Please note

Another Water Your Soul Retreat will be planned in the future, hopefully 2023. Read on to peek in at what a previous WYS retreat was all about.

What does Water Your Soul really mean?

It's about creating space for you, space for your soul care practice, in the midst of whatever life hands you. It's seeking the in-between moments and nourishing yourself. It's saying "Yes" to filling up your internal well, so you can be more present to your life and your loved ones. It's honoring The And Space - the place where we hold the beauty and the grit - and learning the ways you can support yourself in that space.

It isn't always easy, which is why we come together to practice it. It isn't always pretty, which is why we circle to tell the true stories to be reminded that we aren’t alone.

But it's a choice we can explore. Each day. It's a choice to say: I am ready to deeply connect with me, to be with myself in the quiet, to listen to what I need. And this retreat is going to help you make that choice a little more each day.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Some pieces that make this retreat special:

At Water Your Soul, we'll gather in a gorgeous ocean-front home in Manzanita, Oregon. We'll spend time learning about and experiencing soul care and mindfulness practices. We'll create the beginnings of an art journal, take some photos, share some stories, and even write a poem or two. We're also going to spend time deeply nourishing ourselves with food, walks on the beach, sitting inside by the fire, and maybe even have a dance party (okay, we will have a dance party).

Water Your Soul gives you permission to explore what you most need while in community so you can begin to integrate these practices and take them home with you. It's your opportunity to spend time with the self-care you're longing for while also letting yourself be nurtured by others.

PRACTICE AND LEARN ABOUT CREATIVE SELF-CARE

We'll spend time practicing and learning about creative self-care as we play with words, take some photos, walk on the beach, and explore other forms of creative play and connection.
 

listen to what you need to come home to you

You'll explore ways to seek stillness and spend time in the quiet. We'll talk about how you can create an individual mindfulness practice when you get home.

Recharge with Mother Ocean

The Pacific Ocean will be a teacher for us as we connect with her each day as she's literally steps away from the home where we'll gather. We'll also practice a story releasing ceremony and invite her to hold our stories. 

Dip your toes INTO an art journaling practice

We will be filling up a journal with papers, paint, collage, writing, dreams, blessings, prayers, and so many other good things as I teach you some of my favorite journaling practices.

experience mindfulness in Sacred space

We'll slow down and deeply experience mindfulness practices, create a community altar in the middle of our circle, and look at ways we can create space for the sacred in our daily lives.

Connect with Like-Minded Kindreds

There will be time to tell your story and listen to the stories of others. Many of the dear souls who attend Be Present Retreats form friendships that last far beyond the retreat.

And dear one, this retreat has come together in the most magical way!

The short(ish) version: I had a dream (like a real dream at night while I was asleep) in late August where I wrote a Facebook status asking if a few people wanted to gather with me in late November for a retreat in Manzanita. So many people said yes! And the dream shifted to the retreat and we were gathered in a moment full of candlelight and laughter and poetry and connection and it felt so real.

I woke up filled with that magic plus missing leading retreat so much (it's been a couple of years). So I wrote a status on Facebook (in real life) and said that I'd had this dream. And there was a chorus of replies saying, "I have this dream too. Can we do it? Can we make it happen?" And here you are reading these words. We did. We made it happen. And I so hope you can come along. 

your retreat tuition includes

Note: There are just 12 spots available at the Water Your Soul Retreat with just 8 lodging spots in the main house. Information and lodging options are below. Before the retreat, I'll share a suggested supply list for the creative activities you'll be doing on this retreat. I'll also be bringing my usual vintage suitcases full of creative goodies and supplies for you to have fun with. 

*Meals include: Breakfast every morning, dinner Wednesday through Saturday, and lunch on Thursday and Saturday. Friday's lunch time will be on your own in town. There are many delicious options!
GF and vegetarian options will be provided at every meal. Please share any food allergies on the registration form and we will take those into consideration (as much as possible) when planning meals and snacks. If you have food concerns, we will communicate with you as we get closer to the retreat so you can decide where you might need to supplement based on your individual needs. 

Manzanita

We'll gather in an oceanfront home (see photos below) in Manzanita, Oregon, which is a little town nestled just south of Cannon Beach. This is one of my favorite towns in the Pacific Northwest, and I'm delighted to be able to bring retreats to Manzanita again since finding the gorgeous Reed House.

Lodging

There are just a handful of rooms available for lodging at the main home (for an additional cost, see registration). Including private rooms with one bed (there is a special "bring a friend rate" for two friends who share a private room), shared rooms with two beds, and bunk bed rooms (bunks are adult-sized). 

Other Lodging

There are several other lodging possibilities in Manzanita including hotels and rental homes. Participants can connect in our private Facebook group about sharing other lodging. Depending on numbers, there is the possibility of renting additional housing nearby for everyone else, and I'll be in touch with options after you register.

Note that the nearest airport is in Portland (PDX) and is about 90 minutes or so from the coast depending on traffic. Transportation is not provided. There will be a private Facebook group for participants who want to connect ahead of time about renting cars together and carpooling etc. Many returning participants tell me that this ride to the ocean with new friends is one of their favorite parts of the retreats held on the Oregon Coast. The Main House will open at around 4:00 PM on Wednesday and we'll be done with our final gathering by about 10:30 AM on Sunday. 

Notes on accessibility: The main house is three stories, with the main floor in the middle where our gatherings will be held. Bedrooms are on all three floors. Sturdy stairs are available. It is not wheelchair accessible. Chairs will be available for group gatherings/workshops. Please send over any questions.

This retreat is for you if:

• You need to create some space in your life and want a safe container to nourish yourself.
• You're longing for some time with kindreds.
• You love getting to the good stuff in conversation and being with people who are willing to go deep is your jam.
• You've been stuck trying to find a self-care rhythm or need a reboot and are open to making some changes.
• You enjoy writing, making, tapping into the creative soul inside you (or you've been longing to).
• You are in The And Space of the beauty and the grit and you want to learn and experience ways to navigate that space.
• You're open to a bit of woo woo, and oracle cards, essential oils, and evenings lit by candles make you happy (or at least curious).
• You want to breathe deeply, laugh widely, and open your heart to the magic that arrives in a circle of kindreds.

This retreat is probably not for you if:

• You're looking for a spa-like or solitary experience. This retreat includes a lot of time in community in shared spaces. However, INTROVERTS - I've got you! There will be time to rest and recharge away from the group.
• You're expecting sunny days on the beach (it rains in the Pacific Northwest - and warm rain gear will be needed).
• You're experiencing something in your personal life that needs more support than can be given in this environment. I am not a certified therapist. While the activities we will do might feel therapeutic, they are not in place of therapy or other professional support. Feel free to get in touch if you have questions about this.
• You're hoping for three days of art workshops. While we will be having fun with some art journaling and other activities, this is not an art retreat.
• You're hoping for a business retreat about how to run a retreat or online business. While I'll be available for some conversation on these topics, they will not be covered in our group experiences or workshops.

And dear one, please get in touch with any questions. I can't wait to circle with you in just a few months! This is going to be so magical.