Power of the Practice
Hot Yoga Charlottesville
Andalucia, Spain
June 28-July 4, 2026
with Sarah Baugher & Julia Gilchrist
“I had the absolute best time. Attending my first retreat led by two of my favorite, most respected yoga teachers, by my home studio, was a dream. I got to know incredible people. I got to experience things I’ve never done before. That week was the longest I’ve gone (that I can remember) without being sad or mad. I came back fully refreshed. Would be honored to go again.”
“I would absolutely attend future retreats with Julia & Sarah. Where are we going next?”
Community Connection Practice
Three years ago we teamed up with the idea of combining our mutual passions: Yoga and Travel. What we couldn’t have known was that these retreats would feed our souls in ways we never imagined: working with some of the best healers in the world, deepening and forging new friendships, and allowing us to take our yoga classes off the beaten path so to speak.
This will be our fifth yoga retreat together, and our second in Europe. Andalucía is a special significance to us as the starting place for Santiago’s journey in Paulo Coelho’s the Alchemist.
The Lucia Yoga Retreat Center is a collection of charming Spanish villas nestled in Andalucía’s spectacular national park, Sierra de Grazalema. According to BBC Travel, this reserve is the best place to hike in Spain.
The retreat center has 5 swimming pools, a tennis court, gardens, terraces and hiking trails. Surrounded by lush mountains, the Andalucían sunlight illuminates the surrounding panoramic views. The retreat chefs prepare vegetarian meals and special diet menus are accommodated upon request.
This retreat will offer an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for yoga, personal growth and exploration. Using our deep mutual respect, friendship, and our combined 26 years teaching experience as a foundation, we plan our retreats to encourage our participants to dig deeper into who they are, how they show up for themselves and what they really need from their yoga practice.
Jointly hosting this retreat allows us to provide participants a variety of classes including Vinyasa yoga, 26&2, Myofascial Release and Qi Gong. This week will encourage participants to deepen their yoga practice, refine their postures, and focus on fostering a deeper connection between the mind and body. By incorporating kriyas (cleansing practices), pranayama (breathing exercises), functional movement and mindfulness practices with yoga, both Julia and Sarah bring a valuable and unique perspective.
Participants have the opportunity to embark on a journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and positive change. Sarah and Julia’s combined guidance, along with the retreats immersive and focused environment, can empower individuals to overcome challenges, set intentions, and create sustainable habits for a healthier and more balanced life.
We believe that’s the Power of the Practice.
Included in your Retreat
Twice Daily Yoga Offerings
Vinyasa
26&2
Myofascial Release
Qi Gong
All mats, towels, props provided
Meals Included
Brunch and Dinner are included at the Retreat Center. The meals are all vegetarian and special diets can be accommodated.
Water, tea, coffee, fruit and snacks included and available 24/7
Wine available for purchase.
Group discussion and connection
Group time, both structured and unstructured everyday. We will have ample time to get to know one another on walks, at meals and under the stars.
There will be optional time each day in the yoga room to talk, ask questions and recieve posture assistance with Julia and Sarah.
A guided hiking excursion is included in the cost of the retreat. There will also be optional excursions. Please see the excursion page.
Beautiful Accommodations
A collection of charming Spanish villas nestled in Andalucia’s spectacular national park, Sierra de Grazalema. The 17 rooms can be single or double occupancy and have air conditioning, heaters and free wifi.
Max number of participants including Sarah and Julia will be 25.
Sarah Baugher
Sarah believes in the ability of yoga to transform anyone’s mental health and physical well-being; she believes yoga is for everyone, regardless of flexibility, size, experience, age, or injury. Her classes offer an intense physical practice as a portal to the mind, the subtle body, and the spirit. She uses breath, alignment, discipline, strength and grace enable her clients to be fully immersed in their practice.
Sarah’s classes will improve your strength, flexibility, self-awareness, and overall connection of mind, body and soul. You will leave feeling rejuvenated, energized and empowered. She believes yoga can help you discover your innate potential, personal power and higher purpose, as well as a deeper understanding your True Self.
An avid learner, Sarah has completed training in yoga kurunta, iyengar, core strength vinyasa, yoga anatomy, power yoga, budokon, anatomy trains, and myofascial release. She has studied with Ray Long, Mark Stephens, Leslie Kaminoff, Tom Myers, Max Strom, Sean Corn, Trina Altman, Cameron Shayne, Sadi Nardini, Raphan Kebe, and countless others.
Sarah started her daily yoga practice in 2014 at Hot Yoga Charlottesville. In 2016, Sarah completed her 200-hour YTT and finished her 500-hour teacher training in December 2022.
Sarah is also a 300 hour trained pilates instructor. Sarah loves to spend her free time outside, in the mountains or at the beach with Henry, her 75lb puppy.
Sarah is endlessly fascinated by this human vessel; she is excited to share her passion for this practice with each of you!
Julia Gilchrist
Julia started practicing yoga at home as a teenager. Like many people she came for the exercise and stayed for the spiritual benefits. Yoga gave Julia the keys to transform her life and she is passionate about giving those tools to others. Her goals in teaching are: to move the body in a smart, balanced way that will allow her students to feel free in their bodies and to enjoy movement for as long as possible in life. And just as importantly, to give students the tools to calm their nervous systems, and regulate the mind body complex, letting go of negative thought patterns and limiting beliefs. Julia is also passionate about making yoga philosophy accessible in a modern context.
In 2008 Julia took her first Bikram Yoga class at Bikram Yoga Charlottesville. She attended Bikram Yoga Teacher training in 2010. She taught all over NYC and Austin, TX before moving back to Charlottesville in 2014.
She trained to teach Vinyasa Yoga with Mosaic Yoga in 2014. She has also trained in Yin and Prenatal Yoga. In 2023 Julia completed her 500 hour training with Jason Crandell.
Besides practicing yoga Julia is also passionate about qi gong and myofascial release. She loves hiking, gardening, cooking, dancing and traveling with her family. Julia teaches and leads 200 hour teacher trainings at Hot Yoga Charlottesville.