Introducing our retreat instructors Mariam and Michelle!

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Meet Mariam!

I am a 31 year-old born and raised in Calgary, AB. From a young age I was drawn to sports and dance. To counter balance this passion;  I found yoga to be essential in my life for rest + restoration. I have been practicing yoga for ten years but it wasn’t until the last few years I dived deeper. It is my passion for yoga that led me to open my own small business doing what I love!

In 2019, I embarked on a 200HR RYT journey. A strong believer in everyone can do yoga, connecting mind, body and breath in every practice. The last 10 years I have traveled and lived in many different places and I now call Northern Bruce Peninsula, Ontario home.

Lover of yoga, the outdoors, coffee, spontaneous adventure and sour keys!

I decided to leave the traditional way of life and embarked on teaching full-time; in January BeYou was born!

BeYou started as a Mobile Yoga business. Bringing yoga to your home, workplace, unique places and spaces. I am excited to share with you that we now have a physical location!

“If you can breathe, you can do yoga!”

BeWell, BeKind, BeYou,

Mariam


“Like an oak tree, it grows slowly, but surely at its own rate'“

“Like an oak tree, it grows slowly, but surely at its own rate'“

Hi! My name is Michelle! 

There are some things I love to do with passion: Yoga (of course), cooking, entertaining – creating really. 

I am educated in Fine Arts and I still paint from time to time. I also have a long work history intertwined with customer service, international logistics, managing cars, trucks, trains, planes, people, and products. Life was busy! About 15 years ago, after just a few yoga classes, I was hooked, the biggest impact being savasana. 

I remarried and moved to the beautiful north 6 years ago. Now at 51 years old, a mother of two amazing young men, I may have started a little later than most but do not underestimate my desire. 

With a determined intention of sharing the benefits of yoga I started Of the Oaks Yoga after completing my RYT200 in June of 2020 and registered with Yoga Alliance. 

I chose the name Of the Oaks for a couple reasons. I love the symbolism of oak trees, and it is also the meaning of my married last name, Deschenes. These are some additional qualities I love about oak trees:

  • The tree of life

  • A symbol of strength and morale, resistance, and knowledge

  • The oak is considered a cosmic storehouse of wisdom embodied in its towering strength

  • The Celts held the oak in high regard, it stands as a firm reminder that humankind has the ability to overcome all odds as well as tremendous capacity for kindness, even to strangers whose path we cross

Yoga helps you build strength, from within. It gives you the tools to recognize tension you are holding, and ways to release it.

I honestly believe yoga is for every body, whether you can bend like a pretzel or struggle to touch your toes. Everyone is welcome, and I encourage students to personalize their yoga by listening to what your body needs. Our body is our house that we are given for our whole life, and we need to be proud of our house regardless of what we think our limits may be. There is something to learn in every pose, and I am passionate about helping students find that. Classes are fun and relaxed, descriptive, and self-challenging, and of course savasana with guided meditation is my favourite part to give to you. 

As a lifelong student of yoga, I continue training, and learning to help us all get the best benefits in a healthy way.

As we grow older, we want to be ready to adapt and bend – this is why we do yoga. I look forward to working with you and learning together.


SCHEDULE UPDATE: Step Into Summer ~ Yoga & Wellness Retreat JUNE 11 - 13, 2021

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Friday June 11th:

4:00pm – 6:00pm: Registration & Check In

6:15pm – 7:00pm 45 Minute Vinyasa Flow Session

7:30pm – 9:00pm: SUPPER with WINE!

