Friend, you deserve connection, joy, and fun!
We live in world of diet culture, beauty standards, and isolation. I know how disconnecting it can be to move through the world as a person interested in body liberation and living a diet-free life! There are tons of us out there, but finding each other can be so hard.
I want us to come together in community to share, grow, support, heal, connect, and have a lot of fun!
In a world of disconnection and body shaming, let’s create a little bubble of positivity and joy. You deserve this - we all deserve this! We all deserve to be together in delicious abundant community, pressing the pause button, and giving ourselves the gift of body liberation.
Join me for this retreat, centering your personal needs. This magical community space will be your refuge from expectation, obligation, judgment, and criticism. It will be a luxurious cocoon to wrap yourself in as you nurture and nourish yourself in exactly the ways you deserve. Step away from daily life and find joyful community, relaxation, and fun with other folks in a diet-free, weight neutral, body-liberation space!
You deserve to have access to relaxation, comfort, luxury, spaciousness, and support.
Community is key to ensuring we can sustain the important work of body-liberation. We are always stronger together. We are always more powerful together.
Caring for our bodies is a radical act! Caring for each other is liberation in action!
You deserve a joyful vacation centering your needs. Finding community, relaxation, creativity, connection, fun, and space is important, not frivolous.
A welcoming, body-liberatory, diet-free space to relax and connect with other folks in community
A thoughtfully curated luxury gift bag from Laura to make your retreat time extra special
A variety of beginner-friendly yoga, flexibility/mobility, and movement classes to practice embodiment and connect with yourself without pressure or expectation
Delicious abundant meals, drinks, and snacks tailored to your dietary needs and preferences
A spacious agenda leaving plenty of unstructured time for lounging, enjoying the amazing lazy river and pool, enjoying the onsite spa, and connecting with your new friends
Lots of options for self-reflection and personal growth through journaling, movement, creative activities, and group discussions
Plenty of joy and fun-filled activities like the body-liberation pool hangout, game night, and community time together
“Laura’s retreat was absolutely amazing! In just a couple of days she was able to establish a sense of community among the participants and helped me grow in so many ways. I tried stuff I never would have tried before, but Laura doesn’t pressure you to do anything you’re uncomfortable with. It’s definitely a safe space. If you have ever thought about going to one of her retreats, jump on it before they fill up. You won’t be sorry!”
“This retreat was well planned and the theme was on point. It was comfortable, yet challenging. It was full of new activities for me, yet I never felt like an outsider. it was very welcoming and accepting. I would recommend a retreat by Laura to anyone. I left feeling inspired, encouraged, and strong. It was amazing.”
“I am so thankful that I got to attend a retreat led by Laura. Since I had taken classes with her in the past, I knew that she has an uncanny ability to provide a safe, welcoming, and relaxed space. This no-pressure leadership style combined with her talent as a yoga instructor and body positivity coach made for an amazing retreat. ”
“I’d never attended a retreat before and was nervous about fitting in and feeling comfortable. I took the leap and am so grateful I did! There’s something about being together that felt very healing and I will attend another retreat in the future. I felt taken care of and supported in every moment. ”
An ultra-luxury hotel and spa adjacent to the fabulous Discovery Green Park in downtown Houston
Gorgeous modern interior design, glamorous gathering spaces, and exceptional service
Relaxing in-house spa with massage, body treatments, facials, nail, and hair services offered
Incredible pool deck with Texas shaped lazy river, infinity edge pool, and hot tub
Abundant + delicious gourmet meals and snacks provided by the hotel’s restaurant
Fly into Houston via Southwest and take a quick ride to the hotel. Be sure to use their COS policy!
Curious about accessibility? Check out the FAQs below for info about physical and financial accessibility.
Premium amenities + modern luxurious finishings to make your stay comfortable and relaxing
Stunning Houston views of Discovery Green Park, Minute Maid Stadium, and the amazing pool deck
A variety of room types to fit your needs perfectly and give you the space and privacy you want
Concerned about the sizes of seating and spaces? Check out our measurements info page!
Everything is optional! Meet your body where it is and only do what feels right for you in the moment
There will be a thoughtfully crafted schedule for our time together, but you decide what to do at all times
With two full days of spaciousness, there is plenty of time to find rest, ease, and connection in different ways
Programming options will include, but are not limited to gentle yoga, body liberation discussions + activities, community crafting time, fun nighttime activities, a body liberation pool party, and more!
You’re the boss! During your free time you can do whatever sounds good to you. Visit the spa, hang out in bed, relax with new or old friends, visit the park next door, frolic in the lazy river, or do literally anything else you want because it’s your vacation!
