A Week of Renewal: Reflections from a Joanna Dunn Yoga Retreat on Salt Spring Island, Canada

This summer, I had the honor of leading a truly special yoga retreat at Stowel Lake Farm on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. Surrounded by a summer garden in full bloom, nourished by wholesome meals from the land, and held in community with an incredible group of people, the week was a reminder of why retreats can be so transformative. This was my first year leading yoga retreats in BC - I’ve already booked again for next year!

Here’s what participants had to say about their retreat experience.

A Venue That Feels Like Magic

Again and again, attendees described Stowel Lake Farm as magical. From the lush gardens to the handcrafted details in every building, the venue created an atmosphere of beauty, calm, and inspiration. The food was another highlight - fresh, colorful, and lovingly prepared, it became part of the retreat’s healing rhythm.

One participant shared:

“The rooms, yoga space, eating areas, and gardens were all beautiful and comfortable. The staff have clearly put so much thought and effort into creating beauty and opportunities for both connection and quiet reflection. The food was out-of-this-world beautiful and delicious (and healthy!).”

The farm offered the perfect backdrop for both group connection and moments of solitude, whether walking the grounds, pausing in the gardens, or enjoying quiet reflection by the water.

Rest, Reset, and Renew

The yoga and movement practices were designed with one intention: to help participants truly rest and restore. Many discovered the beauty of slowing down and letting their bodies unwind.

One retreat guest put it beautifully:

“I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the slow moving yoga. I was nervous it was going to be a quicker flow, which is what I’m used to. But for rest and restore this is exactly what my body needed, especially when doing two sessions a day.”

Another described the sessions as exactly what was promised:

“Rest, reset, relax… all those ‘re’ words! I learned new ways of thinking about familiar asanas and found myself truly letting go.”

Mindful Meditation and Workshops In British Columbia

Morning and evening meditation gave participants a chance to cultivate quiet attention, while workshops such as Ayurveda, Somatic Movement, and Balance offered fresh insights and tools for daily life.

“I attended and enjoyed the Ayurveda and Somatic Movement workshops. They were both helpful and instructive, adding another layer of depth to the retreat.”

For many, meditation became a practice they wanted to carry home, even if it felt challenging at times. A few attendees left with questions and curiosity about how to sustain your yoga practice, a sign that seeds were planted.

Building Connection and Community Through Yoga Practice

Perhaps one of the most meaningful aspects of the retreat was the sense of community that grew throughout the week. Guests described meeting “kind, intriguing, thoughtful, spirit-filled people” and even couples attending the yoga retreat together remarked on how the retreat gave them the space to reconnect with each other.

“It was a lovely time for us as a couple as well. We ‘re-met’ some aspects of each other.”

This combination of personal practice, group support, and shared meals created an environment where participants could learn, laugh, and grow together.

Looking Ahead To Next Year’s Salt Spring Island Retreat

Every retreat brings valuable learning, and I’ve gathered wonderful insights from this year that will make next year’s retreat even smoother and more personalized, from helping participants select the right rooms to exploring options for island hikes or kayaking.

But the heart of the experience remains the same: a chance to step away from daily life, immerse yourself in practice, and return home renewed.

As one participant summed it up:

“Thank you for an incredible retreat experience! It was definitely rough going back to the office on Tuesday,I wish I’d taken one more vacation day!”

Join Us Next Year

If you’ve been dreaming of time to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and experience the healing power of yoga in community, I’d love for you to join me at Stowel Lake Farm. Together, we’ll create another week of rest, renewal, and connection in one of the most inspiring retreat settings you can imagine.

Stay tuned for dates and registration details, spaces will be limited, and after this year’s experience, I know they’ll fill quickly.

Photographs kindly shared by Caitlin Blomquist

Joanna Dunn is an experienced yoga and meditation teacher, retreat leader, and somatic movement guide based in Leavenworth, Washington.

Joanna’s yoga retreats are open to all abilities and body types. If you have any questions please email Joanna directly HERE.