Need a Retreat? Head to Willow, Vermont's Green Mountains Rejuvenating Getaway

Ravi and Tom own Willow, a property nestled in the Green Mountains in Vermont that offers numerous options for visitors. "Come for an individual stay, join a retreat, or host your own event in the foothills of the Green Mountains. Return home reawakened to the things that matter most," promises its website.

Both longtime yoga practitioners, they created Willow as a space where visitors can be themselves on their 5-acre property, where they can immerse themselves in the natural surroundings and participate (or not) in one of their curated retreats, such as one for gay and bi men that will be held on June 30.

Why take a retreat? Willow's website explains it this way: "Retreats offer us a way to hold and dedicate time to explore the good, the joyful, and the profoundly creative person we really are. When cultivating the practices that make us truly happy we can re-experience the infinite joy of being. For a time during the retreat, the outside world holds still while our inner practice takes center stage. We leave a retreat reawakened. We return home with fresh knowledge of what matters most."

Activities at the upcoming three-night mini retreat for gay, bi, trans, and queer men include morning yoga, a visit to Rock River Preservation gay hangout, hiking, evening meditation, and a nighttime gathering by the fire pit and pond.

EDGE spoke to Tom and Ravi about the upcoming retreat, how Willow came to be, and the benefits of practicing yoga in the nude.

EDGE: Tell us about Willow?

Tom: Ravi and I are both longtime yoga practitioners. During the pandemic, we were staying home a lot, working a lot, and doing a lot of home yoga. We were also spending weekends in Vermont, and we started to fall in love with it. We heard about this property for sale, and after discussing for months how to best utilize it, we bought it.

Ravi: After months of discussion, our vision for Willow would be helping people, including ourselves, create more balance in our lives between the things that we do for a living and the things that make life more meaningful.

EDGE: Is Willow is an Airbnb or a retreat?

Tom: It's more of a retreat. Although, we do use it as an Airbnb. We are open all week, but most of the stays are on weekends. Whatever your stay is with us, Willow is a place where you can come to recharge and reconnect with yourself or others.

EDGE: Willow is situated in the lovely part of Vermont. Can you describe the surrounding area and nature?

Tom: We're three miles from Rock River, which is a well-known gay beach. It's a clothing-optional, beautiful place to swim and relax. We are nestled in a valley of the Green Mountains. Around us there are mountains with elevations of 3,000 feet and above. We are also near ski mountains and lots of places for hiking, especially in the Green Mountain National Forest. It is really a beautiful part of Vermont to live, visit, or explore.

EDGE: Tell us about your Gay and Bi Men's Retreat that is on the weekend of June 30th.

Ravi: There will be yoga (clothing optional) and meditation every morning. In the evenings, there will be a bonfire. We will serve two meals a day. We don't follow any rules, like the other retreats have. There are not strict schedules. The afternoons are for people to do whatever they want; if they want to go to the river, take a hike, or just hang out on the property, they can. We also invite other gay and bi men from the community to join.

EDGE: What are the benefits of practicing yoga in the nude?

Tom: I don't think there's any specific yoga benefit, but I do think there's a psychosocial benefit. It's really about embracing our bodies, wherever they are in terms of flexibility, strength, or looks. Shedding clothes, at least for me, is symbolic of shedding pretense and fear. When you do it in a safe environment, I think it's a great way to build self-confidence. In our classes here, while some are nude, others do wear underwear and or yoga clothes. The experience is really about what makes you feel comfortable.

EDGE: What is the importance of having these gay and bi retreats?

Tom: Building community. Willow is a place for us to share yoga, meditation, and art. These are our staple retreats, and they can also be a mixed crowd. We have straight men and women and members of the LGBTQ community attend. We also have retreats that are just for gay and bi men. These retreats are for us to have a safe and shared experience in a nurturing environment.

EDGE: What is the LGBTQ community like in South Newfane and in the surrounding area?

Ravi: It's become a hotspot for gay men and couples, especially in southern Vermont. We are close to Rock River Preservation, which is a clothing optional beach. So, as you can image it gets quite crowded in the summer. Rock River may be the draw to get folks here, but after they look around at the surroundings they don't want to leave.

EDGE: What do you want your guests to take away from having a visit at Willow?

Ravi: Feeling well rested. The stunning, beautiful, and natural surroundings here are amazing. When you step out onto the back porch and you look out over the meadow, hills, and pond, you will instantly feel relaxed. When they leave here, I hope they will feel a sense of community from a group of people who are supportive and nurturing.

Tom: Health and sustenance. Whether you are visiting for a short stay or joining us for one of the retreats, we want our guest to build a sense of community. The retreats are a great way to do that. We have lots of activities and ways for everyone to interact, which is becoming less and less common these days.

For more information about Willow: A Vermont Retreat visit, https://www.willowvt.com/