Move Slowly
Live Fully
Soulful retreats designed for rest, movement, connection, and meaningful experiences in beautiful places.
Upcoming Retreats
Blue Mountain - Spring
May 7 - 9, 2027
Join us for a three day spring weekend nestled in the woods of Swiss Meadows. This retreat offers the perfect balance of movement, restoration, and meaningful connection, all within a magical treehouse setting surrounded by the fresh beauty of the spring season.
Tuscany, Italy
August 22 - 27, 2027
Spend six summer days in the heart of Tuscany, where slow mornings, movement, shared meals, and golden evenings become your daily rhythm. Surrounded by rolling hills and the beauty of the Italian countryside, this retreat is an invitation to slow down, reconnect, and fully savor the present moment.
Nova Yoga Retreats
Hi! I'm Jess, founder of Nova Retreats.
I've always been drawn to movement and the sense of freedom, joy, and connection it brings. I was first introduced to yoga in 2008 and was immediately drawn to the way the practice challenges us both mentally and physically. From that moment, I was hooked.
Over the years, I explored a variety of styles, from dynamic Vinyasa flows to slower, more restorative Yin practices, discovering something valuable in each. When I moved to Alberta in 2015, my practice deepened significantly. There, I began studying with the teacher who would later become my mentor and completed my RYT-200 teacher training.
Seven years later, I returned to Ontario, where I continued expanding my knowledge through Usui Reiki, Vinyasa, and Yin Yoga. Today, I teach yoga full-time and love sharing these practices with others.
After a few years of teaching, I started thinking about how meaningful it would be to spend more than just an hour together each week. I wanted to create a space where people could step away from the busyness of everyday life, connect with like-minded people, and simply be.
That's how Nova Retreats came to life.
Our Philosophy
The name Nova comes from the Latin word meaning "new." In astronomy, a nova is a star that suddenly shines more brightly than before. To us, it represents renewal, growth, and the moments in life when we reconnect with ourselves and what matters most.
At Nova Retreats, we believe that movement, rest, and connection are essential parts of living well. In a world that often asks us to move faster and do more, creating space to slow down can be a powerful act of self-care.
Each retreat is thoughtfully designed to bring you back to yourself through mindful movement, nourishing meals, time in nature, and meaningful connection. We believe there is value in both stillness and adventure, reflection and laughter, solitude and community.
Our retreats aren't about becoming someone new—they're about creating the space to reconnect with who you already are.
Whether you're seeking rest, inspiration, clarity, or simply a break from the demands of everyday life, we hope you'll leave feeling refreshed, grounded, and a little more connected to yourself.
“I’ve done yoga classes before but this felt completely different in the best way. You can tell Jess genuinely cares about creating meaningful experiences for people. I came home feeling refreshed and clear minded.”
- Stefanie
