Retreat this Summer 

School Leadership Retreats Now Booking at Cedarmere and the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association 

A retreat this summer will fuel your curiosity, facilitate relaxation, and bring Long Island history to life! Just like we differentiate ways to teach our students, a Writing Yoga® retreat will ignite all your interests too. Explore local gardens, architecture, literature, poetry, and community at a beautiful and historic location.

All retreats include journals and tools to boost creativity. Just wear comfortable clothes and experience how the Writing Yoga® Method has been helping develop calm, creative and compassionate school communities for decades.

It's time to teach and lead differently.

Why Educational Leaders Need This Retreat

Let’s be real, working in education can be exhausting. The long hours, the constant juggling of responsibilities, and the weight of leading a school community can leave you feeling stretched too thin. Stress builds up, burnout creeps in, and it’s easy to lose touch with the passion that brought you here in the first place.

That’s where Writing Yoga® comes in. These retreats are a chance to hit pause, take a deep breath, and focus on you. Through simple mindfulness practices, creative writing sessions, and gentle movement, you’ll find tools to:

• Clear your mind, and feel more present and focused, even on your busiest days.
• Reconnect with creativity, and rediscover the joy and inspiration that fuels your teaching and leadership.
• Engage with history and nature, set at beautiful historic locations, experience the benefits of immersive learning and relaxation outdoors.
• Manage stress better, and learn practical, easy-to-use habits to take back to your everyday life.

This isn’t just another professional development session. It’s a space to recharge, reflect, and reignite your love for what you do, so you can return to your school community feeling calmer, stronger, and ready to lead with creativity and compassion.

What Makes Writing Yoga® Retreats Unique for Educational Leaders

At Writing Yoga®, we know administrators wear a lot of hats: leader, mentor, problem-solver, and everything in between. That’s why these retreats are carefully designed to meet you where you are, blending creativity with wellness to support both your personal and professional growth.  

The Writing Yoga® Method is more than just movement or writing, it's a multifaceted educational experience. It’s about finding balance, sparking inspiration through research, and taking time to practice what you wish to model for your teaching team. 

Activities Designed Just for You:

• Mindfulness and Movement: Start your day with gentle stretches and breathing exercises to help you feel grounded and ready to face challenges and stress.
• History Meets Creativity: You’ll explore the fascinating stories behind some of America's historical figures. Customized activities will highlight ways that literature, art, and nature intersect. Gain materials to share with your students and staff. 
• Time to Write and Reflect: Don’t worry if it’s been a while since you’ve written just for yourself. This is also an opportunity to reconnect with your creative side through guided writing prompts that spark ideas and curiosity. Model the methods that succeed in the classroom. 
• Collaborative Breakout Groups: Whether you’re brainstorming with or soaking up new ideas, these discussions are tailored to your interests and needs. We will plan and collaborate ahead of time to discuss the vision for your school district.

Growth That Goes Beyond the Retreat

This isn’t just about feeling good for a day (though you definitely will!). Writing Yoga® retreats aren’t just about taking a break, they’re about giving you tools you can take back with you. You’ll build skills like mindful leadership, clearer communication, and the resilience to tackle challenges with a calm mindset. 

Because when you’re at your best, it ripples out to your students, colleagues, and entire school community. That’s the power of Writing Yoga®.

The Key Benefits You’ll Walk Away With

• Practical Mindfulness Tools: Learn simple, effective techniques to manage stress and stay calm under pressure.
• Connect to Nature, Literature and History: All Leadership Retreats are held at Cedarmere and The Walt Whitman Birthplace in the summer of 2025. These beautiful historic locations bring ELA, Social Studies and the Sciences to life! 
• Creative Spark: Tap into your creativity for everything from lesson planning to team leadership and personal growth.
• A Stronger Community: Connect with fellow educators in a supportive environment where ideas and inspiration flow freely.
• Recharged and Inspired: Leave the retreat with a fresh perspective, ready to lead with energy, clarity, and compassion.

What to Expect at the Retreat

This isn’t your typical professional development day. At a Writing Yoga® retreat, you’ll get a chance to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself, all while surrounded by the beauty of Long Island’s historic gems. Here’s what your day will look like:

A Day Rooted in History, Nature, and Creativity

Imagine stepping into a place where history, nature, and inspiration come alive. Whether we’re gathering at Cedarmere or the Walt Whitman Birthplace, you’ll feel the pull of these beautiful and historic spaces. Engage in research and activities to plan your school year. 

Each setting is designed to fuel your curiosity and help you recharge.

Tools to Bring Back to Your Staff

You’ll walk away not just feeling refreshed, but will also boost your Social Studies, English Language Arts and Science curriculum with hands-on experiences. Take home simple tools you can use right away, like quick mindfulness practices to manage stress, creative approaches to problem-solving, and a new perspective on leadership. 

Want to learn more? Click on the brochures below.

How Writing Yoga® Retreats Transforms School Communities

The impact of Writing Yoga® doesn’t stop at the retreat, it ripples out into entire school communities, creating spaces where calm, creativity, and compassion thrive.

Real Stories, Real Change

Here are a few words from past retreat attendees: “It was a lovely day that was stress free and informative.”  - School Administrator

“This was the best retreat our school ever had and I have booked them all!” - School Principal and Retreat Coordinator 

“I enjoyed learning about Mr. Bryant [at Cedarmere].  How surprising to learn that it took three hours to travel from the city to the island.  Participating in yoga was refreshing!” - School Principal 

“I thought the day was excellent! I enjoyed the time to write...it had been a long time since I made time to write just for myself and the grounds definitely lend itself to that.”  - Building Administrator 

Fostering Lasting Change

Writing Yoga® gives educators the tools to cultivate mindfulness and creativity not only in themselves but also within their schools. Imagine:

• Calmer Classrooms: Techniques for mindfulness reduce stress and help everyone, from teachers to students, stay grounded.
• Creative Leaders: Reignited creativity sparks innovative lesson plans, fresh approaches to leadership, and a more vibrant school culture.
• Compassionate Communities: The focus on mindfulness and self-reflection fosters empathy and connection among educators, staff, and students alike.

These retreats don’t just change the lives of individual educators, they create a ripple effect that transforms entire school communities. It’s about building a school culture that values well-being, connection, and creativity.