Standing in a circle around a dancing fire under the bright stars of Muskoka, you close your eyes, and feel your body relax as you are lovingly cleansed by the sweet burning of sage and cedar.  

You feel nourished and enlivened, grounded in the moment, after enjoying a few days surrounded by the beauty of nature, the spirit of the trees, the flowing of water, and connecting with a group of women who have compassionately sat with you as you’ve connected to deeper parts of yourself.

You smell the earthiness of the burning logs and can hear the lapping of water by the shore in the near distance, where just this morning you took part in a ritual of embracing courage and letting go. 

You feel lighter and more joyful than you’ve felt in a long time as you prepare to release into the flames all the ways you’ve hampered your natural expression and now forge a new way of being, guided by your own wild wisdom.

You’re invited to join us on a sacred retreat to explore and connect to the truest expression of your essence with a deep knowing that you are loved and supported, just as you are.

We will be staying in the Heart of Muskoka, in a town called Bracebridge, built around a waterfall on the Muskoka River.

Muskoka, the quaint and charming region affectionately known as Canada’s cottage country, is consistently named one of the best places to visit in Canada. Known for its spectacular nature, the rich mosaic of forests, iconic wind-swept pines, and chains of rivers and lakes provide an awe-inspiring backdrop.

There will be lots of personal time outside of planned activities for you to enjoy.

Sip your morning tea on the deck while listening to the birds. 

Walk down to the river where you can enjoy the stillness of the water or go for a swim in the clean river water. 

Sit by the fire pit and lose yourself in the flickering dance of the flames. 

Take a soak in the luxurious hot tub and allow your body and mind to unwind. 

Feel like a kid again and let your inhibitions melt away by sliding off the dock and crashing into the water!

At night, lay down on the wooden deck and take in the vastness of the night sky. 

Water activities will be available and include paddle boards, kayaks, and a paddle boat.

There are 3 bicycles to explore the paths along the river.

Also, enjoy a newly installed 10-person Wood Fire Barrel Sauna!

Prepare to have your tummies smiling with delicious and wholesome vegetarian meals prepared by our good friend, Clara.

Think lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, delicious herbs and spices, and one of Clara’s specialities are delectable salads that will have you coming back for more.

As Deirdre, one of our faciliators, loves to share, “I’m looking forward to not having to cook!”

Yes, won’t that be a treat?

Facilitators will guide retreatants through how to eat meals mindfully while connected to the interconnectedness of all life forms on the planet.

At the retreat, you will enjoy food that is made with love and care, enjoyed together around the table–family-style.

Drive down the scenic driveway to the cottage and be greeted by endless trees eventually leading down to the sandy bank of the river. 

Our first night together will be rooted in the element of Earth as we become acquainted with one another and hear more about what to expect from our four days together.

The element of Earth is about groundedness, taking root and nourishment.

Together, we will take part in our first sacred ceremony as we honour the land, the ancestors and the elements, ground ourselves and set our intentions in booklets that will be part of our art project throughout the retreat.

We will focus on letting go of any outside distractions so that we can attune ourselves to the present moment.

In the morning, wake up to guided meditation on cushions in the late summer breeze as we embrace the element of air, representing communication, creativity, and expression. 

On our first full day together we will explore our multitude of selves, announce our values, and find our voice as we take part in teachings, reflective exercises, and chanting.

The afternoon will consist of a deep relaxation session, as we fully allow our minds and bodies to relax to music and poetry. This will be followed by a simple yet meaningful community art experience led by our resident artist, Deirdre. You absolutely do NOT have to be an artist, and we guarantee everyone will have the skills to participate (she’s a retired art teacher who has taught people from all walks of life).

Our evening will be nourished as we gather together in circle sharing, and we will end the day with a tea and dance ceremony. As we sit together with our tea, we move away from our thinking mind and bring presence to the present moment. In connection to our inner spirit and wisdom, we also connect to our bodies in dance and movement.

The next morning, we will once again wake up our bodies and minds with guided meditation. This time, we will do it by the river, as we honour the element of water. We will take part in a practice of surrender and release as we dive into the cleansing waters (life jackets available for those who do not swim) as we are reminded of the impermanence of life.

Our teaching for the day will be on the topic of how we are not only a part of nature, but that we are, in fact, nature herself. We will expand our sense of Self to include our ancestors and touch on the realization that we are a part of the wave of descendents.

We will also explore our emotions, their roles, and the practice of holding and processing our emotions so that we allow them to flow instead of suppressing and running away from their manifestation.

The afternoon will again consist of a deep relaxation session followed by a community art experience. We will continue to build on our creation from the past two days.

Our circle sharing in the evening will be an opportunity for us to be witnessed and held as we process what has arrived for us during the day.

We will end our day with a sacred fire ceremony, representing transformation, growth and change. It will be a symbolic event to support release and healing—burning away ways we have suppressed, hidden, or shunned our authenticity due to attachment in order to forge new ways of being.

Our final morning together will be an integration of everything that we experienced while on retreat together. Representative of this will be the sharing of our art pieces, our creation and powerful talismans growing along with us on our journey together.

We will end in a final closing ceremony before bidding farewell—until our next meeting as sisters on the path.