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Winter Retreat : A weekend of embodied practice to honour the quiet season.


  • Carly Forest Victoria Canada (map)

There is something magical about getting quiet and turning inward in the winter. The season supports the slowness and silence. Creating a sacred space where we can turn away from our worldly roles and remember who we are beyond our busyness and to-do lists. Getting quiet and still enough to hear the inner voice, feel the sensations of the body speaking to us, and have time with symbols and images from our dreams. We move our bodies slowly, yield to the earth, walk in the trees, sit next to the fire, practice with our community, and remember what is ancient and trustworthy: our innate wisdom and deep compassion. To ask the more profound questions, what needs more care, inclusion, and love? Retreating allows us to return to our lives with fresh eyes and a renewed commitment to live from our depths, a bit more inner space, and the capacity to meet human complexity and precarity. 

Join us for a non-residential silent weekend retreat in the Highlands just outside Victoria, BC. Through meditation, yin yoga, writing, and dreamwork, we explore deep inner listening, leaning into the mystery, and remembering our innate stability, courage, and care. 

Meditation

We'll start by soothing our nervous system, grounding into the earth, and connecting with our three centers of intelligence before moving into a mindfulness practice of exploring our breath, sensation, and sound in a warm, inclusive way.

Writing

This practice is about staying close, showing up, and clearing the space to see what comes through. We begin with gentle movement and mindfulness to help gather our attention. I'll then read a short quote, poem, or archetype from the tarot. We'll engage with a stream-of-consciousness writing practice.

*No writing experience necessary

Embodiment practice 

We will use gentle movement that encourages, opens, and nourishes the energetic channels of the physical body before moving into long-held, yin yoga-style postures. Movement practices are essential to helping us harvest and yield the gifts of our deep inquiry work and driving our aspirations into physical form.

Embodied dreamwork

We will work with our deep imagination to explore and receive medicine from our dreams, a creative and gentle way to experience our inner realms and access our innate wisdom.

“The Earthspring Retreat Centre is located within a large nature sanctuary in the Highlands, near Victoria, BC. In this quiet area of forests, streams, and open hilltops, groups and individuals can find refuge from worldly stresses and opportunities supporting the experience of returning home to ourselves."

Location

Earthspring Sanctuary Retreat Center

405 Hazlitt Creek Rd

Victoria BC

https://www.earthspringsanctuary.org/



Dates and times

Friday, Jan 12

6:30 pm-9 pm



Saturday, Jan13

9:30 am-5 pm



Sunday, Jan 14

9:30 am-5 pm



Cost

Earlybird before Dec 1 

$500 

After Dec 1

$625

Coffee and tea will be provided. Please bring your lunches.



Former students who have practiced with Carly are welcome to attend. If you are new to Carly's work, please reach out. She will schedule a phone call to ensure this retreat is a right fit for you needs. Info@carlyforest.com

Register & Payment: To register for the retreat please send an e-transfer or Paypal to info@carlyforest.com

Cancellation policy: refunds are allowed one month before the retreat start date minus a $50.00 administration fee—no refunds after Dec 12, 2023.