9:00pm – 10:00pm: Fire Ceremony + Land Acknowledgment

Saturday June 12th

7:30 – 8:30am: Awaken + Energize Morning Yoga with Mariam ~ Get your day stared with an energizing flow

8:45 – 9:45am: BREAKFAST

10:00 – 11:00am:

OPTION 1: Rest & Restore Yoga with Mariam ~ set the day up for success with passive postures & healing meditation

OPTION 2: Sun Salutations with Michelle

11:15 – 12:00pm:

OPTION 1: Free Time

OPTION 2: Group Class with Michelle (Details To Be Announced)

12:15 – 1:15pm: LUNCH

1:30 - 2:30pm:

OPTION 1: Forest Bathing with Mariam

OPTION 2: Group Class with Michelle (Details To Be Announced)

3:00 – 5:30pm:

OPTION 1: Mariam will be working with each cottage for 30 minutes privately to provide more customized feedback/instruction for participants looking to enhance a specific movement or flow.

OPTION #2: 2 x 60 minute sessions with Michelle (Class style TBD; Session times will run 3:00-4:00pm & 4:45–5:45pm

6:30 – 7:30pm: SUPPER with WINE!

8:00 – 845pm:

OPTION 1: Aroma Yoga with Mariam, featuring Singing Bowls

OPTION 2: Session with Michelle – class TBA

9:30-10:15pm GROUP Sip & Flow Session: We pour while you pose!

Sunday June 13th

8:30 – 10:00am GROUP Yin Yoga Session with Mariam: Access your connective tissue and fascia to open space in body, mind, & spirit!

10:15-11:30 Wrap up and BRUNCH (SWAG BAG and DOOR PRIZE TIME!!!

11:30 – 12:30 Pack Up and Departure*

*PRIVATE SESSIONS at $50pp/hr will be available Sunday afternoon from 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm. Must sign up prior to departu

Step Into Summer ~ Yoga & Wellness Retreat JUNE 11 - 13, 2021

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Join us June 11 - 13, 2021 for our 1st Annual Step Into Summer ~ Yoga & Wellness Retreat!

Featuring BeYou Yoga & Wellness owner, Mariam Fares, you will be guided on a mindful journey to Relax + Rejuvenate + Reconnect along the shores of Limberlost Lodge Beach at Chub Lake. Trained in Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative and Ashtanga styles, Mariam will lead participants through two (2) days of Stepping into Summer with an upbeat and playful, yet grounding experience.

During the Summer Solstice it is a time to honour the sun and welcome nature with openness in our hearts and minds. Join Mariam in a variety of disciplines to help you RE-SET by connecting Mind, Body, & Breath. This retreat will focus on Vinyasa, Yin, & Restorative Yoga suitable for ALL LEVELS and abilities.

Participants will embark on an experience of awakening the mind, body & spirit with a variety of disciplines throughout the retreat. Commencing with the Fire Ceremony Friday evening, the schedule will also feature sessions such as: “You Pose, We Pour” Sip + Flow, 108 Sun Salutations, Silent Forest Bathing, with a Wrap-Up Yin Yoga Melt. Sunday morning will focus on accessing those connective tissues to create loads of beautiful space to embrace the new season.

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INCLUDED:

  • Five (5) Meals (Supper with wine Friday/ Breakfast, Lunch, Supper with wine Saturday/ Brunch Sunday). Meals will be fully balanced and focused on healthy options (menu to follow). Vegetarian and other diet preferences can be accommodated with prior notice (see registration sheet)

  • Cottage Accommodation for two (2) nights. Each cottage has a fully equipped kitchen, 3 piece bathroom, hotel-style duvets with triple sheeted linens, toiletries, and towels also provided.

  • ALL programming included. Sessions commence Friday evening and wrap up prior to brunch Sunday.

  • Access to all amenities such as canoes, kayaks, Scouts, Hydro-bikes, etc. *All safety gear is provided

  • PRE-RETREAT Warm Up: Thursday evening - participants will be provided access to a 45 minute class to get ready for the weekend!

  • POST RETREAT: Warm Down with a complimentary 45 minute online session from the comfort of your own home.

SPECIALS for RETREAT PARTICIPANTS:

  • Interested participants can also take advantage of signing up for a complimentary late check out if they wish to work with Mariam 1:1 after the retreat wraps up. For an additional fee Mariam is offering retreat guests customized programming Sunday afternoon at a reduced rate of $50 /1 hour PRIVATE session.

