Song of the Morning Yoga & Meditation Retreat

09/10/2026

What a beautiful celebration we shared during Yogacharya Birthday Weekend! 💛

Our hearts are full of gratitude for everyone who gathered with us at Song of the Morning to celebrate the life and legacy of Yogacharya Oliver Black and the spiritual vision entrusted to him by his guru, Paramahansa Yogananda. 🙏

Throughout the weekend, we shared in meditation, fellowship, remembrance, stories and archival history, wonderful meals, and the joy of being together as a spiritual community.

One especially meaningful moment was the Wheelhouse Dedication. Gathered together on the newly renovated, improved, and expanded deck, Naren K. Schreiner led us in prayer and dedication as we celebrated this milestone and the ongoing work of caring for and improving this special place.

We also celebrated the release of Fellowship with Yogacharya, Volume 2, another special moment in a weekend devoted to remembering Yogacharya and preserving and sharing his teachings and memories.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our friends and community, funds were raised during Birthday Weekend to support the ongoing work of the Ranch and our renovation projects. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed, whether through prayer, time, service, or financial support.

And our Circle of Friends grew in a wonderful way! 💛

✨ 23 new friends joined the Circle during Birthday Weekend, bringing us to 53 Circle of Friends!

Yogacharya himself began the Circle of Friends during his final Birthday Weekend before his mahasamadhi in 1989. Today, the Circle continues to carry forward the vision Paramahansa Yogananda entrusted to him. Through recurring contributions, Circle of Friends members provide dependable support that helps sustain this sacred refuge and our ability to serve all who come here for spiritual refreshment and renewal.

OUR GOAL: 108 CIRCLE OF FRIENDS BY SEPTEMBER 30 💛

We are still on our way to 108, and there is time to be part of the Circle! Throughout the rest of September, we’ll share updates on our progress as we continue toward our goal.

No amount is too small. It’s about being part of this, together.

To everyone who celebrated with us, volunteered, shared memories, offered support, became a Circle of Friends member, or helped make Birthday Weekend possible: thank you. 💛

Learn more about the Circle of Friends, the work already accomplished, the work still ahead, and ways to participate:

songofthemorning.org/friendship

09/05/2026

09/03/2026

🍂 Imagine spending an autumn weekend surrounded by the colors, quiet, and beauty of northern Michigan.

Nature’s Portals: Take a Journey to the Heart of Nature invites you to slow down and experience nature in a deeper, more intentional way through guided activities, meditation, playful discovery, and peaceful reflection.

Inspired by the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, this Spiritual Living Retreat explores the natural world as a doorway to greater awareness, balance, and connection.

Led by Bruce and Carol Joy Malnor, who bring more than 40 years of experience leading nature awareness retreats and workshops, the weekend will include experiences such as Forest Bathing, Listening to Nature, the Trail of Beauty, Deep Nature Play, Stillness Meditation, and more.

Whether walking beneath the colorful canopy, sitting beside the river, or simply becoming still enough to listen, you’ll find opportunities to reconnect with nature—and yourself.

🍁 Nature’s Portals: Take a Journey to the Heart of Nature
📅 October 2–4, 2026
📍 Song of the Morning Yoga & Meditation Retreat | Vanderbilt, Michigan

Learn more & register:
https://songofthemorning.secure.retreat.guru/program/natures-portals-take-a-journey-to-the-heart-of-nature

08/29/2026

Come Join Us Labor Day Weekend! All are Welcome!

Yogacharya’s Birthday Weekend Celebration
September 4–6, 2026 | Song of the Morning
Vanderbilt, Michigan

This year, as we gather to celebrate Yogacharya Oliver Black’s birthday, we also celebrate something that has always been at the heart of Song of the Morning: friendship.

When Paramahansa Yogananda entrusted Yogacharya with the vision that would eventually become Song of the Morning, Yogacharya wondered how such a tremendous undertaking could ever be accomplished. Master’s response was beautifully simple:

“…all I’m asking you to do is put your mind to it, and we’ll all help you.”

