Program Tuition & Basic Accommodations: $1800 plus Teacher Dana
*Teacher-administrated program: For more information/questions about this retreat, email Court at cmvmorgan@gmail.com.
Retreat offers the opportunity to relax deeply held tensions and patterns in the body, heart and mind. The patterns of bracing, rejecting, denying and distracting can be appreciated for their short term efficacy, but in order to learn new ways of being in relationship – especially with ourselves – we must learn to connect to our own embodied experience in an compassionate and trusting way. Through this process we begin to live our lives from a place of greater balance, integrity, confidence, and connection in the midst of whatever external circumstances we find ourselves.
Under the blanket of the vast Montana sky and in the embrace of the forest, yogis are guided to explore their own practice in an interdisciplinary format with periods of movement, stillness, silence, practice with intentional speaking, and interaction. This semi-silent retreat, open to both beginners and experienced yogis, will offer a daily schedule of guided movement practices, meditations and instructions, time for questions and discussion with the teachers and plenty of open time to explore your practice in the ways that are nourishing and interesting to you – including hiking, canoeing and exploring historic downtown Helena.
About Noble Silence
Practice in the support of community outside of our habitual ways of relating to one another through speech and storytelling allows for a rich exploration into how we perceive ourselves, the people, environment and world around us. While the thought of holding silence is often intimidating for those who are new to the format, most people find having space from talking to be deeply restful and illuminating.
Throughout the week, the retreat schedule includes the gift of silence from the full group for the first days, after which we will practice awareness while speaking in small groups and open periods to practice joyfully connecting with fellow yogis around the Feathered Pipe grounds and on nature walks. For those who wish to remain silent the majority of retreat, there will be space and support for continued practice in that format as well.
Yogis will be scheduled for small group check ins and will also have the opportunity to connect one-to-one with the teacher. Within our capacity, we aim to provide a highly supportive and relaxed environment that gives a lot of space and guidance to be exactly where and how you are throughout the week.
Daily Schedule:
6:45-7:15am — Meditation
7:15-8:15am — Breakfast
8:30-10:30am — Yoga & Meditation
10:30am-12:00pm — Open Schedule
12:00p-1:00pm — Lunch & Relaxation
1:00-3:30pm — Open Schedule
3:30-5pm — Qi Gong or Gentle Yoga & Meditation
5:30-7:00pm — Dinner & Relaxation
7:00-8:00pm — Dharma Talk & Meditation
8:00pm — Open Schedule
About Teacher Dana
The practice of dana, or generosity, is at the heart of the practice. These teachings are considered priceless and it is a great honor to be both asked to teach them and to be able to share them with others to enrich their lives as they have for us. Teachers who share the dharma traditionally do so freely, relying on the generosity of the community to offer what they can so teachers can continue to share with others. The practice of generosity in this context is a deeply personal exploration and asks yogis to bring their practice into this often complicated arena of daily life.
Learn more about Feathered Pipe Ranch’s COVID-19 safety protocol.
*Special thanks to Melina Meza for the featured images!
WHAT COURT & LAURA’S STUDENTS & RETREAT ATTENDEES SAY:
“The best way I can describe Courtney’s style is with the old saying, “Give someone a fish and they will eat for a day; teach someone to fish and they will eat for a lifetime.” In class, Courtney will give me a fish to meet my immediate need, like a reminder to notice, or a strong physical practice to clear my head, or an eye-opening physical adjustment, but her greatest gift has been teaching me to fish for myself. Through her methodical physical and spiritual guidance, practice has become not just something I do, but part of who I am.”
“Courtney leads thoughtful, purposeful yoga, that challenges you physically as well as mentally. She has an uncanny sense of connectedness to her students and their development, always pushing them to layer new skill and strength into their practice. She is a natural teacher who radiates enthusiasm and sincerity for her craft.”
“Courtney creates a full experience in a yoga practice…it is apparent that her classes are created with holistic, artistic, ritualistic intention—an intention that extends beyond the physical space and details, into the space she creates to expand and evolve a practice. Courtney brings a thoughtfulness, calm, and strength to yoga practice, creating and disrupting rhythms, and challenging assumptions.”
“Courtney is a gifted teacher. I have been able to take many, many classes from her over the course of a few years and several of her workshops and I witnessed the transformations that take place when a student grows from a novice to an advanced practitioner. She brings to every class a positive energy, intuitive guidance, and an abundance of experience.”
