April 25-28, 2024 (Thursday 5:00 PM to Sunday 3:00 PM)
Need to step away from the everyday for some quality “me-time”?
Women’s Retreats provide an excellent opportunity for women to take space for themselves in a supportive group environment.
This retreat is a perfect opportunity to develop or enhance mindful self-care tools, including yoga and meditation. Practice setting aside time for your wellbeing every day— you deserve it!
Retreat Format: In person
Fee: In-person ($420)
Dāna (Pali, Generosity): Please note that the retreat fee covers the Center’s expenses. Most participants make additional donations for the teacher.
Retreat Itinerary
Women’s Retreat Schedule
Thursday Evening
• 05:00 PM – 06:00 PM: Check-in and Evening Meal
• 06:00 PM – 07:00 PM: Opening Night Welcome & Introduction
• 08:00 PM – 09:00 PM: Guided Discussion
• Topic: Bhavana: Nurturing Inner Peacefulness (BhanteSathi)
• 09:15 PM – 09:30 PM: Chanting (Bhante Dhamma)
Friday
• 06:00 AM – 07:15 AM: Mindful Movements/Yoga – Gina G.
• 07:15 AM – 08:30 AM: Morning Mindful Meal and Independent Practice
• 08:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Morning Teaching and Meditation – Bhante Sathi
• 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Walking and Sitting Meditation
• 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Mindful Eating – Barb T.
• 12:00 PM – 02:00 PM: Midday Mindful Meal and Independent Practice
• 02:00 PM – 03:00 PM: Guided Discussion – (Bhante)
• 03:15 PM – 04:00 PM: Group Meditation (Evelyn)
• 04:00 PM – 05:30 PM: : Where Do you Stand Activity (Dharshini G.)
• 05:30 PM – 07:00 PM: Cooking with Kristie and Nina Berg
• 07:00 PM – 08:00 PM: Evening Mindful Meal
• 08:00 PM – 09:15 PM: Guided Discussion
• Topic (group 1): Being Skillful of Reshaping Habits with Mindfulness (Barb T).
• Topic (group 2): Implementing Healthy Boundaries for Mindful Relationships (Dharshini)
• 09:15 PM – 09:30 PM: Chanting (Bhante Dhamma)
Saturday
• 06:00 AM – 07:15 AM: Mindful Movements/Yoga – GinaG.
• 07:15 AM – 08:30 AM: Morning Mindful Meal and Independent Practice
• 08:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Morning Teachings and Meditation (Bhante Sathi)
• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Healthy Aging for Skin (Faye N.)
• 12:00 PM – 02:00 PM: Midday Mindful Meal and Independent Practice
• 02:00 PM – 03:00 PM: Nutrition for Body and Mind(Danika Schweim)
• 03:15 PM – 04:00 PM: Group Bell Meditation (Dharshini)
• 04:00 PM – 05:30 PM: Chi gong/yoga
• 05:30 PM – 07:00 PM: Cooking (Faye & Barb)
• 07:00 PM – 08:00 PM: Evening Mindful Meal
• 08:00 PM – 09:30 PM: Guided Discussion
• Topic (group 1): Being Skillful of Reshaping Habits with Mindfulness (Barb T).
• Topic (group 2): Implementing Healthy Boundaries for Mindful Relationships (Dharshini)
• 09:15 PM – 09:30 PM: Chanting (Bhante Dhamma)
Sunday (Closing Day)
• 06:00 AM – 07:15 AM: Mindful Movements/Yoga – GinaG.
• 07:15 AM – 08:30 AM: Morning Mindful Meal and Independent Practice
• 08:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Morning Teachings and Meditation (Bhante Sathi)
• 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM: Healthy Aging/Stretching - Maggie Desenberg
• 11:30 AM – 01:00 PM: Group Reflection
• 01:00 PM: Midday Mindful Meal followed by Cleaning.
Facilitators:
- Bhante Sathi, Mindfulness mediation teacher.
- Bhante Dhamma, Mindfulness mediation teacher, Resident monk.
- Barb Traxler, RN, BSN., Mindfulness mediation teacher.
- Gina G. Gina Gafford, MA, Holistic Health Studies, Author, Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT200), & Certified Massage Therapist.
- Faye Nouraee, AP Esthetician.
- Evelyn Rodriguez, Mindfulness mediation facilitator.
- Dharshini Goonetilleke, EdD, LPCC., Mindfulness mediation teacher & Counselor Educator.
- Danika Jamieson Schweim, B.S. Nutrition Studies (UMN Twin Cities), Holistic Health Coaching Certification (Institute for Integrative Nutrition), Truce Coaching Method (In Progress), 200-hr RYT (Sun Moon Yoga)
- Maggie Desenberg, MFA in Dance, Retired Professional Dancer, Adjunct dance professor, Certified Pilates Instructor, Certified Gyrotonic.
- Kristie Berg, Resident vegan chef
- Nina Berg, Resident vegan chef
Logistics
If attending the retreat in person:
- Location: Google Maps has been known to take our guests to the main house rather than the center. When you arrive, you’ll pull into a gravel road on the highway, simply keep driving until you see a large yellow building on your left-hand side next to a large white cross. That is where the Center is.
- Accommodations: The registration fee is inclusive of a room and meals at the center. Rooms are dorm-style with shared bathrooms.
- Clothing: Try to bring comfortable clothing as you will be spending a lot of time conducting various types of meditation and mindfulness practices. If you plan to participate in gardening activities, please bring mud shoes and clothes for gardening.
- Toiletries: Try to avoid bringing heavily scented items and some individuals are sensitive to such products.
- Food: We provide vegan meals. If you need to bring your own food for whatever reason, we encourage you to put your name on the food and place it in the fridge located on the main floor. We can show you where that is when you check in.
- Towels and sheets: Please keep in mind that we do not provide linens for your stay as we only have a few extra. We recommend bringing a set of twin sheets and some towels. If you forget these items, we can help you out by letting you borrow some of our extras.
If attending the retreat online, here are a few tips:
- Try to find a quiet room away from people and pets.
- Try to eat home-cooked food. This will be elaborated more later on.
- Try to wear comfortable clothes
- Try to arrive at the call about 5-10 minutes before meditation and discussion. If your computer decides it wants to update or gives you trouble just email the retreat coordinator.
- Try to get a good night’s rest.
- Be mindful and relax!