Welcome to Seven Springs!
Vision
Seven Springs Holistic Retreats is a place of natural abundance and cultural diversity where people learn how to create holistic sustenance for themselves and their communities.
Mission
To provide an innovative and transformative space for local and global communities to experience high quality holistic education and experiences.
Seven Springs Holistic Retreats is a place of natural abundance and cultural diversity where people learn how to create holistic sustenance for themselves and their communities.
Mission
To provide an innovative and transformative space for local and global communities to experience high quality holistic education and experiences.
The Space of Seven Springs
Seven Springs is a retreat center featuring seven natural springs on 126 acres of private land in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Near Maryville, Tennessee, Seven Springs is located within 500 miles of 75% of the U.S. population. The land is also some of the most ecologically diverse in the country. The high elevations of the Smoky Mountains are a temperate rain forest with over 17,000 species of plants and animals. The incredible biodiversity of the region adds to the abundant richness of Seven Springs.
This land has been in the family for three generations. Driving onto the property, you’ll pass a rare and historic cantilever barn. As you make your way to the yurt village, you’ll see the Long Family house on the hill. This traditional post and beam was built by Herman Long, as was his mother’s house that once stood in the main field. Turning the corner towards the yurt village, you’ll see a lone standing chimney. This is the chimney of our first cabin, which we now honor as our Fire Circle. Throughout the years, this land has raised cattle, chickens, and many vegetable gardens. Mary and Herman began a greenhouse business and this land raised thousands of plants for our
community to enjoy. Now as years have passed, the land sits here, waiting for what next it is to raise. We now hope this land raises consciousness, awareness, and connection. This land is here to be a part of our lives, and we are delighted to share it with our community as a space to host and participate in retreats and events.
This land has been in the family for three generations. Driving onto the property, you’ll pass a rare and historic cantilever barn. As you make your way to the yurt village, you’ll see the Long Family house on the hill. This traditional post and beam was built by Herman Long, as was his mother’s house that once stood in the main field. Turning the corner towards the yurt village, you’ll see a lone standing chimney. This is the chimney of our first cabin, which we now honor as our Fire Circle. Throughout the years, this land has raised cattle, chickens, and many vegetable gardens. Mary and Herman began a greenhouse business and this land raised thousands of plants for our
community to enjoy. Now as years have passed, the land sits here, waiting for what next it is to raise. We now hope this land raises consciousness, awareness, and connection. This land is here to be a part of our lives, and we are delighted to share it with our community as a space to host and participate in retreats and events.
Meet the Family
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Jessi was born and raised on Seven Spring’s land. Her German grandmother, Oma, who first found the land, taught her courage to jump across the stream. It wasn’t long before she jumped abroad and founded Global Just Designs, a fair- trade clothing business dedicated to improving the lives of Maya women in Guatemala. Meanwhile, Zach had been living in Guatemala for years working at the University and founding an NGO based on creativity. The two finally crossed paths in 2014. They soon co-founded the international yoga school Kula Collective in 2015 and continue to dream up ways to express their passions for holistic learning in Seven Springs.
Herman's mother, Oma, brought him from Germany to Maryville to live with his stepfather at the tender age of 9. His story of adaptation to East Tennessee culture is an example of building community. His mother bought the land where Seven Springs now resides in 1977. Soon after, Herman met Mary, and together they studied agriculture, plant sciences, animal husbandry, and forestry at University of Tennessee, melding select principles with those from the "back to the land movement" on their new land. Over the years, Herman and Mary have worked together in pipefitting, welding, and owned a landscape and greenhouse business for twenty years. Most recently, Mary worked for the US Forest Service in forestry and ecology. They are both happily retired now sharing their gifts and experience with Seven Springs. |
What's on the Land
Six Residential Yurts
Each yurt is decorated with traditional textiles and artwork from the countries that our family frequents. The yurts are fully furnished including electricity and outlets.
Yoga shala
Standing 16 feet tall and 28 foot diameter, our yoga shala is held by mighty cedar tree poles from our forest. Enjoy glimpses of the first light of sunrise in this open air pavilion with a breathtaking view of the Chilhowee mountains. We have meditation cushions, yoga mats, blocks and straps for your use.
Fully Equipped Kitchen
Magic is made in this kitchen to nourish your body, mind, and spirit!
