Slow Down, Tune in | 4-Days Yoga, Meditation, Somatics, Nature

Swannanoa, NC 28778, USA

B&
Brenda & Britt
  • Email address verified
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5 reviews
Jun 18 - 21, 2023
Group size: 4 - 5
Slow Down, Tune in | 4-Days Yoga, Meditation, Somatics, Nature
Swannanoa, NC 28778, USA

Brenda & Britt
  • Email address verified
  • Facebook verified
5 reviews

Jun 18 - 21, 2023
Group size: 4 - 5

About this trip

Take the time to slow down in the serene mountains of North Carolina. Get ready to retreat inward, cultivate a profound sense of connection, and nurture the innate healing power of being in nature. Through the transformative practices of Yoga, Meditation, Somatics, Journaling, and Storytelling Circles discover the power of slowing down and listening inward. Join us for an unforgettable experience of self-discovery, growth, and healing.

Swannanoa, NC Schedule and Details

Sunday, June 18, 2023: 4 pm check-in

  • Arrive in the beautiful land of Swannanoa, NC
  • 4:00 pm Check-in. Upon arrival take time to look around, find a room, grab tea, water
  • 5:30 pm Grounding Circle
  • 6:00 pm Meet, Connect, Intro on Contributions
  • 7:00 Light Dinner 
  • 8:00 Welcome Ceremony around the fire
    • Yoga, somatics, breathwork, meditation 
  • Rest

Monday, June 19, 2023

  • 8:00 Silent tea or coffee. Take in the sun
  • 8:30 Courage Practice 
    • Yoga, somatics, breathwork, meditation 
  • 9:30 Community Contribution 
  • 10:00 - 11:30 Nourishing Brunch 
  • 12:00 - 1:00 Free Time: Enjoy a Hike and be in nature 
  • 1:30 Community Contribution 
  • 12:30 Nourishing Lunch 
  • 2:00 Healing Discussion with guiding questions
  • 6:00 Family Dinner
  • 8:30 Enjoy the stars in the hot tub or by the firepit with reflections together
  • Rest

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

  • 8:00 Silent tea or coffee. Take in the sun
  • 8:30 Nervous System Reset Practice
    • Yoga, somatics, breathwork, meditation 
  • 9:30 Community Contribution 
  • 10:00 - 11:30 Nourishing Brunch 
  • 12:00 Mindful Walking Practice Together 
  • 1:00 Free time and rest 
  • 1:30 Nourishing Lunch 
  • 2:30 Journaling reflects on navigating identity and healing through embracing ourselves and each other
  • 3:30 Storytelling Circle, healing through storytelling, fun, games, dance 
  • 6:00 Dinner 
  • 8:30 Celebration 
  • Rest

Wednesday, June 21, 2023: Check out at 10:00 am

  • 8:00 Silent tea or coffee. Take in the sun
  • 8:30 Integrate, Reciprocate, Shares
  • 9:30 Light Breakfast (grab and go) 
  • 10:00 am Check out 

** $500 covers basic lodging, we will use SplitWise to evenly cover the cost of food. If you prefer one of the larger rooms with more amenities, we'll charge an additional fee once we get to North Carolina** 


Slow down & look to nature as our guide

The feeling of belonging can sometimes feel elusive. Difficult to capture in words. A lot of that may have to do with living in a society that is dedicated to distraction, separation, and individualism. Silent agreements of keeping your head down, being self-reliant, and working hard. This can be pervasive in the wellness world as well. Work on yourself then, only then, can you belong.


What if it was an exchange? A dance? To be curious about the stories that are all around us. Our own stories, the stories of others, and the stories of the land. How do we open ourselves up to the sacredness of life? This is what we will be exploring in this experience.


Note on Contributions:  In order to keep the cost low, we'll ask all of us to contribute whether it's food, cooking, cleaning up, driving, singing a song, leading a practice, sharing your innate gifts etc.


