Reset Retreat 2026
The Art of Rest and Renewal
FALL EQUINOX 2026
September 17-20th | Thomas, WV
Erica Koster and Paula Castillo, along with Chef Liz Puloka, invite you to Reset
Join us as we slow down, reconnect, and begin listening again to what is quietly emerging next.
Over the fall equinox, we’ll gather in the mountain art town of Thomas, West Virginia, with Bright Bear Studio as our home base.
The rhythm is intentionally slow: morning practices, unhurried afternoons, quiet evenings, and time to wander galleries, sit in cafés, explore trails, journal, sketch, or do nothing at all.
Together, we’ll move at the pace of the season:
arriving,
releasing,
resetting,
and returning to ourselves.
What You’ll Experience
3 nights to release, reset, and return to yourself.
A Gentle Daily Rhythm. Morning and evening yoga, afternoon experiences, opening and closing circles, and plenty of time to rest.
Space to Wander. Explore local galleries, sit in cafés, explore mountain trails, journal, sketch, or simply watch the fog lift off the mountains.
Equinox Breathwork & Sound. A guided, immersive experience designed for deep release and clarity.
Mindful Mountain Picnic & Hike. A mountain hike through peak fall color, culminating in a picnic beside a waterfall.
Nourishing Meals. Breakfasts in your own space, lunches around town, and thoughtfully prepared dinners by Chef Liz Puloka.
Creativity as Contemplation. Art approached not as technique or judgment, but as a way to let the inner life surface.
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Thu 9/17 — Arrive
Welcome dinner followed by an opening circle.Fri 9/18 — Release
Morning flow. Afternoon breathwork, and an evening of deep rest (restorative, nidra, sound).Sat 9/19 — Reset
Morning flow, followed by a mindful mountain hike and picnic. Evening yin.Sun 9/20 — Return
Closing circle, followed by a farewell meal.Note: Itinerary is subject to change.
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3 nights of accommodation near the studio
3 meals per day (including chef-prepared dinners)
All daily activities and workshops
Full access to studio props (mats, blocks, bolsters, blankets, sandbags)
Filtered water, coffee, local herbal teas and snacks throughout the day
Optional 30-minute tarot session
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Transportation to and from Thomas, WV (carpooling coordination provided)
Personal shopping or extra café stops in town
Travel insurance
Accommodations
Thomas, West Virginia is a small mountain town with a quiet creative energy just a 3-hour drive from Washington, DC.
Stay in artist lofts and tiny houses throughout town, just blocks away from the Bright Bear studio and host house, surrounded by cafés, galleries, and trails.
Apartments on the main street
Early bird pricing (good now through 6/18) starts at: $1525 per person, $2750 per couple (shared bed)
Historic, loft-style apartments located directly above the shops and cafés on East Ave, just a short walk from the studio. One-, two-, and three-bedroom options are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Picture above: Quaintrelle Flat at Dandy Flats. Steps from the studio, TipTop Cafe, and the Purple Fiddle.
Tiny Homes
Early bird pricing (good now through 6/18) starts at: $1350 per person, $2750 per couple (shared bed)
Offering a slower, more private pace. These cozy spaces are still within easy walking distance of the studio, galleries, and local trailheads.
Picture above: Tiny Home available on Spruce Street, a 5-minute walk from the studio
Ready to join us?
Space is limited!
FAQs
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Thomas, WV is an easy 3-hour drive from DC, however, there can be traffic so it’s good to build in a little extra time in case. You may lose service along the way, so be sure to load up directions and download music/podcasts ahead of time.
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Cancellations made after July 15th are non-refundable but transferable to another participant.
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Yes, payment plans are available. Enter coupon code PAYMENTPLAN at check-out and you’ll be charged 1/3 of the total price. By doing so, you agree to pay half the balance July 15th and the remainder of the balance on August 15th. The initial 1/3 deposit is nonrefundable.
What Participants Say
“I loved the balance between yoga, hiking, group meals and private, non-structured time.”
“Every detail felt thoughtful. I felt deeply cared for throughout the weekend.”
“The breathwork was a huge breakthrough for me.”
“It was totally a reset, a time of deep connection with self, and spiritual growth.”
Your Hosts
Erica Koster began practicing yoga over a decade ago during a period of profound grief, finding in it a way to calm her mind and ease her body. She later earned her 200-hour certification through Yoga District in 2015 and has been sharing the practice ever since. A mom of two humans, plus a pup named Dolly and a kitty named Bitsy, Erica brings an energetic but accessible approach to teaching, always offering options and emphasizing the breath as a tool for grounding, healing, and connection.
In 2023, Erica founded Bright Bear Yoga in Thomas, West Virginia - a historic mountain town with deep roots, a vibrant art culture, and a strong outdoor community. The following summer, she opened Bright Bear Yoga DC on Florida Ave NE. She’s especially excited for this retreat, which brings the two sister studios together in a meaningful way.
Outside the studio, Erica enjoys baking, crochet, and supporting her children’s many creative pursuits.
Paula Castillo is an executive coach, facilitator, yoga teacher, and mama who creates spaces for people to reconnect with themselves, each other, and what matters most. Her path began when corporate burnout opened her to the wisdom of restorative practices and the possibility that rest, reflection, and honest inquiry can transform how we live and work.
Paula weaves Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidrā, breathwork, coaching, facilitation, art, play, and somatics to help individuals and teams cultivate greater coherence, alignment, and care for the futures they are creating.
Paula holds a Master's in Public Policy from Harvard and advanced certifications in Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidrā (iRest), with additional coursework in breathwork and sound healing. Originally from Colombia, Paula now lives in Washington, DC, where she can usually be found journaling with acrylic pens, or obsessing over her child, puppy, and cats.
Elizabeth Puloka is a mother, licensed massage therapist, and cook who has called Washington, D.C. home for the past 20 years. Raised between Tonga and the United States by her Polynesian father and American mother, her multicultural upbringing shaped a life centered on caretaking, connection, and working with her hands.
While attending massage school in San Diego, she began cooking at a local café, developing recipes and eventually working as a personal chef. For the past 25 years, she has balanced careers in massage therapy and cooking, seeing both as forms of holistic care. Her cooking roots trace back to aunties and grandmas in kitchens across the South Pacific and New England, as well as cafes and communities in New Orleans and the Caribbean. She cooks locally and seasonally, for healing and celebration, and loves bringing people together around the table.
When she’s not cooking, she’s dreaming about gardens, flowers, travel, art classes, and maybe taking drum lessons with her daughter.