The third annual 810 Mindfulness & Yoga Retreat, hosted by the Crim and presented by the Crim and Jan Howard Trust, invited the community to step away from the noise and stress of everyday life and reconnect with their mind, body, spirit, and the natural world.
Held at For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum, the retreat created a peaceful setting where more than 100 participants could slow down, breathe deeply, and make space for their well-being. Surrounded by trees, trails, water, and the sounds of nature, attendees experienced a day designed around mindfulness, movement, creativity, and community.
The day featured guided yoga sessions by the pond, reflective journaling in the treehouse, affirmation rock painting along the trails, mindfulness nature walks, and an energetic community drum circle. Together, these activities created opportunities for participants to relax, reflect, connect, and simply be present in the moment.
The retreat brought together participants from across Genesee and surrounding counties, each bringing their own experiences and perspectives and sharing a desire to slow down, connect, and make time for well-being. Support for 30 scholarships helped extend the invitation even further, reflecting a commitment to creating a welcoming space for the community to come together.
Throughout the day, that sense of connection continued to grow. Twenty-five dedicated community volunteers helped create an atmosphere that was welcoming, thoughtful, and full of care from the moment participants arrived to the final moments of the retreat. By the end of the day, it was clear that the experience had made an impact. Every attendee surveyed said the retreat contributed to their personal well-being, met their expectations, and was an experience they would recommend to others.
Perhaps the best reflection of the day came from one participant, who shared, “Each part of my day was met with thoughtfulness, care, and beauty. I enjoyed the food, venue, activities, and the people!”
It was a simple sentiment that captured what the retreat was all about: creating a space where people could step away from their everyday demands, feel supported by their community, and leave feeling a little more connected, restored, and cared for.
The success of the 810 Mindfulness & Yoga Retreat demonstrates what can happen when a community comes together to create intentional space for wellness. By combining mindfulness practices, movement, creativity, nature, and connection, the Crim and Jan Howard Trust helped create a day where participants could pause, recharge, and reconnect with themselves and those around them.
We are grateful to everyone who participated, volunteered, partnered, and helped make the third annual 810 Mindfulness & Yoga Retreat such a meaningful experience. Together, we created more than a day of yoga and mindfulness, we created a space for our community to slow down, breathe, connect, and be kind to their minds.
