It’s right about now that summer starts screeching by. It might feel like we are at the glorious high point of bbq’s, sunshine, green grass, and iced lattes, but I saw fall stuff in a store today. We’re on the other side of the 4th. So what are you doing for Labor Day?

Labor Day weekend has always felt a little like the start of a new year to me, which probably has a lot to do with the start of the school year. Fresh school supplies! Sweater weather! But it’s also that shift in the seasons that signals change. Leaving behind the sweatiness of summer (I’m over it by Labor Day) and moving into the crispness of fall. I adore reflecting on health and wellbeing at this particular juncture. Like the promise of a new school year, there is fresh opportunity to go after it in the fall.

We’ve held our Labor Day weekend Yoga & Hiking retreat since I started Big Sky Yoga Retreats in 2008. It’s a summer-to-fall tradition. Our retreat in the mountains gives us the chance to reflect on the seasonal change, and how we can synch with nature to make healthy changes in our lives. I can’t think of a better way to do that than coming together to hike, practice yoga, and set intentions. And, we usually see moose. Moose, mountains, and more. Have I convinced you yet?

Furthermore, fall has always been one of my favorite times to travel. Maybe that’s why we have more retreats in September than any other month of the year. September in Montana is spectacular. I love that we were recently included in a round up of the “Top 6 Autumn Yoga Retreats in the US” by Insight Guides; fall is the perfect time to go on a yoga retreat. So why not join us?

Here’s the scoop:

• Labor Day Weekend LUXE Yoga & Hiking retreat, September 2-5 in Big Sky, Montana. If you crave moose sightings, stunning scenery, and crisp autumn air (we get it early in the season at 7500 feet!). All the hiking and yoga you can handle, plus pampering touches. And did we mention the food?
• Yoga & Yellowstone hiking retreat, September 29-October 2 at the B Bar Ranch. If you want to soak up the energy of the Yellowstone ecosystem and all its creatures great and small, this one’s for you. Hiking, visiting Yellowstone National Park with a private guide, and elk bugles abound. The most amazing stargazing you ever did see.

And, since it IS still summer, here’s some recommended reading to add to your summer reading list…but to also get you in the mood for a fall yoga retreat that will help you reset your health and wellbeing goals.

• Our yoga and hiking retreats revolve around what author Richard Louv calls the “mind/body/nature connection” in his book The Nature Principle – Reconnecting with Life in a Virtual Age. We’ll combine daily yoga and hiking with deep discussions, reflection, intention setting and meditation based on themes in the book. Bring your dog-eared and underlined personal copy if you have one – otherwise, we’ll have a fresh copy waiting for you in your goodie bag.
• One of my fave books to help me focus on wellbeing is The New Health Rules – Simple Changes to Achieve Whole-Body Wellness. An easy, inspiring read to dip into as often as you like, and a good one to keep by the bed.

Hope to meet you in Montana this fall. Come “get high” with BSY!