Yoga and Meditation Retreats on Bowen Island
Nectar is a retreat centre in the forest on Bowen Island, a 20-minute ferry ride from West Vancouver. We host yoga, meditation, breathwork, teacher trainings and seasonal gatherings, taught by the Nectar team and by visiting teachers who draw students from across North America and beyond.
Breathe in. Feel the serenity of the trees, the whispers of the wind, the beauty of unspoiled nature. Breathe out. Let go of the daily grind. This is Nectar.
FEATURED BY
Retreats and Events with the Nectar Team
Day retreats, overnight retreats and evening events led by co-founder Andrea Clark and the Nectar teachers, from solstice gatherings and sound baths to silent retreats.
Retreats with Visiting Teachers
Yoga, meditation, breathwork, wellness and spiritual retreats led by teachers who travel to Bowen with their own communities. Choose from day retreats, multi-night retreats and evening classes through the year.
The Nectar Experience, a 2-Night Stay on bowen
Come on your own dates for two nights in a forest cottage, with daily yoga, meditation and a plant-based breakfast.
Mist Thermal Sanctuary, next door
Book a private sauna and cold plunge circuit in the forest beside Nectar, as a day trip to Bowen or as part of your retreat.
Featured Wellness Events
Step into the heart-expanding practice of Bhakti Kirtan, a devotional chanting experience that connects us through sound, stillness, and community. In this 90-minute gathering, we begin with grounding breathwork and mindfulness before easing into a call-and-response mantra practice. Most mantras are chanted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga.
Join Deviki for a heart offering at Nectar Yoga Retreat.
Listen to the deepest longing of your heart and accept the invitation to relax into presence and uncover what lies at the centre of your being, deep beneath the fleeting experiences of suffering and happiness.
Join Georgie and community in nature for a unique offering as we gather in ceremony for heart-opening cacao and Himalayan Breathwork journey.
Rooted in ancient Himalayan teachings, combining kundalini kriya, breathwork, meditation and mantra these powerful practices work on both the physical and subtle body, supporting the nervous system and reconnecting you to a deeper sense of self, a quiet state of bliss within.
Grief lives in the body. It arrives not only through loss, but through love, transition, and the unmet hopes we quietly carry. Touching the Bruise is a one-day grief retreat co-facilitated by Andrea Clark, co-founder of Nectar Retreat and Mist Thermal, and Chloe Hunter, a Threshold Doula and ritual guide who supports life’s sacred beginnings and endings.
Mimi Young and Andrea Clark are excited to offer a new retreat this year: The act of making is one of the oldest available forms of return: to the body, to attention, to the ordinary pleasure of a thing becoming.
Many Hands is a five-day arts and crafts retreat at Nectar on Bowen for people who create, who practice, who carry a great deal and are in need of refreshment; who are ready to set some of it down for a few days in the company of others doing the same.
Join us for a transformative 4-night Silent Retreat at Nectar. Align with the quietude of the late Autumn season, fostering inner gentleness and intuitive insight. Experience the beauty of the forest here on Nexwlélexwm (Bowen Island), as you immerse yourself in silence and simplification, allowing yourself the gift of conscious deceleration. This retreat invites you to disconnect from any electronic devices, creating space for a deeper connection with nature, yourself, and the present moment.
The term "solstice" originates from the Latin words “sol”, meaning "sun," and “sistere”, meaning "to stand still." During this significant time, the sun's path appears to pause. Gathering in Nectar’s geodesic dome, each participant will be invited to reflect on their journey from the Summer Solstice to the arrival of Winter. Through gentle functional movement and an invigorating pranayama practice (yogic breathing), we will step into deeper relaxation with the meditative vibrations of a crystal bowl sound bath, concluding with shared written intentions and a communal bonfire.
Unwind with the soothing power of crystal healing bowls, guided breathwork, yin yoga and yoga nidra, designed to balance your nervous system and promote deep relaxation. These transformative sound bath sessions incorporate Solfeggio frequencies and other healing tones to promote sound healing, while also guiding you through breathwork that builds resilience and reduces stress.
Join Carolyn in a comprehensive 5 day course at Nectar Yoga on Bowen Island, designed to help you explore the profound benefits of breathwork for both personal wellness and professional application. Dive deep into the when, where, and how of various breathwork practices, including techniques for both down-regulating and activating the nervous system to achieve optimal health.
