Rest & Rekindle
A Retreat for Justice-Sensitive People
Seeking Respite, Joy & Community
in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia
April 30 – May 4, 2026
Rest & Rekindle
A Retreat for Justice-Sensitive People Seeking Respite, Joy & Community
Blue Ridge Mountains
of Virginia
April 30 – May 4, 2026
For the ones who feel deeply, care fiercely, and need a break…
For the ones who feel deeply, care fiercely, and need a break…
This retreat is for you.
Living with a deep sensitivity to injustice amid constant exposure to harm can take a toll. The vigilance, grief, and moral responsibility we feel can grow heavy over time and lead to burn out.
This retreat invites you to set the load down for a few days—to rest, connect, play, and strengthen our courage, together.
We’ll gather in a mountaintop home outside of Charlottesville. Enjoy nourishing food, cozy fireside chats, hot tub soaks, and a rhythm that lets your nervous system settle.
Over five days, we’ll slow down and explore how to care in ways that are sustainable. Through gentle yoga, community discussion, quiet time with nature, and creative expression, this is a space to:
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Nurture your body and reset your nervous system.
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Connect with justice-minded people who share your humanity.
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Explore practices to prevent burnout and sustain your care.
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Reclaim joy, feed your creativity, and leave feeling restored!
Who Is This Retreat For?
This retreat is for deep feelers who care about social justice and feel the cumulative weight of moral injury. It offers a space to rest, process, and connect with others who understand.
You may be deeply involved in advocacy, organizing, or a helping profession. Maybe you’re newer to justice work, still exploring where you fit and how to contribute. The scope or scale of your role doesn’t matter.
What’s important is a sincere commitment to human dignity and collective liberation, paired with respect for varied capacities, strengths, and forms of contribution.
Many attendees may identify as highly sensitive, introverted, or neurodivergent. However, anyone willing to honor different needs, styles of processing, and ways of participating is welcome.
At a Glance
Location
Free Union, VA
(under an hour from Charlottesville)
Accommodations
Mountaintop home w/ single or shared rooms
(shared bathrooms)
Trip Length
- 4 nights / 5 days
- Check-In: Thurs, 3pm
- Check-Out: Mon, 11am
Activity Level
Mild: Accessible yoga; there are a few steps and hills on the property
Group Size
10-12, includes Melissa Renzi (facilitator) and Anjali Sunita (chef)
Retreat Cost
Starting at just $1,195 per person
Location + Food
A Mountaintop Retreat in the Clouds
Our retreat takes place on 33 acres, about an hour from Charlottesville and hiking havens such as the Appalachian Trail and Shenandoah National Park.
The setting offers sweeping views and quiet refuge with a large hot tub, fire pit, wraparound deck, and peaceful sit spots in the gardens. The new yoga shala is 20-30 feet up a small hill.
The 6-bedroom, 3-bathroom home offers cozy spaces for solitude and shared gathering. It features a living area with fireplace, library, and den. The lower level offers an additional living room.
Food That Nourishes
Our chef, Anjali, loves nurturing others through her cooking. Guided by Ayurveda, she crafts fresh, gently-seasoned, and easy-to-digest vegetarian dishes that support self-care and mindful eating.
Schedule
Thursday, April 30
3:00-5:00 – Arrive & settle
5:00-6:30 – Opening circle
6:30-7:30 – Welcome dinner
After dinner – Fire or hot tub
Friday, May 1 – Sunday, May 3
7:00-8:00 – Optional self-guided practice
8:00-9:00 – Breakfast
9:00-10:30 – Free time
10:30-12:30 – Movement practice + discussion
12:30-1:30 – Lunch
1:30-5:00 – Free time
5:00-6:15 – Restorative yoga
6:30-7:30 – Dinner
After dinner – Fire or hot tub
Monday, May 4
8:00-9:00 – Breakfast
9:00-10:00 – Closing circle
11:30 – Check-out
*Silent early mornings will be observed until breakfast.
*Discussions may explore burnout, grief, reclaiming joy in activism, and tailoring your self-care to what you uniquely require.