That spirit continues today.

Birthday Weekend is a time to gather in friendship and fellowship, honor Yogacharya’s life and spiritual legacy, give thanks for all we have accomplished together, and look forward to all that is still to come.

Whether you have been part of Song of the Morning for decades or have never visited before, we warmly invite you to join us. All program activities are free for this special weekend.

Learn more and register for Birthday Weekend:
https://songofthemorning.secure.retreat.guru/program/yogacharyas-birthday-weekend-celebration

The Foundation is Friendship
Learn more about Circle of Friends, Birthday Weekend giving, and all we’ve accomplished together:
https://songofthemorning.org/friendship

08/26/2026

🍁 The Colors of Joy: An Autumn Hatha Retreat for Cultivating Happiness in Daily Life

September 18–20, 2026

September is National Yoga Awareness Month! Join us at Song of the Morning for a peaceful and inspiring autumn weekend with the Golden Lotus Yoga Teachers Association.

In daily life, it can sometimes be difficult to remember that our true nature is joy. The trials of life can make us feel as though we have no choice but to give in to our worries and cares. Paramahansa Yogananda teaches us that we can choose to be happy and experience that happiness no matter what circumstances we face.

Through uplifting, meditative Hatha Yoga classes and specific yoga techniques, this retreat will explore ways to make choosing happiness easier and increase our feeling of well-being.

🍂 September 18–20, 2026
📍 Song of the Morning Yoga & Meditation Retreat
Vanderbilt, Michigan

Learn more and register:
https://songofthemorning.secure.retreat.guru/program/the-colors-of-joy-an-autumn-equinox-hatha-retreat-for-cultivating-happiness-in-daily-life/

08/25/2026

"... That is the best medicine for your body, mind, and soul. It is the most wonderful way to live." - Paramahansa Yogananda

08/24/2026

🎉 Yogacharya’s Birthday Weekend Celebration
September 4–6, 2026 | Song of the Morning
📍 Vanderbilt, Michigan
✨ All are welcome!

It is with gratitude that we gather each year to honor Yogacharya Oliver Black’s birthday and celebrate his life of service, devotion, friendship, and generosity.

This year, we gather as a Circle of Friends to give thanks for all we have accomplished together, honor the past, envision the future, and continue carrying forward the vision entrusted to Yogacharya by Paramahansa Yogananda.

Join us for a special weekend of meditation, inspiring presentations, fellowship, the Wheelhouse Celebration, rare archival material, Fellowship with Yogacharya: “Life’s Journey,” and Yogacharya’s Birthday Party.

Whether you have been coming for decades or are visiting for the first time, we warmly welcome you.

All program activities are free for this special event.

🔗 Learn more and register for Birthday Weekend:
https://songofthemorning.secure.retreat.guru/program/yogacharyas-birthday-weekend-celebration/

❤️ The Foundation is Friendship

For 37 years, the Circle of Friends has helped sustain Song of the Morning. Whether you’ll be joining us in person or celebrating from afar, we invite you to learn more about our Circle of Friends, Birthday Weekend giving, and all we’ve accomplished together:

https://www.songofthemorning.org/friendship

08/23/2026

the stage is set… IT’S SHOW TIME!

The community is ready to build the next big thing: our new hoop house!

Garden dreams are coming to life, with more space to grow, play, and dream. 🩵🌿

Stay tuned for more hoop house hype! 🏡🌱

08/23/2026

Woah… something very special took place this weekend.

We tapped into an inner strength deep within ourselves (kundalini power!) and experienced Song of the Morning as a training camp for inner peace.

Now, as we enter back into the battle of activity, we stand a little taller, knowing that we are guided and protected at every crossroads, knowing that there is a peace at the innermost core of our being that cannot be shaken.

Phones were set aside for the weekend. Pictures are limited… you’ll just have to come and experience for yourself!