Retreat. Step away from the daily responsibilities and demands of your world and step into an oceanfront sanctuary with other women who are seeking rich and meaningful connection. Join us for a nourishing week of reclaiming your essence, reloving your magnificence, and witnessing what may arise when we all slow down and rest.

Your retreat co-hosts will be Joanne (Jo) Frederick, Founder of The Feminary®, and Dawn Nickel, Co-Founder of SHE RECOVERS®.

What's The Feminary, you ask? It's a community for women and non-binary individuals who identify with women's communities who are seeking to emerge from the layers of familial, societal, religious, misogynistic, patriarchal, materialistic and other scripting. It's a community where slowing down and connecting with self and others are considered essential practices. YOU are welcome here.

Jo and Dawn have lovingly taken care of all the details so all you need to do is arrange your flights and pack a suitcase. You'll be greeted at the Cancun airport by a professional driver who will be your guide for the 20 kilometer route to the villa, which is located north of Cancun on the peaceful and remote peninsula known as Isla Blanca. The location is secluded yet safe, with on site staff available at all times.   

The luxurious seven bedroom oceanfront villa will be your home away from home, where the turquoise waters of the Caribbean sea will provide the visual and acoustic backdrop for the week. Watch the sun rise in the morning, be entranced by the waves throughout the day, and be lulled to sleep by rhythmic sound of the water from your comfortable bed at night. 

Each day of the retreat, you get to choose what you do...or better yet...what you don't do. Just be. Sleep late. Wake early to watch the sun rise. Lay on a lounge chair overlooking the ocean and read. Nap. Go for a walk along the endless beach. Play. Deep dive into rich and meaningful conversation. Laugh. Cry. Laugh some more. Do some gentle yoga. Have a massage. Relish in a hammock at dusk. Watch the clouds. Reflect. Float in the pool. Wonder. Ponder. Dream. Reconnect with yourself. Write a love letter to Mother Nature. Just be.   

Nourishingly delicious meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), snacks and beverages will be prepared by the in-house chef, Vicky, and her exceptional team. Rumour has it that they add plenty of Vitamin L (love) to all the food. Daily menus have been curated to tantalize your taste buds while meeting your specific dietary needs. 

Please note that the retreat will be an alcohol and drug free experience so as to support and honour women recovering from substance-related challenges and those who may be sober curious. A portion of funds generated from the retreat will be donated to the SHE RECOVERS® Foundation.    

Be sure to look through the numerous photos of the villa, pool, and nearby beach to get a sense of the accommodations, amenities and location. 

Please read the following information carefully before completing registration and payment:

*All prices are in US dollars (USD);

*Please confirm your retreat dates in your calendar before you book! Please check the expiration date of your passport to ensure you will be able to travel to and from Mexico for the retreat;

 * The $500 deposit reserves your space at the retreat. Under special circumstances, with approval of the retreat facilitators, your deposit may be transferred (1x) to a future Feminary Retreat (within a one-year period). An administration fee of 50% of your deposit will be applied to the transfer, e.g. $250 may be eligible for transfer;

 * Final payment is due 60 days prior to the retreat start date (December 28, 2025). If you need to cancel after that date, a refund cannot be provided;   

*If you cancel 31 – 59 days before your retreat start date, you will forfeit 50% of your final payment amount. The remaining 50% may be applied to a future Feminary Retreat within a one-year period;

*If you cancel 30 days or less before your retreat start date, you will forfeit your entire retreat payment;

* If you cancel 29 days or less before the retreat start date, you will forfeit your deposit and final payment.

* You will be asked to agree to the Registration and Cancellation Policy in the Participant Info section in order to complete your registration.