19th Annual Women’s Retreat
Workshops (in alphabetical order)

Connecting with the Spirit of your own sexuality with Jolinda. Before we can fall into perfect passion with another we must first come to know and accept our own sexual nature. And understanding where our partner is coming from makes it so much easier to find and flame blissful intimacy! Whether you are single or long term partnered, this workshop will help you put the spark back where it belongs and assist in moving past shyness, boredom, bad defensive habits, blame or judgment. It will also help you to manifest the partner you are seeking in using your nature, and charms, to their best advantage! Astrological types and compatibility are very useful, so if you have your astrology chart, or that of your lover, bring it along… or email Jolinda with the time, date and place of your birth and she will provide a copy of your chart for $5. Morluv@tns.net

Gardening with the Phases of the Moon with Amanda. If you joined our class last year we were working on creating and deepening our relationship with our gardens. In this class we will discuss the ways in which you can work with the Moon’s phases in order to attain greater plant vitality. The Moon, and its journey through the constellations, has an influence on all life forms. Connecting with the Cosmos will deepen your relationship with Mother Earth and allow you to work more efficiently with her seasonal rhythms. We will discuss how to work with these influences for maximum plant vitality. Learning when to plant, weed, transplant, water, and harvest, guided by Sister Moon and her infinite wisdom. Gardening the way Grandma used to do.

Herbal Walk Along the Stream. Join Jane (who has worked with and loved the plants for more than twenty five years) for an introduction to the beautiful herbs and trees that grow along the streambed. Experience how each plant offers a special vibration of healing just by seeing, smelling and tasting them.

Herbs for Women with Anne. This will be a class based on herbs for women. My goal with these classes is to have the students come away feeling more comfortable using herbs in their homes for their feminine health, vitality, and balance. Classes will include: specific tonic herbs for general health and well-being of women, herbal specifics for women's challenges; bladder infections, PMS, cramps, general hormonal imbalance, breast health, fertility, pregnancy, nursing, etc. Included in the discussion will be nutritional support for women's issues.

Infuse Your Life with Herbs with Anne. Let Anne take you into the wonderful, nourishing world of infused herbs. Learn how to use herbs in teas and baths, to bring balance, healing, and vitality into your life. Its simple, fun, and effective! Come and experience the herbs; we will sample tea and familiarize ourselves with our herbal friends.

Intro To Pilates with Kristen. A gentle introduction to the Pilates method for anyone wanting to try Pilates for the first time, or for a seasoned veteran looking to tune-up their body and revisit the basics. This class will focus on the 5 basic principles of Pilates; breathing, shoulder girdle placement, pelvic placement, cervical alignment, and rib cage placement.

Laughter Yoga with Funshine. Hasya Yoga aka Laughter Yoga is a physically oriented technique that uses a blend of playful, empowering and otherwise "tension-releasing" simple laughter exercises. With gentle yoga-breathing and stretching exercises, rhythmic clapping and chanting of,  “Ho Ho Ha Ha Ha”, in unison a simulated laughter turns into real laughter. Breathing exercise from yoga (Pranayama) are combined with laughter exercises. That is why it is termed “laughter yoga.”  Laughter Yoga is done as a way to improve health, increase well being and promote peace in the world through personal transformation. It is non-religious, non-sectarian, and non-political. The stress relieving benefits are thought to be in response to the inner changes associated with the physical activity of laughing in an interactive group setting. According to the concept of laughter yoga, anyone can laugh for no reason at all and you don’t need jokes, humor or comedy.  Laughter is initiated as an exercise in a group and soon it becomes genuine and contagious laughter through eye contact with other group members and cultivating innate child-like playfulness. Each session will close with a peace filled laughing meditation.

Mask Making with Ruth. Mask Making is an ancient art form for expressing the self in a non-verbal way. The masks are decorated to reveal a personal story rather than conceal or hide anything. They are adorned with paints, paper, fabric, beads, buttons, feathers as well as personal treasures and meaningful Xeroxed photos and symbols. Decorating a mask is a creative, joyful, nurturing, spiritual process. Bring personal treasures and a $10 materials fee. The mask form and a variety of interesting supplies will be provided.

New and Improved Facials Class with Amanda. In this class, you will learn how to give and you will also receive a rejuvenating facial. If you have joined us before, you’re in for a real treat this time. We will continue our work on our outer beauty with a focus on deep relaxation and stress relief. Watch how your skin will GLOW as we melt away the stress through; facial compressing with rejuvenating herbs, eliminate toxins with healing facial clay masks enhanced with beautifying essential oils, relieve puffy tired eyes with mint soaked cucumber rounds and drain stagnant lymph glands with European brushing techniques, nourish your new skin with Cleopatra’s secret blend of youth preserving oils. Those of you who have experienced this treat, we will be taking it to a whole new level. So please join us for this special class. There will be an $8.00 supply fee, and some samples to take home to get you on your way to AN EVEN MORE BEAUTIFULYOU! Please remember to bring two wash cloths and a hand towel, as well as a chair or pad to lie on.

Nia and Healing through Dance and Movement – Creating Community within and without with Laura. We will explore creating connection and community within ourselves and with each other, with the greater body of people and cultures, mother Earth and nature, and the universe. We will do this through the principles of qi gong, tai chi, Nia, and dance and movement.

Nia technique – Finding and moving from our body center with Laura. This is also the center of feminine power and creativity, and we will also find our ground as women through our pelvis and legs. We explore this through the expressive form and freedom of Nia technique.

What is Nia? Nia stands for “neuromuscular integrative action” which combines the dance arts with the healing arts and the martial arts. It is total being fitness for the body, mind, heart, and spirit. Nia is like chocolate – where we find sheer joy and pleasure in our moving bodies.

Personal Alchemy with Aricia. Cleopatra was a brilliant scholar, scientist, chemist, philosopher, perfumist and alchemist. She knew and used well the magic of perfume to influence her world to legendary proportions. The most primal and potent of the senses is our sense of scent which effects our lives in astonishing and powerful ways. In this workshop you will learn how to combine nature’s gifts of scent to make a unique, powerful and healing sacred perfume specifically for you. Which scents improve your mood, health and confidence? Which enhance the chakras? What scents have traditionally been used to attract what you want in life and to keep the unwanted away? What kinds of scents are there? And can what you wear truly effect a change? The answer is a resounding “Yes!” Come experience a myriad of scents from around the world. You will learn how to make your own perfumes and create your own personal alchemical recipe. Come and dance with the divine essence of plants and be amazed with how your spirit soars!

Pilates Challenger with Kristen. This class will build on the basics in a mat workout meant to challenge your core strength, flexibility and co-ordination. Come looking to challenge yourself a bit and have fun!

Plants of Love with Aricia. Cleopatra and Don Juan had one! Cassanova had one too – a magical Elixir of Love claimed to be their secret of amorous success! Do you have one? In our culture, our repertoire consists mainly of roses and chocolate, which are potent indeed. Yet they are merely two friends in a world rich with luscious delights. Come and savor recipes of love from diverse cultures around the world! We’ll explore exotic love plants from Egypt, Peru, South America, India, the Polynesian Islands, the Orient and beyond! Feel free to experience, in a variety of ways, some of the most fascinating of elixirs while also learning modern research about some of these age old secrets. Arrive curious and leave with  a smile on your face, a spring in your…step and a very happy Heart!!!

The Labyrinth of Affirming Joy with Judy. The Labyrinth of Affirming Joy will remind you of your good qualities! Words are powerful! Use them to your advantage! If you want to manifest more health, wealth, love and peace in your life, then use your power of speech to set the stage for your success! Come join in the fun outdoors! You will stroll silently through a cloth labyrinth, constructed with love to symbolize the soul’s journey in this life. At each sacred stopping space within the labyrinth, you will have a personal and private moment to affirm to yourself words and phrases that have been specially chosen to uplift, strengthen and heal! If you wish to share your experience and/or participate in the group affirmation at the end of the labyrinth walk, you may do so. This is optional. However, everyone will receive a labyrinth souvenir as a reminder to always give voice to the best that is within you! No materials needed. Just bring your lovely self!

The Secret to Reconnecting our Hearts with Jolinda. We all have moments when our cool and logical selves fail us, when we see nothing but red, and nothing will do but the momentary pleasure of inflicting pain. Words, which we don’t really mean, fly out like revengeful spears and as soon as we come back to our senses we are left with nothing but shame, pain and confusion. This workshop is directed at helping us regain our balance and yet stand in our truth. It is also about coming to understand and helping those important people in our lives (lover, child, boss or parent) to deal with their dark side more beneficially. Anger CAN be channeled positively and opening to constructive communication is the secret to reconnecting our hearts and enjoying long and positive relationship! If you have your astrology chart, (or that of your lover, child, boss or parent), bring it along… or email Jolinda with the time, date and place of your birth and she will provide a copy of your chart for $5. Morluv@tns.net

The 72 Qualities of the Goddess Mandala with Judy. Do you believe that each of us is a Deity of her own universe? If we are indeed Goddesses in our own right, what are the traits that best honor this praiseworthy position? The 72 qualities of the Goddess Mandala is a facinating art therapy exercise aimed at helping you discover which of the 72 pre-identified Goddess qualities you project most of the time and which quality you need the most to move you forward. Goddess qualities will be selected in small groups with lots of fun and laughter. You will decorate art pieces that reflect the Goddess qualities you identify. Each art piece will then be attached to a larger group art piece, revealing a beautiful mandala. You may have some surprises! Sharing is optional. Materials will be provided. Just bring your lovely self!

Wild & Well the Wise Woman Way with Aricia. No one takes better care of you than dear, sweet mom. So why do you still tote around aspirin and midol when Mother Earth has something so much better waiting for you? Come and learn the basics of First Aid the “Green Star” way. What is the first aid oil every kitchen must have? And what about headaches? Cuts?  Bruises?  Burns?  Stomach ache? Sprains?  Motion Sickness? Colds/Flus? Come learn what to put in a traveler’s kit, basic first aid, children’s kit, etc…all nature’s way. And what about a women’s crisis kit? (We won’t overlook PMS here.  And does nature have an alternative to chocolate? You bet and it tastes better too!). Gaia’s medicine chest is abundant with essential oils, homeopathy, flower essences, herbs, foods, etc…perfect for whatever ails you. All you need to do is know where to look!