ABOUT US
The Hard & The Soft Yoga Retreats and Adventures was founded in 1975 in Winter Park,Colorado, and is one of the most prestigious and comprehensive yoga schools in the United States. Directed by Beryl Bender, internationally renowned yoga teacher and author, the school has been offering both weeklong and weekend retreats in classical yoga and meditation, as well as 200 and 500 hour teacher training certification courses for almost 50 years.
The Hard & The Soft 200 and 500 hour Yoga & Meditation Teacher Training programs – both in person and online – were ongoing from 1980 through 2022. Over that time, the courses evolved into one of the top teacher training programs in the country. Hundreds of our graduates can be found all over the world, literally, serving their communities and teaching in universities, yoga centers, corporations, rehab facilities, prisons, churches, senior centers, schools, and hospitals. Currently, our school’s attention is focused exclusively on national and international yoga retreats and immersion weeks and weekends in meditation and practice, and we are not currently running teacher training programs.
The school derived it’s name from the Zen proverb which says “Only when you can be extremely pliable and soft can you be extremely hard and strong,” and was founded by Beryl in 1975 in Winter Park, Colorado. All are welcome.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Omega Institute this summer with Beryl
July 28th – August 2nd, 2024
Discover how you can experience greater peace of mind and a deeper sense of joy and happiness—no matter what is happening in your life—through mindful meditation and movement.
Join us in Oaxaca, Mexico!
October 19th – 26th, 2024
One of our favorite yoga adventures is always our trip to the World Heritage site of Oaxaca. Located in the mile high valley of the Sierra Madre Mountains, this city is the cultural and magical heart of Mexico.
Join Beryl for our first trip to Guatemala, Feb 1st – Feb 8th, 2025
I have been wanting to go to Guatemala since 1974 when I first learned about the Mayan culture!
ONLINE COURSES
Learn with Beryl Bender and her faculty from the comfort of your own home at your own pace!
RETREATS & ADVENTURES
Join Beryl Bender for food, fun, fitness, health, and laughter in beautiful locations.
WORKSHOPS
Continuing Education workshops for teachers or those pursuing their teacher training certification.
We are connected by a universal desire to evolve,
but each of us must find our own distinctive path.
~Beryl Bender