Ritual Union Retreats
Travel rooted in community, good vibes, and the perfect mix of yoga, fitness, rest & adventure.
RU ready?
Imagine coming home feeling recharged, refreshed, and ready to take on life with a whole new perspective. At Ritual Union, we’re committed to creating a space—no matter the destination—where you can feel grounded, nurtured, and part of something bigger. Our retreats give you the time and space to rest, move, explore, and connect, while learning to turn your everyday routines into meaningful rituals that bring more zen into your life at home. Through thoughtfully designed classes, we’ll guide you in cultivating new joyful practices and daily rituals.
Yoga, meditation, fitness + sound healing in stunning locations,, hiking, surfing, thermal baths, nourishing meals, wine tastings, local art and culture, sailing, sunsets, spa treatments, live music, laughter, and heartfelt conversations with like-minded people.
Our retreats are led by Melissa Joy Schoeller, founder of Ritual Union, and supported by a talented team of experienced co-teachers. Together, we create a nurturing environment where each participant feels supported, challenged, and inspired. Our team is made up of yoga teachers, fitness instructors, wellness experts, and each one brings their unique skills and passion to help you deepen your practice, rejuvenate your body, and connect with a like-minded community.
Come as strangers, leave as friends. You will be back over and over again, building lifelong friendships along the way.
Leader + Teacher
Melissa Joy Schoeller has led 70+ retreats around the world. She founded Ritual Union after winding down another very successful retreat business and is also the owner of Hola Yoga MN - an award winning Minnesota based yoga studio. Melissa was inspired to start RU after seeing how travel gave people the opportunity to open themselves, and yoga and wellness elevated a vacation into a transformative experience to appreciate the beauty within all things from a centered and grounded perspective.
Co-Teacher
Graduating from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a bachelor of science in both Exercise Science & Dance, Bridget is the owner of a coaching and training business Fit by Bridget, a NASM Certified Personal Trainer of thirteen years, a group fitness instructor of 13 years, a Precision Nutrition Certified Health Coach of more than four years, a former Minnesota Timberwolves Dancer as well as Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader, and will forever be a lover of all things travel!
For Bridget, teaching on retreat checks all of her happiness boxes –meeting new people, sharing her love of movement, exploring new places, it's simply the best!
In her free time, you can find her on a lake with her husband and friends or on a trail with their adorable dogs.
Co-Teacher
Chelsea is an RYT200 certified yoga teacher and Reiki practitioner passionate about helping others find balance and alignment in body, mind, and soul. She teaches a variety of styles, from dynamic and energizing vinyasa flows to the deeply restorative practice of yin yoga, offering a holistic approach that caters to all levels. Chelsea’s love for travel and global yoga practice shapes her retreat practices, creating an environment that blends mindfulness, movement, and community connection in meaningful ways.
Co-Teacher
Maggy is a passionate yoga instructor who cultivates travel and connection within her yoga practice. With a deep focus on mindfulness, breathwork, and holistic well-being, Maggy creates a nurturing environment for participants to reconnect with themselves and find balance. Her retreat sessions blend dynamic flows, restorative sequences, and meditative practices tailored to rejuvenate body and mind. Drawing from 12 years of experience (200 Hour RYT, Yoga Sculpt certifications), a background in Vinyasa, Yin Yoga, and Group Fitness classes, Maggy aims to inspire students to deepen their practice, embrace self-care, and cultivate inner peace in breathtaking retreat settings. When away from her yoga mat, Maggy enjoys traveling to unique destinations in search of the perfect wave; she is a designer in the graphic field and values educating others about botanical plants and flowers in her hometown.
Co-Teacher
After years of deepening her own practice, Elizabeth became an RYT 200 yoga teacher in 2008 and a certified personal trainer in 2019. Since then, she’s led classes in Minneapolis as well as throughout her rural county “up north” in Sandstone, MN. Her focus is on making yoga as accessible, joyful, and playful as possible, because we could all use more lightness and joking and savasana, right? When not teaching, she’s a freelance writer for health and wellness, and her work has appeared in Runner’s World, Women’s Health, TIME Magazine, and SELF, among other publications. She lives in a cabin with her five perfect cats and will talk anytime about cold plunges, tattoos, and dance movies.
Role
We take pride in our RU community, check out some of our testimonials.
To pause from the daily grind, nourish yourself with rest, exercise, and nutritious meals. Experience new cultures, build community, and embrace true self-care.
Step away to connect and come back inspired.
Details for each retreat can be found on the unique pages for each experience. Typically, retreats consist of 2-3 yoga and fitness classes daily. We also provide recommendations on additional excursions in our retreat locations. Each retreat page will note if any excursions are included with your ticket, or if they are available for additional purchase. Delicious meals are often served on-site, but will be specified in your ticket as well.
Come as you are! We recognize everyone comes into retreat with their own intentions and RU retreats are setup to honor that. We the option of 2-3 Yoga + Fitness classes daily, you are able to do as little or as much as you like. Our goal is to allow you to feel stronger, healthier and more grounded when you leave
Depending on the venue, you can expect 13-28 retreaters.
