The solitude of silence can be one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. When you settle into the quiet of nature, as it exacts in our magical forest, you suddenly become aware of the gentle rhythm of your heart and the constant reminder that you are okay. The silence brings with it the ability to hear your own thoughts, free from distractions and external influences, and a renewed sense of clarity and peace about your life and the decisions you have made.
You are invited to join us in this very special 2-Day silent retreat in the heart of the forest to tune into your heart and release the burdens and anxieties that may be weighing heavy on your heart. Our silent retreats are unique in that your facilitators will not be providing you with the answers to your challenges, but rather guiding you on your own journey to discover the answers within. We believe the era of the guru has ended, and now it is time for each one of us to discover the wisdom that we hold deep within ourselves.
This is a silent retreat, meaning you will spend the day without any pressures to speak or socialize with others. Instead, you will be asked to continually focus your attention inwards. The intent is for you to quiet the distractions and voices in your life that may be preventing you from really connecting with your heart. Throughout the retreat, you will be guided through a series of experiences to assist you attuning to your higher self and listening to your heart. However, the experience will be a personal one and will give you the space to receive what you need from the day. There are no “right answers” about how you process your life’s experiences, only choices that are purely yours to make.
What You Will Experience:
- Vow of Silence: Discover the experience of surrendering to state of silence for 2 days
- Gentle Meditative Movement Class: Mindfully move your body to release any lingering emotions
- Forest Bathing Walk/Snowshoe: Use nature as a method for releasing grief & gaining inner wisdom
- Primus Activation Energy Workshop: Gain control of your energetic field and discern the energies influencing your thoughts and actions.
- Higher Self Connection Workshop: Use meditation, art, and free writing to connect to your higher self.
- Hot Stone Crystal Meditation: Relax into the warmth of hot stones and allow the energies of the crystals to carry you into a deep meditative state
- Inner Peace Workshop: A guided journey to identify and dissolve the painful programs keeping you feeling stuck and move you toward the desires in your heart.
- Mindful Eating Meditation: Slow down and be present with the food you are eating and support the body in properly digesting and utilizing the food
- Healthy Vegetarian Meals: Nourish your body with revitalizing living food (2 lunches, 1 dinner).
*vegan and gluten-free options available upon advance request.
Sample Schedule
All of our events are taught intuitively, so the agenda may shift slightly based on the individuals and energies present in each session.
TUESDAY
9:30am Registration
10:00am Welcome & Opening Circle
10:30am Sacred Silence Ceremony
11:00am Primus Activation Energy Workshop
12:00pm Mindful Lunch Ceremony
1:30pm Meditative Movement Class
2:30pm Tea & Cookies
3:00pm Higher Self Connection Workshop
5:00pm Dinner Solitude
6:30pm Hot Stone Crystal Meditation
7:30pm Evening Closing Circle
WEDNESDAY
9:00am Energy Awakening Meditation
9:45am Meditative Movement Class
11:00am Inner Peace Workshop
12:30pm Lunch & Reflection
1:30pm Forest Bathing Walk / Snowshoe
2:30pm Silence Release Ceremony
3:30pm Closing Circle
4:00pm Departure
It is highly recommended that participants either stay overnight in one of our cabins or make arrangements to have a quiet place to sleep alone on the Tuesday evening so as not to disrupt the period of silence. It can be difficult to return home to a busy household in the middle of this retreat. Please see below for accommodation options if needed.
JENNIFER KAVANAGH
Jennifer is the owner and founder of The Soul Institute Inc in Muskoka, a certified yoga & meditation teacher, and a lifelong student of esoteric energy practices. She has utilized many of the techniques shared in this retreat to build her own successful business as well as throughout her previous careers in the corporate world. Jennifer works individually with clients from around the world to help them get back on their life’s path and optimize their success patterns, while also leading regular retreats. She is also the mother to two little girls and an avid friend to all creatures in the forest!
Retreat Host & Yoga Instructor: Elizabeth Castro-Giles
Elizabeth Castro-Giles is the Founder of Life Food Yoga and has been teaching yoga and preparing food for most of her life. Trained in multiple modalities of yoga, she applies an intuitive and fun approach to all of her classes. Enjoy her for some stretches and laughs throughout the weekend.
Inspired and trained in ayurvedic cooking she is also our resident foodie. Get her chatting about how to use food to help manage emotions, stress, and find more pleasure in your life!
COST
2-Day Retreat (Includes activities, 2 Lunches, 1 Dinner): $299.99 Per Person
Optional Overnight Packages
Stay in one of our newly glamping cabins to really slip away from work for a while. All of our cabins are “almost” off-grid and are heated by wood-stove only. Please be sure to read the description in detail and ask us about any questions you have! Overnight stays include a light breakfast in the morning. Cabin rentals are priced per cabin (not per person).
Quad Cabin: $189+HST per night (4 Single Beds)
Double Cabin: $159+HST per night (2 singles OR 1 King bed)
If glamping is not your style, there are also a number of traditional hotels in nearby Gravenhurst and Orillia.
Cancellation Policy:
A 100% non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. If you cancel for any reason you will not receive a refund on your deposit.
You may transfer your deposit amount to another individual if you are unable to attend yourself. They will be responsible for paying the outstanding balance upon arrival.
Winter Weather Cancellation Policy
We are located within a known snow belt area where it is quite common and normal to receive snow during the months of November-April. We do NOT cancel events if snow is forecasted during a scheduled workshop or retreat as it is considered a normal event in our area. Guests that are coming from a distance are encouraged to make appropriate travel arrangements to allow for weather or traffic-related delays. If an event continues as scheduled, the regular cancellation policy as stated above will apply.
In severe weather conditions where the Ontario Provincial Police are advising drivers to stay off the roads or where the conditions may be dangerous for our guests, we do reserve the right to cancel or change the dates and/or times of an event. We make all such decisions based on the local weather conditions in Gravenhurst, Ontario. If a change or cancellation decision is made, we will make the decision no later than 5pm the day prior to the event. Notice of any event cancellation will come by email to registered participants.
If an event is rescheduled, participants will be automatically enrolled in the new date or time. If you are unable to attend the new date you may choose an alternate event of equal or lesser value if space is still available.
If an event is cancelled and we are unable to schedule an alternate date, participants will be refunded.
REGISTRATION
Advanced registration is required. Registration for this retreat closes on December 10, 2022. Please be sure to make your reservation prior to this date if you wish to attend. You may complete your registration online using the booking form available below or by calling us directly at 705-689-8950.
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