Our Request on vulnerability

Exploring Belonging sometimes means feeling vulnerable while being heard and seen by others on this retreat experience. Our time together may involve moments of discomfort, and while the space we cultivate is trauma-informed please know that no one is required to share more than they are willing to. We say this now because this is a very unique retreat experience, while there will be moments of relaxation, connecting to your spirit, laughter, and joy — there will be depth and vulnerable moments.  

Why Now? Why this retreat?

In our modern digital era, navigating the challenges of solo-practice, connection, and integration can be overwhelming. This retreat is designed to address these complexities. Discover the art of balancing practice, relationships, and integration. Explore the harmonious dance between self, community, and the Earth. Rewrite your story of belonging with acceptance and curiosity, acknowledging that we don't have to figure it all out alone. Experience the transformative power of connection as we navigate the human experience together. Find the equilibrium between burnout and stagnation, fostering reciprocity and alignment with our values in a culture of inspiration and support.

What we hope you’ll experience

In a secure trauma-informed, organized container while out in the field where the unknown reigns — we hope you’ll:

» Gain love, safety, and belonging in community 

» Heal through storytelling

» Create rituals of relationship and belonging

» Experience customized style of information for different types of learners

» Receive feedback from all participants. Ensure everyone has the resources they need

» Experience a space to receive and give space 

» Share  your internal landscape and emotions as much as you feel comfortable with

» A space to be heard and process out loud what’s alive in you 

» Express and learn the language of your needs through empathy

The Practices and Workshops

  • You can expect things like:
    • Movement practices like yoga, walking meditations, somatic movement
    • Various nervous system reset and restorative practices
    • Guided meditations 
    • Breathwork both active and passive styles 
    • Journaling 
    • Group and partner sharing (as much as you feel comfortable) 
    • Fun, games, and dancing 

Activities

  • Hiking
  • Hot tub
  • Fire pit 
  • Star gazing
  • Quiet time
  • Access to wild water 
  • Contributing to your community 

How to get to Swannanoa, NC

Once you sign up, you will receive the exact address and location.  

  • Drive to Swannanoa, NC or,
  • Fly into Asheville, NC (AVL) 

Cancellation & Payment Policy

Reserve your spot (10 spots available) with a non-refundable deposit of $500 and the remaining balance must be paid by June 1st. Payment plans are available! 

Cancellation Policy: We know life happens and you may need to cancel your reservation. Cancellation requests submitted within 90 days of retreat start date (March 18, 2023), are partially refunded with 75% of the amount you’ve paid (less deposit) will be returned to you. Within 30 days of your scheduled retreat, we apologize but we cannot offer refunds. 

Health & Covid Protocol

To ensure we all stay healthy and well, we'll ask for a COVID test 2-days before we arrive in-person. Please send us a photo of your results. Additionally, we'll have tests available while we're together in case anyone is feeling symptomatic. 


A note on refunds and Covid: If you do test positive, the retreat will be fully refunded. 

About Your Facilitators

Britt: Britt is a trauma-informed meditation, somatics, and social-emotional arts facilitator. She is in service to leading us back home to ourselves, each other, and the land through the languages of the breath, the body, and the arts. Britt works closely with families, children, and neurodivergent, disabled, and recovery communities. She received her meditation certification from Sarvaguna Yoga Institute in Dharamshala, India under the wisdom of Dr. Keshava Murthy. Britt received her Social Emotional Arts certification from UCLA’s Arts & Healing School. She holds an Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy Certification from The Embody Lab. Britt received her BFA in Theater from Point Park University. She has dedicated many hours of learning in anti-violence in education, ethics, non-violent communication, the science of gratitude,  nervous system resilience, and spiritual development. Britt, at her core, is a multi-disciplinary artist. The practice of creative storytelling is what helps her make sense of this complex existence. She weaves creative expression into all that she does.


Brenda: Brenda, is a dedicated practitioner, teacher, yoga and meditation educator with over 10+ years of experience. She considers herself a lifelong learner and holds a Masters of Public Health from Columbia University. Brenda’s foremost passion is to increase the well-being — mind, body, and soul — of the communities she interacts with. She is on a path to support others’ well-being through corporate and wellness workshops/retreats, authentic brand collaborations, mindful marketing, and 1-on-1 sessions. Her insights have been featured in Shape, Yoga Journal, Martha Stewart, Healthline, and Insight Timer. She is the founder of OM Marketing, working alongside as a trusted advisor and coach to conscious businesses, entrepreneurs, and other solo practitioners. Her first love in the vast world of "practice" is yoga and she believes that the yoga practice is what continues to inspire her to explore the relationship with herself and those around her while living a creative life.  

Britt & Brenda as collaborators

Brenda & Britt met in 2020, at the height of the pandemic,  in a virtual community space. Right away,  there was a kindred experience. A recognition and appreciation of each other’s grounded and sincere nature. The movement of this community led us, both, to being the primary space holders, together. In short, we held space/meetings for a group of  10-15 people, everyday, for 5-months. To put it lightly, we learned and grew A LOT during that time. It created a strong bond of trust between the two of us as friends and facilitators. Since we met,  we have been exploring the ways that we can hold intentional space. This is where we have landed and hope to continue to create together.

What’s included

  • 4-Day Lodging
    In Swannanoa, NC at the Woodland Dreams Home (land of the S’atsoyaha [Yuchi] people)
  • Contributions
    In order to keep the cost low, we'll ask all of us to contribute whether it's food, cleaning up, driving, sharing your innate gifts etc.
  • Fruit and Snacks
  • Tea and coffee
  • Access to Virtual Group
    To stay connected

What’s not included

  • Transportation
    Including airfare and arriving to Swannanoa
  • Travel insurance
    (optional)
  • Yoga mats
  • Journal

Available Packages

Trip Price
$500

Available options

Your Organizer


B&
Brenda & Britt
5 reviews
Brenda & Britt met in 2020, at the height of the pandemic, in a virtual community space. Right away, there was a kindred experience. A recognition and appreciation of each other’s grounded and sincere nature. The movement of this community led us, both, to being the primary space holders, together. In short, we held space/meetings for a group of 10-15 people, everyday, for 5-months. To put it lightly.. We learned and grew a LOT during that time. It created a strong bond of trust between the two of us

Reviews

This trip was an incredible experience! The hosts, Argentina and Brenda, are knowledgeable, helpful, considerate and amazing teachers! The location is affordable, stunning, and immersive! Gitana Del Mar is an incredible retreat center, very accommodating to guests and connected to the community around them. This was my first retreat and I 100% enjoyed every moment of it! The experience is worth your time and investment!
By Ray G for Beyond the Studio | Colombia Yoga & Meditation Retreat on Jan 06, 2020
PV
Amazing Awakening Invigorating
By Porsha V for Spring Awakening Yoga Retreat on Mar 10, 2019
The owners of the retreat center were wonderful people. Warm and very hospitable. The food was great and I especially enjoyed the fish and dessert. I enjoyed the yoga and meditation. Our group was small so we were able to get more hands on assist and adjustments. The yoga room was surrounded by trees, and lots of birds, which added great energy .
By Jayne D for Spring Awakening Yoga Retreat on Mar 09, 2019
I loved everything about the Spring Awakening Retreat in Panama with Brenda and Argentina—the varied, thoughtfully planned, and deep-digging yoga practices, the perfectly appointed Istmo Retreat Center, and most of all the sense of community instilled among the brilliant women on the retreat.
By Margaret-Ellen C for Spring Awakening Yoga Retreat on Mar 04, 2019
This retreat turned out to be even better than I expected, and I had high expectations! Brenda and Argentina's yoga and meditation classes were perfection, the retreat center they chose was amazing, and every last detail was well thought through so I didn't have to do anything other than focus on my wellness. :) I will be joining them on another retreat as soon as possible, and I will be talking about this experience for months, I'm sure. I highly, highly recommend!
By Alana A for Spring Awakening Yoga Retreat on Mar 03, 2019