North Star

4 Days/3 Nights

September 10th—13th, 2025

Joshua Tree, California

This year we return to the desert, guided by the idea of the North Star.

The North Star is something you orient to. A steady point when you’re listening for direction. It’s the tools we use to lead us back to ourself. Even when the path feels unclear, there’s something within you that knows the way.

Set in the vast desert landscape of Joshua Tree, this retreat is an invitation to slow down and tune inward. Through art, yoga, and soul-led workshops, we’ll explore themes of purpose, becoming, and inner alignment. We create space for clarity to emerge.

This is about learning to trust your inner compass. About dreaming forward. About noticing what feels true and letting that guide your next steps.

There will be time for exploration and adventure, and also plenty of space to rest, roam, reflect, and enjoy the land and the home we’ve chosen. The desert has a way of clearing out the noise and helping what matters rise to the surface.

This retreat is for anyone feeling ready to reconnect with their direction, their creativity, and the deeper thread they want to follow.

An Airstream trailer parked in a desert landscape with Joshua trees, with mountains in the background, during sunset.
A desert landscape at sunset with Joshua trees, rocks, and bushes under a cloudy sky.

What Awaits You

An Intimate and Transformative Experience for Six Participants

Designed for a small group of just 6-8 participants, this retreat offers a personal and deeply immersive experience. With such an intimate setting, you’ll receive more one-on-one guidance, form meaningful connections with fellow retreaters, and enjoy a highly customized journey. The cozy, close-knit environment fosters open conversations, shared experiences, and a sense of community, setting the stage for deep growth, creative exploration, and peaceful relaxation.

Immersive Yoga and Mindfulness Practices

Our daily yoga sessions, inspired by the powerful desert landscape and the spirit of fire, will ground you in the energy of Taos. Through intentional practices that connect you to the earth and the surrounding natural elements, you’ll unlock a deeper sense of awareness. With yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices woven throughout, you’ll attune your body and mind to the rhythms of the land, helping you tap into your inner power and creativity.

Creative Exploration

Drawing inspiration from the desert’s raw beauty and the rich cultural heritage of Taos, you’ll dive into art journaling and mixed media practices that allow you to express your emotions, reflections, and newfound insights. As you explore the artistic traditions of the Southwest, you’ll discover how creativity has long been seen as a powerful form of spiritual expression. No prior artistic experience is needed—just a willingness to open your heart and allow your creativity to flow freely.

Workshops with locals

Throughout the retreat, we’ll be joined by a few local facilitators for workshops that support deeper self-understanding and embodiment. A Human Design workshop will offer insight into how your energy is naturally wired and how you’re meant to move through the world in a way that feels aligned and sustainable. An Authentic Movement and somatic workshop will invite you into the body, using intuitive movement to listen, release, and reconnect with what’s living beneath the surface. These offerings are meant to be experiential and exploratory.

Cultural and Spiritual Connection

Explore the sacred sites of Taos, immersing yourself in the stories and wisdom that have shaped this land. Learn about the ancient symbols and traditions of the Native American and Hispanic cultures, discovering how these deep-rooted beliefs can inspire both personal growth and artistic creation.

Nature

Reconnect with the natural world in its purest form. Wander the vast desert landscapes, explore the majestic mountains, and find peace by the tranquil Rio Grande River. The high desert environment is rich with symbolism and spiritual significance, and during this retreat, you’ll connect with the elements of earth, fire, and sky in ways that will rejuvenate your body and soul.

A group of smiling people having fun outdoors in a forest, with a man sitting on an overturned large metal gear or machine part in the foreground.
Two women practicing yoga on a mat in a grassy field with trees and mountains in the background, smiling and laughing.

Who is this for?

  1. Creative souls eager to embrace their artistic expression in a supportive, nurturing environment, guided by an experienced, heart-centered facilitator. No experience necessary, just an open heart and a willingness to explore.

  2. Mindfulness seekers looking for balance and connection through movement, whether you’re new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner, all led by an intuitive and experienced guide.

  3. Soulful explorers drawn to the raw beauty, creative spirit, and otherworldly desert energy of Joshua Tree.

  4. Inner adventurers seeking to dive deep into self-reflection through art, journaling, and self-care practices that foster growth and clarity.