Melissa’s eco-arts and yoga retreat was healing for me, due largely to her radiant empathy, careful planning, and competent group facilitation. I arrived as a bundle of nervous anxiety and grief and left feeling hope and joy. That feeling has sustained for the days I have been back home. I am grateful to have been with this group under her guidance and would eagerly do another retreat with her.
– Arlene A.
Your Retreat Hosts
Melissa Renzi (she/her) - Facilitator
Melissa is a social worker, yoga teacher, ecotherapy guide, and activist based in Oak Park, IL. She creates choice-centered spaces where sensitive, neurodivergent, and introverted people can feel grounded, supported, and empowered.
Her work is rooted in uplifting neurodiversity, building community, and advancing collective liberation. Through embodied practices, peer-support groups, and transformative retreats, she helps grow communities where difference is honored, agency is respected, and each person’s unique gifts contribute to a more compassionate and just world.
Melissa’s yoga classes prioritize accessibility, agency, nervous system regulation, and self-discovery. Her ecotherapy sessions use mindfulness, expressive arts, and ecological principles to process grief, build resilience, nurture reciprocal care with the more-than-human world, and inspire life-affirming action.
Since 2016, she has led over 25 retreats across 7 countries and 6 U.S. states, guiding hundreds of people to embrace their strengths and connect meaningfully with others and the lands they visit.
Anjali Sunita (she/her) - Retreat Chef
Anjali lives as a retreat chef, certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, and yoga teacher (for 20 years). She travels to help others learn to love their own insides and to connect their inner experience to the natural world through nourishment, breath, and yoga practices. After residing in New Zealand for over five years, she has recently returned to the mid-Atlantic region.
Her prior experience includes the founding of two community yoga centers and a BIPOC led non-profit wellness program in Baltimore city, a vibrant Ayurveda practice, and Village Life Kitchen, a community meal subscription service in she offered to her small town in New Zealand.
Anjali is passionate about teaching, learning, and being of service in community and views her loving work as prayer to the Divine Mother. You can learn about her background, courses, and programs at www.villagelifewellness.com.
Accommodations
The home offers single, double, and triple occupancy rooms, spread across three floors. There is one full bathroom on each level, averaging four guests per bathroom.
To support a comfortable stay for all guests, we kindly ask that male guests book single occupancy or reach out prior to booking a shared room.
The home offers single, double, and triple occupancy rooms, spread across three floors. There is one full bathroom on each level, averaging four guests per bathroom.
To support a comfortable stay for all guests, we kindly ask that male guests book single occupancy or reach out prior to booking a shared room.
Pricing + Registration
- A $400 non-refundable deposit is due at registration.
- 50% of the balance must be paid by March 1, 2026.
- Remaining balance must be paid by March 31, 2026.
Later payments will be charged to the card you use for your deposit, unless you indicate otherwise.
Rooms assigned first-come, first-served. All prices are per person.
Single Occupancy: $1,695 p.p.
Double Occupancy: $1,295 p.p.
Triple Occupancy: $1,195 p.p.
What's Included
Included in Your Stay
- 4 nights in a cozy retreat house
- 11 vegetarian meals (starts w/ dinner, ends w/ breakfast)
- Slow-paced, accessible yoga (1-2 times/daily)
- Facilitated discussions to process and connect (daily)
- Guided expressive arts activity
- Hot tub with mountain vistas
- Art supplies for your free time
- Unlimited coffee, tea & snacks
- Free time to rest or explore
NOT Included
- Flights and/or ground transport to retreat
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Gratuity for retreat chef (optional)
- Additional activities, massages, etc.
*Transfers to/from Charlottesville can be arranged for a fee (see FAQs at bottom of page).
Optional Upgrades
King SHARED Upgrade — $150
A spacious and bright first-floor room comes with one king bed and one twin. This upgrade gives you the king bed (all other double and triple occupancy options offer twins).
