Connect With Your Nature
A winter solstice retreat to pause and go inward
Winter Solstice is a time to go inward, reflect, slow the f*ck down.
This 3 day 2 night retreat hosted at a magical 34 acre private retreat center nestled in the Appalachian mountains is focused on cultivating inner awareness and shifting gears to rest and digest for the winter.
By coming together in community for nourishing home cooked meals, embodied practices like forest bathing, yoga, journaling, and meditation we build inner vitality and brightness to return home renewed and ready for the winter, and eventual spring, ahead.
December 20-22, 2024
Friday-Sunday
Register →
Stay
You'll sleep in your choice of either private or shared occupancy rooms full of natural light at our retreat center with the most epic mountain views. With lots of cozy spaces to either connect in community or soak in quiet time to yourself.
Eat
Hearty, nourishing vegetarian meals will be curated by Marybeth - including the coziest warm bevvies to warm you from the inside out. We’ll have family-style meal times together around a large wooden table with expansive mountain views.
Slow Down
Find a new pace through walks in nature, nourishment from the inside out, meditation, and a deeply peaceful environment. Expect equal amounts space to relax in the hot tub and invitations for fireside chats.
Embody & Connect
Through guided journaling, connecting with community, yoga, and tactile play with winter solstice crafting - connect with your true nature, and set the tone for the winter season ahead.
MEET YOUR GUIDES
Marybeth Wells
Jill Hathaway, RYT-200
As someone who has worn many hats throughout her life as a realtor and program operations manager for global military installations, Jill has found over the years that yoga and meditation are the most reliable ways to come back home to herself when life is overwhelming and busy.
With a vibrant and varied background, Jill has a natural capacity to make life fun, empower others to take up space, and embrace adventure. She re-connected with her yoga practice in 2018 while working in a high-stress realty environment, and it became a daily non-negotiable. She completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training, and the rest is history.
Join jill for welcoming, balanced, beginner friendly, yoga practices during our retreat. The things that set her apart as a yoga teacher are the beliefs that we all move differently, hold different shapes, and are in different seasons of life - and should yoga should reflect that. She's the guide, and the student is in charge of what feels right in their body on any given day.
Marybeth is the founder of LivingWells: a holistic life coaching and creative agency opened in 2017, back when she was at the height of burnout as a Flight Paramedic and college educator.
As an experienced coach, mentor, teacher, guide and creative entrepreneur who has a unique range of certifications, education, life experience, and interests she brings a zest for life, curiosity, and groundedness to every interaction and event.
Marybeth works with her coaching clients using various tools including guided meditation and visualization, yoga, somatic experiencing, guided journaling, and breath work to facilitate awareness from within while building a sense of mind-body connection and self-efficacy. On this retreat she'll be offering a range of those services, as well as cooking delicious vegetarian meals and slinging cozy drinks.
When she's not coaching, teaching, or adventuring - you can find her in the forest with a cup of chai checking on her plants or getting lost in a thick fantasy novel.
The details
Who can attend?
This trip is open to all who are 18+. No children are permitted.
Where will I sleep?
Your choice of single or shared occupancy accommodations with loads of natural light and mountain views.
Which meals are provided?
Meals include Friday dinner, all meals Saturday, and Sunday light breakfast and lunch. We will provide some mocktails and cozy campfire beverages as well as snacks, but BYO snacks and beverages if you have specific desires. No alcohol is permitted on this retreat.
What is the cost, and what does it include?
$1395 Single Occupancy
$995 Shared Occupancy
Non-Early Bird Pricing (beginning 11/1/24)
$1595 Single Occupancy
$1195 Shared Occupancy
Payment can be made either in full or as a nonrefundable 50% deposit due within 72 hours of confirmation, with remainder due by December 1st. Additional payment plans available upon inquiry.
Includes:
- 3 days/ 2 nights of accommodations at a spring-water fed private mountainside retreat center on 34 acres of pristine nature.
- Thoughtfully curated retreat activities to celebrate, embody, and embrace the Winter Solstice including guided journaling workshops and optional time for crafting with supplies provided.
- Gentle and beginner friendly yoga, meditation, and breath work practices, yoga blocks and bolsters included.