  5. Nature lovers who find peace and inspiration in the rhythms of the natural world, from the vast desert and dark skies of Joshua Tree.

  6. Adventurous spirits who crave a blend of cultural discovery, personal growth, and meaningful connections in a breathtaking and inspiring location.

  7. Busy individuals who are ready to unplug, recharge, and return home with renewed creativity, energy, and a refreshed sense of purpose.

A leafless desert tree with spiky leaves, set against a pastel pink and orange sky with a bright moon overhead.

What’s Included?

  • 4 days, 3 nights of immersive retreat experience

  • Transportation around Joshua Tree

  • All-inclusive: 9 delicious, locally sourced meals, including a nice dinner night in Joshua

  • All art supplies provided

  • Daily yoga and creative workshops

  • Guided hikes and self-exploration in Joshua Tree National Park

  • Entry fees to museums and cultural sites

  • Expert facilitation by an experienced yoga instructor and creative guide

  • Special welcome gifts to enhance your retreat experience

What’s Not Included?

  • Transportation to and from Joshua Tree

  • Extra Activities 

  • Souvenirs

  • Yoga mats and props

House Vibes

As featured in VOGUE and Sight Unseen, this serene desert hacienda sits in the quiet Flamingo Heights area of Yucca Valley. Designed for comfort and ease, the home offers generous indoor and outdoor space to unwind—whether you’re lounging by the pool, soaking in the hot tub under the stars, or gathering around the fire as the desert quiet sets in.

The property includes four bedrooms (one a private poolside casita) plus a Moroccan-style loft, allowing for both privacy and shared living. Three bedrooms feature en suite bathrooms, with plush Leesa mattresses and InBed and Coyuchi linens throughout. The loft offers four twin XL beds, perfect for adults, while the casita and primary rooms provide spacious king beds.

Bathrooms feel spa-like, with rainfall showers, beautiful tilework, and soft Coyuchi towels and robes. A fully equipped gourmet kitchen—made for cooking, sharing, and lingering—opens into a light-filled living space with high ceilings, large windows, and a cozy fireplace. Outside, the artist-designed pool, hot tub, grill, and fire pit create a natural rhythm for days and evenings spent under wide desert skies, anchored by the presence of a native Joshua tree.

Desert views and spacious skies

Hot Tub!

Pool!