Reconnect with the grounding wisdom of the earth in this immersive afternoon of ritual, storytelling and ceremony with Megan Sheldon at Nectar Yoga Retreat on Bowen Island. Explore ancient traditions, earth symbolism and meaningful practices through nature connection, personal reflection and shared stories. Discover the gifts of steadiness, belonging and renewal as you create your own personal ritual to carry home, deepening your connection to the natural world and the rhythms of everyday life.
Explore the transformative wisdom of water through ritual, storytelling and meaningful ceremony with Megan Sheldon at Nectar Yoga Retreat on Bowen Island. This immersive afternoon invites you to reflect on the themes of emotional connection, cleansing, grief and life's transitions through ancient symbolism, shared stories and time spent connecting with the natural world. Discover how water rituals can honour change, encourage reflection and bring deeper meaning to life's everyday moments, while creating a personal ritual to carry home.
Explore the transformative power of fire through ancient rituals, storytelling and ceremony with Megan Sheldon at Nectar Yoga Retreat on Bowen Island. This immersive afternoon invites you to discover the symbolism of fire, exploring themes of courage, transformation, release and renewal. Through shared stories, personal reflection and meaningful ritual practices, connect with the wisdom of this powerful element and create your own fire ritual to carry home.
Explore the wisdom of air through breath, sound, storytelling and ceremony with Megan Sheldon at Nectar Yoga Retreat on Bowen Island. This immersive afternoon invites you to discover the symbolism of air, exploring themes of clarity, perspective, intention and connection. Through shared stories, song and meaningful ritual practices, discover the power of giving voice to what matters most and create a personal ritual to carry into everyday life.
Step into the heart-expanding practice of Bhakti Kirtan, a devotional chanting experience that connects us through sound, stillness, and community. In this 90-minute gathering, we begin with grounding breathwork and mindfulness before easing into a call-and-response mantra practice. Most mantras are chanted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga.
Step into the heart-expanding practice of Bhakti Kirtan, a devotional chanting experience that connects us through sound, stillness, and community. In this 90-minute gathering, we begin with grounding breathwork and mindfulness before easing into a call-and-response mantra practice. Most mantras are chanted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga.
Step into the heart-expanding practice of Bhakti Kirtan, a devotional chanting experience that connects us through sound, stillness, and community. In this 90-minute gathering, we begin with grounding breathwork and mindfulness before easing into a call-and-response mantra practice. Most mantras are chanted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga.
Step into the heart-expanding practice of Bhakti Kirtan, a devotional chanting experience that connects us through sound, stillness, and community. In this 90-minute gathering, we begin with grounding breathwork and mindfulness before easing into a call-and-response mantra practice. Most mantras are chanted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga.
Step into the heart-expanding practice of Bhakti Kirtan, a devotional chanting experience that connects us through sound, stillness, and community. In this 90-minute gathering, we begin with grounding breathwork and mindfulness before easing into a call-and-response mantra practice. Most mantras are chanted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga.
Step into the heart-expanding practice of Bhakti Kirtan, a devotional chanting experience that connects us through sound, stillness, and community. In this 90-minute gathering, we begin with grounding breathwork and mindfulness before easing into a call-and-response mantra practice. Most mantras are chanted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga.
Step into the heart-expanding practice of Bhakti Kirtan, a devotional chanting experience that connects us through sound, stillness, and community. In this 90-minute gathering, we begin with grounding breathwork and mindfulness before easing into a call-and-response mantra practice. Most mantras are chanted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga.
Step into the heart-expanding practice of Bhakti Kirtan, a devotional chanting experience that connects us through sound, stillness, and community. In this 90-minute gathering, we begin with grounding breathwork and mindfulness before easing into a call-and-response mantra practice. Most mantras are chanted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga.
Upcoming Classes, Events + Day Retreats
Join us on the weekends for Nectar Yoga on the Pier at Bowen Island Marina! Our outdoor community classes are returning, offering yoga sessions in a natural setting. Experience the beauty of nature as we practice yoga together, surrounded by ocean views, mountains, sunshine, and a supportive community. Our classes follow a flow style and are suitable for practitioners of all levels.
Join us on the weekends for Nectar Yoga on the Pier at Bowen Island Marina! Our outdoor community classes are returning, offering yoga sessions in a natural setting. Experience the beauty of nature as we practice yoga together, surrounded by ocean views, mountains, sunshine, and a supportive community. Our classes follow a flow style and are suitable for practitioners of all levels.
Are you ready to break up with perfectionism? You’re not alone. Join Heather and a group of like-minded souls at Nectar Yoga Retreat on beautiful Nexwlélexwm (Bowen Island) for an afternoon of exploration, self-kindness, and grounding practices. You’ll honour the amazing person you already are while considering how your life might feel more soul-filling and free as you let go of chasing perfect in little and big ways.