RETREAT TIP! Extend your time in peace and beauty while savoring Western hospitality by spending some time exploring the great West’s National Park treasures either before or after your time with Court and Laura at the Feathered Pipe Ranch. Glacier National Park is a glorious and scenic 3.5-hour drive north and west of Feathered Pipe, while Yellowstone is just a 4.5 hour drive south and east of the Ranch through some of the prettiest Western territory you’ll ever see.
ABOUT COURT MORGAN:
Court Morgan, E-RYT500, RYCEP (She/They). Court’s unique and skillful teaching style enables students to find a greater depth of understanding and awareness in their practice, both on and off the mat, encouraging the perspective that one’s life is their practice. Her interdisciplinary approach synthesizes the precision of alignment, energetics of classical yoga, Sanskrit, Buddhist studies, anatomy and trauma healing while weaving together poetic metaphor with clear instruction that emphasizes the development of natural awareness, compassion and playfulness.
Courtney began a regular meditation practice in 1997 and incorporated yoga asana in 2001. Her style has been strongly influenced by the YogaWorks lineage of teachers where she completed her foundational teacher training and subsequent apprenticeship with co-founder and master teacher, Chuck Miller. Inspired by the YogaWorks model, from 2013-2019 Court founded and taught at Revolver Yoga Studio in Walla Walla, Washington, while studying with and assisting trainings for Jason Crandell in Seattle, London and San Francisco. She continues her study of the yogic arts in the Buddhadharma and is deeply honored to have been encouraged to teach the dharma by her teachers Alexis Santos and Vance Pryor. Courtney holds a Master’s degree in Design Studies from Central Saint Martins University in London and is a graduate of Whitman College in Fine Art and Religion. She lives in Providence, RI with her partner and fellow yogi, Laura Williamson.
Learn more about Court: courtmorgan.com
ABOUT LAURA WILLIAMSON:
Laura Williamson (they/them) is a former collegiate women’s soccer coach and RYT200. Laura received their Masters in Sports Science from Smith College and has coached for Vassar, Smith, Stevens Institute of Technology and Whitman College. A lifelong athlete, Laura’s introduction to meditation and the Dharma came from George Mumford’s book, The Mindful Athlete, the principles of which they incorporated into their own ethos of coaching and team building. Laura completed their RYT200 in 2020 after many years of devoted yoga practice and exploration. Laura co-teaches workshops and trainings in Providence with their partner, Court Morgan, and continues to study and train in skillful practice of yoga therapy with their teacher, Tias Little.
PRICING & REGISTRATION:
Program Tuition & Basic Accommodations: $1800 plus Teacher Dana
Registration deposit required: A $500 deposit is required to hold your space in our retreat at Feathered Pipe Ranch. Full payment is due eight weeks before the start of the program.
Tuition fee includes: Triple Occupancy Main Lodge, plus meals and use of all amenities – our bathhouse, sauna, hot tub, as well as all the Feathered Pipe Ranch facilities and grounds. Upgraded accommodation are available.
Additional lodging upgrade pricing: Click here
Full description of accommodations options: Click here
After receiving your non-refundable deposit a welcome letter with follow up information will be sent to your email. For more information/questions about this retreat, email Court at cmvmorgan@gmail.com.
The retreat will include:
— 6-nights indoor or outdoor accommodations (upgraded accommodations require an additional fee)
— All daily classes and group sessions, suitable for all
— Delicious and lovingly prepared international cuisine
— Shuttle service from/to Helena Regional Airport on arrival/departure day
— Full access to the extensive Feathered Pipe grounds (including the hot tub and sauna)
Not included:
— Airfare
— Any/all excursions off-campus
— Bodywork & Massage
— Montana Accommodation Tax $25
— Staff gratuities
— Laundry
Shuttle service: Shuttle service from/to Helena Regional Airport on arrival/departure day is complimentary (free) for all registered guests. Please note that if you are needing pick-up or drop-off on any other day, that there will be a $35 one-way charge.
Arrival and departure:
Arrive: Saturday, 21 September – Check in after 3 pm. If you arrive earlier, please enjoy strolling around the ranch, getting to know your fellow participants and the land. (*If rooms are open earlier they’ll let you in sooner)
3:00-5:00pm — Arrival & Check in
6:30-7:30pm — Dinner & Relaxation
7:30-8:00pm — Welcome & Orientation
8:00-8:45pm — Retreat Opening, silence begins
8:45pm — Open schedule
Depart: Friday, 27 September – Check out of rooms before 9am
6:45-7:15am — Meditation
7:15-9:00am — Breakfast & Packing
9:00-10:30am — Retreat Closing
For more information about the Feathered Pipe Ranch in general, visit our FAQ page.
For more information/questions about this retreat, email Court at cmvmorgan@gmail.com.
Thanks and look forward to seeing you!