Cancellation Policy
Read the FULL policy and terms: Yoga Retreat Agreement
Our cancellation policy helps ensure fairness and consistency for all clients while supporting the sustainability of our retreats. Adhering to this policy allows us to cover costs related to administrative work, processing fees, non-refundable partner expenses, and the efforts required to refill cancelled spots.
Trip Cancelled by Participant
- Deposits are non-refundable/non-transferable.
- If cancel more than 60 days before the retreat, we will issue a full refund of any payments made (excluding your deposit).
- If cancel 31 to 59 days before the retreat, 50% of payments made may be applied to another retreat (excluding your deposit). You forfeit 50% of your payment in addition to the deposit.
- If you cancel within 30 days of the retreat, you forfeit your entire payment.
Trip Postponed by MNR Retreat, LLC.
We reserve the right to cancel the retreat if minimum registration is not met. In this case, we will fully refund all payments, including your deposit. We recommend booking flights only after the retreat is confirmed.
We may make reasonable itinerary changes or postpone the retreat if necessary for the safety and well-being of participants. If the retreat is postponed due to circumstances such as pandemics, weather, political unrest, or other unforeseen conditions, all payments will be applied to the same retreat on future dates.
Read the FULL policy and terms: Yoga Retreat Agreement
Join us for rest, connection, and resilience!
April 30 – May 4, 2026
Join us for rest, connection, and resilience!
April 30 – May 4, 2026
Melissa sets everyone at ease without fuss. She arranges supportive yoga sessions and encourages adventures out on your own. I never felt rushed or overwhelmed. Lifelong friendships were forged and forever memories engraved on my heart.
The first time I traveled with Melissa, I had never experienced being with people similar to me and it was life-changing. My nervous system was able to calm down, possibly for the first time ever. The experiences are always meaningful, conversations are real, and there’s so much laughter!
Melissa is way more than just a trip organizer, she goes above and beyond to connect people together and creates an atmosphere of open-mindedness with other travelers, local people, and local experiences.
FAQs
Cancellation / Refund Policy
Read the FULL policy and terms: Yoga Retreat Agreement
Our cancellation policy helps ensure fairness and consistency for all clients while supporting the sustainability of our retreats. Adhering to this policy allows us to cover costs related to administrative work, processing fees, non-refundable partner expenses, and the efforts required to refill cancelled spots.
Trip Cancelled by Participant
- Deposits are non-refundable/non-transferable.
- If cancel more than 60 days before the retreat, we will issue a full refund of any payments made (excluding your deposit).
- If cancel 31 to 59 days before the retreat, 50% of payments made may be applied to another retreat (excluding your deposit). You forfeit 50% of your payment in addition to the deposit.
- If you cancel within 30 days of the retreat, you forfeit your entire payment.
Trip Postponed by MNR Retreat, LLC.
We reserve the right to cancel the retreat if minimum registration is not met. In this case, we will fully refund all payments, including your deposit. We recommend booking flights only after the retreat is confirmed.
We may make reasonable itinerary changes or postpone the retreat if necessary for the safety and well-being of participants. If the retreat is postponed due to circumstances such as pandemics, weather, political unrest, or other unforeseen conditions, all payments will be applied to the same retreat on future dates.
Read the FULL policy and terms: Yoga Retreat Agreement
How to Get There
Participants are responsible for the cost of their own transportation to the retreat. We can arrange transfers with advanced notice.
Location: 164 Spring Branch Lane, Free Union, VA 22940
By Car
The house is accessed via several miles of steep, gravel road. Daylight arrival is advised. A 4WD or AWD vehicle is best; sedans are okay if you’re comfortable with mountain roads.
By Plane or Train
The nearest airport is Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport (CHO), about 40 minutes away. Charlottesville Amtrak station is about 60 minutes from the retreat.
Transfer
If you prefer not to drive, transfers from the airport or train station can be arranged for an additional fee:
- $75 one-way per vehicle
- Accommodates up to 6 passengers
- The $75 rate is per vehicle (not per person). Thus, you can share the cost if arrival times align.