Fire circle
Enjoy this natural space to warm yourself by the fire, sing or make smores!
Indoor classroom
Our classroom is a 24’ yurt with a beautiful original labyrinth design on the floor, created to support experiential learning. The space is outfitted with whiteboards, electric outlets and lights. Enjoy this space for your own personal practice, or browse our library of books and find a quiet space to read or write.
Bathrooms
Our bathrooms have water-saving flush toilets, sinks, and hot showers.
Labyrinth
A traditional 7 course labyrinth lies nestled within a natural bowl, shaded by old growth Elm trees. This recreation of ancient sacred sites is a powerful setting for walking (or running!) meditation and prayer.
Natural Springs
Walk along the creek that emerges from the head of Sweet Hollow. Drink pristine waters from a natural tap. At the head of the watershed, these forested slopes make for perfect aquifers.
Oma’s Tea Garden
In loving memory of the matriarch of Sweet Hollow, Ruth Hauth Long, Jessi’s grandmother. In “Oma’s house” tea was always to be enjoyed around 4pm with sweet rolls. This garden includes herbs and plants perfect for afternoon tea.
Onsite Parking
Whether you’re staying for a night or more, your car will be safely parked next to our dining and kitchen area.
Each yurt is decorated with traditional textiles and artwork from the countries that our family frequents. The yurts are fully furnished including electricity and outlets.
Yoga shala
Standing 16 feet tall and 28 foot diameter, our yoga shala is held by mighty cedar tree poles from our forest. Enjoy glimpses of the first light of sunrise in this open air pavilion with a breathtaking view of the Chilhowee mountains. We have meditation cushions, yoga mats, blocks and straps for your use.
Fully Equipped Kitchen
Magic is made in this kitchen to nourish your body, mind, and spirit!
Fire circle
Enjoy this natural space to warm yourself by the fire, sing or make smores!
Indoor classroom
Our classroom is a 24’ yurt with a beautiful original labyrinth design on the floor, created to support experiential learning. The space is outfitted with whiteboards, electric outlets and lights. Enjoy this space for your own personal practice, or browse our library of books and find a quiet space to read or write.
Bathrooms
Our bathrooms have water-saving flush toilets, sinks, and hot showers.
Labyrinth
A traditional 7 course labyrinth lies nestled within a natural bowl, shaded by old growth Elm trees. This recreation of ancient sacred sites is a powerful setting for walking (or running!) meditation and prayer.
Natural Springs
Walk along the creek that emerges from the head of Sweet Hollow. Drink pristine waters from a natural tap. At the head of the watershed, these forested slopes make for perfect aquifers.
Oma’s Tea Garden
In loving memory of the matriarch of Sweet Hollow, Ruth Hauth Long, Jessi’s grandmother. In “Oma’s house” tea was always to be enjoyed around 4pm with sweet rolls. This garden includes herbs and plants perfect for afternoon tea.
Onsite Parking
Whether you’re staying for a night or more, your car will be safely parked next to our dining and kitchen area.
What to Bring:
- Your food for your time (water and tea are provided)
- All natural personal products (natural toothpaste, shampoo, etc.)
- Natural bug spray and sun screen
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Water bottle
- Light hiking shoes and sandals
- Comfortable clothes, including light long sleeves and long pants
- Sun hat
- Yoga mat (if you prefer your own)
- Musical instruments if you like!
Life at Seven Springs
Weather: East Tennessee is hot and humid in the summertime and can be snowy in the winter. We enjoy beautiful springtime flowers and incredible Fall colors.
Leave No Trace: We live close to the land at Seven Springs, so please act accordingly. Be sure to dispose of waste in the appropriate recycling or compost bin. In general, please be aware of what you are consuming to limit the waste it produces!
Disconnect to Reconnect! There is no wifi access on Seven Springs. Take time to connect with the surrounding plants and trees and most of all with yourself.
Respect for Wildlife and Plants: As we are sharing this home with the wildlife, we ask that you tread softly on the earth. There are bears in our area along with other animals so please give them their space! Thank you for NOT leaving any kind of food in your sleeping quarters. All food MUST be properly stored in the kitchen area. This is for bears, raccoons, skunks, and any other little critter who might smell it. We also have quite a bit of sister ivy on the property. Sister ivy, better known as poison ivy, is identified by three leaves.
