Awakening in the Forest

A Springtime Retreat to Root into Presence

April 25 - 28, 2025

Arrival 3:30 - 5:30 pm

Sanctuary Retreat Center

2610 Adial Road, Faber, VA 22938

Awakening in the Forest, a springtime retreat designed to gently guide you from winter’s quiet stillness into nature’s vibrant unfolding. Here, cradled by towering trees and whispering breezes, you’ll reconnect with your senses, nourish body and soul, and find your own rhythms amidst the blossoming world. Let this be your invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and emerge renewed, rooted in presence.

Introduction: Inviting Connection

Awakening in the Forest invites you into a gentle emergence from the stillness of winter into the vibrant energy of spring. Over three days of immersive guided experiences—preceded by an evening welcome and followed by a closing breakfast—you’ll connect deeply with nature, community, and your inner self. Inspired by the Rooted In Presence Series, “Winter Wander in Wonder,” and the principles of forest therapy and yoga, this retreat is crafted to help you unplug, realign, and step into the spring season with grounded presence and renewed vitality.

Together, we’ll explore the layers of our being (the koshas), expand our senses, and honor the elements through mindful outdoor experiences, reflective sit spots, gentle yoga, art-making from natural materials, and rest. Connect with others who share a love of nature, nurture your well-being from the inside out, and carry home a sense of spaciousness and clarity that will inform your life long after the retreat ends.

What is Included

4 Nights of Comfortable Lodging: Arrive the evening before the retreat begins to settle in and unwind, and enjoy an extra night after the final day’s activities.

Fresh, Seasonal Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included during the retreat. Start the day with a hearty breakfast, savor a nourishing lunch, and gather for communal dinners. The closing breakfast after the final day ensures a supportive and mindful departure.

Daily Mindful Outdoor Experiences (MOE): Each morning after breakfast, we’ll explore a nine-step guided nature practice, including gentle warm-ups, mindful breathing, gratitude, sensory walking, silent sit spots, and reflective councils.

Afternoon Activities: Gentle yoga sessions, creative earth altar art-making, and time for personal integration will help you tap into your body, breath, emotions, and intuition.

Evening Yoga Nidra & Community Time: Wind down each evening with yoga nidra—a deeply relaxing, guided meditation—complemented by tea, quiet socializing, and storytelling by lantern light.

Journaling & Integration: Enjoy ample free time to journal, roam the forested trails, read, or simply rest.

Expert Facilitators: Caring, experienced guides in yoga, meditation, and forest therapy will support your journey.

The Day’s Soft Rhythm

Arrival Evening (Pre-Retreat):

  • Late Afternoon/Evening Arrival: Check into your cozy room, unwind, and enjoy a light welcome snack.

  • Welcome Gathering (Optional): As twilight settles, gather by the lodge’s fire-lit common area to meet fellow participants, sip calming herbal tea, and prepare your heart and mind for the days ahead.

Day 1: Grounding & Emergence (Earth & Air)

  • Morning: Nourishing breakfast followed by our first Mindful Outdoor Experience (MOE) to awaken the senses.

  • Afternoon: Gentle yoga session focusing on grounding and breath, then free time.

  • Evening: A seasonal dinner followed by soft conversation and a blissful yoga nidra.

Day 2: Flow & Creativity (Water & Fire)

  • Morning: MOE emphasizing emotional flow, fluid movement, and creative sparks.

  • Afternoon: Earth altar art project using natural elements gathered mindfully from the forest floor, reflecting transformation and renewal.

  • Evening: Communal dinner, relaxed social time, and yoga nidra to integrate the day’s insights.

Day 3: Spacious Integration (Ether/Space)

  • Morning: Final MOE to invite spaciousness, clarity, and a vision for moving forward into your life.

  • Afternoon: Free time to wander the trails, journal, rest, or revisit the earth altar.

  • Evening: A celebratory dinner and warm circle of community, followed by a final evening yoga nidra to seal in the retreat’s essence.

Departure Morning (After the Retreat):

  • Closing Breakfast: Gather one last time for a light, nourishing meal. Share reflections, express gratitude, and say your goodbyes before departing with renewed energy, insight, and a heart full of possibility.

Who Is Called to This Journey

  • Those Seeking Seasonal Alignment: If you feel the subtle shift from winter’s calm hush to spring’s gentle stir, this retreat will support your longing to flow with the season’s revitalizing energy.

  • Nature Enthusiasts Craving Stillness: For individuals yearning to step off the treadmill of daily life, this gathering offers the chance to tune in to bird song, whispering leaves, and your own inner voice.

  • Holistic Explorers of Self: If you’re drawn to nourish every facet of your being—physical, emotional, energetic, mental, intuitive, and blissful—this retreat encourages you to deepen awareness of all your layers.

  • Curious Souls in Search of Connection: For anyone who senses that we are woven into a greater tapestry of life, this experience fosters a heartfelt communion with nature, community, and the wisdom that springs from stillness.

Nourishing Wholeness Through

Nature and Presence

Rooting into the Senses: By stepping into the quiet hush of the forest, you’ll refine your natural awareness—touching the earth’s texture, listening to its whispers, and breathing in its delicate scents. This sensory awakening fosters grounding and attunement to the present moment.

Flowing with Natural Rhythms: Guided outdoor experiences and gentle movement sessions align you with the cycles of nature, encouraging a graceful transition from winter’s stillness to spring’s vitality. This rhythmic harmony supports ease, adaptability, and emotional balance.

Exploring the Koshas: Delve into the five layers of being—body, breath, mind, wisdom, and bliss—through yoga, meditation, and mindful forest immersion. This holistic approach replenishes energy reserves, calms mental chatter, and reveals an inner wellspring of insight.

Strengthening Interconnectedness: Shared sit spots, community councils, and co-created earth art projects cultivate a sense of belonging. Engaging in collective inquiry and creativity deepens our understanding that we are woven into the greater tapestry of life.

Carrying the Forest Within: As you integrate newfound stillness, sensory richness, and embodied presence, you’ll return home with practices and perspectives that keep the forest’s gentle wisdom alive in your everyday world.

Practical Details & Registration

  • Investment: [Insert Price] includes lodging, all meals, guided activities, yoga sessions, and art materials.

  • Travel: Directions will be provided upon registration. Carpooling options may be available.

  • What to Bring: Comfortable clothing for yoga and outdoor activities, sturdy walking shoes, a journal, and personal items.

  • How to Register: Visit [Website/Registration Page Link] or contact [Email/Phone Number].

Space is intentionally limited to foster an intimate atmosphere. Reserve your spot early.

Step into Spring’s Embrace

Join us for Awakening in the Forest and experience the gentle power of nature’s renewal. Emerge from these days feeling deeply rested, profoundly connected, and inspired to carry this renewed presence into every season of your life.

Investment & Payment Options:

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    Example:
    "Your investment in this peaceful, transformative experience is $XX (early bird special available until [date])."

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FAQ Section (Optional)

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