & Poetry
  • Cultivating a Healing, Heart Centered Yoga + Meditation Practice
  • Includes Chant BOOK as PDF. Mantras, teachings, Chord & note sheets and more….

Some of the Mantras we learn & practice:
Gayatri Mantra
Maha Mritunjaya Mantra
Hanuman Chalisa
Medicine Buddha Mantra
Shanti Mantras ~ Universal Peace Mantras
Chants & Prayers to Main Deities [Shiva, Durga, Kali, Ganesha, Krishna, Hanuman, Lakshmi, Saraswati…]

 

 

Cost:
We want to make this program as affordable as possible to all those who wish to join us. Working with Smokebrush Foundation we have been able to create a discounted price for the full weekend in addition to the regular price. A local rate and also Bhakti Day pass for Saturday or Sunday.

Program Participation & Cost Options 

~ $555  –  Discounted Rate for the Full Program + All Meals + Chant Book Materials
Available to those who need a discounted rate.

~ $750  – Full price for the retreat, includes all meals and materials.
For those who can afford full price.

~ $375 – Local Pass – Full Program & Materials Only, includes Beltaine Ball on Saturday night & Judith Rhythm  Drum Workshop, Use of facilties and hot tub.

~ $ 175  – Bhakti Day Pass – For Saturday or Sunday / Full Day Sunrise thru night time with meals and materials

~ Partial Scholarships – we have a few partial scholarships available for those who need them, please reach out if that is use.


Accommodations:
Accommodations start at $195 for a shared room and are booked separately, see options below :)
Both residential and non-residential participation.
Breakfast [fruit, yogurt, cereal, toast, farm fresh eggs]
Lunch & Dinner Locally sourced gourmet food Veg or non veg options.

Limited space available.

To register:
Please send an email ‘[email protected]’

Payment must be completed by May 1.
Zelle or Venmo is preferred no fees. Credit card or paypal, students must cover any payment fees.
Program fee is transferable to another program but is non-refundable.

 

Accommodation Options & Prices 

Start at $195 for All 3 Nights / See Room descriptions below
• Rooms a re booked separately with Smokebrush farms once you have registered for the Immersion.
• All rooms have en-suite bathrooms
• Prices below are in addition to the program tuition & do not include CO sales tax

Spacious 3-4 Person Room / $195  per person for All 3 nights

Bonnie Brae or Spindletop Rooms
The biggest rooms in the house with 4 beds &  plenty of space. The rooms are beautiful and well appointed.
Shared with either be 3 or 4 people.

—————

Double Room [2 People] /  From $250  – $280  for All 3 nights [depends on the room]

El Ocaso, L’abri or Fleur Rooms 
2 single beds or King Bed available
Sign up with a friend or we will assign you a room mate.

—————

 

Private Room  / $525  for all 3 nights – Only 1 room available. 

Library
There is one private room available for a single person or a couple to share a king bed.

 

Bedroom layouts are as follows:

Fleur de Lis -sleeps 2 (on the first floor to the right of the fireplace near the dining room)

One King bed (or twin beds)

Private bathroom with large jetted tub/shower combo-must step over the side of and into the tub to utilize shower and tub

Two side by side sinks, toilet and bidet

Gas fireplace/Air conditioner

 

L’Abris sleeps 2 (4 steps up the staircase to the doorway, then 4 steps down inside the room)

One King bed (or twin beds)

Private bathroom with a walk-in shower with double shower heads, toilet

Air conditioner, private entrance off patio

 

The Library  sleeps 2 (upstairs to the second floor)

One King bed (no twin beds)

Private bathroom with a step in shower, sink, toilet and bidet

Tabletop electric fireplace/Air conditioner

 

The Bonnie Brae Suite sleeps 3-4 (upstairs to second floor)

One King (or twin beds) in a private room with 2 daybeds in a living area

in the adjoining room. Private bathroom with a jetted tub/shower combo, toilet and bidet

Gas fireplace/Air conditioner

 

The Spindletop Suite sleeps 3- 4 (upstairs to second floor)

One king (or twin beds) and two daybeds in one large room

Private bathroom with a step in shower, toilet and bidet

Second bathroom includes a large jetted tub only

Gas fireplace/Air conditioner

 

El Ocaso sleeps 2 (upstairs to second floor)

One king (or twin beds)

Private bathroom with a step in shower, toilet and bidet

Electric fireplace/Air conditioner