So remember, leaves of three, let it be! We suggest that when you shower, scrub all exposed areas well. You have up to two hours to remove the oils before they cause the itchy reaction on your skin. If you’re particularly allergic, consider using a Jewel Weed salve. We have some for emergencies in our first aid kit. Jewel Weed oil is a natural counter to sister ivy. In nature they grow next to each other representing a beautiful symbiotic relationship.
How to Use the Kitchen: You have full use of our kitchen equipment, pots, pans, dishes, and cutlery. Our kitchen includes a fridge, freezer (please bring your own ice), stove, large toaster oven, blender, electric water heater, and coffee machine. We do not have a microwave or full size stove, so plan to heat anything you like with the stove or toaster oven!
Compost & Recycling: We provide a bucket for composting all uncooked plant material as well as tea bags. You may compost items like broccoli stems, banana peels and such. We feed these extras to our chickens! Please make sure all cooked food is thrown away in the garbage. Please note one bin is for garbage "landfill" and another is for recycling. We can recycle plastics 1-5, aluminum cans and cardboard. We cannot recycle glass, paper towels, aluminum foil, or anything with food residue on it, please throw those in the landfill bin.
Dishes: Please be sure to wash all your dishes each night, not leaving any food or food residue in the kitchen if you are not there (because our animal friends will come visit!). Please also be sure to wash up any dishes before you leave.
Bedding: We provide towels, linens and blankets for your stay.
Leave No Trace: We live close to the land at Seven Springs, so please act accordingly. Be sure to dispose of waste in the appropriate recycling or compost bin. In general, please be aware of what you are consuming to limit the waste it produces!
Disconnect to Reconnect! There is no wifi access on Seven Springs. Take time to connect with the surrounding plants and trees and most of all with yourself.
Respect for Wildlife and Plants: As we are sharing this home with the wildlife, we ask that you tread softly on the earth. There are bears in our area along with other animals so please give them their space! Thank you for NOT leaving any kind of food in your sleeping quarters. All food MUST be properly stored in the kitchen area. This is for bears, raccoons, skunks, and any other little critter who might smell it. We also have quite a bit of sister ivy on the property. Sister ivy, better known as poison ivy, is identified by three leaves.
So remember, leaves of three, let it be! We suggest that when you shower, scrub all exposed areas well. You have up to two hours to remove the oils before they cause the itchy reaction on your skin. If you’re particularly allergic, consider using a Jewel Weed salve. We have some for emergencies in our first aid kit. Jewel Weed oil is a natural counter to sister ivy. In nature they grow next to each other representing a beautiful symbiotic relationship.
How to Use the Kitchen: You have full use of our kitchen equipment, pots, pans, dishes, and cutlery. Our kitchen includes a fridge, freezer (please bring your own ice), stove, large toaster oven, blender, electric water heater, and coffee machine. We do not have a microwave or full size stove, so plan to heat anything you like with the stove or toaster oven!
Compost & Recycling: We provide a bucket for composting all uncooked plant material as well as tea bags. You may compost items like broccoli stems, banana peels and such. We feed these extras to our chickens! Please make sure all cooked food is thrown away in the garbage. Please note one bin is for garbage "landfill" and another is for recycling. We can recycle plastics 1-5, aluminum cans and cardboard. We cannot recycle glass, paper towels, aluminum foil, or anything with food residue on it, please throw those in the landfill bin.
Dishes: Please be sure to wash all your dishes each night, not leaving any food or food residue in the kitchen if you are not there (because our animal friends will come visit!). Please also be sure to wash up any dishes before you leave.
Bedding: We provide towels, linens and blankets for your stay.
Getting Here:
Driving:
Enter into Google Maps: 125 Sweet Hollow Way Maryville, TN 37803
Once on the gravel driveway, please follow the signs to Seven Springs
IMPORTANT! Our address isn’t recognized by some systems (such as imaps), and others might send you to another location or to our inaccessible back entrance. We recommend Google Maps!
We recommend coming in via Montvale Road, State Route 336. From Maryville, travel 6.5 miles south on Montvale Road, turn left on Old Piney Road (there is a ProSign shop on your right). Travel 1.1 mile and take your second left onto Galyon Rd. Travel 4/10 of a mile and you will see a
large blue mailbox with 120 Sweet Hollow Way sign on top (this is next to 1344 Galyon Rd address and mailbox). Turn left immediately after the blue mailbox onto our gravel driveway and follow the signs to Seven Springs parking. You may drive to your yurt or camping space to unload, and you will then return to park your vehicle in our parking area.
