Weekend Workshops

Retreats (more information for Maui Retreat)

 Women empowering women to reclaim your self, voice and connection with nature

 Gather in a circle of women as we celebrate and nurture each other, the earth and the sacred feminine

The time has come for women to reclaim her essential feminine nature - to take a step back from the high pace of the times and reconnect with the truth of who she is. The power of the deep feminine is soft, nurturing and all embracing, while at the same time it is strong, commanding, and alchemical.  In this she can be transformed to a place of creativity and strength, which empowers her to experience her own beauty,  claim her authority, express who she is without censure, and give her unique gifts to the world.

Find Your Passion, Power & Purpose 

Do you feel you have a mission that goes beyond doing a job that has no meaning for you or taking care of everyone else? Then it is time for you to summon the courage to speak up, step out, and do what you are here to do. Learning to connect with your deeper nature - your soul, then knowing it's truth and being able to express it, moves you closer to your authentic self and living a life of soul-where life expresses who you are, including giving your natural gifts to the world.

Learn to Live a Life of Soul

This workshop enables you to tap into your reservoir of creativity and wisdom which gives you the strength to overcome your fears to expressing your full voice in the world. You will gain both practical information and inspiration for how to break out of the "shoulds" of everyday living.  Learning to know your truth and gaining the courage to express it moves you closer to your authentic self and living a life of soul-where your life expresses who you are, including giving your natural gifts to the world.  Living more authentically and creatively allows for better relationships, right livelihood and more joy.  

 

Experience the joy, healing and empowerment
 that comes with creative expression

In a safe environment, where no previous experience is necessary, we engage in a number of creative mediums, including using the voice, movement, song, art, writing, heart sharing and other forms of creative play. The natural ability for expressing artistically and creatively exists in every one. Creative expression teaches you how to surrender to the moment and let go of judgment, two very important factors for most all else that you do. Expressing creatively not only gives you the courage and strength to express more fully, it also magically unleashes your passion, vitality and enthusiasm for life. 

Opening to the creative in yourself is not only fulfilling, it heals your psyche, feeds your soul, and transforms all else that you do. As one expert in the field said "it creates a container for what is buried in our psyche and helps us make sense of our world." Through the creative process you are able to access deeper awareness and make choices to move forward in life in a more self loving, creative and empowered way. Participants will come away with a clearer sense of purpose as well as with insights and tools to move forward in life with more creativity, passion, and power. 

Experience the ancient synergistic power of women supporting women

For many centuries women have been sold a bill of goods regarding their sexuality, strength and worth.  We have been pitted against each other rather than bonding together, which has been a source of empowerment for woman throughout the ages. In addition unrealistic standards set by the culture make it nearly impossible for women to ever feel completely satisfied with who they are, what they have, or what they do. With all this, women have lost their voice and ability to stand up, speak out and show their true colors. They have been willing to accept less than they are worth in relationships, on the job, and in the life in general.   But those days are seriously over. This is the new millennium and woman are now stating that we will no longer be bound by the old ideals of how we are supposed to look, act, or be at home or in the world.

Throughout the ages women have met in circle and ritual to support each other through challenging times and to celebrate their beauty and ecstasies as well. When women connect with other women and especially when they are seen, accepted and embraced expressing who they are in creative and meaningful ways, magic happens. In these workshops you will be given the tools, awareness and experiences that will open a special door within your soul, that will make it impossible to remain silenced.

A Passage from Breaking up to Breaking Through

There comes a time in most every woman's life when it feels like everything is falling apart.   An important relationship may be breaking up, health may fail, or a secure job or home becomes anything but that. This is a powerful pivotal point where one can succumb into the depths of despair, or consciously experience that despair and ultimately break through to a new and higher ground.  You will learn how to be with and embrace everything about yourself and what is happening in your life, including that which you consider the worst.

You will also learn however, how to use your challenges and disliked attributes to catapult you into transformation, where you begin to recover your most self nurturing, honoring and empowered self.  Come join with other women and let yourself be supported, healed and transformed by the power that is the ultimate feminine, to a new more self loving and empowered you.

