Yoga Retreat
Spring 2026
Date - Saturday, March 28
Time - 9:00am - 3:30pm
Where - PSU Ballroom
Fee - $50 MSU Employee, $70 NON-MSU Employee (CEU's and Lunch included)
Registration
Non-MSU Employee register - Yoga Retreat
MSU Employees, who want to use their non-credit fee waiver, can register through My Learning Connection: If you are an employee that wants to purchase CEU's. Register for the retreat through My Missouri State and then purchase the CEU's through the Non-MSU Register
-
Please register using My Learning Connection:
- Login at My Missouri State.
- Go to the “Learning and Development” card.
- Choose “My Learning Connection”.
- Once there, type Yoga Retreat into the search box at the upper right of the screen.
- Follow the prompts to checkout and complete payment process
Schedule - TBD
8:30 - 9:00am: Check-in (Lobby of Ballroom - Plaster Student Union 3rd floor)
9:00 - 9:30am: Welcome, Teacher Intros and Group Picture
9:30 - 11:00am: Workshop I - Kim Fenton - E-RYT500, YACEP
When I stepped into my first yoga class, I had daily pain from past injuries, so the
physical component was very intimidating and I didn't know if I could manage it.
I quickly learned that with the use of blocks and modifications, yoga met me right
where I was. After months of regular practice, my body was no longer in pain. The
mental benefits were also pronounced. What first started as "stress relief" slowly
evolved into a greater sense of self awareness and mindfulness. This mindfulness
allowed me to really take a deep look into myself: the "good," the "bad," and the
"in between." Thus, the real journey began and continues to this day. I'm unbelievably blessed
and thankful for the opportunity to help guide others in this profound practice of
mind, body and spirit.
Nervous System Reset - Breathwork, meditation and restorative yoga postures can help relieve stress &
regulate the nervous system. Learn how to help facilitate and shift the body from
a "fight-or-flight" (sympathetic) stress response to a "rest-and-digest" (parasympathetic)
state. We will use slow, mindful movement, focusing on restorative poses, breathwork,
and meditation to foster emotional, physical, and mental balance.
11:00 - 12:30pm: Workshop II - Amy Reaves - RYT500, Certified Sound Healer, YACEP
I first stepped into a yoga class at my doctor's recommendation. I was in my late
twenties, a single mom of two small children, and my blood pressure and cholesterol
were through the roof! I refused medication, and my doctor agreed to let me try yoga
for three months as a means of stress relief and exercise. I consistently practiced
hot yoga 3-5 times per week, made a few lifestyle and dietary changes and saw massive
improvement in my overall numbers. I fell in love with the physical improvements
yoga made to my body, but I wasn't expecting the mindfulness and peace that came along
with it. I truly believe that yoga is for every body and will help bring balance
into the busiest lifestyles and most stressful seasons of life.
The Science & Subtle Energy of Sound
In this session, gentle yoga and breathwork will prepare the body to receive sound.
The sound frequencies will be introduced in a sequence aligned with each chakra, supporting
awareness of how vibration can influence both physical sensation and emotional state.
While sound therapy is not a medical treatment, research suggests it may help reduce
perceived stress, support relaxation, improve sleep quality, and promote emotional
regulation. You'll learn and experience:
- How sound affects the nervous system and brain waves
- The basics of the chakra system and its role in wellbeing
- How vibration can influence tension held in the body
- Practical ways to use sound and breath for stress relief
This workshop is ideal for beginners and experienced practitioners alike, who want
a deeper understanding of how sound therapy works - while also experiencing its calming
effects firsthand.
12:30 - 1:30pm: Break, Lunch and Network (12$ Voucher included)
1:30 - 3:00pm: Workshop III - Jill Oswalt - E-RYT500, YACEP
Jill Oswalt is a certified yoga instructor with continuing education and certification
in
such disciplines as vinyasa, yin, chair, vinyasa core, and structural anatomy for yoga,
with many years of teaching experience. As a retired Emeritus Clinical Professor from
Missouri State University, she enjoys teaching yoga, working/playing in her garden,
hiking with her husband, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Whether she is teaching power or restorative, she hopes to create a gentle open
environment, in which each person develops their personal awareness of the needs of
their own body, mind, and spirit.
such disciplines as vinyasa, yin, chair, vinyasa core, and structural anatomy for yoga,
with many years of teaching experience. As a retired Emeritus Clinical Professor from
Missouri State University, she enjoys teaching yoga, working/playing in her garden,
hiking with her husband, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Whether she is teaching power or restorative, she hopes to create a gentle open
environment, in which each person develops their personal awareness of the needs of
their own body, mind, and spirit.
Why Chair Yoga??
Chair Yoga is for people who have not been mobile, or for older people, right? That is
partly accurate. Chair yoga also has benefits for everyone regardless of exercise or
mobility background. In this session we will discuss the benefits for people just starting
to move as well as experienced yogis who may discover a different experience and
stretch using a chair.
Chair Yoga is for people who have not been mobile, or for older people, right? That is
partly accurate. Chair yoga also has benefits for everyone regardless of exercise or
mobility background. In this session we will discuss the benefits for people just starting
to move as well as experienced yogis who may discover a different experience and
stretch using a chair.
Discussion will be intertwined with practice, beginning with quiet awareness and
breathwork and ending with short meditation. In between we will be using the chair as
“the mat” for seated stretches, mobility, core strength and cardio. The chair will also be
used as support for standing balance practice and strength.
Why Chair Yoga? Because it has benefits for all of us. (and we may even find a
challenge within!)
3:00 - 3:30pm: Closing, Networking, Q and A
Meet the Instructors