Tuesday, September 9, 2014


The Mother Love Retreat: May 1-3rd 2015 



A weekend devoted to nourishment and self love led by Jessalynn Hakanson and Bethany Joy Hard. Celebrate the compassionate heart of motherhood together in a beautiful weekend away with fellow mother warriors. This is an invitation to settle into self love, cultivate stillness through the serenity of Gray Bear Retreat Center, savor the nourishment of vegetarian meals prepared with love, and transform through Yoga, Meditation and Circle. Mothers, sisters, daughters, and women of all stages and ages welcome!  

Nurture and replenish YOURSELF as you bask in this breathtaking natural environment and the community of other mothers. Make this commitment to turn into innate wisdom and strength, and tune into the creative nurturing that moves us all forward with grace.

 The weekend includes:

 - Lodging, local and organic AMAZING vegetarian meals.

 - Daily yoga and meditation practices with Bethany and Jessalynn. 
  
-  Discussion topics:  self care, how to balance your many roles, nutrition & mindfulness.

 - Relaxation/free time to enjoy the amenities and beauty of Gray Bear  such as reflective walks/hikes, a wood fired sauna, an outdoor natural hot tub, and more.

Massage therapist and Watzu practitioners are available during the weekend by appointment.

Only a 2 hour drive from Nashville!

Arrival: Friday, May 1 @ 2:00-4:00pm
Departure: Sunday May 3 @ 2:00pm
Cost: 
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: $375 by March 15th.
**$395 when paid by April 23rd, 2014
$100/non-refundable deposit required.
Full payment required by April 23, 2014

**includes shared lodging
Upgrades to private lodging and cabins available for an additional charge, inquire if interested.

A few easy ways to register and reserve your spot for this immersion of self love and spring renewal!!

1. Check, cash, or money order hand delivered to Bethany at or Jessalynn
2. Call 615-878-YOGA to register and to pay by phone with credit card

3. Mail in check or money order for deposit or full payment ASAP to:

                             The Mother Love Gray Bear Retreat
                                         251 Fairway Drive
                                       Nashville, TN 37214


4. Email registration to jessalynnhakanson@gmail.com and we can send you a PayPal invoice.

Please feel free to call 615-878-9642 or email jessalynnhakanson@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.



We, Bethany and Jessalynn, are mothers who share a love and deep respect for those who have chosen this sacred, yet, wanna-pull-your-hair-out-sometimes!- calling. We also honor and recognize the absolute necessity of community during this journey of motherhood. 

We have both gone through great challenges and great joys as mothers and our vision is to create a safe, supportive, joyous and deeply restorative weekend for fellow mothers. This will be an opportunity to rest, relax, laugh, be heard and FILL YOUR CUP. 




Porch Hammock at Gray Bear





Bethany Hard is a certified Naam Yoga Therapist and is grateful for having studied under its founder, Dr. Joseph Michael Levry, since 2004. She is also an instructor of the Khalsa Way Prenatal Yoga (certified by Gurmukh) and The Kabbalah of Birth and Beyond. 

Originally from New York, Bethany is a former professional dancer and is also certified in Pilates and the Gyrotonic Expansion System. Fluent in Spanish, she travels regularly to Latin America leading yoga and humanitarian retreats. Bethany produced and starred in her own Naam Yoga Prenatal Yoga DVD in 2012 and co-created and co-founded I Am Consciousness Clothing Co., a yoga apparel company in 2013. She also holds a B.S. in Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Most importantly she is the mother to three magical children.



Humbled by the presence of breath and heart, yoga awakens grace within the movement of Jessalynn’s practice and life. Her vinyasa classes encourage a smile or two, dynamic movement, meditation, pranayama practices, and the sweet surrender of ego to reveal peace.

Practicing yoga since 2001 and sharing her experiences since 2004, Jessalynn holds certifications in prenatal, postnatal, and a 200 hour RYT yoga certificate through the Yoga Center of Minneapolis. She has a background in a variety of styles such as vinyasa, ashtanga, jivamukti, yin, and restorative. Jessalynn is grateful to her teachers in Minneapolis and all her fellow practitioners along the way. Her 500 hour RYT certification is through Sri Dharma Mittra’s Life Of A Yogi Teacher Training. Sri Dharma’s training focuses heavily on the classical teachings of yoga with a strong emphasis on the eight limbs, spiritual dimension of yoga, as well as the physical discipline and pranayama practices. She is grateful for experiences with many gifted and seasoned teachers, and feels blessed by the teachings of Sri Dharma Mittra, Gurmukh Khalsa, and Seane Corn.

Jessalynn is a licensed massage therapist and holds a bachelors degree in science, certifications in prenatal and postnatal yoga, Dharma and vinyasa yoga, and has completed both Level one and Level two of the Thai Yoga Bodywork Basics Program through Tanya Sowards , and continues to study and practice this modality. She lives in loving service and gratitude to her community, her stellar husband, her two guru children, and two doting dogs.
......................................................................................................................................................


Photos of Gray Bear Retreat Center: