4 Day Goddess Empowerment and Healing Retreat • October 2023

Sedona, AZ, USA

JL
Jaya Lakshmi
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18 reviews
Oct 8 - 11, 2023
Group size: 1 - 16
4 Day Goddess Empowerment and Healing Retreat • October 2023
Sedona, AZ, USA

Jaya Lakshmi
  • Email address verified
  • Facebook verified
18 reviews

Oct 8 - 11, 2023
Group size: 1 - 16

About this trip

This retreat is for you if you:

  • feel called to attend a women's retreat
  • are interested in the Goddesses of India
  • are interested in exploring and empowering your divine feminine 
  • like to do yoga every morning (including meditation, asana and pranayama)
  • love or want to learn to chant, sing and learn mantras 
  • want to connect more deeply with nature
  • appreciate gourmet vegetarian food
  • would love to hike and swim around Sedona
  • enjoy connecting with other amazing, like-minded women 
  • want to relax and unwind, feel nourished and supported
  • enjoy doing things together as a group


We'll be learning more about and honoring the Goddesses Saraswati, Durga, Kali, Radhe, Lakshmi and Tara. It's fine if you are totally new to these practices and teachings. 


Every morning  we’ll go on a 2 hour Sattva Yoga Journey that includes asana (postures), pranayama (breath exercises), mantra (sacred chants) and kriya (‘evolutionary action’ - particular movements/meditations coordinated with breath and/or mantra for a specific result ) for the Goddess of the day.  The practices are for all levels of yoga experience.


In the afternoon we'll connect with nature in Sedona by going on hikes amongst the stunning red rocks and swimming in the sweet pools of Oak Creek. Journaling and napping encouraged!  Every evening we circle and sing bhajans (devotional songs), kirtan and sacred heart songs. 


Groups of friends, family and/or couples will fill an entire room.If you are a single person coming on your own for a shared room, please understand we may have to change your original room request to get the best arrangements for the entire group.It may take time to match you up with other singles. Thanks for being flexible!

Check-In and Out & Travel

Check-in will be on Sunday, Oct 8th at 5pm.

Check out is Wednesday, Oct 11th at 11am.


You can fly into Flagstaff, which is a bit closer to Sedona (45 min) although it can be more expensive - you can always check for deals. Otherwise, fly into Phoenix.  Renting a car is suggested, or there are shuttles available directly to the venue through Groome Transporation.  Ride shares are also possible with other participants if set up ahead of time.


My Personal Story of Goddess Inspiration

      I have had the vision of a Goddess Retreat for many years.  Finally the time has come where everything feels aligned to do this kind of work.  I have learned patience to a deeper degree, as so many of us have, over this time of Covid and the great slowdown.  It has truly been a period of deep introspection and ‘reformatting’ oneself, of transformation and acceptance of truth, causing a great wave of growth, especially for those of us on the spiritual path who are here to grow!

     My 10 year relationship with my partner ended/transformed in 2020.  I am very much in the process of re-claiming my Self, rediscovering my Self, re-establishing my sovereignty, and exploring what that means, at the age of 57. My two daughters are grown up and thriving for the most part so I am blessed with this fully open time in my life. 

     I often feel that the ‘Goddess’ whoever She may be, in whatever forms she comes, has called me to journey deeper within myself, to heal myself, to more intimately align myself with the energies and forces of the Divine Feminine surging through me. And on this journey the Divine Masculine is also revealed and coming back into balance. It’s really what it’s all about, all this spiritual work. To come into Divine Union within ourselves, integrating the Divine Feminine and Masculine.

Yet because I agreed somewhere in my soul contract to incarnate in a women’s body this lifetime, I get the opportunity to fully live and embody the divine feminine. As we women understand, being a woman in this world has an extra set of challenges, that also comes with great reward. Just the fact that we bear children and go through the whole process of motherhood, that physically we are not as strong as men (in general) and we are extra sensitive emotionally sets us up for a lot of intense growth in one lifetime on this planet.

     I have had quite a strong relationship with ‘the Goddess’ since I was a teenager. At a young age I understood there was a Goddess who lived within me, and She had her own connection to my ancient lineage, to streams of wisdom flowing through my body, and visions and memories of  lives lived in the past and in other realms. I felt drawn to become more than I was expected to be in the flat 3D world where I grew up in suburban New Jersey. Don’t get me wrong, it was a fantastic childhood with loving parents, filled with magic and mystery. I even had a horse for all my teen years before I left for college and would go riding on trails behind my house, fostering fantasies and daydreams of other times and lives.  My beloved, kind father was a great provider and a faithful, loving husband.  My mother grew a huge garden and fed us well. She was also an accomplished pianist and helped set my foundation and connection with music for life - for this and more I am ever grateful. 

     But I really had no spiritual mentors, nor was my mother any source of Goddess wisdom for me other than fulfilling her role as a traditional good mother. Which is precious, I know how fortunate I am in this sense. But you know what I’m saying…her daughter turned out to be a wild spirit, a shamaness being summoned to other realms, a healer and a devotee of the spirit, a dancer, a yogini, a weaver and singer, a rebel at heart that couldn’t be contained.  What’s a traditional mother to do? She didn’t know what to make of me and struggled at even liking me sometimes, as I pushed the edge even though I didn’t want to - I wrestled with a force within me that was wanting to be expressed. 

     In my early 20’s in the midst of a number of psychedelic experiences with psilocybin, LSD, and ecstasy much was revealed to me. I was majoring in cultural anthropology in college at UNH, focusing largely on women’s global and tribal studies. I was particularly fascinated with the rise of the feminine power in the world. I read the classics such as ‘When God was a Woman’ (1976),  ‘Ancient Mirrors of Womanhood’ (1979) by Merlin Stone (1976) , ‘The Spiral Dance’ by Starhawk (1979), ‘Drawing Down the Moon’ by Margaret Adler (1979), ‘The White Goddess’ by Robert Graves (1948) and later on, The Great Cosmic Mother (1987) by Monica Shoo & Barbara More, The Language of the Goddess by Marija Gimbutas (1989).  I completely and totally related to all of it. My anthropology teacher always kept me in check though as she reminded me that many  of the claims of long standing matriarchies had insufficient archaeological evidence to prove they actually existed as described. Yet it was acknowledged that so much of our past remains a mystery and much of it perhaps only existing within the memory of our DNA. 


     Something in me has always ‘known’ that many things have been hidden from us and ‘history’ as we know it is just that: ‘HIS’ story and is a very minimal telling of the complex and rich tapestry of human experience over thousands of years.

This is why I loved ‘The Mists of Avalon’ series and ‘The Firebrand’ (the re-telling of the Helen of Troy story) by Marion Zimmer Bradley, who dared to imagine a different version of these great stories from the feminine perspective. Isn’t this something we should do to all the great stories and historical accounts of humanity? Consider that there are huge pieces missing - very valuable perspectives that were not valued, reported or captured at the time. Perspectives of grandmothers, mothers, daughters, business women, educated women, etc have largely gone unrecognized and unpreserved by the dominant popular (patriarchal) cultures of the times, in most of the world. 

     This brings me to the revelation of the Goddess in India. When I was 23 (1988), I found myself in a tiny little cabin loft, adorned with crystals and crescent moon windows, in the misty mountains of Coastal Oregon - the quintessential Oregon hippy dream I’d been dreaming for years. My partner at the time and I had collected a lot of books on Indian spirituality, including ‘Be Here Now’ and  ‘Miracle of Love’ by Ram Das, The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, The Ramayana, the Mata AmritAnandamayi Ma (Amma) biography, ‘Awaken Children’ and other gems of popular spiritual literature streaming over into the west from the Motherland. I found a marvelous book in a shop in Santa Cruz titled ‘In Praise of Tara’, Songs to the Saviouress, by Martin Willson (1986) that changed my life. It became one of the bibles of my life. I still have it today and refer to it often as I seek to commune with the Goddess Tara. Many people don’t realize but Tara was originally an ancient goddess of the northern region of modern India. She had quite a following, that is known as the ‘Cult of Tara’. Only later did she migrate up to Tibet and become integrated into Tibetan Buddhism.  

     I read and absorbed. I also fell in love with the story of Ramakrishna and Sarada Devi. She was the embodiment of the Divine Feminine to him and he basically worshipped her. It was a divine love story, without the taint of the mundane.

I was intrigued by the concept of ‘Kali’ and ‘Durga’ and the ancient pantheon of Hindu deities. I had always been drawn to India since I was a girl, by the sound of Indian music and the exotic tastes of Indian food, by the mystical temples and rich timelessness of the culture, where so many still actively worshiped the deities and many in the form of the divine feminine. Where else in the world does one find so many temples to the Goddess? To Lakshmi, Kali, Durga. Shrines to Radha. Saraswati murtis in the house of every musician. Daily ceremonies (pujas) and prayers are an integral part of life in India and in many communities and villages the Goddess reigns supreme. This doesn’t necessarily translate to equality among the sexes and the positive treatment of women, or a harmonious egalitarian society but it does say something that people see The Divine as feminine with feminine qualities, as Mother Creatress or Mother of the Universe (Jagad Ambe). So many other aspects of the Divine Feminine are at the forefront of the ‘Hindu’ culture and are revered and respected throughout India. 

     The Goddess is alive and magic is afoot’  is certainly true in India as it is in many of the pagan movements around the world experiencing a resurgence of the ancient spiritual practices of their ancestors before Christianity took over. In India, the concept of the Divine feminine is woven into the fabric of society and has been for thousands of years.  

This is why I am inspired to explore these living Goddess traditions of India as a way to experience the Divine Feminine archetypes. There is a wealth of literature and ancient texts to dive into to learn how human consciousness has been and is still is relating to the Goddess in her many aspects.  

     In this retreat we will get acquainted with six of the most popular goddesses of India. It is a basic approach but one I feel that nurtures the cultivation of intimacy with each. Truly we could spend many years just on one Goddess as many devotees do, even a lifetime or lifetimes of developing one’s relationship with Her ever unfolding aspects as She reveals Herself.  But this is a good place to start! 

Especially with the yoga journeys, we get to experience these embodiment practices of kriya, pranayama, mantra and asana. The Goddess is living in these living yoga traditions and we have this incredible opportunity to align ourselves with such refined frequencies, body, mind and soul. Through the practice of these powerful yoga techniques and coming together to reflect the Divine Feminine for each other in her infinite unique forms we expand more into our beautiful and unlimited potential. I feel this is what pleases Her the most, to see Her creation growing and blossoming, Her beauty expanding, Her experience of ecstasy ever deepening through us. Om Devi Ma Namoh Nama.   

Refund Policy

- If you cancel more than 90 days before your retreat start date, 100% of your payment will be refunded

- If you cancel 40 – 89 days before your retreat start date, 75% of your payment will be refunded. - If you cancel 30 – 39 days before your retreat start date, 50% of your payment will be refunded. - If you cancel 29 days or less before your retreat start date, you can apply 30% of your payment to another retreat.

What’s included

  • 3 Vegetarian Meals a Day
    Meals are vegan and mostly organic with dairy and egg options. Snacks provided throughout the day, all provided by our very own talented chef. Filtered water available.
  • Lodging
    Shared and single room options, camping and local participants welcome
  • All activities
  • Hot tub and pool
    Make sure to bring your swimsuit!
  • Yoga Items
    Yoga mats, blankets and cushions are available.

What’s not included

  • Transportation
    Participants are responsible for their own transportation. Rental cars suggested, or ride share with others

Available Packages

Garden Room - Shared Room for 2

Moondance House - Garden Room - Shared Room:  2 twin beds, shared halllway bathroom • $800 per person.

To see the house and room, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QpNKl1cGRg&ab_channel=GlobalChangeMedia

$800
Deposit: $200
Yang Room - Shared Room for 2

Yang Room - Shared Room, 2 twin beds, shared hallway bathroom. $800 each person. To see the house and room, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QpNKl1cGRg&ab_channel=GlobalChangeMedia

$800
Deposit: $200
Sage Room - Shared Room for 2

Sage Room - Big shared room with three twin beds and private bathroom.  $850 per person. To see the house and room, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QpNKl1cGRg&ab_channel=GlobalChangeMedia

$850
Deposit: $200
Master Lavender - For Single

Luxurious master bedroom with king size bed, private deluxe bathroom and jacuzzi. Single is $1280 total. To see the house and room, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QpNKl1cGRg&ab_channel=GlobalChangeMedia

$1,280
Deposit: $400
Zen Room - For Single

Deluxe bedroom with queen size bed, futon couch and private half bathroom (shared hallway shower) $1220 total for single.  Has a special veranda outside with view, small table & chairs.   Note:  This room is somewhat open to the meditation room underneath it.  To see the house and room, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QpNKl1cGRg&ab_channel=GlobalChangeMedia

$1,200
Deposit: $400
Peace Nook - For Single

Peace Nook  - Small room with a single bed and shared hallway bathroom.  To see the house and room, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QpNKl1cGRg&ab_channel=GlobalChangeMedia

$850
Deposit: $200
Jade Room - Single

Elegant large bedroom with queen size bed and private bathroom.  To see the house and room, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QpNKl1cGRg&ab_channel=GlobalChangeMedia

$1,220
Zen Room - Shared Room for 2

Deluxe bedroom with queen size bed, futon couch and private half bathroom (shared hallway shower) • 2 people will split $1650 however they wish. .  Has a special veranda outside with view, small table & chairs.   Note:  This room is somewhat open to the meditation room underneath it.  To see the house and room, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QpNKl1cGRg&ab_channel=GlobalChangeMedia

$1,650
Lavender Room - Shared Room for 2

Lavender Room - Shared Room, 2 twin beds, private bathroom • $850 per person.  To see the house and room, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QpNKl1cGRg&ab_channel=GlobalChangeMedia

$850
Deposit: $200
Campsite

Campsite available for 1 or 2 people. Bring your own gear, use facilities in house. 


$500
Deposit: $200
Master Lavender - Shared for 2

Moondance House: Lavender Master Suite Shared for 2 -$900 per person. 

Best for close friends, couple, or family. 

Luxurious master bedroom with king size bed or two twin beds, and kitchenette. 

Shared bathroom & shower with jacuzzi plus additional outdoor shower. To see the house and room, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QpNKl1cGRg&ab_channel=GlobalChangeMedia

      

$900
Deposit: $400
Local Day Rate

This price is for those who live locally and wish to participate in the retreat without staying on the property. This includes all activities and meals, use of the house during the day & evening.  A commitment to attend the entire retreat and help hold the container with the group is asked of those who choose this option. 


$444
Deposit: $200
Sage Room - for Single

Moondance House: Sage Room for Single

Comfortable room with king-sized bed and private bathroom • $1220 per person.  To see the house and room, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QpNKl1cGRg&ab_channel=GlobalChangeMedia



$1,220
Deposit: $400


Itinerary

Day 1
Arriving

Check in is open at 4pm, Dinner served at 6:30pm, Welcome Circle at 8pm - 9:30pm

Your Organizer


JL
Jaya Lakshmi
18 reviews
Jaya Lakshmi has led spiritual yoga-based adventure retreats since 2011. She is well known for her music career of 30 years, which has produced over 19 albums in the genres of mantra music, singer-songwriter and electronica. In addition to offering sacred music and ceremony at retreats, she is also a certified Sattva Yoga Teacher (Rishikesh, India) and has an extensive background of yoga training and experience.

Reviews

Wonderful retreat! It was powerful participating in an all woman retreat. Of course the hiking was amazing, food delicious and Lakshmi’s singing beautiful!! I would love to go again. 💕💕💕
By Kelly H for 6 Day Goddess Empowerment and Healing Retreat in Sedona on May 26, 2023
Amazing! The safe cocoon of sisterhood is such a gift. We sang and laughed and cried and did yoga and hiked and danced and ate wonderful food and on and on. I hope to return!
By Holly W for 6 Day Goddess Empowerment and Healing Retreat in Sedona on May 18, 2023
Absolutely incredible experience. Full of love and connection among the group, beautiful activities like hiking, yoga and visiting the creek in Sedona. Jaya Lakshmi’s presence and leadership brought us all on a special, heartfelt journey over these 4 days as we learned not only about the Goddess, but how to embody the Goddess in our own lives. Highly recommend to come solo or with a loved one– whatever you are called to, I’m sure it will be just the medicine you are in need of!
By Ellie Y for 4 Day Goddess Empowerment and Healing Retreat • October 2022 on Oct 20, 2022
Omg, what a treat to spend 6 days with 20 incredible ladies! Lakshmi has something fun going on at all times — music, yoga, hiking and meals far beyond anyone’s expectations. Would do it again in a heart beat. Yummmmmmmm meeeeee 🥰
By Monica R for 6 Day Goddess Empowerment and Healing Retreat in Sedona on Jun 09, 2022
I had an Amazing time. Sedona is a Very powerful place. This Retreat was a great learning experience and an awesome getaway to melt the Stress away. She is a beautiful Soul and I enjoyed all the activities scheduled. She was very flexible and kind with individuals who were a little new to Yoga and meditations as well. Great Time!
By Diana L for 6 Day Goddess Empowerment and Healing Retreat in Sedona on May 11, 2022
Show More Reviews

References

RR
10 days ago I went on the most amazing retreat in Sedona.. I went with the intention of finding the inner strength and clarity much needed for day to day living. I was in a difficult space -- and intuitively I knew I needed the strength that can only be arrived in knowing myself by means of inner stillness and having the support of strong women around me.. Lakshmi, in this goddess retreat provides a unique experience of yoga meditation hiking amazing vegan gf food food loving camaraderie with women having similar spiritual mindsets. ( That said even if one would arrive here not having explored a spiritual path, one would feel completely comfortable here and accepted ). Each day we went deeper and deeper exploring our inner being...the Goddesses within..morning breathing exercises and yoga were phenomenal. Having prepared our mind and body, the daily hikes were *that*much more beautiful. On the second day, most memorable to me, was a rewarding beautiful double rainbow coupled with a cleansing sprinkles of rain - on my birthday. (Side note: These beautiful women gave the most beautiful bday with a warm group hug, singing and a surprise cake. I was so touched. Felt so connected!) Even 2 weeks afterwards, I feel the calm, the strength. Now back in trials of daily living and it's challenges, I see I am wise - I see and reach for the goddess warrior in me. I never imagined this retreat would have such an impact. I look at the world differently... Like a droplet of water on a leaf... Attached but detached... Thank you Lakshmi... The healing that you provide has been profound.
By Ranjani R on 25 Oct, 2022
rr
10 days ago I went on the most amazing retreat in Sedona.. I went with the intention of finding the inner strength and clarity much needed for day to day living. I was in a difficult space -- and intuitively I knew I needed the strength that can only be arrived in knowing myself by means of inner stillness and having the support of strong women around me.. Lakshmi, in this goddess retreat provides a unique experience of yoga meditation hiking amazing vegan gf food food loving camaraderie with women having similar spiritual mindsets. ( That said even if one would arrive here not having explored a spiritual path, one would feel completely comfortable here and accepted ). Each day we went deeper and deeper exploring our inner being...the Goddesses within..morning breathing exercises and yoga were phenomenal. Having prepared our mind and body, the daily hikes were *that*much more beautiful. On the second day, most memorable to me, was a rewarding beautiful double rainbow coupled with a cleansing sprinkles of rain - on my birthday. (Side note: These beautiful women gave the most beautiful bday with a warm group hug, singing and a surprise cake. I was so touched. Felt so connected!) Even 2 weeks afterwards, I feel calm. Now back in trials of daily living and it's challenges, I see I am strong - I see and reach for the goddess warrior in me. I never imagined this retreat would have such an impact. I look at the world differently... Like a droplet of water on a leaf... Attached but detached... Thank you Lakshmi... The healing that you provide has been profound.
By ranjani r on 25 Oct, 2022
I really enjoyed Jaya Lakshmi‘s women’s retreat. The schedule was lovely, our nature outings were epic, singing and doing yoga together with her was amazing, and the food was incredible. This retreat cleared away some depression I was feeling and left me feeling relaxed and renewed. I am so happy I made the choice to attend and will do so again.
By Signa C on 21 Oct, 2022