Ataraxis Yoga

03/17/2026

Are you eyeing the retreat… but feeling a little anxious? I can relate! 🤍

Every retreat I’ve ever attended, I second guessed if I should be going. I’ve talked myself out of some (even after I paid!). And it took real courage to show up for others.

But when I offer myself a little grace and find the courage to attend, the feeling at the end is always the same — I am always grateful I took the time and space for me. Each time, I leave loving and welcoming myself a little more than before.

If you’re feeling that pull and that hesitation at the same time…
you’re not alone.

This isn’t a space where you have to be “on.”
You don’t have to be outgoing.
You don’t have to know everyone or anyone.

You can ease in gently.
Take space when you need it.
Be quiet. Be social. Or somewhere in between.
There is no pressure to perform.

Our retreat is a non-judgemental space to show up as the human being that you are, without the need to wear a mask. We accept you for you, and you belong with us.

If part of you is curious — even a little —
that’s enough.

If this is speaking to you - if you find this relatable - reach out or comment below. 🫶

03/16/2026

A few weeks ago, I fell into the pilates reformer. I mean total crash and burn. The little girl in me automatically moved to fat shaming, but the recovered adult in me tamed those thoughts right away - I know the fall had absolutely nothing to do with my size or even my physical ability. It was lack of familiarity with the machine in a brand new pose that unexpectedly took me beyond my literal reach, not my muscular ability.

The scenario was just a great reminder that when I walk into a room, I have every right to show up as me - no matter what happens. I don’t have to hide or condemn myself because I look different than the other women in the class room. And you don't either.

Stigmas and branding could use that reminder, though. Cue the elephant in the room post below.

Let’s address the elephant in the Pilates studio.

Sometimes when a bigger body struggles in class, people quietly assume it’s because of their size. Like the springs suddenly become more judgmental when someone above a size 6 touches them.

But here’s the truth no one says out loud:
Pilates is supposed to be hard.

When you’re actually engaging your core, controlling your spine, stabilizing your pelvis, and breathing properly… it humbles everybody. Thin bodies. Athletic bodies. Flexible bodies. Everyone gets the shakes.

Pilates isn’t harder because your body is bigger.
It’s harder because you’re doing it correctly.

The springs don’t care about your clothing size.
Your muscles don’t check the tag in your leggings before they fire.

Pilates challenges bodies based on effort, control, and precision — not aesthetics.

So if you’re shaking, sweating, and making your “Pilates face” (you know the one)… congratulations.

You’re not failing.
You’re doing real Pilates.

03/14/2026

Exploring somewhere new does something powerful for the nervous system.

It interrupts routine.
Invites curiosity.
Engages the senses.

Exploration offers a different scenery, a new path, a shared moment of “let’s see what’s up here.”

Movement, fresh air, and discovering new places together help bring us back into the present moment.

At Unplug & Recharge, exploring the area is part of the experience.

Sometimes the most meaningful moments happen between the scheduled activities.

---

Unplug & Recharge - Spring Edition
A 3-day Women’s Retreat in the Black Hills

May 14 - 17, 2026

2️⃣ Shared accomodations &
1️⃣ Private suite available

www.ataraxisnd.com/unplug

03/12/2026

I'm still learning to love the parts of me that no one claps for.

I’m learning to treat my body more like a home and less like a project to manage.

Not something to control or to fix.
But something to care for ---
Something to return to with love and appreciation.

And when I approach myself this way,
everything softens.

My pace.
My expectations.
The pressure to get it all right.
I finally stop shoulding all over myself.

This body doesn’t ask for perfection.
It asks for presence.

And the more I listen, the more I realize it’s been speaking to me all along with gentle guidance and encouragement.

There is nothing to fix because I was never broken.

Who can relate?

03/09/2026

This is the part of retreat that no schedule can really capture.

After a beautiful day of movement, creativity, fresh air, and good food… we gather around the fire.

Barefoot in the grass.
Sweatshirts on.
Marshmallows roasting.

The conversation slows down, the laughter gets louder, and somewhere along the way a group of women who arrived as strangers starts to feel like something closer to friends.

This is the magic of Unplug & Recharge.

Not just the practices.
Not just the beautiful setting.