If you get lost, please call (865) 221-3841 OR (865) 268-3913. Verizon Wireless has the best service in this area.
Flying:
The nearest airport is the Knoxville International Airport, TYS. The airport is actually located in Alcoa and only about 25 minutes from Seven Springs. You may also look into flying into the Atlanta International Airport and taking the bus or renting a car to drive to Seven Springs. The Atlanta airport is about a four hour drive. Nashville offers additional airlines and the airport is about a three hour drive (and in central time zone).
Enter into Google Maps: 125 Sweet Hollow Way Maryville, TN 37803
Once on the gravel driveway, please follow the signs to Seven Springs
IMPORTANT! Our address isn’t recognized by some systems (such as imaps), and others might send you to another location or to our inaccessible back entrance. We recommend Google Maps!
We recommend coming in via Montvale Road, State Route 336. From Maryville, travel 6.5 miles south on Montvale Road, turn left on Old Piney Road (there is a ProSign shop on your right). Travel 1.1 mile and take your second left onto Galyon Rd. Travel 4/10 of a mile and you will see a
large blue mailbox with 120 Sweet Hollow Way sign on top (this is next to 1344 Galyon Rd address and mailbox). Turn left immediately after the blue mailbox onto our gravel driveway and follow the signs to Seven Springs parking. You may drive to your yurt or camping space to unload, and you will then return to park your vehicle in our parking area.
If you get lost, please call (865) 221-3841 OR (865) 268-3913. Verizon Wireless has the best service in this area.
Flying:
The nearest airport is the Knoxville International Airport, TYS. The airport is actually located in Alcoa and only about 25 minutes from Seven Springs. You may also look into flying into the Atlanta International Airport and taking the bus or renting a car to drive to Seven Springs. The Atlanta airport is about a four hour drive. Nashville offers additional airlines and the airport is about a three hour drive (and in central time zone).
Nearby Attractions:
We encourage you to explore this fascinating region before or after the course. Many of these outdoor attractions are only a short drive away. Here are a few we recommend:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Located less than 25 miles from Seven Springs is the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited National Park in the U.S.! On your way you will drive through Townsend with a wonderful Visitors Center and Heritage Center we recommend visiting. Cades Cove is also a beautiful 11 mile loops to drive any day or bike on Wednesday and Saturday mornings when it is closed to cars. Bicycle rental is available in the Park. Abrams Falls is a nice 5 mile hike from Cades Cove. Find more information on the Park here: www.nps.gov/grsm
Look Rock Fire Tower
Located on the Foothills Parkway, Look Rock Fire Tower is a short and windy drive up the mountain from Seven Springs. This National park Service fire lookout is at the top of an easy half-mile hike up to a breathtaking 360 view of the surrounding mountains. You can see the Fire Tower from Seven Springs and even see Seven Springs from the Fire Tower! Find more information here: http://www.smokies.ws/lookrock/
Tremont
A nearby nature education center located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this area is fun to visit for information and connect to some good trailheads! Find more information here: www.gsmit.org/ and information on our favorite moderate waterfall hike, Spruce Flats Falls: www.thegreatsmokies.net/spruce-flats-falls/. Enjoy the gift shop for books of all ages, and hike for miles along the end of Tremont Road beside the Little River enjoying beautiful cascading waterfalls.
Mount Leconte
If you’re looking for a more challenging and longer hike, we recommend this one. Plan for a full day and bring lots of water. There are a few trails to choose from and a Lodge at the top if you’d like to spend the night (reservations required). We like the Alum Cave Bluff trail; it is steeper, shorter and more difficult, but the Bluffs are a must see on your way up. Alum Cave trail: www.hikinginthesmokys.com/lecontealum.htm or try the Rainbow Falls trail: www.hikinginthesmokys.com/leconterainbow.htm
Cherokee National Forest
About a 45 minute drive, there a many places to hike, fish, camp, kayak and white water raft on the Ocoee River, site of the 1996 Olympic whitewater kayaking events! Find more information here: www.fs.usda.gov/cherokee
Abrams Creek Trail
This is the closest National Park trailhead to Seven Springs. It provides many beautiful trails filled with lush vegetation and classic hiking along streams through Hemlock forests. More information here: www.smokiesadventure.com/smokymountains/hiking/abramscreek.htm
Chilhowee Lake
About 20 minutes away is a beautiful lake nestled between the Great Smoky Mountains national Park and Cherokee National Forest. Chilhowee Lake offers excellent boating, fishing and kayaking. The backwaters offer beautiful calm water kayaking.
