Though there are so many different reasons women give the gift of attending one of my self care retreats to themselves, I never lose sight of the courage it takes to say YES, the steps each woman travels to make it happen, and the gifts I receive when I create sacred space and set the stage for a good time!

I'd love to share a small slice what I have learned about designing a retreat in such a way that it stays with participants for a very long time!

Note: Whether you a coach planning a retreat, someone thinking about attending one, or you are designing your very own personal retreat - it all applies :)

Craft a retreat with care: I love preparing for and planning my self care retreats. My intention is that each woman will experience deep, nurturing self care in a way that touches all her senses. With that in mind - the food is mouth-watering, organic, and superb, there is a option of incredible massage, the setting is always a magical place with an abundance of outdoor beauty, the size is small and intimate, and the exercises and framework support and challenge women to examine specific ways they can step into more joyful living in their lives by embodying deeper self love and self care.

• Think of ways to fire up all your senses and to get your mind, body, and heart into motion while on retreat.
  

Provide lots of practical exercises and practices that women can easily take home and easily apply in their busy lives. It all has to relate to real life or it becomes one of those weekends where you have a great time but it fades ever so quickly. Too, the more fully we engage our creativity in the process the more powerfully we are reminded to embrace a creative life!

• Think about creating a goody bag of ideas and materials to take on retreat. You'll be able to pick and choose the right ingredients in each moment.

Balance planned time with free time: By creating a light structure that blends time to BE with time to DO you nurture relaxation and renewal while opening up possibilities for deep discovery.

Create a massive support system to help you integrate all that you learn and experience while on retreat. Examples:

• Have a family meeting to let everyone know what great support for you might look like.
• If on retreat with a group, design follow up opportunities to keep folks connected and inspired.
  
• Identify great resources and books that resonate with the power of retreat message.