Yoga retreats at Los Poblanos include classes with multiple instructors, each bringing their unique style and experience to share with the group and deepen your practice. The fall retreat will be led by Colleen Kerns, who brings a unified framework designed to meet each participant where they are—in yoga and in life—and build connection with the group.
Colleen Kerns moved to New Mexico in 2021 from NYC and began teaching yoga at Los Poblanos in June of that year. She has many years of experience teaching all levels, including individuals with disabilities, as a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT). She is certified in TCM acupressure and has completed trauma-informed training, along with numerous additional certifications in yoga philosophy, Ayurveda, and other contextual studies.
Q: How did you come to yoga?
A: My training started with a visit to Southern India, where I stayed at the Sivananda Ashram. Upon my return to New York, I discovered a teaching style with Dharma Mittra, which aligned more with classical Hatha/Raja yoga, and I completed my first official yoga training there. Since then, I’ve been taught by many different teachers across various styles and lineages, but what I most carry with me and incorporate into my teaching is the classical lineage of Krishnamacharya. I have studied extensively with three of his still-living students: Srivatsa Ramaswami, Indra, and A.G. Mohan, along with their son Dr. Ganesh Mohan, who leads the Svastha Yoga Therapy program and has co-authored many books with his father A.G.
Q: What’s your approach to guiding a yoga retreat at Los Poblanos?
A: I consider my primary roles to be: Providing a safe, non-judgmental, caring, and compassionate space, developing a sense of community and connection among the participants, finding common ground to build upon together, maintaining continuity throughout the retreat, guiding and encouraging participants to share their thoughts, observations, and personal experiences, allowing for an organic narrative to emerge.
Q: What can participants expect from your yoga classes at the retreat?
A: It depends a lot on the person. Engagement is essential, both individually and as a group. Listening to yourself and others is key to getting the most out of the experience. There will be two daily yoga classes: a morning "Revive" and an evening "Replenish." These will be tailored to individual needs and abilities as much as possible while allowing room to play and explore in our unique bodies. Classes will be geared towards beginner and intermediate levels, but advanced practitioners are also welcome.
I prioritize attention to breath, especially developing the exhale, which stabilizes and provides a wonderful focus for the mind as we balance mobility, flexibility, and strength through both classical postures and innovative movements. Addressing the mind and mental energy with an (optional) walking or seated meditation before or after practice is truly the best way to get the most holistic benefit from our retreat time.
Whatever our practice level or age, we all share a desire to feel more at home in our skin, more at peace, and inhabit our bodies with more ease and clarity. The retreat space allows us to be engaged and invested together through guided discussions, observations, and Q&A time as we explore and share our thoughts, personal philosophies, and experiences in an atmosphere of warmth, compassion, and intimacy.
Q: How can participants get the most out of their retreat experience?
A: Just be willing to leave behind your typical obligations, workloads, and worries, and open up to the opportunity of finding a temporary refuge for four days of self-care and well-being in an intimate setting with a small group of like-minded people. You can look forward to a lot of downtime exploring our beautiful high desert landscape on and off the property. I encourage you to come with as few preconceived notions as possible. Let yourself be curious, let yourself be surprised, and let yourself just be.
Q: What makes a Los Poblanos yoga retreat special?
A: New Mexico lives up to its other name, "Land of Enchantment," and is truly a unique locale. The high desert mountain air, shimmering sunsets, hummingbirds, sandhill cranes, and expansive blue skies overhead—Los Poblanos’ historical significance and its wonderful organic farm right on the property make for a stunning yet restorative backdrop to our retreats. The harmony of landscape and understated elegance provides the perfect atmosphere for an intimate retreat.
The farm’s exceptional bounty will be featured in your award-winning meals at Campo. The Greeley garden is perfect for slow walks and journaling, while classes are held twice daily in our unique Wellness Yurt. Bikes are available if you want to explore further afield. La Quinta and the Hacienda Spa are notable for their historical and architectural features. The Farm Shop is a must-stop for curated gifts and little treasures, or just for a coffee, tea, or snack reboot from the friendly baristas at the front. Lastly, be sure to look out for the animals—the peacocks love to preen for pictures, and of course, there is beloved Mouse, our unofficial farm mascot (he’s a cat), who loves to pop in for a yoga class from time to time.
Middle photo by Coryn Kiefer Photography, bottom photo by Pat Furey