  • Participants signing up for private sessions Sunday afternoon, or online after the retreat can also enjoy 50% off an unlimited month of online Yoga classes!

RATES (Per Person, EXLCUDES HST @ 13%):

Registration pricing is per person, based on cottage selected. Tiered pricing is based on number of guests in each cottage.

ALL COTTAGES have a deck with private propane BBQ, patio furniture, indoor fireplace (all are wood burning EXCEPT Ladybug Hut - our only cottage with a propane fireplace), fully equipped kitchens (dishware, bakeware, full sized appliances, coffeemaker, microwave, toaster, etc). Participants also have access to the outdoor Grotto Fire Pit and Kissau Nature Trails. Guests MIGHT also have access to the Sauna Haus & Book Nook (COVID 19 RESTRICTIONS PENDING - SAUNA and Book Nook are CURRENTLY CLOSED).

  • PINE HAUS: Our largest cottage features 3 bedrooms (1 Queen, 1 Double, 3 Single beds), modern bathroom with oversized shower (bench and grab bar), TV, wood-burning fireplace, large private backyard. PACKATE RATE: $544 pp (#7 Guests) OR $574 (#6 Guests) OR $599 (5 Guests) * FIVE 5 guest minimum to book this cottage

  • MACDONALD HOUSE: Our largest 2 bedroom (1 Queen, 1 Double, 1 Single + 1 Single in living area) features old cottage charm with its huge kitchen and living room, wood-burning fireplace and fully covered deck with peaceful views of Chub Lake. PACKAGE RATE: $544 pp (6 Guests) OR $574 pp (5 Guests) OR $599 pp (4 Guests) * FOUR (4) guest minimum to book this cottage

  • LADYBUG HUT: Just steps from the beach our newest cottage provides two adorable bedrooms (1 Queen, 1 Double, 1 Single Bed) a spacious new living room, TV service, propane fireplace, private backyard, a covered and open deck as well as unobstructed views of the lake. PACKAGE RATE: $544pp (#5 Guests) OR $574pp (#4 Guests) OR $599pp (#3 Guests) *3 guest minimum to book this cottage

  • LOONS NEST: Our smallest two bedroom (2 Doubles & 1 Single Bed - small futon in kitchen for youth) is located directly on the beach at Limberlost. The Loons Nest provides for a private dock , large deck and cozy atmosphere with wood-burning fireplace and kitchen table overlooking the lake. PACKAGE PRICE: $544pp (#5 Guests) OR $574pp (#4 Guests) OR $599pp (#3 Guests) *3 guest minimum to book this cottage

  • LILY PAD: One half of our DUPLEX, the Lily Pad is too cute for words! Solid log construction, this “bachelor” style cottage is suitable for an individual looking for privacy during their retreat, or a couple. This cottage contains 1 Double bed in the main living area with large stone fireplace. The kitchen can also accommodate a single rollaway bed, allowing for a 3rd guest, if preferred. Please note - this cottage is loved for its TINY footprint! PACKAGE RATE: $799pp (SINGLE) OR $559pp (#2 Guests) OR $499pp (#3 Guests)

HOW TO REGISTER:

OR CALL Wendy at 705-828-0461

Please Note: Spaces for our first retreat will be limited to 20 participants to provide a more intimate and customized experience.

Meet you on the mat in June!

Limberlost Lodge ~ New Hosts Welcome You!

Happy New Year ~ New Beginnings

After 30+ years of dedication to creating lasting memories for generations, The Kissau Family has passed along their beloved Limberlost Land to your new hosts, Wendy & Kenny Forrest.

Our aim is to carry on the deep culture and history of Limberlost Lodge that has developed and been carefully nurtured throughout the years.  We hope to sit down with members of the Kissau and MacDonald Families in the near future to update the site with the rich history of our new home... your holiday home away from home!

We look most forward to welcoming both long-time friends of this special community, as well as new visitors alike!