Unleashing Play: A Glimpse into the Reclaiming Joy Women's Retreat Fall 2023

Group photo of the 2023 Reclaiming Joy Women's Retreat on a sunny November morning.

November 2023 Hearts Alive hosted its first weekend women's retreat, Reclaiming Joy, held at Black Mountain Retreat Center nestled in the coastal mountain range of Sonoma County, just outside the town of Cazadero. On Friday, November 3rd, 23 amazing women made the commitment to go on retreat; to join me in taking time to replenish our minds, spirits and bodies. We exchanged work, care giving, cooking and cleaning for authentic connection. We moved our bodies via hiking, dance and yoga, quieted our minds via meditation, mantra, journal writing and insight-generating activities, and connected back to rhythm via drumming and dance.

Some had registered the moment they heard about the retreat, while others signed up last minute. The participants ranged from lifelong friends, a mom-daughter duo, a friend of Suzanna's from high school, a friend from her early career in the motorcycle industry, East Bay Hearts Alive yoga students and a few adventurous women who signed up without any prior connections. Whether we knew each other before or not quickly became irrelevant, as less than 24 hours into the weekend, the safe container we co-created fostered a rich environment that encouraged vulnerability to show up as our authentic selves and speak our truths. It quickly felt as though we had known each other for far longer, with the familiarity of old friends. Many found authentic connection with each other and themselves. We laughed, played and opened our hearts, growing awareness of the areas in our lives where we get in their own way and prevent ourselves from tapping into that innate sense of joy we all possess.

The weekend afforded the group a unique opportunity to break away from life's demands, nourish our minds, bodies and spirits through healthy catered meals, engaging and insightful activities via dyad and break-out groups and self exploratory exercises. We moved our bodies via yoga asana practice led by Suzanna, a 5Rhthyms dance journey hosted by Sylvie Minot of Syzygy Dance Project and a lively and interactive drum circle facilitated by Jeni Swerdlow of Drummm Rhythmic Events.

Photos captured by Suzanna Mannion of Hearts Alive and Sarah of Sarah Felker Photography.