Updated: October 31, 2023
Venue Booking Guidelines
- There is no minimum number of guests required to host a retreat with the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga.
- The only exception is for Centre-catered retreats, which require a minimum of 14 people (guests and/or facilitators)
- The Program House will be rented as a full facility (regardless of the final number of guests). The Program House can accommodate a total of 17-18 people, including the host(s) and/or facilitator(s).
- If the renter knows that they are expecting more than 17-18 people, they can request to add the Garden House to their rental, which fits up to 7-8 guests. During the warmer months, a renter may also wish to offer their guests camping options at the Centre.
- During the rental period, the Centre will continue to use the other facilities for public and internal use. If the host is not renting both the Program and Garden House, the Centre will use the remaining space for B&B and other Centre guests.
- There are no discounts for unused accommodation rooms/beds if the rooms are not filled prior to the retreat. The renter will be charged for the indoor space(s) booked.
Program House & Garden House floor plans
To view a PDF of our rental venue floorplans, click the links below.
- Program House floorplan – guest rooms and capacities
- Garden House floorplan – guest rooms and capacities
Renter Payment & Cancellation Guidelines
- The renter will pay a deposit at the time of booking (total subject to rental type).
- In the case of cancellation by the Renter, all deposits made to date are non-refundable and are retained by the Centre.
- A credit card is required on file to hold the booking, however the renter may opt to pay by either pre-scheduled credit card payments or e-transfer.
- In the event that a cheque or e-transfer is late, the Centre may process payment via credit card. Every attempt will be made to check in with the Renter prior to processing.
- To avoid cancellation by the Centre, subsequent payments as specified in the agreement must be in good standing order by the dates indicated. If the renter fails to make payment by the date specified, the Centre may cancel the retreat. In the case of cancellation due to late payment, all deposits are non-refundable and are retained by the Centre.
Booking Options by Retreat Type
Multi-Day Retreats with Centre-Catered Meals
If you would like to book a retreat at the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga on a weekend when Centre Kitchen staff are available to cook for your retreat, the following standards apply:
- Minimum Nights: Renters are required to book a minimum 3-night stay.
- Venue Options: Renters are expected to book the Program House retreat venue. If the renter requires more guest rooms than are provided in the Program House, they may also book additional rooms in the Garden House or provide camping options.
Multi-Day Retreats with Self-Catered Meals
If you are booking a retreat at the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga and providing your own chef or caterer to prepare meals, the following standards apply:
- Minimum Nights: Renters are required to book a minimum 2-night stay.
- Venue Options: Renters are expected to book the Program House retreat venue. If the renter requires more guest rooms than are provided in the Program House, they may also book additional rooms in the Garden House or provide camping options.
Multi-Day Retreats with no meals
If you are booking a multi-day retreat at the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga and are not providing meals / are not renting the Kitchen facilities, the following rules apply:
- Minimum Nights: Renters are required to book a minimum 2-night stay.
- Venue Options: Renters who are not providing meals are permitted to rent either the Program House and/or the Garden House.
Renter Kitchen Guidelines
The Salt Spring Centre of Yoga has set some dietary guidelines for anyone who prepares food in the Centre Kitchen. These guidelines are based on the tenets of a sattvic diet, which supports the yogic practices we follow at the Centre.
We recognize that not everyone will be used to preparing sattvic food, so we have simplified our guidelines to make them as easy as possible to follow.
Similar to many vegetarian and vegan diets, our Centre employs some slight variations that may not be familiar to you. Please read below for additional information.
Dietary Guidelines
- Meat, poultry, seafood and eggs may not be used in the Centre kitchen. There are no exceptions.
- Dairy is permitted
- Please see below for more information about the use of garlic and onions at the Centre
Support from our Kitchen Team
Welcome to the Centre Kitchen!
To help you feel comfortable in the Centre kitchen, we’d like to share with you some of things we’ve done over the years to make our vegetarian meals so popular.
We’re known for our delicious, nutritious, flavorful vegetarian meals, and have published two cookbooks. We rely on herbs and spices, healthy oils, vinegars and other seasonings, as well as yummy sauces to add a sparkle to our meals.
For decades we’ve cooked without onions or garlic, and invite you to do the same. Leeks and mild onions, like green onions or scallions work well as a replacement. Cooking with onions and garlic is so common that sometimes people wonder whether it’s possible to cook without them and still make meals delicious, but I can guarantee that it’s absolutely possible.
Want some guidance? We’re happy to support you.
Vegetarian basics: No meat, poultry, seafood or eggs. Dairy is fine, although more and more people are asking for vegan options. Desserts, of course, are always a hit.
Other Centre Guidelines
All general Salt Spring Centre guidelines apply to renters and their guests.
- Alcohol, cigarette/cannabis smoking, and illegal or non-prescription drugs are not permitted on the Centre property
- Other than in the kitchens and for certain ceremonies, no incense, fires, candles, sparklers or camp stoves are allowed on the property or in buildings.
- Guests are requested to refrain from wearing scented or perfumed products to ensure a scent-free environment.
- Outside shoes are not permitted indoors.
- We ask that public nudity is avoided, including in the sauna.
- Please refrain from swearing.
- Quiet hours are observed from 9 pm – 8 am.
If you have any questions about these guidelines, please contact info@saltspringcentre.com.