Hi, I’m CJ,

the founder of Bent Tree Retreats. Here is a little about me and how Bent Tree Retreats came to be.

When I first discovered yoga in 2007, I was a young design professional simply trying to counteract the physical toll of sitting at a desk for 40+ hrs a week. What I found was a practice that followed me off of my mat and out into the world. It not only strengthened my body, but also my mind and my spirit.

Looking for a meaningful way to help others, I completed my 200-hr Fluid Yoga teacher training and obtained my SPA Yoga – Level I certification in 2019. In order to enhance my classes, I have completed additional training in yoga philosophy, meditation, advanced assisting and Thai Bodywork. In 2024, I also completed my SPA Yoga – Level II certification.

The most transformative part of this journey was the profound connection I felt with the people and places I encountered. Through them, I experienced compassion, loving-kindness, and joy, gaining insights about the world and myself that no classroom could offer. So in 2023, I launched Bent Tree Retreats to facilitate meaning experiences for others.