- Nourishing vegetarian meals (including coffee, tea, & mocktails) from dinner Friday to lunch on Sunday.
- Access to a large hot tub with expansive mountain views, fire pits, and more.
- A curated welcome package to help you get settled in for your stay.
What are the dates and times?
The retreat takes place Friday, December 20 through Sunday, December 22, 2024.
Arrive Friday between 1pm and 3pm.
Depart Sunday by 1pm.
What are the physical requirements?
We'll be doing some hand writing, which requires average hand dexterity and strength. Hikes, walks, and gentle yoga practices will require some physical mobility. If you have accessibility limitations or concerns, please contact us and we’ll do our best to include you!
Where is the retreat located?
Our private mountain abode is located at Pathways Retreat Center near Charlottesville, VA, within 2.5 hours driving distance from the DC Metro & surrounding areas. The 34-acre mountainside property boasts spectacular views, trails and streams.
How do I sign up?
Registration is open! Please complete this application to begin the signup process. After you do, we'll be in touch to answer any questions you may have and get you signed up.
How do I pay?
Payment is accepted through secure online checkout through via major banks and credit cards. If you have questions about payment, just let us know!
What should I wear? Do I need to pack anything specific?
We'll be in touch in the weeks leading up to the retreat with very detailed directions, suggestions, and a packing list.
FAQ
What the heck does "connect with your nature" mean? I'm not that woo-woo.
All are welcome. Connecting with your nature simply alludes to the fact that the time around Winter Solstice is ideal for slowing down, going inward, and re-connecting with your values, purpose, and inner peace - while surrounded by a beautiful environment nestled in nature.
What if I'd really like to join, but I can't afford it?
At this time we don't have scholarship funds available for this retreat - but if you're a kind soul or biz who would like to donate and fuel that fund, email hello@livingwells.co. If we're able to procure scholarship funds, we'll announce it and post the application process for it.
I have a question that hasn't been answered - what should I do?
If you've thoroughly read through the details and FAQ but still don't see what you're looking for - please get in touch at hello@livingwells.co.
I don’t need lodging. Can I still attend?
During this retreat, while there will be ample quiet and alone time - we'll be getting to know one another and building on the group dynamic over time with things like evening bonfires. In short: for the experience, you've gotta stay with us :).
What's not included?
- Your own transportation to and from Pathways Retreat Center
- Alcoholic beverages and meat (this is a plant-based sober retreat)
- Gratuities & trip insurance
Can I sign up for the vibes and good food, but not participate in some or any of the yoga?
This is your retreat weekend. If you're feeling low energy or just not feeling it, it's your decision not to participate in individual activities - though we do want you to make the most of it and participate when you can.
What about adverse weather?
Aside from a massive dump of snow that prohibits access, you can count on us moving forward with the retreat. If you have specific questions or concerns, please let us know.
If I sign up for shared occupancy, how will I be matched with other attendees?
If you're attending with a friend or family member, please let us know so we can be sure to place you in the same room. If you're coming solo (retreats are an amazing way to make new lifelong friends) we'll match you with folks based on your applications answers and who we suspect will cohabitate well together.
I'm a Critical Care Flight Paramedic and college educator turned Life Coach, multi-hyphenate creative entrepreneur, Certified Personal Trainer, and RYT200.
If you're into adventure, living well one day at a time, vegetarian food, living a slow, sober, creative & cozy life, and the occasional dog photo - you're in the right place.
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"This was just what I needed to end my year with intention and a little introspection. Marybeth did a wonderful job at making it a place for pausing to reflect on the previous year and diving deep into our intentions for the upcoming year.
It was a cozy and lovely space to go inward and self-reflect as she led us through breathwork, mindfulness meditations and journaling prompts. I wondered if it would be awkward to do a group session that focused on
journaling and introspection, but instead it felt intimate and safe and like we could each take away exactly what we needed.
I would absolutely do a retreat like this with Marybeth again."
— Liz, a past retreat attendee
interested in
private VIRTUAL RETREATS?
Private virtual retreats can be booked just for one (essentially a Day of Clarity call), or for a private small group. Inquire for more info.
Starting at $750
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