Spacious and Stylish

A desert backyard with a small kidney-shaped swimming pool reflecting a colorful sunset sky, with two wooden lounge chairs and desert plants including a large barrel cactus, and a tree silhouette in the distance.
A cozy bedroom corner with a hanging glass pendant light, a bed with pink linens, a rustic wooden side table holding a book and a glass of drink on ice, and a textured wall background.
A bedroom with a bed that has a brown bedspread, positioned under a wooden triangular headboard. Two hanging pendant lights are on each side of the bed, and there is a small plant in a pot to the left.
Modern kitchen with green cabinets, black marble countertops, and a large wooden island with four bar stools.
A turntable on a wooden table with speakers and vinyl records, positioned beneath a framed picture of a cowboy with a hat, against a plain white wall.
Sunlit cozy room with wooden walls and ceiling, large windows, cushions, and a small wooden table on a colorful patterned rug.
Living room with two green velvet armchairs, a small wooden side table between them, a framed line art painting of a female figure on the wall, cream curtains, and a glass door letting in natural light.
A bedroom with a bed, white bedding, two pillows, a unique wooden headboard, and two hanging wall lamps on a peach-colored wall. There is a large potted plant on the left and a fluffy rug on the floor.
Modern bathroom with a large mirror, a small window, and a shower area with a black rain showerhead. A white bathrobe hangs on a hook, and a stack of folded towels sits on a countertop.
A tray with three glasses of colored drinks on a table in front of a wooden wall, with framed abstract and landscape art, a black vase, a small plant, and a bowl on a white surface behind.
The image shows the open door of a house entrance with warm sunlight casting light on the wall and door. There is a rustic wooden log placed on the ground outside, and inside, a wooden table with decorative items, including plates and vases, is visible.
A backyard swimming pool with clear blue water, surrounded by stone and concrete pavements. There is a rock waterfall feature on the left, with plants and flowers around it. In the background, an outdoor hot tub is visible on a small concrete patio, with a grassy and slightly overgrown yard beyond.
Desert landscape with a large Joshua tree on the right, a smaller Joshua tree on the left, some green plants and cacti in the foreground, a fire pit with a flame in the middle, and a fence in the background during sunset.
A small house with a wooden deck, two glass doors, and a shade sail on the patio. In front, there is a swimming pool with a large rock in the corner. Desert plants and trees are in the background under a clear blue sky.
Living room with a yellow sofa, pink velvet armchairs, a round glass coffee table, a striped rug, abstract wall art, and a floor lamp.
Abstract black and white artwork with organic shapes on a square canvas hanging on a two-tone orange and terracotta wall.
Bathroom with a stone vanity, mirror, towel, and light fixture, leading to a bedroom with a pink and orange wall, bed, and hanging lamp.
A cozy bedroom with a king-sized bed, two hanging pendant lights, a small side table, a framed artwork on the wall, and sheer white curtains letting in natural light.
Living room with yellow sectional sofa, wooden coffee table with potted plant, staircase leading to a loft area with seating, wood-paneled ceiling, large circular chandelier with candle-style lights.
A white house with sharp, triangular windows, surrounded by desert plants and palm trees, under a clear blue sky during sunset.
A hot tub filled with water, placed beside a swimming pool on a wooden deck, with a rolled gray towel on its edge, surrounded by outdoor landscaping.
A modern house with large glass doors, a small swimming pool, lounge chairs, desert landscaping with cacti, and a fire pit in a backyard during sunset.
A modern, minimalistic bedroom with a large bed, a decorative houseplant, abstract artwork, a white dresser with books and decorative items, a beige sofa with a purple exercise ball, and large glass doors allowing natural light.
Modern kitchen with green cabinets, black marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a large wooden island with four bar stools, and open shelves with plants and kitchenware.
A woman in a white bathrobe making a bed in a dimly lit bedroom with hanging pendant lights and wooden furniture.
A cozy interior entryway with a wooden door, a wooden console table with decorative vases and dried branches, abstract wall art, and warm sunlight streaming through a window.
Overhead view of a living room with a green sectional sofa, a person relaxing in a bean bag, two dogs, a wooden coffee table, a large area rug, and plants near French doors.
Poolside scene with a white towel, three glasses of water, a book, and a straw hat on the concrete surface next to a swimming pool with clear blue water.
A backyard with a small swimming pool, wooden deck, and desert landscape with sparse plants and trees, under a clear sky at sunset.
Green tiled shower with a partial view of a toilet on the right and a shelving unit with towels and toilet paper on the left side.
A bedroom with a bed featuring a colorful semi-circular headboard, a white duvet, and a beige pillow. There are plants on the right, a closet with robes to the left, a rug on the floor, and a sitting area with colorful chairs in the background.
Two women relaxing on wooden lounge chairs by a swimming pool at sunset in a backyard, with trees and a house in the background.
Living room with a yellow sofa, a wooden coffee table with a plant, a tall cactus, a fireplace, a modern black and white painting, large windows, and a high wooden ceiling with a circular chandelier.
An outdoor swimming pool area with lounge chairs, a hot tub, and a modern house in the background, surrounded by trees and patio landscaping.
A backyard swimming pool with two wooden lounge chairs on a concrete deck, desert plants including cacti, and a rocky water feature with orange flowers in the foreground.
Interior of a bedroom with a bed covered in orange bedding, a wooden headboard with angled sides, a book on the bed, a tall wooden cabinet with a potted plant on top, a window with beige curtains, a sliding door with curtains, and hanging light bulbs.
Sunlight casting a shadow of a window frame on a beige wall with a modern abstract painting. A wooden table holds a vase with red twigs and a gold decorative bowl.