Highway 129: The Dragon
Just down the road is state highway 129. Known as “The Dragon”, it includes 11 miles boasting 318 curves spanning from Foothills Parkway in Tennessee to Deal’s Gap in North Carolina. Needless to say, this is a motorcycle and sports car mecca.
Tubing
One of the best ways to enjoy the river in the mountains on a hot day is to go to tubing! There are many tubing companies in Townsend that will rent you tubes and drop you off and pick you up on the river. We recommend just stoping at any of them, they offer deals of $8 up.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Located less than 25 miles from Seven Springs is the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited National Park in the U.S.! On your way you will drive through Townsend with a wonderful Visitors Center and Heritage Center we recommend visiting. Cades Cove is also a beautiful 11 mile loops to drive any day or bike on Wednesday and Saturday mornings when it is closed to cars. Bicycle rental is available in the Park. Abrams Falls is a nice 5 mile hike from Cades Cove. Find more information on the Park here: www.nps.gov/grsm
Look Rock Fire Tower
Located on the Foothills Parkway, Look Rock Fire Tower is a short and windy drive up the mountain from Seven Springs. This National park Service fire lookout is at the top of an easy half-mile hike up to a breathtaking 360 view of the surrounding mountains. You can see the Fire Tower from Seven Springs and even see Seven Springs from the Fire Tower! Find more information here: http://www.smokies.ws/lookrock/
Tremont
A nearby nature education center located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this area is fun to visit for information and connect to some good trailheads! Find more information here: www.gsmit.org/ and information on our favorite moderate waterfall hike, Spruce Flats Falls: www.thegreatsmokies.net/spruce-flats-falls/. Enjoy the gift shop for books of all ages, and hike for miles along the end of Tremont Road beside the Little River enjoying beautiful cascading waterfalls.
Mount Leconte
If you’re looking for a more challenging and longer hike, we recommend this one. Plan for a full day and bring lots of water. There are a few trails to choose from and a Lodge at the top if you’d like to spend the night (reservations required). We like the Alum Cave Bluff trail; it is steeper, shorter and more difficult, but the Bluffs are a must see on your way up. Alum Cave trail: www.hikinginthesmokys.com/lecontealum.htm or try the Rainbow Falls trail: www.hikinginthesmokys.com/leconterainbow.htm
Cherokee National Forest
About a 45 minute drive, there a many places to hike, fish, camp, kayak and white water raft on the Ocoee River, site of the 1996 Olympic whitewater kayaking events! Find more information here: www.fs.usda.gov/cherokee
Abrams Creek Trail
This is the closest National Park trailhead to Seven Springs. It provides many beautiful trails filled with lush vegetation and classic hiking along streams through Hemlock forests. More information here: www.smokiesadventure.com/smokymountains/hiking/abramscreek.htm
Chilhowee Lake
About 20 minutes away is a beautiful lake nestled between the Great Smoky Mountains national Park and Cherokee National Forest. Chilhowee Lake offers excellent boating, fishing and kayaking. The backwaters offer beautiful calm water kayaking.
Highway 129: The Dragon
Just down the road is state highway 129. Known as “The Dragon”, it includes 11 miles boasting 318 curves spanning from Foothills Parkway in Tennessee to Deal’s Gap in North Carolina. Needless to say, this is a motorcycle and sports car mecca.
Tubing
One of the best ways to enjoy the river in the mountains on a hot day is to go to tubing! There are many tubing companies in Townsend that will rent you tubes and drop you off and pick you up on the river. We recommend just stoping at any of them, they offer deals of $8 up.
Questions?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you might still have.
We’re so happy you’ll be able to experience this sacred land, and joining our extended Seven Springs family!
info@SevenSpringsRetreats.com
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you might still have.
We’re so happy you’ll be able to experience this sacred land, and joining our extended Seven Springs family!
info@SevenSpringsRetreats.com