Step into the heart-expanding practice of Bhakti Kirtan, a devotional chanting experience that connects us through sound, stillness, and community. In this 90-minute gathering, we begin with grounding breathwork and mindfulness before easing into a call-and-response mantra practice. Most mantras are chanted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga.
Join Jane, as we gather under towering trees, within a cozy geodesic dome, warmed by a wood stove. Through movement, nature and rest, as the flame dies down, the embers of your practice remain.
With curiosity, we explore the physicality of the practice. This is an afternoon of movement, nature, and rest. This practice is designed to leave you grounded, restored, and carrying that warmth home.
Join Carolyn Anne Budgell for an afternoon retreat - an opportunity to experience the beauty of Nectar Yoga on Bowen Island while immersing yourself in soothing mindfulness practices for an intentional reset. Carolyn will share tools to help you slow down, reconnect to yourself and discover new ways of caring for your nervous system and heart. Through Guided Meditations, Restorative Spa Yoga, Soothing Breathwork and Group Discussions, you’ll leave feeling clearer, calmer and more whole.
Enjoy an afternoon with Cheyenne Merlo for a day retreat designed to make you feel refreshed and connected. Intentionally set in nature, you'll spend the day moving through yoga, pilates, mindfulness and meditation. Nectar Yoga is a scandinavian inspired retreat centre, just a 20 minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay! It’s one of Vancouver’s best kept secrets. You can expect an incredible venue, curated music, a balance of sweat and stillness - a lighthearted yet grounding experience. You will feel a sense of energy, inspiration and groundedness after your Day Retreat.
Join Georgie and community in nature for a unique offering as we gather in ceremony for heart-opening cacao and Himalayan Breathwork journey.
Rooted in ancient Himalayan teachings, combining kundalini kriya, breathwork, meditation and mantra these powerful practices work on both the physical and subtle body, supporting the nervous system and reconnecting you to a deeper sense of self, a quiet state of bliss within.
Grief lives in the body. It arrives not only through loss, but through love, transition, and the unmet hopes we quietly carry. Touching the Bruise is a one-day grief retreat co-facilitated by Andrea Clark, co-founder of Nectar Retreat and Mist Thermal, and Chloe Hunter, a Threshold Doula and ritual guide who supports life’s sacred beginnings and endings.
Join Carolyn Anne Budgell for an afternoon retreat - an opportunity to experience the beauty of Nectar Yoga on Bowen Island while immersing yourself in soothing mindfulness practices for an intentional reset. Carolyn will share tools to help you slow down, reconnect to yourself and discover new ways of caring for your nervous system and heart. Through Guided Meditations, Restorative Spa Yoga, Soothing Breathwork and Group Discussions, you’ll leave feeling clearer, calmer and more whole.
Join Carolyn Anne Budgell for an afternoon retreat - an opportunity to experience the beauty of Nectar Yoga on Bowen Island while immersing yourself in soothing mindfulness practices for an intentional reset. Carolyn will share tools to help you slow down, reconnect to yourself and discover new ways of caring for your nervous system and heart. Through Guided Meditations, Restorative Spa Yoga, Soothing Breathwork and Group Discussions, you’ll leave feeling clearer, calmer and more whole.
The term "solstice" originates from the Latin words “sol”, meaning "sun," and “sistere”, meaning "to stand still." During this significant time, the sun's path appears to pause. Gathering in Nectar’s geodesic dome, each participant will be invited to reflect on their journey from the Summer Solstice to the arrival of Winter. Through gentle functional movement and an invigorating pranayama practice (yogic breathing), we will step into deeper relaxation with the meditative vibrations of a crystal bowl sound bath, concluding with shared written intentions and a communal bonfire.
Unwind with the soothing power of crystal healing bowls, guided breathwork, yin yoga and yoga nidra, designed to balance your nervous system and promote deep relaxation. These transformative sound bath sessions incorporate Solfeggio frequencies and other healing tones to promote sound healing, while also guiding you through breathwork that builds resilience and reduces stress.
Reconnect with the grounding wisdom of the earth in this immersive afternoon of ritual, storytelling and ceremony with Megan Sheldon at Nectar Yoga Retreat on Bowen Island. Explore ancient traditions, earth symbolism and meaningful practices through nature connection, personal reflection and shared stories. Discover the gifts of steadiness, belonging and renewal as you create your own personal ritual to carry home, deepening your connection to the natural world and the rhythms of everyday life.
