What we’re about
Welcome to “Sweethome Teacup Travel + Compassion Community (Portland)”
Are you drawn to yoga, meaningful travel, and compassionate experiences? Join us! This is a space for folks in Portland and beyond who are interested in transformational retreats, cross-cultural exchange, and deep connection with nature and animals.
✨ What We Do
This group is for planning, sharing, and preparing together for our Northern Thailand Retreat with the Elephants (Jan 10–22, 2026) in Chiang Mai and the hills beyond. We also host local meetups, info sessions, and online gatherings to build community, answer questions, and support one another’s journey.
🛤️ About the Retreat (Jan 10–22, 2026)
A 12-day immersive experience — first in the lush region north of Chiang Mai, then into the jungle to live with rescued elephants and local families.
yogaanimalrights.org
Highlights include yoga & qi gong, cultural immersion, Thai cooking classes, temple visits, herbal saunas, forest walks, and deep time with elephants.
yogaanimalrights.org
Accommodations, meals, local transport (from when we meet in Chiang Mai), and curated experiences are all included.
yogaanimalrights.org
Cost: USD $2,300 (not including your international travel or hotel in Chiang Mai before/after).
yogaanimalrights.org
A deposit of $650 will secure your spot, with balance due by December 14, 2025.
yogaanimalrights.org
Cancellation policy: partial refunds allowed (with some conditions), and deposits are non-refundable but transferable in some cases.
yogaanimalrights.org
🌱 Why Join This Group
Connect with kindred spirits: meet others in Portland who are passionate about yoga, travel, ethics, and nature.
Learn together: workshops, Q&A sessions, and local gatherings will help you prepare logistically and mentally.
Be supported: from travel logistics to packing tips to visa questions — we’ll navigate it as a community.
Expand your compassion and perspective by engaging with a retreat designed to honor the land, the local culture, and the elephants.
📌 What’s Next
Our first meetup will be an Intro & Information Night (in Portland or online). We’ll share photos, stories, answer all your questions, and begin preparations. Stay tuned for exact date, time, and venue.
Northern Thailand Yoga & Elephant Retreat (Jan 10-22, 2026)
Join Sweethome Teacup for a 12-day journey of yoga, compassion, and cultural immersion in the lush hills of Northern Thailand. This unique retreat blends daily yoga and qi gong practice with meaningful time in a local village alongside rescued elephants and the people who care for them.
What to Expect:
- Yoga & Qi Gong: Gentle daily practices to ground your body and open your heart.
- Cultural Immersion: Learn Thai cooking, experience herbal saunas, and explore sacred temples.
- Nature Connection: Walk in the forest, share in community meals, and live simply in a rural village.
- Elephant Encounters: Spend respectful time with elephants in their natural jungle home.
Itinerary Highlights
- Begin in Chiang Mai, exploring the Old City, temples, and markets.
- Travel north into the hills for community-based experiences with local families.
- Trek into the jungle to stay in a small village, where elephants are free to roam.
- Enjoy space for reflection, group connection, and deep rest.
Cost & Logistics
- $2,300 USD per person (includes lodging, meals, local transportation, and all retreat activities once we meet in Chiang Mai).
- Not included: international airfare, visas, travel insurance, or hotel nights in Chiang Mai before/after the retreat.
- Deposit: $650 to hold your spot. Balance due by December 14, 2025.
- Cancellation policy: Deposits are non-refundable, but balances may be refunded (with conditions).
Why Join?
This is more than a yoga retreat — it’s an opportunity to connect deeply with yourself, community, and the natural world. You’ll return home with a renewed sense of compassion, groundedness, and joy.
Next Steps:
- RSVP here to express your interest.
- Visit yogaanimalrights.org/retreats/northern-thailand-retreat for full details and to officially register.
Upcoming events (1)
See all- Northern Thailand Retreat with The ElephantsChiang Mai, Chiang Mai
Northern Thailand Yoga & Elephant Retreat (Jan 10-22, 2026)
Join Sweethome Teacup for a 12-day journey of yoga, compassion, and cultural immersion in the lush hills of Northern Thailand. This unique retreat blends daily yoga and qi gong practice with meaningful time in a local village alongside rescued elephants and the people who care for them.
What to Expect:
- Yoga & Qi Gong: Gentle daily practices to ground your body and open your heart.
- Cultural Immersion: Learn Thai cooking, experience herbal saunas, and explore sacred temples.
- Nature Connection: Walk in the forest, share in community meals, and live simply in a rural village.
- Elephant Encounters: Spend respectful time with elephants in their natural jungle home.
Itinerary Highlights
- Begin in Chiang Mai, exploring the Old City, temples, and markets.
- Travel north into the hills for community-based experiences with local families.
- Trek into the jungle to stay in a small village, where elephants are free to roam.
- Enjoy space for reflection, group connection, and deep rest.
Cost & Logistics
- $2,300 USD per person (includes lodging, meals, local transportation, and all retreat activities once we meet in Chiang Mai).
- Not included: international airfare, visas, travel insurance, or hotel nights in Chiang Mai before/after the retreat.
- Deposit: $650 to hold your spot. Balance due by December 14, 2025.
- Cancellation policy: Deposits are non-refundable, but balances may be refunded (with conditions).
Why Join?
This is more than a yoga retreat — it’s an opportunity to connect deeply with yourself, community, and the natural world. You’ll return home with a renewed sense of compassion, groundedness, and joy.Next Steps:
- RSVP here to express your interest.
- Visit yogaanimalrights.org/retreats/northern-thailand-retreat for full details and to officially register.