The Area

Tucked into the quiet high desert of Yucca Valley, the house is peacefully situated yet just minutes from the town’s cafés, shops, and local favorites. Several nearby small, creative desert towns, like Joshua Tree, Pioneertown, and Landers, offer an easy blend of art, music, and desert culture. Joshua Tree National Park is about 20 minutes away, where we’ll spend time hiking among the boulders and Joshua trees, and gathering for a sunset plein-air session as the desert light shifts and softens. The area is also known for its remarkably dark, expansive night skies, offering opportunities for stargazing and reflection.

A few minutes from Yucca Valley town

Joshua Tree National Park

Nearby towns: Joshua Tree, Pioneertown, Landers

A rustic wooden building with a sign that reads 'Hotel' and another sign that says 'Bath House'; it has a balcony and stairs leading to the upper level, set next to a leafless tree on a dirt ground.
Front view of the Joshua Tree National Park Coyote Corner Store with wooden signage. The store sells toys, candy, souvenirs, and gear, with customers shopping outside. There is a motorcycle parked in front and wood logs stored to the side.
A classic American roadside diner with cactus plants outside, featuring a large cowboy statue wearing a white cowboy hat, orange shirt, and jeans, with a desert landscape in the background.
Desert landscape with large rock formations and sparse vegetation at sunset
A rustic building with a sign that reads "Joshua Tree Saloon" in blue and red lettering, and a mural of three women with drinks, a horsehoe, and a woman holding a bag of money outside.
A woman in a black polka dot dress, pink hat, and sunglasses standing in front of a rustic wooden building with signs reading 'Home Street Hotel' and 'Telegraph,' in a Western town style.
A desert landscape at sunset with mountains, dry bushes, and a colorful sky with orange, yellow, and purple hues.
Desert landscape with Joshua trees, rocky hills, and a colorful sunset sky with pink and orange clouds.
Desert landscape with a Joshua tree tree on the left, rugged hills and mountains in the background, and a purple-pink sunset sky.
A woman wearing a cowboy hat, sunglasses, a black crop top, and leopard-print skirt standing in front of the Likker Barn, a red rustic building with large windows and outdoor lights.
A small green building shaped like an old television set, with a sign that reads 'World Famous Crochet Museum.' The window display shows various crochet items, and there is a neon 'Open' sign. Decor items including cartoon character figures are placed in front of the building.
Group of women participating in a yoga class, stretching in a wooden-floored room with large windows
Starry night sky with the Milky Way galaxy above large, uniquely shaped rocks in a desert landscape.

Pricing Details

  • Prices Start at: $1560

  • Reserve your space with a nonrefundable deposit of only $500.

Read Terms and Conditions

Room 1

  • This room features a private queen bedroom with a full ensuite bathroom.

    • Regular Price: $1992

    • You may add an additional person to your bed for only $900

    • Reserve your space with a nonrefundable deposit of only $500.

SOLD OUT!

Room 3

  • This room features a private king bedroom with a full ensuite bathroom and direct access to the pool.

    • Regular Price: $2525

    • Reserve your space with a nonrefundable deposit of only $500.

SOLD OUT!!

  • This room features a private king bedroom with full ensuite bathroom, living room area and direct access to the pool.

    • Regular Price: $2525

    • You may add an additional person to your bed for only $900

    • Reserve your space with a nonrefundable deposit of only $500.

Room 4

SOLD OUT!

Room 5

  • A stylish Moroccan-style loft boasts four super-comfy twin XL beds, perfect for adults. One ticket is equivalent to one bed.

    • Regular Price: $1560

    • Reserve your space with a nonrefundable deposit of only $500.

ONLY 3 LEFT!

Tentative Schedule

This schedule is subject to change—but only because we’re fine-tuning an amazing experience just for you!

Our goal is to give you a clear idea of the incredible value you’ll get at this retreat. We’ve already put a lot of love and planning into the itinerary, with more exciting details to come.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll keep you in the loop with updated emails about the schedule and everything you can look forward to. Get ready to explore the awe-inspiring desert of Joshua Tree, workshops with locals, hot tub and pool time.

Along the way, you’ll immerse yourself in movement practices and creative workshops designed to ignite inspiration and deepen your connection to yourself.

Rest assured, this will be a thoughtfully curated experience filled with adventure, artistic exploration, and meaningful moments in the otherworldly desert and expansive dark skies of Joshua Tree!

