Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Andrews.
Hi Whitney, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Yoga Elements Retreats was founded in 2022 by Whitney Andrews and Maggie Merkiel, two best friends fresh out of yoga teacher training and fresh off a few retreats together. They knew they wanted to create something of their own—and from day one, three things were clear: yoga, nature, and connection.
Those three pillars still define everything we do today (and when you sprinkle in a little authenticity, you’ve got the essence of our brand).
After hosting over 100 women across seven unforgettable retreats, Maggie relocated and stepped away from what was then solely a retreat company. Whitney, having found deep purpose in their work, kept the dream alive—and soon after expanded it into Yoga Elements & Retreats, a yoga studio and retreat company with roots firmly planted in her hometown of Bunnell, Florida.
Our boutique infrared-heated studio now offers over 20 yoga and Pilates classes each week, alongside monthly meditations, prenatal sessions, and specialty workshops. True to our foundation, we continue to embody yoga, nature, connection, and authenticity—encouraging teachers to lead from the heart and students to show up exactly as they are, whether in class or across the globe.
Our retreats have now expanded worldwide—we just returned from an incredible journey through Peru with 18 women and are already preparing for our sold-out Greece retreat in May 2026. Each experience is infused with adventure, culture, and community—from hiking and exploring nature to sharing local cuisine and practicing yoga in some of the most breathtaking places on Earth.
Together, these moments have created a community rooted in truth and connection. Because we believe that when you show up as your true self, your people find you—and we’ve found some of the best women in the world along the way.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
This company was created out of thin air. What started as a simple vision for teepee retreats in the beginning has grown into a full yoga studio, a packed schedule, and now international retreats. Every part of it has come from ideas we turned into reality. It takes a lot of hard work and long hours to make it all happen, and sure, that can be a struggle sometimes. But when you’re living out your dream, it doesn’t really feel like one. The hard work always pays off.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Yoga Elements & Retreats isn’t just a yoga studio. It’s a sanctuary. A place where you can leave the noise of the world behind and reconnect with yourself—whether that’s for an hour on the mat or for a few days away on retreat.
Founder Whitney Andrews has built something that feels deeply personal. Inside the studio, small class sizes and a welcoming atmosphere allow every student to move without comparison. Teachers take the time to notice, guide, and support each person individually, creating a practice that feels both safe and empowering. With a schedule designed for real life and all its ups and downs, there’s something for every version of you—whether you’re craving calm, strength, stillness, or release.
But what truly sets Yoga Elements & Retreats apart are the experiences that extend beyond the studio walls. The women-only retreats are the heartbeat of the brand, leading guests from the oak-draped beauty of Old Florida to breathtaking destinations across the world. Each retreat blends yoga, adventure, and connection, offering a chance to rediscover who you are when you step outside your comfort zone.
“Watching women come alive on these trips is everything,” Whitney says. “They remember how strong they are, how worthy they are, and how much life there is waiting for them.”
At its core, Yoga Elements & Retreats is about transformation—the kind that happens when you move your body, breathe deeply, and say yes to something bigger than routine. It’s more than yoga. It’s connection, community, and coming home to yourself.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned through this journey is to trust my intuition. For a long time, I held back. I kept parts of my vision quiet out of fear that people wouldn’t want what I had to offer. But the more I’ve leaned into what feels true to me—what I genuinely love and believe in—the more people have shown up who connect with it too.
Pricing:
- 21 Days of Unlimited Yoga $45
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yogaelementsretreats.com
- Instagram: @yogaelementsretreats
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YogaElementsRetreats