But the moments in between.

Unplug & Recharge — Women’s Retreat
Black Hills • May 14–17

A few spots are still open if you feel the pull to join us.

03/08/2026

Imagine ending your day like this.

We sit down to chef-prepared meals made with locally sourced ingredients.

Warm food.
Real ingredients.
And some of the best darn desserts you can imagine.

No cooking.
No dishes.
No rushing anywhere.

Just women sharing a table, slowing down, and enjoying a meal someone thoughtfully prepared for us.

This is what retreat feels like.

Unplug & Recharge — Women’s Retreat
Black Hills • May 14–17

Come be taken care of for a few days.

03/07/2026

Tomorrow night we begin.

Soft Landing — A Sunday Evening Practice

Dim the lights.
Roll out your mat.
Let the weekend exhale.

45 minutes of slow movement and guided rest to help you ease into the week ahead.

Sundays at 7pm (online)

Peaceful on purpose.

---

Register at www.ataraxisnd.com/upcoming-events

03/06/2026

I'm genuinely curious to know, what would you look for? 🫶

---

📷 Soulology

03/06/2026

Sometimes creativity is less about the outcome… and more about letting something inside you move.

🎉 Announcing a new experience at our 3 day women's retreat Unplug & Recharge this May!

---

🎨 Make Your Mark with Deana Novak 🎨

You don’t have to be creative to benefit from creating.

This two-session creative experience invites you to explore art in a way that’s playful, calming, and completely free of pressure. No experience required — just curiosity.

Day 1️⃣ is about exploration. Through simple mark-making practices using movement, color, and intuitive art, we begin loosening the idea of doing things “right” and rediscover creativity as a way to relax the mind and settle the body.

Day 2️⃣ brings those experiences together as you create your own mixed-media canvas piece. Guided by choice and curiosity, you’ll leave with artwork that reflects your personal expression — and simple creative practices you can return to long after retreat.

This experience is designed for real people, not artists. No perfection. No pressure. Just the freedom to create.

You may leave with artwork…
but more importantly, you leave remembering what it feels like to create freely.

One small glimpse into the kind of experiences we’ll share together in the Black Hills this May.

---

🌲 www.ataraxisnd.com/unplug

03/03/2026

Dim the lights.
Light a candle.

Unhurried stretch.
Deep, supported rest.

Peaceful on purpose.

---

Soft Landing is your new 45-minute Sunday evening ritual of calm.

www.ataraxisnd.com/upcoming-events

03/02/2026

Yoga Snacks start tomorrow. 🙌

Translation: you don’t have to power through the afternoon like a hero.

These short, midday resets are designed to loosen tight shoulders, wake up sleepy brains, and help you shake off the morning so you can head into the rest of your day feeling clearer and more energized.

No outfit change required.
No performance expected.
Just 30 minutes to move, reset, and keep going.

Tues • Wed • Thurs at noon (online)
March 3rd - April 2nd; $69

💻 www.ataraxisnd.com/upcoming-events

03/01/2026

If Sundays make you anxious before Monday even starts, you’re not alone.

For a long time, I thought the weekends just went by too fast. Looking back, I was never really 'off' — even when I wasn’t working, part of me already was.

By Sunday afternoon, the Sunday Scaries crept in. My brain jumped ahead to Monday, running through conversations, problems, everything waiting for me — both real and imagined.

I stayed keyed up all the time, and I believed that was just what ambition felt like.

So I pushed through.
I told myself this was the cost of success.
I didn’t realize I needed something different — and even if I had, I wouldn’t have known where to start.

That’s why I created Soft Landing — A Sunday Evening Practice.

It’s not about doing more.
It’s about letting your body come out of survival mode.

Forty-five minutes of guided restoration — slow movement, myofascial release practices, and deeply supported stretching designed to help you settle before the week begins.

You won’t come to push yourself.
You’ll come to unwind and put the pieces back together.

Sundays beginning March 8 • 7pm • Online
4 class package $49

It’s the practice I needed back then — and it’s still the one I come back to now 🤍

Maybe Sundays don’t need bracing.
Maybe they just need a Soft Landing.

🌐 www.ataraxisnd.com/upcoming-events