Check-in / Check-out
Check-In: Thursday, April 30th at 3:00 PM
Check-Out: Monday, May 4th at 11:00 AM
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance to anyone coming from outside of the United States, as healthcare can be extremely expensive. For U.S. participants not needing additional medical coverage, you may wish to insure your retreat package, flight, rental car, and any other non-refundable travel costs.
We’ve partnered with InsureMyTrip to compare plans. They have many travel insurance plans and a recommendation engine to help you find the right plan. Additionally, they provide support before, during, and after your trip should you need assistance, including help with filing a claim. (We may receive a small commission if you book through the link provided. You’re welcome to purchase a policy through any provider you prefer!)
You might consider “Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR) coverage, which covers your trip in the event you are unable or choose not to attend for any reason. CFAR insurance typically reimburses 50 or 75 percent of your trip cost if you need to cancel for reasons not otherwise covered and requires the following conditions:
- Purchase the policy within 14-21 days of first trip payment.
- Insure all prepaid and non-refundable travel expenses prior to departure.
- Cancel more than 48-72 hours prior to your departure date.
Physical Accessibility
Property Accessibility
While the property does not meet ADA standards, the space is likely manageable for many mobility concerns.
- There are steps to some bedrooms and common areas.
- The grassy areas are uneven; some parts can be steep.
- There are flat patios off the first and ground floors (hot tub on ground floor).
- The first floor offers one bedroom and one bathroom, along with the kitchen, living room, den, and deck.
- The yoga space is 20-30 feet up a small hill. If needed, it’s possible to get up the hill by car.
If you’d like to talk through whether this retreat is a good fit for your needs, I’m always happy to connect!
Yoga & Other Activities
Yoga: Melissa teaches from a trauma-informed lens and prioritizes accessibility, choice, and the heart of yoga’s purpose. Her classes invite you to befriend your body-mind, support your nervous system, and develop self-trust. Expect slow-paced movement with a variety of options so that you can explore what feels supportive for your body. No experience with yoga is necessary. Beginners to seasoned practitioners are welcome.
Other Activities: All program activities will be held onsite in gathering spaces that consider varying mobility needs. Though no offsite recreational activities are included, you are welcome to head out in your free time!
Food, Alcohol & Drugs
Food: Anjali will prepare fresh, gently-seasoned, and easy-to-digest vegetarian dishes. Animal proteins such as eggs, yogurt, and cheese will be served. Meat will not be served. However, you are welcome to bring snacks and may store small items in the fridge.
Alcohol & Drugs: To support a safe and focused retreat environment and dynamic, we ask that guests refrain from bringing alcohol or other drugs. This helps maintain a clear, shared container for the group and honors participants who may be in substance use recovery. For exceptions such as medical marijuana, please reach out to discuss before the retreat.
Cell Service / WiFi
The house is equipped with high speed WiFi. Cell service may depend on your carrier.
Weather
Late spring sees varied temperatures, sunny days, and occasional rain. It’s a good idea to pack layers and waterproof gear if you intend to hike.
- Typical highs: 68°F-85°F
- Typical lows: 48°F-64°F
Points of Interest
This retreat is designed for rest and connection, so no formal outings are scheduled. Many guests find it most restorative to simply relax on the property, though you are welcome to explore the area in your free time.
Nearby points of interest (within ~1 hour):
- Shenandoah National Park & Skyline Drive
- The Appalachian Trail
- Local wineries, breweries, and distilleries
Packing
The following is a general list and may not be all-inclusive:
- Daypack
- Hiking boots (if you intend to hike)
- Flip flops / sandals
- Slippers
- Light jacket or fleece
- Hoodie or long sleeve shirt
- Short sleeve shirts
- Full-length pants
- Shorts
- Socks / underwear / bras
- Pajamas
- Comfy clothing for yoga
- Swimsuit
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
- Headlamp or flashlight (optional)
- Toiletries
- Sunscreen
- Repellent
- Medications
- Ear plugs
- Ear buds
- Book, journal, pens
- Art materials (optional)
Still have questions?
Book a free 20-minute phone chat or email Melissa at info@melissanoelrenzi.com.
Travel sensitively, connect with kindred spirits, and empower your quiet strengths
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