Explore the transformative wisdom of water through ritual, storytelling and meaningful ceremony with Megan Sheldon at Nectar Yoga Retreat on Bowen Island. This immersive afternoon invites you to reflect on the themes of emotional connection, cleansing, grief and life's transitions through ancient symbolism, shared stories and time spent connecting with the natural world. Discover how water rituals can honour change, encourage reflection and bring deeper meaning to life's everyday moments, while creating a personal ritual to carry home.
Explore the transformative power of fire through ancient rituals, storytelling and ceremony with Megan Sheldon at Nectar Yoga Retreat on Bowen Island. This immersive afternoon invites you to discover the symbolism of fire, exploring themes of courage, transformation, release and renewal. Through shared stories, personal reflection and meaningful ritual practices, connect with the wisdom of this powerful element and create your own fire ritual to carry home.
Explore the wisdom of air through breath, sound, storytelling and ceremony with Megan Sheldon at Nectar Yoga Retreat on Bowen Island. This immersive afternoon invites you to discover the symbolism of air, exploring themes of clarity, perspective, intention and connection. Through shared stories, song and meaningful ritual practices, discover the power of giving voice to what matters most and create a personal ritual to carry into everyday life.
Step into the heart-expanding practice of Bhakti Kirtan, a devotional chanting experience that connects us through sound, stillness, and community. In this 90-minute gathering, we begin with grounding breathwork and mindfulness before easing into a call-and-response mantra practice. Most mantras are chanted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga.
Step into the heart-expanding practice of Bhakti Kirtan, a devotional chanting experience that connects us through sound, stillness, and community. In this 90-minute gathering, we begin with grounding breathwork and mindfulness before easing into a call-and-response mantra practice. Most mantras are chanted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga.
Step into the heart-expanding practice of Bhakti Kirtan, a devotional chanting experience that connects us through sound, stillness, and community. In this 90-minute gathering, we begin with grounding breathwork and mindfulness before easing into a call-and-response mantra practice. Most mantras are chanted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga.
Step into the heart-expanding practice of Bhakti Kirtan, a devotional chanting experience that connects us through sound, stillness, and community. In this 90-minute gathering, we begin with grounding breathwork and mindfulness before easing into a call-and-response mantra practice. Most mantras are chanted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga.
Step into the heart-expanding practice of Bhakti Kirtan, a devotional chanting experience that connects us through sound, stillness, and community. In this 90-minute gathering, we begin with grounding breathwork and mindfulness before easing into a call-and-response mantra practice. Most mantras are chanted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga.
Step into the heart-expanding practice of Bhakti Kirtan, a devotional chanting experience that connects us through sound, stillness, and community. In this 90-minute gathering, we begin with grounding breathwork and mindfulness before easing into a call-and-response mantra practice. Most mantras are chanted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga.
Step into the heart-expanding practice of Bhakti Kirtan, a devotional chanting experience that connects us through sound, stillness, and community. In this 90-minute gathering, we begin with grounding breathwork and mindfulness before easing into a call-and-response mantra practice. Most mantras are chanted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga.
Step into the heart-expanding practice of Bhakti Kirtan, a devotional chanting experience that connects us through sound, stillness, and community. In this 90-minute gathering, we begin with grounding breathwork and mindfulness before easing into a call-and-response mantra practice. Most mantras are chanted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga.
Upcoming Retreats
This weekend retreat is an invitation to reconnect with yourself through intentional movement, mindfulness, and relaxation. You’ll spend the weekend recharging through intentionally moving your bodies through yoga and pilates, breathwork, contrast therapy with sauna and cold plunging, meditation, spending time in nature, eating nourishing food and more.
Join Ally Boothroyd and Kristyn Rose for a transformative retreat at Nectar Yoga on Bowen Island — a sanctuary where forest meets ocean and the soul finds stillness. These seasonal gatherings are an invitation to slow down and return to balance through yoga, meditation, and the wisdom of nature. Each day unfolds gently with breath and movement in the luminous yoga dome beneath the canopy of cedar and fir. Through Yoga, Yoga Nidra, and Ayurveda-inspired practices, we explore grounding, renewal, and connection to the rhythms of the earth.
You’re invited to set down the pressure, the pace, and the noise of daily life. Here, surrounded by nature and held by a caring, like-hearted community, you’ll reconnect with the joy that lives beneath the surface of everything you do. Through mindful movement, nourishing rituals, joyful workshops, and the simple beauty of spaciousness, you’ll rediscover your spark and gently rekindle the flame within — because joy doesn’t need to be chased, only remembered.
