The Wellness Retreat: Rebalance, Renewal and Sacred Gratitude

The three themes of this retreat come from recent hurricanes. Many of us living in Florida have had significant emotional strain from living through and recovering from two major hurricanes and a record number of tornadoes. We thought it would help to give people an opportunity for healing, especially during this often busy holiday time (for example, between Thanksgiving and New Year's).

Theme 1-Rebalance. Whether you were personally affected by the forces of nature and weather, we all need time to rebalance by connecting with nature and like-minded individuals interested in healing, spirituality, and personal growth. The retreat will offer tools to help rebalance. Peace!

Theme 2-Renewal. Wintertime, across many spiritual traditions, is a time for getting centered and retreating to gather one’s energy and prepare for the new birth, often represented by the Winter solstice. We will have a fire circle on Saturday night to support letting go of what is no longer needed and making space for renewal. Energy!

Theme 3-Sacred Gratitude. After a significant stress or trauma (like a natural disaster), some people feel grateful for the fact that, as they can say, “things could have been worse.” This feeling shows us that there are many types or levels of gratitude. This can range from being glad to receive a material gift to getting through difficult times to even feeling grateful just to be alive. There is also “sacred gratitude,” which is a deep sense of feeling uplifted by being part of something greater, a sense that life, our entire journey, is an amazing chance to witness (in nature, in love, in the cosmos) as much as we can. With sacred gratitude, we even feel grateful for our troubles and are humbled by life's ordinary blessings and wonder. Love!

We will have a drumming fire circle, meditate with the wooded nature at CedarKirk, use essential oils, and have time for group interaction, yoga, and more. One or all of these modalities will resonate with you, and you can elect to do whatever suits you.

We will tap into the soulful capacities of Acceptance (Earth), Presence (Fire), Flow (Water), and Synchronicity (Wood and Air). All retreatants will receive a copy of Quest for Presence, Book 2, The Soulful Capacities.

When you get your ticket, select SATURDAY or OVERNITE.

• SATURDAY. Arrive at 1000 AM and stay all day Saturday (including lunch and dinner). Stay after dinner and join the fire circle. Cost: $129

• OVERNITE. Stay overnight and have both breakfast and lunch on Sunday. Cost: $199

• SCHOLARSHIP. We are offering $50 off to those individuals who have had extraordinary hardships lately or otherwise don't get the chance to get away. If you want to apply for a scholarship, please email Joel at [email protected] before November 22nd (limited). If selected, you will receive a discount code.

Lodging (if you stay overnight)

Retreat activities will occur at the Pavilion and/or Retreat House, and we will explore using the Labyrinth on the property. To view accommodations, visit the CedarKirk website. Lodging will be at the Retreat House or Pine Lodge.

Upon Eventbrite check-out, you can select your preferred lodging, especially if you plan on attending with friends, a partner, or family. We will do our best to accommodate your preferences.

Most rooms are group-style, with bunk beds accommodating five people each and a shared bathroom for each group. Unless we overfill, each person will have a top and bottom bunk. So, it's first come, first served.

Rest Areas (if you stay for the day)

There are many places to have solitude and even lie down if you need to rest and take a break. See "What to Bring" below.

Meals

Meals are provided through the Cedarkirk cafeteria, including lunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday. Snacks will be available in our Retreat House. Meals accommodate vegetarians. Please let us know after registering if you have special dietary needs (see email below).

Pricing and What to Bring

All prices include the meals you select for Option 1 or Option 2.

Room requests will be accommodated with sufficient notice (bring a friend/share a room). Pricing includes linens and towels for twin beds. Linens include top and fitted sheets, pillows, blankets, bath towels, and washcloths. Please bring your bath and shower accessories.

We strongly encourage to bring your cushions, meditation pillows, yoga mats, and blankets. Please bring a flashlight, mosquito repellant, and sunscreen. We also encourage bringing a retreat journal or something to write in. Please, no alcohol or drugs.

**By registering for this retreat, you agree to refrain from using alcohol or drugs for 24 hours before and during the entire retreat.**

Schedule for Saturday

• 10:00 to 11:30 – Orientation Check-ins and Intention-Setting

• 12:00 to 1:00 – Lunch

• 1:00 to 2:00 – Healing and Energy Work (Acceptance and Rebalance)

• 2:00 to 3:30 – Personal Time, Solitude, Nature

• 3: 30 to 4:30 – Essential Oils (Presence and Renewal)

• 4:30 to 5:30 – Healing Circle (reiki)

• 5:30 to 7:00 – Downtime and Dinner

• 7:30 – Fire Circle and Drumming

Schedule for Sunday

• 7:00 to 7:45 – Morning Yoga

• 8:00 to 8:45 – Breakfast

• 9:00 to 10:00 – Sacred Gratitude

• 10:00 to 12:00 -- Group Interaction (Reiki and Singing Bowls)

• 12:00 to 1:00 – Lunch

• 1:00 to 2:00 - Integration and Closing Cinnamon Bun

DISCLAIMER

This retreat is for personal growth only. No claims are made regarding professional support for medical or psychological purposes. The retreat and all those attending or facilitating are not providing medical or psychological advice. Please consult with a medical professional if you have any concerns.

COVID

We respectfully request that all participants refrain from coming if they have recently had the flu or Covid or related symptoms. Ideally, if unsure, please have a Covid test.

About Your Retreat Facilitators

Alina Hall is a Mother, Yoga Instructor and Reiki Master Teacher from St. Petersburg, Florida whose calm energy allows even the most beginner students to delve deeply into their practices. Known for her inspirational donation-based beach yoga practices, Alina believes in making spirituality accessible to all beings and treating everyone with kindness, reverence and respect. Alina’s ultimate goal is to help her students obtain not only stronger and more flexible bodies, but also find happier, more authentic versions of themselves. Find her on Instagram at @AlinaHallYoga or on Facebook at Alina Hall Yoga & Reiki.

CONTACT ALINA: [email protected]

Joel Bennett is an author, wellness professional, and research scientist with a particular focus on the healthy renewal of the human experience of time. He has led wellness retreats and trained over 1,000 professionals to deliver programs in health promotion, resilience, and substance misuse prevention. Check out Joel at www.presencequest.life and his work in workplace health promotion at www.organizationalwellness.com

CONTACT JOEL: [email protected]

Host or Publisher Dr. Joel Bennett (Author of "The Connoisseur of Time")