Self-Care Retreats in Southeast Minnesota: Art + Yoga + Food!
Big Raven Farm hosts many retreats of all types throughout the year (30 this year alone!), so whether your interest is in art, cooking, writing, yoga or some combination of the above, we have you covered!
Big Raven is a truly authentic experience — no AI, no virtual, no filters, just real people, and real food, lovingly prepared from scratch.
Upcoming Retreats
| Dates | Retreats | Hosts |
|---|---|---|
2026 |
||
| June 25–28 | Art Retreat: Pick Your Projects |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| July 16–19 | Art Retreat: Mixed Media Collage |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| July 23–26 | Art Retreat: Pick Your Projects |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| August 6–9 | Art Retreat: Pick Your Projects |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| August 13–16 | Private Yoga Retreat |
Abby Hammes, KPower Yoga
|
| August 20–23 | Private Yoga Retreat |
Becky Knott, Yoga Instructor
|
| September 10–13 | Art Retreat: The Wonders of Nature — Cyanotypes and Eco-Printing in the Great Outdoors! |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| September 17–20 | Private Yoga Retreat |
Niki Cohen, Spirit of the Lake Yoga
|
| September 24–27 | Private Yoga Retreat |
Marcia Appel, Green Lotus Yoga
Merry Beth Freienmuth, Green Lotus Yoga
|
| October 1–4 | Art Retreat: Art Journaling — The Joy of Making |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| October 8–11 | Yoga Retreat: Yoga’s Path to Inner Peace |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| October 15–18 | Art Retreat: Pick Your Projects |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| October 22–25 | Art Retreat: Opening the Door to Watercolors |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
Emily Marie Schroeder, Watercolor Instructor
|
| October 29–November 1 | Cooking Retreat: Elevate Your Plate — International Edition! |
Darin Warling, Executive Chef, Big Raven Farm
Ken Chin-Purcell, Executive Chef (California)
|
| November 5–8 | Art Retreat: Pick Your Projects |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| November 12–15 | Art Retreat: Pick Your Projects — Holiday Edition! |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| November 19–22 | Tarot Retreat: Awaken Your Magic — A Retreat of Tarot, Yoga & Art |
Bekah Rieke, Tarot Coach and Yoga Instructor
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
Want to Hold a Retreat of Your Own at Big Raven Farm?
Interested in holding your own (yoga/
Past Retreats
| Dates | Retreats | Hosts |
|---|---|---|
2026 |
||
| June 18–21 | Art Retreat: The Wonders of Nature — Cyanotypes and Eco-Printing in the Great Outdoors! |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| June 11–14 | Art Retreat: Art Journaling — The Joy of Making |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| May 14-17 | Art Retreat: Studio Intensive for Practicing Watercolorists |
Kathy Kovala, Watercolor Artist
|
| May 1–4 | Private Yoga Retreat |
Christelle Vu, Chiropractor, Empowered Health
|
| April 26 | Craft Day at 608 Brewing Company |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| April 23–26 | The Third Act: Navigating and Embracing the Third Third of Life |
Muddy Waters Yoga
|
| April 23–26 | Art Retreat: Mixed Media Collage |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| April 16–19 | Writing Retreat: Grieving: Shadows & Sunlight |
Lisa M. Bolt Simons, Author
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| April 9–12 | Art Retreat: Pick Your Projects |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| March 26–29 | Cooking Retreat: Elevate Your Plate — Easy Gourmet Techniques for the Home Chef |
Darin Warling, Executive Chef, Big Raven Farm
|
| February 26–March 1 | Rising from the Fire |
Jamie Dorn, Elevated Life Coach
Shannon Amberg, Metamorphosis LLC
Ann Hanson, Hanson Energy Work
Laurie Cafe, Wisdom of the Soul
|
| Dates | Retreats | Hosts |
|---|---|---|
2025 |
||
| November 20–23 | Awaken Your Magic — A Retreat of Tarot, Yoga & Art |
Bekah Rieke, host
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| November 13–16 | SATISFY: Women’s Pelvic Health and Sensual Embodiment Retreat |
Cheri Dostal Ryba, Certified Yoga Therapist
|
| November 6–9 | Private Yoga Retreat |
Amanda Berger, Yoga Instructor,
St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church |
| October 30–November 2 | Cooking Retreat: International Edition! |
Darin Warling, Executive Chef, Big Raven Farm
Ken Chin-Purcell, Executive Chef, San Diego
|
| October 23–26 | Art Retreat: Pick Your Projects! |
Tamara Kelly, Artist
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| October 16–19 | Art Retreat: Pick Your Projects! |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| October 9–12 | Wellness Retreat: Women’s Self-Care |
Sue Stock, Executive Coach
Jo Ann Zitzow, Massage Therapist
|
| October 2–5 | Art Retreat: Journaling Playground A Collaborative Experience for Makers |
Suzanne Earley, Strawberry Moon Magazine
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| September 25–28 | Private Yoga Retreat |
Joclyn Kilpatrick, Willow Soul Yoga
|
| September 18–21 | Private Yoga Retreat |
Niki Cohen, Spirit of the Lake Yoga
|
| September 11–14 | Art Retreat: The Wonders of Nature Cyanotypes and Eco-Printing in the Great Outdoors |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| September 4–7 | Breathe Retreat: Grief Retreat | Confident Grief Coach School |
| August 14–17 | Revive to Thrive Women’s Yoga Retreat |
Nicole Byars, Honest Yoga
|
| August 7–10 | Art Retreat: Pick Your Projects! |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| July 24–27 | Art Retreat: Pick Your Projects! |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| July 17–20 | Art Retreat: Mixed Media Collage Everyday Art, Everyday Joy Using Minimal Materials |
Barb Eickhoff, Artist
