Weekend Getaways: Heading North — Song of the Morning

By Petula Brown

I am usually excited to venture to new places. But on a recent Friday afternoon, after a week of air and road travel, I was maxed out, and I was hoping for some respite at a weekend retreat center up north that I was scheduled to visit. I just needed to rally enough energy and awareness for the four-hour drive. This was new territory for this East Coaster whose Michigan experiences have mainly focused on the southeastern region. I opted for the US-127 approach through Mount Pleasant. It lacked the speed of an interstate highway, but the closer proximity to towns, lakes, and parklands afforded a degree of intimacy missing from my typical highway commutes. I turned off the car audio to use the drive as an exercise in mindfulness. The subtle foliage changes became more pronounced as I drove past Clare, Grayling, and Gaylord, and made my way to the town of Vanderbilt and Song of the Morning (SOTM), a long-established yoga retreat center set on 800 beautiful acres.

As I turned off Vanderbilt’s Main Street and onto Sturgeon Valley Road East, I appreciated arriving at dusk, but questioned my ability to find the destination without natural light. Thankfully, the winding road through the forestland led me to the retreat’s main sign. After a light rainfall, a misty haze blanketed the area. Traversing the wooded path I hoped to hear or see more wildlife, but the sound of swaying trees was all I heard as I moved toward the main house. Walking trails and small garden plots dotted the landscape.

An evening meditation session coincided with my arrival, so while I waited for my hostess, I decompressed in the house waiting area. The influence of Hinduism was evident in the artwork and decor gracing the property, including a gift shop that carried clothing, bath items, and reading material that reinforced the spiritual foundation of SOTM. Particularly prevalent were images of Paramahansa Yogananda, an Indian yogi who introduced Americans to mediation and yoga while living in the United States from 1920 through the 1950’s. Yogananda became famous for his book, Autobiography of a Yogi, certainly the book which introduced more Americans to yoga than any other book of its time. As the Guru of Detroit businessman J. Oliver Black, Yogananda inspired Black to establish SOTM, eighteen years after Yogananda’s death, as a location dedicated to teaching yoga as a lifestyle and philosophical choice promoting physical, intellectual, and spiritual development.

Reading about Song of the Morning’s history, I was inspired to begin meditating in the waiting area, an effort to engage with the energetic forces all around me. While the darkness and isolation surrounding the house was initially foreboding, it encouraged a degree of introspection and connectedness that would be challenging to achieve in a more distracting environment. It was a good way for me to occupy myself while waiting for the hostess’s return.

Read related article: The Deeper Benefits of a Day of Silent Meditation

Making my way from the main house to accommodations in the lodge was a short drive toward an unassuming house. The living room space, adorned with Hindu art, was the site of the evening’s mediation session. My sleeping quarters were comfortable and simple, but not austere. SOTM’s quiet hours (10:30 p.m.-7:30 a.m.) ensured a restful and calm experience, which was enhanced by the absence of phone or television. I made a conscious effort to leave my laptop in the car in order to appreciate a low-tech getaway.

The lack of technology freed me up to explore the wooded landscape of Song of the Morning at first light. Walking trails afforded an opportunity to envelop the mind, body, and spirit in the natural world. Garden areas, campsites, and a creek traversed the property adding to the tranquil setting. From what I gathered, cranes and coyotes are both equally comfortable exploring the terrain. Guesthouses and camping accommodations are scattered on the property with mindful consideration of the landscape…enough space to have a meditative walk but locations for group activities are also available.

I met a private group whose members I hadn’t encountered earlier in my explorations, when I arrived at the main house for brunch. The communal experience provided a different perspective of SOTM. The opportunity to see SOTM used as a social hub was quite a contrast from its introspective origins focused on spirituality and yoga. While I was visiting as a solo adventurer, the SOTM accommodations and staff also provide options for groups looking for a serene escape for relaxation and renewal.

Whether visiting with a group or alone, SOTM provides guests not only a retreat location, but a spiritual home to “connect with self,” as described by manager Jennifer Saks. The ashram setting recognizes Yogananada, and the lineage of Self-Realization Fellowship masters, while embracing visitors of all faiths. Though known for Hatha and Kriya yoga practices, Song of the Morning welcomes opportunities to host other spirituality-focused programs. The annual YogaFest is a summer event ideally suited for individuals, couples, groups, and families to relax, renew, and rejoice with a variety of planned activities. In 2020, a range of events are planned to celebrate several milestones, including the 10th anniversary of YogaFest, the 50th anniversary of SOTM, and the 100th anniversary of Paramahansa Yogananda’s arrival in the United States.

My visit to Song Of The Morning was quite different from the golf outings and ski trips that are typically associated with a weekend “Up North.” It was an opportunity to embrace natural beauty and focus on introspection. Far enough for a unique experience, but close enough to be an accessible weekend getaway.

To contact Song of the Morning for reservations or inquiries, call (989) 983-4107, visit them online at songofthemorning.org, or visit them at 9607 Sturgeon Valley Road East, Vanderbilt, MI.

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