Yoga Retreat 2026

Salt & Soul

A Life of Writing, Yoga,
Travel & Storytelling

I’m Joan Hammel, founder of Salt & Soul Collective.
This is the home base for my work as a writer, yoga teacher, and Santa Cruz storyteller.

Explore my retreats.
Join me on the mat.
Read my stories.

Retreats

Travel has always been part of my life — and over the years, I’ve participated in yoga, Pilates, and surfing retreats across California, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, and Greece.

Those experiences shape how I think about retreats today.

I know what it’s like to arrive somewhere new after a long journey and want everything to feel effortless.

Every retreat I design is built to achieve that, so you can land, exhale and instantly feel at ease and cared for.

That care shows up in the details: thoughtfully paced days, welcoming spaces, good movement, great food, music, shared laughter and plenty of time to breathe it all in.

I partner with trusted local hosts to create small, well-designed gatherings in beautiful places — combining yoga, time outdoors, amazing experiences and genuine connection.

Save the Date!

Between Sea & Sky

Madeira, Portugal
September 24-30, 2026

A deeply restorative week of yoga, coastal hikes, ocean air, and extraordinary food — set on one of the most breathtaking islands in the Atlantic.

We’ll gather at Estalagem da Ponta do Sol, a cliffside retreat hotel where your private terrace looks straight out to sea.

This experience is thoughtfully curated for just 10 women.

Visit The Madeira Experience to join the early access list, secure preferred pricing, and choose your favorite room.

Yoga

Come Practice…

Yoga has been part of my life for years — first as a personal practice, and now as something I get to share with others through teaching.

I’m a certified 400-hour RYT teacher with additional training in breathwork. I primarily teach Vinyasa Flow and Hot Yoga with a strong focus on breath, alignment, and safe, accessible movement for all levels. I’m also comfortable teaching Gentle, Yin, and Restorative classes.

My approach is simple: yoga should feel good in your body. I encourage students to focus more on how the practice feels than how it looks.

I love creating welcoming, lighthearted spaces — often with a great playlist and a little humor — where beginners feel comfortable and experienced students still feel challenged.

Weekly Classes
Hot Elevation Studios

1440 41st Ave., Suite E, Capitola

Hot Yoga

Tuesday at 12noon

Friday at 4:00pm

Private Sessions
One-on-one or small group sessions tailored to your goals — great for beginners, injury recovery, or a more personalized experience.

Retreats & Guest Teaching
Available for retreats, workshops, and studio collaborations — locally and abroad.

SANTA CRUZ PULSE

Santa Cruz Pulse features Santa Cruz Today, the weekly newsletter I write for Good Times, covering news, culture, events and everyday life around Santa Cruz County.

It’s where I take everything happening across Santa Cruz and curate it into one essential read — drawing on the Good Times writers’ real connections to the artists, leaders, and organizers shaping the scene — so you get the stories actually worth your time: the must-know news, the shows to book before they sell out, the tables to grab before everyone else does, and the civic decisions that shape how we live.

Read the latest newsletter.

Get In Touch