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| June 19–22 | Art Retreat: Pick Your Projects! |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| June 5–8 | Writing Retreat: Grieving Shadows & Sunlight |
Lisa M. Bolt Simons, Author
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| May 1–4 | Yoga Retreat: Back to the Present. A Breathwork and Yoga Retreat |
Christelle Vu, Chiropractor, Empowered Health
|
| April 24–27 | Art Retreat: Wild Whispers. Art Journaling for the Soul |
Molly Anthony, The Found Art Walk
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| April 17–20 | Movement Retreat: THE LIVING BODY Impulse, Action, and Play |
Artemis Brown, Virginia Twins Dance Theater
|
| April 10–13 | Art Retreat: Creative Expression for Resilience. A Weekend of Rest & Renewal |
Natalie Lu, The Reflective Collective
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| April 3–6 | Cooking Retreat: Elevate Your Plate! Easy Gourmet Hacks for the Home Chef |
Darin Warling, Executive Chef
|
| February 14–16 | Couples’ Retreat: Valentine Weekend for Two! |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
Darin Warling, Executive Chef
|
2024 |
||
| November 7–10 | Cooking Retreat 2.0: A Fantastic Foodie Experience! |
Darin Warling, Executive Chef
|
| October 24–27 | Pick Your Projects Art Retreat |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| October 17–20 | Pick Your Projects Art Retreat |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| October 10–13 | Art for Self-Care: Cyanotypes, Gellie Plate Printing, Eco-Dying, & Fabric Books |
Molly Anthony, The Found Art Walk
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| October 3–6 | Vibrance Fall Women’s Retreat |
Jessica Hoch, Moxie Malas
|
| September 26–29 | 2024 Fall Yoga Faith Retreat |
Amanda Berger, Yoga Instructor,
St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church |
| September 12–15 | Pick Your Projects Art Retreat |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| September 5–8 | Pick Your Projects Art Retreat |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| August 15–18 | Slow Down Yoga Retreat |
Niki Cohen, Spirit of the Lake Yoga
|
| July 25–28 | Pick Your Projects Art Retreat |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| June 27–30 | Retreat with Trisha to Bluff Country! |
Trisha Flaherty, Yoga Instructor
|
| June 20–23 | Grieving: Shadows & Sunlight |
Lisa M. Bolt Simons, Author
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| May 30–June 2 | Honest Unplugged Yoga Retreat |
Nicole Byars, Honest Yoga
|
| May 2–5 | A Journey Within: Breathwork and Yoga Retreat |
Christelle Vu, Chiropractor, Empowered Health
|
| April 19–21 | Bluff Country Studio Art Tour |
Big Raven Farm
|
| April 20–21 | MN Yoga Conference |
Eagan, MN
|
| April 11–14 | Art for Self-Care: Fiber + Paper Folding + Art Journaling |
Molly Anthony, The Found Art Walk
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| March 14–17 | Our First EVER Cooking Retreat! |
Darin Warling, Executive Chef
|
| February 29–March 3 | Beading Retreat: Joleen’s Projects, Your Projects, or Both |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| February 9–11 | Valentine Weekend for Two: A Gourmet Dining Experience |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
Darin Warling, Executive Chef
|
2023 |
||
| November 16–19 | Grieving: Shadows & Sunlight |
Lisa M. Bolt Simons, Author
Tari June Goerlitz, Author
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| November 2–5 | Holiday Extravaganza: Gifts To Give Or Keep |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| October 19–22 | Art for Self-Care: Fiber, Paper, & Art Journaling |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| October 12–15 | Art for Self-Care Retreat |
Molly Anthony, The Found Art Walk
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| September 21–24 | Art & Craft Retreat |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| September 14–17 | Women’s Wellness Retreat |
Whitney Greenwaldt, Blisstopia
|
| August 31–September 3 | Slow Down & Be Good To Yourself: Self-Care Through Art |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| August 17–20 | Using Art as Self-Care: Paper Projects, Art Journaling |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| August 10–13 | Slow Down. Retreat With Me |
Niki Cohen, Yoga Instructor
|
| July 27–31 | Reclaimed Art Retreat III |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| July 13–16 | Reclaimed Art Retreat II |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| June 8–11 | Reclaimed Art Retreat I |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| April 20–23 | Makers Weekend: Bring What You’re Working On |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| March 25 | Morning Coffee And Crafts |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
2022 |
||
| November 17–20 | Reclaimed Art Retreat Part 3 |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| November 3–6 | Reclaimed Art Retreat Part 2 |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| October 28–30 | VIRTUAL Holiday Gift Making Extravaganza |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| October 13–16 | Craft Retreat: Choose Your Path |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| August 25–28 | Reclaimed Art Retreat Part 1 |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| May 19–22 | Grieving: Shadows & Sunlight |
Lisa M. Bolt Simons, Author
Tari June Goerlitz, Author
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| April 28–May 1 | Reclaimed Art & Mixed Media Decor |
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
2021 |
||
| November 11–14 | Fall Reawakening: Creative Mixed Media Art Journaling |
Molly Anthony, The Found Art Walk
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| November 4–7 | Reclaimed Art & Mixed Media Decor |
Haley Harnagel, Artist and Yoga Instructor
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|
| July 29–August 1 | Spring Reawakening: Creative Mixed Media Art Journaling |
Molly Anthony, The Found Art Walk
Joleen Emery, Artist and Yoga Instructor
|