IN THE CURRENT:
A Yoga & Meditation Retreat on the River

Join teachers Tim Burnett and Raizaleh Bayen as we step into the rhythm of the river. Paddle with Presence is a four-day immersive retreat set in the stunning landscape of Idaho’s Salmon River Wilderness, where river rafting, gentle yoga, and meditation come together in a seamless practice of mindful living.

Each day unfolds with intentional movement, breath, and awareness. Begin your mornings with grounding meditation and yoga, then carry that presence onto the river as we paddle through pristine waters of this awe-inspiring canyon. Rafting becomes a moving meditation—an opportunity to listen deeply, engage fully, and flow with changing currents.

Mindfulness is gently woven throughout the entire day, from quiet moments on the river to shared meals, rest, and reflection. Evenings offer gentle yoga, contemplative practices, and time to integrate the day’s experiences under open skies.

This retreat invites you to slow down, unplug, and rediscover the joy of being fully present—supported by nature, community, and practice. No matter your level of experience, Paddle with Presence offers a rare opportunity to balance adventure with stillness, and effort with ease.

More about teachers Tim and Raizaleh:

Tim founded Mindfulness Northwest in 2011 with the hope of offering the transformational practices he'd learned as a student of Zen Buddhism much more widely to the community. He is a certified teacher of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), and Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT). A meditator since his teenage years, Tim's background in traditional Dharma practice informs his mindfulness work. Ordained as a Soto Zen priest in 2000, he apprenticed with Zen teacher Zoketsu Norman Fischer and is the Guiding Teacher of Red Cedar Zen Community in Bellingham. Tim also worked as a biologist in his younger years. When not in the classroom, you might find him hiking, paddling, botanizing, or birding.

Founder and Director of Open Pathways Institute for Integrative Massage, Raizelah has been teaching massage, yoga and wellness workshops for over 20 years. She is a registered yoga teacher and a nationally approved massage CE teacher. Her teaching style is grounded in Zen Buddhist breath meditation and body awareness practices. As a yoga teacher and bodyworker, Raizelah is most passionate about teaching embodiment as a path to presence. With a broad background in the healing arts, she brings to her yoga classes a variety of holistic self-care techniques that support your deepening connection to body, mind and heart. When Raizelah isn't teaching, you'll find her hiking, biking and happily kayaking.

Standard Five Day Itinerary:

Participants to fly or drive to Salmon, Idaho prior to 4 pm Sunday, August 2.  Riverside Introductions and Q&A with Yellow Jacket Team at the Stagecoach prior to group dinner, followed by retreat programming with Tim and Raizaleh.

After a light continental breakfast on the morning of August 3, board charter ground transportation for Corn Creek boat ramp to launch our rafting expedition.  It is 67 miles from Salmon to Corn Creek, 22 miles of highway, ~20 miles of secondary pavement, and 25 miles of improved gravel.  Rest stops can be made as well as a stop at the North Fork Store, which has all the last-minute items and gear one could need.

Early on the 4th morning (August 6), charter flights will retrieve the group from the wilderness at Wilson Bar Airstrip, for a short flight back to the Salmon Airport.

Gem Air and Stagecoach Inn reservations to be made by Yellow Jacket River Guides.

All-Inclusive Price: $2250 per guest (double occupancy)

Trip price includes: Rafting and camping equipment, fees and taxes, meals, guide and camp services, and ground transportation to Corn Creek. Fee also includes in state air transportation (in state charter flights with Gem Air ~265 per person), pre-trip dinner and per-trip lodging at the Stagecoach Inn. Yoga blocks and straps will be provided for the trip, please bring your own basic yoga mat.

Trip price does not include: personal preferred snacks and beverages, or gratuities. Whitewater rafting is a service industry, and tips are a greatly appreciated way to thank your guides for exceptional care. If you choose to tip, 10 to 20 percent of trip retail price is a good guideline.

Optional Add-On: Boise to Boise Itinerary, $550 per guest:

Arrive in Boise, Idaho prior to 11 am on August 2nd. Board 12:30 pm air taxi flight with Gem Air for a scenic tour to Salmon. Courtesy Pick up at Salmon Airport by Stagecoach Inn.  The Stagecoach will aim to provide early check in upon arrival. If early check in is not available, they will have a space for luggage and guests can relax in the indoor common areas, or enjoy their grassy riverfront, or the pool, or walking on the adjacent Island Park foot path, visiting the adjacent Salmon City Veteran’s Park, or the Lemhi County Historical Museum. Early on the 4th morning (August 6), charter flights will retrieve the group from the wilderness at Wilson Bar Airstrip, for a short flight back to the Salmon Airport.  With a quick turnaround, you will fly on the regularly scheduled Gem Air morning flight from Salmon to Boise. You can plan your flight from Boise to your home airport for after 1 pm on August 6th. If you would like to add an additional day (or days) in Salmon post-trip, the Salmon to Boise leg can be scheduled accordingly. Consider a day of relaxing re-integration at a slower pace before returning home.

Gem Air and Stagecoach Inn reservations to be made by Yellow Jacket River Guides.

Yellow Jacket River Guides operating ethos to consider:

Wilderness Ethic: We offer a technology/electronic connectivity free experience. Please respect this great wilderness and fellow travelers and leave devices behind.

Drug/Alcohol: As a state and federal permittee, YJRG operations are governed by the US laws and those of the state of Idaho. Alcohol use while whitewater rafting is prohibited by insurance and common sense. This trip is specifically a drug and alcohol free wellness centered retreat.

Reservations and Payment: A deposit of $450 is required to reserve your seat. Your deposit can be paid by cash, check, or credit card. Full payment for your trip is required 90 days prior to launch. Reservations made less than 90 days prior to launch require payment in full. All invoices must be paid in full prior to your trip. Credit card payments are subject to a 3% convenience fee, to be added to your final invoice.

Cancellations and Refunds: Due to the limited space available on our Salmon River Adventures, all payments will be forfeited for cancellations made within 90 days of your launch. Prior to that time, refunds will be issued minus your $450 deposit and processing fees.

If YJRG cancels your trip due to "acts of god," including, but not limited to water, weather, fire, epidemic or other environmental or safety conditions, no refunds will be given.

TRIP INSURANCE MUST BE PURCHASED TO PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT.