Question 1

What will the agenda look like including start and end times?

Accepted Answer

The agenda details will continue to be refined leading up to the retreat date however this rough overview will offer a sense of what to expect. Important: while participating in all activities is highly encouraged, consider the scheduled activities more of an invitation than a requirement.

Day 1: Thursday 
Arrival to the property starts at 4pm 
Dinner is at 6:00pm (first 10-15 minutes are in silence)
Welcome/introductions/group agreements start around 7 pm 
Meditation or gentle movement 
Circle discussion
Sound Bath 
Bedtime

Day 2: Friday 
Daily meditation offered in Zendo 
Breakfast / coffee / tea is at 7:20am (an entirely silent meal)
Circle discussions/activity 
Yoga 
Lunch - 12:30pm (first 10-15 minutes of the meal are in silence)
Guided Nature Immersion/free time 
Dinner is at 6:00pm (first 10-15 minutes are in silence)
Bedtime

Day 3: Saturday 
Daily meditation offered in Zendo 
Breakfast / coffee / tea is at 7:20am (an entirely silent meal)
Circle discussions/activity/yoga/free time 
Lunch - 12:30pm (first 10-15 minutes of the meal are in silence)
Part I Experiential dance 
Dinner is at 6:00pm (first 10-15 minutes are in silence)
Part II Evening Letting-Go Fire Ceremony

Day 4: Sunday 
Daily meditation offered in Zendo 
Breakfast / coffee / tea is at 7:20am (an entirely silent meal)
Circle discussions/activity 
Lunch - 12:30pm (first 10-15 minutes of the meal are in silence)
Closing circle + farewells

Question 2

Where will we gather?

Accepted Answer

At mealtimes we will gather in the dining hall at Green Gulch. For our nature immersion experience we will gather outdoors unless the weather is abysmal. For circle discussions, yoga, retreat-group meditation (outside Green Gulch's daily meditation offerings), the fire-letting-go ceremony and our dance experience, we will gather inside a 30' diameter yurt heated by a wood burning stove.

Question 3

What is the retreat cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Cancellation Policy:

* 100% refund for cancellations before December 15, 2024.
* 50% refund for cancellations before January 15, 2025.
* 0 refund for cancellations after January 16, 2025

Other possibilities should you need to cancel: 
* Your registration can be transferred to another attendee if you're unable to make it. 
* If your spot can be filled by someone on a wait list, a refund may be granted.

Question 4

Can I gift this retreat to a friend?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! This makes for a deeply heartfelt and generous gift to offer a loved one. If purchased for a friend, a beautiful and personalized digital gift certificate will be made and emailed to you so you can give it to the lucky recipient. Or, I can send your friend an email with it included. Simply email heartsalivecoaching@gmail.com to connect with me and put in your request. All gift recipients will need to complete the registration form.

Question 5

What is the six month post-retreat integration group all about?

Accepted Answer

Are you interested in more fully integrating learnings from this transformative retreat experience via participation in a six online group monthly meetups starting late March-August to support you with achieving new year's goals for the first half of 2025?

The invitation to join this group is exclusive to this retreat's attendees and intended to support:

* ongoing integration (or, how you process your experience from the retreat and fold the insights gained from the retreat into your daily life) 
* community-building / continued connection with retreat participants
* accountability / support as you work towards your goals

What to expect: 
All retreat participants are invited to attend the first session which will serve as an opportunity for us to see each other again and debrief our post-retreat experience. All sessions will start with a short grounding ritual and candle lighting (from wherever we are "calling" in from). Following the initial gathering, those who commit to the remainder of the meetups will continue meeting online once monthly.

During each session we will set goals,  report on our progress, discuss obstacles we might be bumping up against, share reflections gained from each other and celebrate one another's wins!

There will also be "homework" (or fun-work? :) like answering journal prompts or activities that take us out in nature to name a couple.

Where:
Google Meet (like Zoom)

Details: 
* Early Bird Cost: $175 when paid by January 15, 2025 
* Regular Cost: $200 when commiting after January 15, 2025.
* Minimum six women must commit by March 7. 
* Payment due by March 15.

Timing: 
TBD and will be confirmed by the retreat dates. Sessions will most likely be 60-90 minutes on a Sunday afternoon or weekday evening once-monthly.

Question 6

What is the food like and how are dietary restrictions handled?

Accepted Answer

Mealtimes are:

Breakfast - 7:20am, and is an entirely silent meal
Lunch - 12:30pm, and the first 10-15 minutes of the meal are in silence
Dinner - 6:00pm, , and the first 10-15 minutes of the meal are in silence

"Meals  are vegetarian, served buffet style, and may include dairy and eggs.  Vegan and gluten-free options are generally available. If there are  participants in your retreat with food allergies, alternatives may be  arranged with advance notice and we will try to accommodate requests as  best we can. The kitchen is not available for private cooking.  Please  remember that we are a small monastic community and have limited  capacity to accommodate strict dietary requests." (from Green Gulch)

Question 7

Is participation in all activities required?

Accepted Answer

You are highly encouraged to participate in all the activities however if other activities better align with your needs at the time, you will be celebrated for heeding your inner wisdom and doing what is right for you.

Question 8

Is there wifi or cell reception?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there is wifi in the whole central area, including the guest house.

Question 9

How experienced of a yoga practitioner do I need to be?

Accepted Answer

Zero experience is required. Any yoga asana (poses) classes that are led will be all-levels and include modifications and variations to meet most people's needs.

Question 10

How do I get to Green Gulch?

Accepted Answer

Learn more here: 
https://www.sfzc.org/locations/green-gulch-farm/getting-green-gulch-farm

Question 11

What is the average forecast for this time of year in Muir Beach, California?

Accepted Answer

Find more info on this here.

Roughly, the temperature can range from high 30s to low 70s F.

Question 12

Carpooling information

Accepted Answer

There is ample parking at the venue however carpooling might be of interest to some folks.  If you're interested in offering a ride or you need a ride, get in touch with me and I can connect you to others. Email Suzanna.

Question 13

Can I participate for only one night or part of a day?

Accepted Answer

To preserve a sense of cohesiveness and sacredness of the group container we co-create from Thursday when we first join together and Sunday when we say our farewells, we are limiting this experience to folks who are committing to attend the entire retreat. If your arrival to the retreat is delayed or you need to leave early, that is fine, however, we are not offering partial day or partial weekend passes. Thank you for your understanding!

Question 14

When is daily meditation in the Zendo?

Accepted Answer

We will share this information at the retreat but you can get a glimpse here in the meantime: 
https://www.sfzc.org/locations/green-gulch-farm/zen-meditation-practice-green-gulch/daily-schedule-green-gulch

Question 15

Drug/alcohol policy

Accepted Answer

This retreat promotes holistic well-being, focusing on rejuvenation and self-discovery. We respectfully ask our guests to refrain from alcohol and drugs. By embracing sobriety, we hope to elicit clarity, deeper connections and the opportunity to fully engage in enriching experiences that nurture mind, body and spirit.

Question 16

What is Experiential dance?

Accepted Answer

A movement session led by Sylvie Minot of Syzygy Dance Project will use dance and music to support us in reconnecting to our body in a safe way and expressing ourselves while releasing what we no longer need.

We will find ways to embody what we want to create in our lives and express in the world, reconnecting to the things that bring us joy and make us smile. The dance will integrate mind, body and spirit to support our health and well-being while having fun!

No dancing experience is required and simply observing is okay too!

Question 17

What is a Fire Letting Go Ceremony?

Accepted Answer

Using movement, ceremony and drumming, we will integrate what we worked with in the afternoon embodied release movement portion in manifesting our desire (intention/goal).  We will then  have a fire ritual to release the things we no longer need.  Ritual and ceremony is a very important aspect of healing in these  times. They allow us to witness and be witnessed and support each other  in community and spirit. Manifesting our vision together strengthens each other and the world around us.

Question 18

How many people will be at this retreat?

Accepted Answer

We anticipate 20 guests and will cap the event at 22 participants, contingent upon available lodging options.

Question 19

Can I park and stay in my RV at Green Gulch?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, Green Gulch is unable to accommodate folks who wish to sleep in their vehicles.

Question 20

Is there a commuter option?

Accepted Answer

Although being fully immersed in the experience (which includes staying overnight in one of Green Gulch's accommodations), a commuter option exists for those stay offsite and commute in and out. If interested, please email Suzanna.

Question 21

What do I need to bring?

Accepted Answer

A thorough packing list will be shared with retreat guests via email well in advance to the retreat date.

Question 22

Why should I go on retreat?

Accepted Answer

So many reasons!

Check out this blog post "Unlocking the Transformative Power of Going on Retreat."

Question 23

Can you tell me about past retreats?

Accepted Answer

Here's a blog post about the Hearts Alive Fall 2023 Reclaiming Joy Women's Retreat which will provide insights:
https://www.heartsaliveyoga.com/post/unleashing-play-a-glimpse-into-the-reclaiming-joy-women-s-retreat-fall-2023

Question 24

Are yoga props provided?

Accepted Answer

Green Gulch has numerous yoga mats, blocks, backjack "chairs" and bolsters for us to use.

Question 25

Are any spa services going to be available?

Accepted Answer

The short answer - YES!

Three talented, skilled and nurturing women providers are bringing offerings to support this retreat weekend. Sign-ups will be presented to retreat registrants in the order by which they signed up:

NICOLE REYES of PLANTED ENERGY

Nicole will be with us the entire retreat weekend and offering Reiki sessions in a private room. More info on this coming soon. In the meantime, learn more about Nicole on her website.

KAREN (a.k.a. KK) 
KK is a wellness innovator and advocate for women’s healthcare.  As a researcher, public speaker, and alternative healthcare  practitioner, she empowers clients to master their energetic states  t

Through breathwork, frequency-resonance practices, and Reiki. KK holds  advanced Reiki Masters certificates in Usui and Karuna, earned during  her eight years in Japan. Her research explores the power of sound,  frequency, and vibration. KK has shared the stage with experts like Dr.  Joe Dispenza and Marie Forleo and presented at the Future of Health and  International Sound Healing Conferences. She is also the founder of  HONNE, a holistic skincare line incorporating healing frequencies. Learn more about KK on her website.

KK's OFFERING: 
A Vibro-Acoustic Sound Pillow Session with bonus Reiki offers  a unique, deeply restorative experience that activates the  parasympathetic nervous system, promoting immediate relaxation and  stress relief. The session begins with a specially weighted pillow  placed on your body, emitting healing vibrations that resonate  throughout your entire system, calming the nervous system and  encouraging deep relaxation. At the same time, specific musical  frequencies are played through headphones, providing sound healing that  harmonizes your body at a cellular level, restoring balance and flow. To further enhance the experience, Reiki energy healing  is integrated into the session, grounding and harmonizing your body's  energy states. This combination of vibration, sound, and energy work  fosters a profound sense of equilibrium and rejuvenation, helping to  restore your body's natural state of homeostasis. The result is a deeply  regenerative session that not only clears blockages but also leaves you  feeling balanced, restored, and in alignment with your true self.

ALEXIS HELD CMT Sorceress

Bay Area based, Alexis Held, founder of Move Happy, massage therapist and embodiment facilitator, will be offering therapeutic bodywork sessions catered to your individual needs, drawing on intuition and studies in Swedish, Deep tissue, Trigger point, Thai massage, Energy medicine, Craniosacral and breathwork. She has been named a "Rebirth Doula" supporting couples, individuals, and groups with physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-BEING, and transformation through body-centered modalities and relational tools. Sessions will be tailored to your specific needs to help you access a deeper place of love, awareness, connection, joy, and ease.

"Alexis is truly one of the most gifted massage therapists I've come across. As someone who has worked in massage, personal training, and yoga for over 15 years, I have been around a lot of body workers and embodied professionals. From the first moment she placed her hands on me I knew she was trustworthy. Her touch was strong and wise, fueled by knowledge, passion, and love. It was one of the only times I've ever felt there was no need to speak or guide the session in anyway. She knew what and where to go, and I felt so deeply nourished and revitalized it felt like she reset a year of my body and mind - and y'all know the kind of year we've been through! I honestly can't wait for my next session and recommended her fully! - Jeremy F.

"I've had tons of massages, and have been doing massages off and on for about 20 years, so my standards are quite high.... Alexis' massage was hands down (pun intended) one of the best messages of my life!  Here's why:

Her style is unlike anything I've ever experienced before.  I can tell it's very much her own unique creation, a smooth blend of many modalities.  Being that she is a dancer and very connected to her body, she has high awareness of sensations. Her style offers multisensory touch, which I found to be very grounding to my mind/body/soul.  From her first making contact with my body I knew I was in great hands (again with the puns) and my whole being began to melt instantly. "

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