filling retreats, gently

Where your people already are

You don't have to broadcast, hustle, or "do social." Your people already gather in rooms all over town. The whole plan is just: show up, give, connect.

Start here — five small moves

In order. You could do one a week.

1
Email your newsletter list about the next retreat.
Your warmest people — they signed up to hear from you. A personal note, not a blast. (It's also the channel you already like.)
2
Go to a Lighthouse Sanctuary work party. 2nd Sunday · 10am–1pm · Scio
Your exact people doing your exact thing. Go to connect, not pitch. See dates →
3
Have coffee with a couple of Portland qigong teachers.
Tiny niche — word of mouth is everything. Start with Rose Allen and Ryan Powell (Qi of Sound).
4
Offer a free intro class at a yoga studio.
Re-lights the studio funnel that used to fill your retreats. The People's Yoga (NE Killingsworth) gives nonprofit discounts.
5
Ask your Yelapa & elephant partners to cross-promote.
Their audiences are already your people — animal lovers who travel. A reciprocal mention is the warmest reach there is.

Where to show up

A little directory — names, links, dates. Dip in, don't drink it all.

🐐 Animal & vegan community

Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary work party — every 2nd Sunday, 10am–1pm, Scio. Your people, your activity.
Northwest VegFest — Aug 29–30, Wingspan Event Center, Hillsboro. A big, friendly crowd to be among. events →
NW VEG monthly potlucks — 2nd Sunday, 5–7:30pm (Westside: West Hills UU · Eastside: Stone Tower).
Try Vegan PDX — community + events hub.

🧘 Qigong peers (word-of-mouth network)

Rose Allen — qigong, in-person + online.
Ryan Powell · Qi of Sound — qigong, tai chi, Daoist practice.
Portland Tai Chi Academy — + James Lusk's community classes.

🌱 Permaculture & food forest (your new direction)

Portland Food Forest Initiative — connects land-rich sites with people who want to tend one. Community for your backyard. bullseye
Portland Permaculture Meetup — based near NE Alberta.

🕉️ Yoga studios to guest-teach

The People's Yoga — NE Killingsworth; nonprofit discounts.
Awakenings Wellness Center — community room from ~$15/hr.

💫 Retreat & women's-circle world

New Moon Women's Circles — Portland meetups.
Wildish — directory of women's circles & retreats; list yours, find collaborators.
BookRetreats — list your retreat for cold discovery.

Two things you already have

Your newsletter list — the warmest, most opted-in audience you've got. Most likely to book.
Your partners — Never Forget Elephant Foundation & Yelapa Animal Project. A reciprocal mention reaches pre-qualified people.

And the social-media part? Keep it light. A beautiful photo (Casper in the dappled light) is a gift — gifts never bother anyone. The asks happen out in these rooms, not in a feed. You're a connector, not a broadcaster.

Dates are current as of mid-2026 — tap a link for the latest before you go.