This weekend retreat is an invitation to reconnect with yourself through intentional movement, mindfulness, and relaxation. You’ll spend the weekend recharging through intentionally moving your bodies through yoga and pilates, breathwork, contrast therapy with sauna and cold plunging, meditation, spending time in nature, eating nourishing food and more.
Nestled in Howe Sound, a fjord northwest of Vancouver, Bowen Island is where she hopes to share the rhythms of the fog and the firs with you. This is a retreat led by nature, to explore your edges in challenge and movement, in stillness and rest, so that you can return to our own steady rhythms. Among coastal rain, ancient trees, and the grey hush of the Pacific Northwest, the world feels closer, slower, and more alive. This retreat is a place for thoughtful humans living full lives to pause, restore, and resource. A return to yourself, and remembering how.
Mimi Young and Andrea Clark are excited to offer a new retreat this year: The act of making is one of the oldest available forms of return: to the body, to attention, to the ordinary pleasure of a thing becoming.
Many Hands is a five-day arts and crafts retreat at Nectar on Bowen for people who create, who practice, who carry a great deal and are in need of refreshment; who are ready to set some of it down for a few days in the company of others doing the same.
Step away from the rush of everyday life and gift yourself the space to slow down, reflect on this quiet meditation retreat. Over 3 days and 2 nights, we will explore many types of Meditation, Mindfulness, and Breathing practices to give the entire system a gentle reset.
Guided by Carolyn, you’ll be immersed into an easeful sense of quiet with her most cherished Mindfulness practices—all thoughtfully woven together. The entire experience will fill you with all the grounding and solitude (in a supportive group environment) you seek.
Join us for a transformative 4-night Silent Retreat at Nectar. Align with the quietude of the late Autumn season, fostering inner gentleness and intuitive insight. Experience the beauty of the forest here on Nexwlélexwm (Bowen Island), as you immerse yourself in silence and simplification, allowing yourself the gift of conscious deceleration. This retreat invites you to disconnect from any electronic devices, creating space for a deeper connection with nature, yourself, and the present moment.
Guided by Carolyn, you’ll be immersed into an easeful sense of slowness with her most cherished Mindfulness practices - all thoughtfully woven together. Mornings begin gently, and the schedule allows for ample personal downtime in between the sessions. Many of the practices will take place in the geodesic dome, where the warm fireplace and calming forest views create a cozy and comfortable space. The entire experience will fill you with all the grounding and solitude you seek.
Join Carolyn in a comprehensive 5 day course at Nectar Yoga on Bowen Island, designed to help you explore the profound benefits of breathwork for both personal wellness and professional application. Dive deep into the when, where, and how of various breathwork practices, including techniques for both down-regulating and activating the nervous system to achieve optimal health.
As winter turns to spring, give yourself space to pause, reset, and return to your centre. Designed for deep rest and renewal, this peaceful escape blends slow flow, Yin yoga, meditation, and journaling with contrast therapy, forest walks, and fireside connection alongside a welcoming circle of women. Step away from the daily noise, melt into stillness, and return home rested, inspired, and whole.
Together, Lisa and Jasmin lead practices that challenge the body, steady the mind, and create space for real connection and renewal. Through laughter, honest conversation, shared meals, and intentional practices, this retreat is a space to slow down, move with intention, and come back to what matters.
Over three days on Bowen Island, you’ll unwind through Breathwork, Pilates, yoga, and somatic movement. All practices that regulate your nervous system, restore your energy, and reconnect you to your body’s natural rhythm.
Full moons bring to light heaviness that we may be carrying, and allows us space to release what no longer serves us; such as practicing letting go of limiting beliefs, unhelpful habits and negative emotions that keep us suffering. Throughout this retreat, we will expand our thoughts on what may be misaligned within, to make room and for what is possible to achieve. This opportunity is ideal to connect with yourself, sit in silence, and calm the mind from distraction. Allow the mind and body to still, to reset, and begin again, intentionally and confidently.
Online Classes
What people are saying about Nectar
“It’s a magical place on Bowen Island 20 min ferry ride from Vancouver, BC. Everything from the accommodations/grounds, the daily yoga practices (including some amazing and transformational guided-meditation practices from Nectar owner Andrea Clark) to the soul-filling daily vegan breakfast were beyond my expectation for the price I paid. I’ve been wanting to come here since 2019 and thank you so much Andrea and her Nectar team for creating such an amazing space for our personal self-care journeys.”