Tentative Schedule

  • A woman sitting cross-legged on sandy desert ground with a large red rock wall behind her, wearing a white shirt and tan pants, with her hands pressed together in a prayer position covering her face.

    September 10th

    S

    Stillness

    Yoga

    Opening Circle

    Dinner

    Follow Along Paint and Pour

  • A Joshua tree with spiky leaves in a desert landscape during sunset with colorful sky.

    September 11th

    T

    Trust

    Breakfast

    Yoga

    Human Design Workshop with Brit!

    Lunch

    Hike

    Sunset Plein Air Painting

    Dinner

    Stargazing Aqua Sound bath Float

  • Black and white photo of two hands reaching upward with fingers elegantly extended, against a textured background with light rays filtering through.

    September 12th

    A

    Authenticity/Alignment

    Breakfast

    Yoga

    Authentic/Somatic Movement Workshop with local dancer and teacher, Lauren!

    Lunch

    Explore Town

    Fancy Dinner

  • Sunset over a desert landscape with Joshua trees and rocky formations.

    September 13th

    R

    Radiate

    Yoga

    Pack Lunches to Go

    Check out of House

    Hike

Meet Your Instructors

A woman with long wavy hair, wearing a white sweatshirt and black pants, sitting on a bench in a well-lit indoor space with large windows and a view of greenery outside.

Mary Howze

Mary Howze is a dedicated yoga instructor and experienced event planner who shares her passion for yoga as a spiritual practice. A practitioner at heart, she completed her 200-hour training with Powered By Heart Yoga and brings intentionality to every class she leads. Known for her thoughtfully crafted sessions, Mary pairs her teachings with engaging playlists to create memorable and impactful experiences.

With over eight years of practice, yoga has become one of Mary’s greatest joys and purpose, allowing her to connect deeply with her community. Her expertise extends beyond the mat, as she skillfully plans and organizes events that inspire creativity, connection, and mindfulness. From regular classes to leading yoga on festival stages and hosting transformative retreats, Mary’s work is grounded in creating meaningful experiences.

When she’s not on the mat, Mary finds inspiration in traveling, immersing herself in nature, and exploring the magic of music.

A woman with long, wavy brown hair smiling and sitting on a wooden chair in a living room. She is wearing a colorful, patterned blazer and black pants, with her legs crossed and leaning back comfortably.

Jessica Mahan

Jessica Mahan is a professional painter, art teacher, and yoga practitioner currently completing her 200-hour yoga instructor certification. Deeply inspired by the natural world, Jessica finds that nature awakens her mind to the present moment, fueling her creativity with fresh ideas and insights. Her paintings are vibrant, emotional, playful, and dreamlike, often infused with symbolism and described as visual poetry.

Through her art practice, Jessica cultivates mindfulness, slowing down to observe the world around her—its shapes, colors, rhythms, and light. With eleven years of experience as a professional artist and over fifteen years of teaching experience, she thrives on sharing her passion for creativity with others.

Beyond her artistic pursuits, Jessica loves traveling, learning new things, writing, practicing yoga, exploring nature and enjoying music.

A woman standing in a desert landscape with her arms wide open and her face turned upwards, surrounded by dry bushes and a tree, during sunset or sunrise.

Lauren Slivosky

Lauren Slivosky is a teacher, bodyworker and movement artist in Joshua Tree, CA.  She runs a multi disciplinary studio/healing space alongside her partner at  their home on the Mesa and creates performance art in the community.  Movement informs all of Lauren's work and is the most true way that she expresses herself.  She is humbled and thrilled to share this practice on your retreat to the magical high desert!

Authentic Movement is the practice of coming into deeper connection with your mind, body and spirit and allowing movement to emerge organically!  In this class we will start with a guided warm up inspired by yoga and qi gong and then we will explore movement in non conventional ways through tempo, dynamics and texture.  Class will culminate in personal exploration.  Authentic movement is not about performance or what something looks like on the outside, rather having a curiosity and openness from the inside out!

A view of the universe showing countless stars and galaxies in space.

