Duo Zen Retreat: Ellicottville Oasis and Laura Solly Yoga Team Up for a Day at Holiday Valley
Duo Zen Retreat: Ellicottville Oasis and Laura Solly Yoga Team Up for a Day at Holiday Valley
A first-of-its-kind wellness retreat brings yoga, spa therapies, and relaxation together in the heart of Ellicottville.
By Dena J. DiOrio
Mark your calendar for Sunday, September 28th for a rejuvenating day of wellness-filled pampering and rejuvenation at Holiday Valley as Ellicottville Oasis Day Spa and Laura Solly Yoga partner for a first-of-its-kind mind-body experience, the Duo Zen Retreat. Participants can bring a partner or friend to enjoy a one-hour outdoor (weather dependent) yoga session, a half-hour relaxation room session with aromatherapy, a half-hour infrared sauna experience in Oasis's brand-new sauna, and all-day access to the Tamarack Club’s pool and hot tub. Plus, participants will enjoy light refreshments including charcuterie and hydrating juices, sparkling waters, and tea catered by Holiday Valley. EllicottvilleNOW caught up with Emily Goode, licensed massage therapist and owner of Ellicottville Oasis Day Spa, and yoga instructor Laura Solly, for comments.
“This is our first one, and Laura and I are very excited about it!” Goode said of her inaugural wellness retreat. The Ellicottville native explained that the inspiration for the retreat came from an opportunity she saw to not only enjoy a spa day but to nurture their wellbeing by getting outside. “I’ve worked with Laura in the past to do one-day yoga sessions with my staff,” stated Goode. “And after having her work with my staff, it quickly became obvious that this was something the guests of the spa would enjoy as well.” This retreat is designed to give guests a relaxing and invigorating session at the spa, while also allowing them to stretch their stresses away under the guidance of Laura Solly Yoga.
In this fast-paced world of constantly being online, scrolling social media, and the stresses of everyday life, mental health can easily be overlooked, she explained. “Personally, I’ve found that any time I’m able to be outside and focus on being present, that’s when I feel the most relaxed,” Goode said. “Laura is amazing when it comes to leading yoga sessions, no matter what yoga experience level the participants have. So people who sign up for the retreat can rest assured that they are in great hands.” Combine that with the spa sessions that the package entails, and this retreat has the makings of a day that people will walk away from feeling recharged and ready for the Fall season.
As for Laura Solly, you may know her from classes or have possibly taken a one-on-one yoga session with her before. The Ellicottville native and owner of the popular downtown store Daff is well-known for her yoga instruction, which she has been doing since 2008. Solly says that she is focusing mostly on outdoor privates at Airbnbs, although she does offer a class at Warrior Fitness and has hosted others around town as well. “A couple years ago, Emily asked me to offer a yoga class for her staff up at Spruce Lake and that kind of hit us off, and we’ve been on that health path,” she said. Collaborating on a wellness retreat just made sense.
“That’s what I’ve been doing at the Airbnbs, which is to showcase the beauty of being outdoors and at Holiday Valley,” she said. “Looking up at the ski hills and bringing people out into nature is a big thing for relaxation and that whole component; it’s kind of ideal to be right there, and they can easily and readily walk right into the spa.”
The yoga portion of the retreat will be held outside of Creekside Lodge, weather dependent, said Goode. As for the class, Solly will offer a hatha flow session suitable for all levels. Following the yoga class, participants will unwind at Oasis in the relaxation room which includes aromatherapy and two zero-gravity massage chairs. For those interested in utilizing the new infrared sauna, Goode explained that the benefits are numerous.
“The infrared sauna is different than a steam sauna,” she said. “The heat wave penetrates the soft tissue of your body, whereas the steam sauna heats up the room.” She continued, “The infrared sauna is easier on your heart, and it also has red light therapy, which is good for achy muscles, clear skin, and circulation," explaining that the infrared sauna is a great way to detoxify the body. “The cool part about the infrared sauna is it does have the red light therapy if people choose to do that. If not, we do have different lights in there to use, but it’s not going to hurt anybody if they choose to do it.”
The Duo Zen Retreat will take place on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at Ellicottville Oasis Day Spa at Holiday Valley, located at 6447 Holiday Valley Road. For more information on the Duo Zen Retreat or to reserve your spot, reach out to Ellicottville Oasis Day Spa directly by calling 716-699-8996. Space is limited to four parties of two, so early registration is recommended. For additional information on booking Laura Solly Yoga for private or group classes, reach out to her directly at laurasollyyoga@yahoo.com or @LauraSollyYoga on Instagram.