Nov 21 2025 - Nov 23 2025

First Light Yoga and Meditation Retreat

Reconnect with yourself over this weekend retreat

Take time just for you, lose some stress, you can feel more centered and able to deal with whatever life presents. Just being in the Sugar Ridge environment is a peaceful experience.

Listen to the birds, the breeze, feel your heartbeat, your breath. Enjoy whole foods and nourish your soul at the same time.

Let this weekend be a gift to yourself

No experience is necessary and this retreat is perfect if you’re curious about meditation but not sure how to start or what to expect.

Everything over the weekend is completely optional. If you need to sleep in then skip the early morning yoga session. If a massage is the nurturing you need, we can book that for you. Allow this weekend to be the kindest gift you could ever give yourself and honour your needs.

This retreat is perfect for you even if you have physical limitations to movement, little or no meditation or yoga experience. Beginners will discover how to sit comfortably and experienced practitioners can deepen their practice. No need to sit on the floor if that’s not comfortable – chairs are always available.

What to Expect this Weekend

Throughout the weekend you are invited to explore various forms of mindfulness meditations (vipassana) including sitting, walking and eating as well as mindful movement through yoga, keeping in mind that everything is optional. The word Vipassana means seeing things as they really are. It is the process of self- purification by self-observation. Basically we cultivate the ability to pay attention, while knowing that we’re paying attention. We begin by observing the natural breath to concentrate the mind. With a sharpened awareness we proceed to observe the changing nature of body and mind and the environment we’re in. Ideally we cultivate the ability to pay attention moment to moment without needing to sit still to do it, taking mindfulness into daily living.

On Saturday evening we will enjoy drumming and storytelling at Sainte-Marie Among the Huron for the First Light Festival.

RETREAT SCHEDULE

Friday November 21

3-5 pm

Arrive and settle into your cabin

5:00 pm

Introductions in the studio

6:00

Dinner

7:30 pm

Gentle yoga followed by meditation

Saturday November 23

7:30am

Yoga - or sleep in if that's what you need!

9am

Breakfast & free time

10:30am

Meditation - discussion & practice

12:30pm

Lunch

2pm

Guided Forest Hike (forest bathing) or sensory awareness workshop (weather dependent)

3:30pm

Restorative yoga - relax after the hike

5:00pm

Early Dinner

5:45pm

carpool to Sainte-Marie for the First Light Festival

Sunday, November 24

7:30am

Yoga class

9am

Breakfast and free time to pack up your cabin

11am

Sitting meditation & discussion

12:30pm

Lunch - You are welcome to stay and enjoy the trails, the ambience, and the new friends. Departing at your leisure.

Meet Your Facilitator

Liz Frost

Liz Frost MA Ed, RP, is a certified yoga teacher, mindfulness coach and psychotherapist. She was introduced to meditation in the early 90’s and found yoga as a form of meditation. With a foundation in meditation and somatic based psychotherapy, she incorporates mindfulness into yoga practice. She is the owner of Sugar Ridge and devotes her time and energy to making the world a more peaceful place.

Liz Frost, M.A. Ed, RP

Book Your Retreat

Friday November 21

Sunday November 23

Tuition is per person

This is a very popular retreat and is offered three weekends in a row!

Shared accommodation – up to 4 people sharing a cabin $565 + HST
Semi-private accommodation – 2 people share a room $645 + HST per person
Private accommodation – room all by yourself $825 + HST

Some cabins have 2 rooms.

Tuition includes accommodation, all meals, classes, and admission to Sainte Marie to celebrate First Light.

This retreat is also offered the weekends of November 28 – 30 and December 5 – 7.

Have questions? Need help to register? We’d love to help you – please call 866-609-1793 or email [email protected]

Our Accomodation Types

Shared - Cabin will be shared with up to 3 other guests of the same gender. If you are booking for just yourself, depending on the retreat, we will match you with other guests of the same gender.

Semi-private - Cabin will be shared with the 1 other person you are registering with. If booking alone, we will try to match you with someone of the same gender.

Private - Cabin for one person, not sharing with others.

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The Centre

Welcome to Sugar Ridge! It is our mission to provide a space for you to be nourished in body, mind and soul. From completely silent to dip your toe, testing mindfulness, we have what you’re looking for!

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21st November: First Light Yoga and Meditation Retreat

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