Brit — Human Design Workshop

Step into the sacred space of self-discovery with this group experience. This immersive workshop merges ancient wisdom of  I Ching, Kabbalah, astrology, and the chakra system, with modern insights, guiding you through the labyrinth of your unique cosmic design.

 Starting with a serene guided meditation, we'll peel back the layers of your being to reveal the intricate tapestry of your Type, Authority, Profile, Strategy, and Centers. You’ll walk away with a few of the secrets of your soul that empower you to navigate life with clarity and authenticity.

Nourishment

Get ready to enjoy delicious, nourishing meals throughout your Joshua Tree retreat. We’ll share a mix of thoughtfully catered meals at the house, along with a special dinner out at one of the area’s beloved local spots. Our meals are designed to support your creativity, movement, and desert adventures.

During your stay, 9 meals will be lovingly provided, allowing you to relax and fully immerse yourself in the experience.

Sharing meals together is one of the most meaningful parts of our retreats. Whether we’re gathered around the table, watching the desert light shift, or lingering under star-filled skies, these moments of connection often become the heart of the experience, creating lasting memories and deep bonds.

If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please let us know in advance. We’ll do our best to accommodate your needs and ensure each meal feels nourishing and supportive.

A plated dish of seared salmon topped with a cucumber and tomato relish, served with sautéed greens and a dark sauce, with glasses of red wine in the background on a restaurant table.
A group of nine women sitting around a table at a dinner party, smiling for a photo in a decorated indoor setting with bottles on the wall and floral arrangements.
A breakfast spread featuring a white bowl of sliced kiwi, blackberries, banana, strawberries, chia seed pudding, a glass of orange juice, two slices of whole wheat bread, an avocado cut in half, a bunch of green grapes, and an orange on a rustic white and blue wooden table.
A plate with three tacos topped with various fresh ingredients including chopped onions, cilantro, vegetables, and sauces, with a lime wedge on the side, placed on a blue wooden table.

Your Hosts, Jessica and Mary:

Two women standing on a dirt trail in a forest of tall, white-barked trees, smiling at the camera on a sunny day.

“We are passionate about blending creativity, mindfulness, and connection with nature. Our retreats are designed to help you feel empowered, inspired, and deeply nourished.”

Long exposure photograph of star trails in the night sky above a silhouette of rocky landscape.

A Transformative Retreat in Joshua Tree

This retreat is designed for those want to reconnect with their direction, awaken their creativity, and immerse themselves in the otherworldly beauty of the Joshua Tree desert. Whether you’re a yoga practitioner, an artist, or someone looking for a deeper connection to nature and spirit, this retreat will offer you tools, inspiration, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Spaces are very limited, as we keep the retreat intimate to ensure deep, personalized experiences. Reserve your spot now and join us on a journey of transformation, creativity, and connection as we search for our north star under the vast dark skies of Joshua Tree.

Mary and Jessica are thoughtful, intentional, and creative retreat hosts committed to experiences that will expand your head, heart and body!! I’ve been leading and attending yoga retreats myself-all over the world - for 13 years and their recent retreat was a standout GIFT across my experiences! Highly Recommend!

— Crystal Beshears

FAQs

Getting There:

The best airport to use is Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) located 53 minutes from the accommodations.

What will the weather be like?

In Joshua Tree, California the beginning of September typically features pleasant, sunny weather with daytime temperatures in the mid to high 90s, transitioning to cooler evenings and nights in the low 60s

What should I pack?

Hiking shoes, rain gear, light and easy to dry clothes, stretchy clothes for yoga, jacket, yoga mat, hat or baseball cap, swimsuit, sunscreen, insect repellant, flashlight, nice clothes for one fancy dinner in Taos.

What’s included in my stay?

  • 4 days, 3 nights of immersive retreat experience

  • Transportation around Joshua Tree

  • All-inclusive: 9 delicious, locally sourced meals, including a dinner out in Joshua Tree

  • All art supplies provided

  • Daily yoga and creative workshops

  • Guided hikes and self-exploration in the stunning dessert landscape

  • Entry fees to the park and classes

  • Expert facilitation by an experienced yoga instructor and creative guide

  • Classes led by local practitioners

  • Special welcome gifts to enhance your retreat experience