DO IT! Most of our guests come solo, and our retreats are all about creating a supportive and inclusive space for everyone. You'll have endless opportunities to connect with like-minded souls, and chances are, you’ll build friendships that last a lifetime. Come as strangers, leave as family—that's the magic of an RU retreat!
We offer multiple accommodation options for solo travel including setting you up with a roommate or paying a little more for private accommodations based on your preference.
We are lucky to partner with venues that offer yoga mats so there is no need to travel with yours. If you prefer your own mat you are more than welcome to bring it.
A Lot of people are worried about this! We have people from 16-85 on retreats. On average 85% of retreaters are 30-60. We create an environment on each retreat that is inclusive to all, you will feel supported, welcome and empowered no matter what you age on a RU retreat.
Each retreat will specify whether there is a specific food menu, such as vegetarian, or if it includes other dietary options. To ensure the best experience for all retreaters, we also ask about dietary restrictions or preferences during the registration process. Please share any specific needs, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you!
RU ready for an incredible experience?!
· Eight weeks before your retreat, you will also need to make any final payments before the retreat.
· Around 1-3 weeks before your retreat, we will share your itinerary, optional excursions, area highlights, and lodging confirmation. Get excited!
· A week before your retreat, we'll invite you to a WhatsApp group to easily communicate any key information, final logistics, scheduling changes, and to put you in touch with other retreaters. Then, the countdown to a week of magic begins!
Booking your retreat is easy! Just put down a 25% non-refundable deposit to secure your spot. Full payment is not due until 6 weeks before we travel. We offer flexible payment plans so you can pay your remaining balance in increments that work for you at any time.
Because we have to book ahead with the venue, deposits are nonrefundable. However, in most instances, they are transferable to a trip within 1 year of your original booking date if you need to reschedule. Please see our cancellation policy for additional details.
Purchasing insurance on your trip is highly recommended to protect your investment and give you extra peace of mind!
Better safe than sorry – protect your adventure! We highly recommend adding travel insurance at checkout – it's your one chance to secure it, as you can’t go back and add insurance after the purchase is made. The cost is typically 7-10% of your booking value, offering peace of mind for a small price.
We’ve partnered with Xcover, a trusted name in travel and event insurance. They boast a 4.7 'Excellent' rating on Trustpilot and an impressive NPS score of 65+. Just note, if you ever need to file a claim, it will be handled directly through Xcover, not through Ritual Union Retreats.
We get it – things come up and sometimes plans change! Here are details on how our cancellation policy works:
Cancellation 61 days in advance or more of the retreat start date:
We offer a full refund (minus the non-refundable deposit already paid) or
You can transfer 100% of the amount paid (minus the deposit) as a credit toward another retreat within 1 year.
Cancellation 60–31 days in advance of the retreat start date:
We offer a 50% refund (minus the non-refundable deposit already paid) or
You can transfer 75% of the amount paid (minus the deposit) as a credit toward another retreat within 1 year
Cancellation within 30 days or less of the retreat start date:
Unfortunately, we aren’t able to offer a refund, but you can transfer 50% of the amount paid (minus the deposit) as a credit toward another retreat within 1 year.
·Cancellation within 15 days or less of the retreat start date:
No refund or transfer options are available.
At Ritual Union, your safety is one of our top priorities during your retreat experience. In the event we need to cancel due to a natural disaster posing a safety concern, we cannot offer refunds or travel costs. If possible, we will notify you at least 60 days prior and you will have the choice to:
Transfer 100% of your deposit toward another retreat, or
Receive a full refund of your deposit.
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance or adding booking protection at checkout to safeguard against these unexpected situations.
Some of the best travel stories come from friends, family, colleagues, or fellow yogis who just can't stop talking about their adventures. In fact, many of our retreaters first hear about us through word of mouth or social media buzz, and we’re so grateful for that!
As a thank-you, we're offering a $100 credit towards your next retreat for every new retreater you refer who books a trip with us. It's our way of showing appreciation for spreading the good vibes!
Want an added bonus? Refer 10+ new retreaters in one calendar year to score an extra $500 credit! That mean’s you’ll rack up a total of $1,500 in retreat credits for more yoga, more adventures and more good vibes!
To qualify for our referral offer, just make sure you've completed at least one RU trip with us before referring others, and the credit is yours.
Leave the group travel planning to us! Whether you’re hosting a yoga retreat, organizing a company experience, or gathering your besties and family, we’ve got you covered. We’re your go-to partner, ready to be as hands-on or hands-off as you like.
Think of us as your trusted retreat expert and friend, here to plan everything—from the perfect destination and accommodations to meals, excursions, and local cultural experiences. At Ritual Union, we’ll curate every detail so you can relax, connect, and soak up every moment together!
Reach us at hello@ruyogaretreats.com.
Our exclusive swag is the perfect way to keep the retreat vibes alive after your adventure ends. Grab your fav swag and rep a piece of the journey wherever you go. And who knows, maybe you’ll see and connect with another retreater!
We love to hear from current or prospective retreaters. You can reach us at hello@ruyogaretreats.com
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