2025 Florida TM Weekend
Frequently Asked Questions
Please use this resource to learn more about the TM Weekend. For the best experience, be sure to read everything thoroughly before coming to the TM Weekend. Have more questions? Let us know by filling out the form at our Contact Us page.
First time? Attend an online orientation now, before the Retreat!
Prior to the Retreat, please sign up for an orientation meeting for a full overview. If this is your first Retreat, we strongly encourage you to attend!
Use our easy sign up form.
Q: What’s the weekend program?
Deep experience and deep rest. You’ll enjoy a program specially designed for TM Retreats that includes easy to practice Maharishi Yoga Asanas, pranyama (a gentle breathing exercise), and meditation. It provides greater familiarity with quieter levels of awareness, and deep, rejuvenating rest for the body. The result is profound release of stress which yields greater energy, clarity and happiness when returning home.
Experience and knowledge meetings. For more personalized attention from our experienced course leaders, we’ll divide into two groups – first time attendees and those who have attended previously and a separate group for TM-Sidhas. There’s time for in-depth discussion about your experiences. We’ll watch carefully selected video talks of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of the TM Program as well as other experts on higher states of consciousness. There’s plenty of time devoted to clarification and to answering all your questions. The sessions are interactive and personalized for your own development and understanding.
Q: What’s the schedule?
The TM Weekend starts on Friday afternoon or early evening. It’s best if you can plan to arrive in time to get settled in your room and do your evening meditation there. Come early enough for the special Retreat refresher meeting around 6:00pm on Friday evening if you would like a review. We’ll provide a Friday schedule in advance when your registration is completed, and a full weekend schedule when you arrive. The Weekend ends after lunch on your last day (Sunday or Monday). If you sign up for a Maharishi AyurVeda consultation or an Advanced Technique, the sessions may continue on those afternoons.
Q: What are the yoga exercises?
Maharishi Yoga Asanas are practiced easily, without straining and just to the best of your ability. These easy, natural postures help culture mind-body coordination and integration, greater flexibility, and strength. The practice of Maharishi Yoga Asanas also helps remove physical stresses and improve health overall. In the context of the Retreat, they complement your TM practice and contribute to a more settled and balanced state of mind and body.
The routine also includes pranayama, a simple breathing technique that settles the body and mind, contributing to a smoother, more refined experience during TM practice.
You”ll practice this on your own in your room or with a group on the Retreat. Chair yoga is available for those who don’t feel comfortable on the floor.
All course participants should learn the Maharishi Yoga Asanas prior to arrival. Additional instruction will be included on the Retreat, but you will gain the most value by getting familiar with them prior to the course. See the links below for a video tutorial and for free online classes.
Learn more about Maharishi Yoga and watch a video tutorial at this link
Attend a free online class offered every Friday evening and every Sunday morning at this link
Q: What’s the plan for meals?
All meals are included on the Weekend and will be served in a private dining room on the ground floor. We’ll start with dinner on Friday evening and conclude with lunch on Sunday, or Monday for those staying on for the 3-night course. Our thoughtfully designed vegetarian plan is creative, delicious and satisfying. The meals are intended to help promote easy digestion, deep rest and maintain lively awareness. Look for the signs for gluten-free and vegan options. A healthy, continental style breakfast will be available for breakfast each morning.
Q: Can I bring my own food if I have dietary restrictions?
Let us know about any special needs you may have and we will do our best to accommodate them. We provide a variety of healthy options at meals. For local fire safety regulations you will not be able to cook in your room during the Weekend. Refrigerators are available for an extra charge, so you can bring any medically required essentials to maintain your health for the Weekend.
Q: What are the accommodations?
Based on your application, we have assigned you to a single or a double room. All are comfortable and updated. The walking distances are not far from guest rooms to the dining and meeting halls.
Q: How accessible is the TM Weekend?
Please note on your application if you have mobility or health issues and need special accommodation. There are elevators in the some of the guest room buildings and walking distances are not far.
Q: Can I stay somewhere else and just come for the meetings?
Unfortunately, this will not be possible. Staying with us on-site yields the best results. The TM Weekend is carefully structured as an all-inclusive, immersive experience for your maximum rest and deep experience of transcendence. We disconnect from everyday activities and responsibilities and focus entirely on the daily routine, free from distractions.
Q: Can I bring a companion who is not on the TM Weekend? Or my pet?
Unfortunately we cannot accommodate non-course participants or pets on the TM Weekend. The Weekend is carefully structured as an all-inclusive, immersive experience for your maximum rest and deep experience of transcendence. We disconnect from everyday activities and responsibilities and focus entirely on the Weekend routine, free from distractions. It is best to plan a different weekend away together when you can fully enjoy each other’s company.
Q: What clothes should I bring?
Comfortable, casual, dignified attire is recommended for meetings and meals. We’ll encourage you to stretch your legs and get some fresh air after meals, so be sure to bring outerwear and comfortable shoes for moderate walking. Bring loose-fitting, comfortable clothes for easy yoga exercises and meditation in your room or in the group sessions. Central Florida winter weather is unpredictable, so please check the weather forecast for Howey-in-the-Hills a few days prior to the course so you can bring weather-appropriate clothing.
Q: What else should I bring?
Bring along your personal items and any medication you may need. Once you arrive, we want you to relax, rest, and stay on the grounds and on the program. (There is no nearby town). Bring a watch, a travel clock (or the TM App) to time your meditations. Bring a yoga mat, if you have one, or a blanket for the floor for the easy yoga exercises. If you want to participate in group yoga and meditation, in addition to a yoga/floor mat, bring a blanket for resting between sets. If you are traveling by plane, we’ll have some yoga mats and blankets available.
Q: What about my mobile devices? Or reading material?
The TM Weekend is a time to disconnect from everyday responsibilities and activities. Even reading books or magazines will interfere with the program, so no need to bring them along. Although there are TVs in the rooms, we’ll ask you not to turn them on! For maximum benefit, it is wise for you to turn off your cell phone when you arrive. Let everyone know before you leave that you’ll be unavailable, but feel free to give out our contact information (904-679-8383) and we can relay any urgent messages.
Q: Can I maintain my daily exercise routine?
The TM Weekend program is designed to provide a balance of deep rest and rejuvenation for the body and increased, lively awareness for the mind. Rigorous exercise should be avoided for these few days. You’ll get plenty of gentle exercise within the routine. In addition to the Maharishi Yoga Asanas, walking around the beautiful grounds is highly encouraged.
Q: What are the Advanced Techniques offered during the Weekend?
If you would like to get an Advanced Technique on the Weekend or would like to learn more about it, please fill out a form at this page. You’ll complete all the requirements and registration well in advance of the TM Weekend. Private instruction will be on Saturday, February 1 and a group checking meeting will be on Sunday, February 2. Make your travel plans to accommodate these meetings.
Q: When are the private AyurVeda consultations offered during the Weekend?
Maharishi AyurVeda consultations will be available throughout the Weekend and we’ll try to schedule your appointment so it will least interfere with the routine. Please sign up early prior to the Weekend, as there is a questionnaire and some other registration forms to complete. This will contribute to your experience being as smooth as possible. Visit this page for more information.
Learn more about Maharishi AyurVeda at this page.