Experience the Power of Connection to Nature, Women and Your Creativity

• Participate in transformational and deeply moving sacred rituals
• Experience the beauty and healing power of Nature in a tropical jungle, mountain stream, rock canyon, pine forest or natural beach
• Heal through the nurturing power of women and sacred waters
  (Secluded waterfalls and pools or warm purified mountain water in indoor swimming pool)
• Discover the essence of women's spirituality and its relationship with the Earth
• Transform your consciousness through expressive movement, music, voice, and sound
  

Nature - the ultimate healer, teacher, and connection to soul

Depending on the location and length of the workshop or retreat we will adventure to secluded waterfalls, salt water pools, natural beaches, mountain streams and pools, rock canyons, or other special off the beaten path nature havens. 

Discovering our inborn enchantment with the natural world is an important stage in child development. The problem is that for many of us this phase was either missed or quickly passed over due to cultural propensities for liner education, sports and other worldly priorities.  In addition, as we have grown, the pace and pressures of modern living have many of us believe that there is "no time" for taking time with the Mother.  Consequently many have become quite displaced from their inherent relationship with the natural world.  And along with this, a loss of connection with soul.

"Soul is the deepest essence, the mysterious center of our psyches.  It is the sacred realm of our most heart felt purposes and of our lives' unique meanings.  Soul holds the keys to the most important lessons of our lifetimes - and to the gifts that are ours alone to bring to the world."

                                   Bill Plotkin, Ph.D. - Animus Valley Institute

Inviting soul encounter can open you to deep healing, open your heart, awareness and integration of your "shadow nature," and ultimately your life purpose.  A deep and profound connection and communication with nature can begin to open the door to a life that is fully rooted in soul.

In all our programs we incorporate nature experiences that foster a growing relationship with the natural world, the Mother, and encounters with soul.  These experiences range from  afternoon "talking with Grandmother" exercises to overnight fasting vigils. Experience for yourself the immense power, beauty and transformative qualities of sacred time spent in nature.   

Through the creative process, support of other women and healing power of nature you will gain the strength to face and overcome your fears, speak your truth and express your unique gifts  

Do you:

• Find yourself with way too much to do and not enough time to do it?
• Losing a sense of real connection to yourself, life and those around you?
• Want to leave a relationship or quit a job that doesn't suit you, but can't find the courage?
• Let self doubt or fear stop you from pursuing for your dreams?
• Say yes when you mean no?
• Long to sing, dance, or write but wouldn't dare?
• Desire more passion, color, or creativity in your life?

Learn to:

• Deepen your connection to soul, others and a more sacred aspect of life
• Access your higher wisdom and deepest truth anytime
• Speak your truth-to ANYBODY and express yourself in ALL situations
• Transition from humdrum to right livelihood
• Suspend letting opinions of others or your own internal judgements stop you
• Feel passionate about your life
• Access the creative artist in you
• Go for what you want
  Boldly and authentically express who you are and give your best gifts to the world

What other Retreat and Workshop Participants have to say. 

Prices

Weekend Workshops Please Read The New Donation Basis  Policy on fees $250 per person $200 early registration  (up to one month before workshop) $200 each (bring a friend)  $175 early registration Friday eves 7-9:30 Sat & Sunday 9:30am-6:00pm  $50 required to hold space   Early registration = 1 month prior  and paid in full 2 weeks before

Retreats Please Read The New Donation Basis Policy on fees Price: $950 each, $800 ea. (early reg)  $800 each (bring a friend) $650 (early reg) ($100 discount for camping) Maui  $1500 or $1350 early reg. $1350 ea (bring a friend) $1250 early reg. ($100 off for dorm room) (more information) $100 deposit required to hold space Early registration = deposit 2 months prior,  paid in full one month prior

Print Registration Form Here

Bios of Facilitators
Joy Freeman, D.C., Ph.D.(cand),  
Juliana Dahl, Ph.D.,C.S.S.E. (for July workshop)
Bonnie Mansdorf M.A., Ph.D.(for Oct retreat)    
Denise Ariahna Nadler D.C., (for Feb retreat)
Michelle Morris Prince, LMT, CHT (for Aug retreat)