Eight delicious meals, daily catered am + pm snacks, and all day access to drinks to stay hydrated
Thoughtfully curated gift bags I’ve stocked with special treats to make your retreat time the best
Materials and instruction needed for movement classes, body liberation activities, and other programs
Classes and activities intentionally planned to maximize your relaxation, connection, and fun
A spacious ballroom with comfortable seating where there’s plenty of room to spread out
Access to a gorgeous infinity edge pool, Texas-shaped lazy river, and hot tub with downtown views to live your best life
Not included are the hotel room of your choice, any spa services, any alcohol or other food and drink outside of what is included in the daily service. We have secured a discounted room rate with the hotel. See the registration page for all the details price breakdown.
Hi! I’m Laura Burns (she/her), creator of Radical Body Love Yoga. Finding accessible yoga, body liberation, and inclusive community literally saved my life. Ever since then I’ve dedicated myself to learning, growing, and helping other folks find the joy and magic in their bodies and lives.
As a Body Liberation Guide, I encourage people to be present in their bodies, explore movement, and to feel empowered to make choices that honor their needs and wants.
I believe in the radical notions that your body deserves love and respect as it is in this very moment, that we are powerful and deserving of pleasure and luxury, and that we all have the potential to live in full color! I’m so excited to come together with you to support, honor, empower, share, and rest with each other!
October 13-16, 2024 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Houston, TX
8 spots left
“I was nervous about attending a retreat where I didn’t know anyone, but it turned out better than I could have expected! I felt supported, heard, loved, and like I could join in or not without being judged. ”
“Who knew that yoga could be such a game changer for how I feel about myself? Laura’s yoga instruction is a healing experience.”
Is the hotel going to be accessible for me?
Check out the Marriott Marquis Houston’s website for more info on the hotel and guestrooms.
All main hotel areas are accessible via elevator, including the lobby, rooms, pool deck, spa, ballrooms (our main gathering space) and nearby accessible restroom.
The Marriott Marquis Houston has ADA accessible guest rooms that are included in our discounted room rate.
The infinity edge pool has a chair lift, but the lazy river and hot tub do not.
There is a parking garage attached to the hotel with accessible parking spaces and access to the hotel. There's a covered pull-through area for loading, unloading, and accessing valet parking. There is step free access to the hotel lobby.
If there are any worries about width of furniture you can refer to the measurements page which gives detailed info on the measurements of most chairs on the property.
Price transparency
You work hard for your money, so I want to be as transparent as possible when it comes to our pricing! I know all too well how it feels to invest in something and not know whether the value is there or not. Please know that I care deeply about financial accessibility, which is why I offer up to 12 months of payments. However, I understand that the costs may be inaccessible to many. Here are the costs associated with running the event, which I hope will help you understand why it’s priced as it is.
The cost of hosting this event is coming directly from me and registration fees, not sponsors, which is why I want to tell you as much as I can! I’ve put my heart and soul into this retreat, and want to make sure everyone participating is getting an amazing experience that leaves them refreshed, connected, and supported!
The venue itself is $16,000 + tax and fees for the space rental, food, and programming costs.
I have allocated $6,000 for programming supplies + materials, luxurious gift bags, and my travel/rooms/meals.
The total of all of this is around $22,000. (These costs cover up to 15 attendees. Venue fees and other expenses will increase at a higher attendance level.)
I am charging $1,800 for this event in order to cover these costs, the cost of my planning time and expertise, and the cost of my time and energy spent actually facilitating the event. I hope this price breakdown is helpful in understanding why the event fee is what it is. I care very deeply about financial accessibility, so please visit the registration page to see the payment options available to you. I understand that the cost of this event is not accessible to many people. I’m currently working on creating a retreat center and spa, centering the needs of fat and disabled people, with a focus on physical and financial accessibility. Until that dream is realized, this model of hosting at hotels is what I have to work with. Bare with me!
COVID policy
Registration is limited to folks who can show proof of being fully vaccinated, which I’m defining as having the main vaccination dose(s) and at least one booster shot.
We are not requiring masks for attendees. However, all attendees are welcome and encouraged to wear a mask at any time if they choose to. Any CDC mandate or updates will supersede this policy.
How do you recommend getting to the retreat?
You are responsible for your transportation to and from the retreat. If you need to fly, you can fly into Houston, TX, and I recommend Southwest Airlines. Be sure to take advantage of their Customer of Size Policy. Check out my video about flying while fat and specifically the COS policy. The info starts at around minute 1:25.
After you register you’ll have the option of joining a Discord server to communicate with other attendees. This is a great place to start to get to know each other and to connect about carpooling from the airport!
Plan to arrive at the retreat venue by 3pm PT on October 13th and depart around 12pm CT on October 16th.
