I LOVE taking time away from my day to day life on retreat. In the past few years I have taken many and each time I have been astounded by the results: renewal, clarity, and centeredness.

The farther I get from my last retreat, the more I forget the benefits. If I slow down though, I notice some tell-tails signs that a retreat would be a great thing:

• I feel restless and unable to focus.
• I find myself out of touch with my creativity.
• I am looking for a breakthrough of some kind that does not present itself easily.
• I hear the call - there is really no other way to say it.

Where do I go on retreat? It depends. I have taken off for some solo camping at one of my favorite spots on the planet - Cumberland Island, I have booked a few nights at a cabin within an hour or so of my home, and most recently I headed to Savannah for four days. The opportunity to spend some quiet time reflecting and kicking off writing of book two in The Woman's Field Guide series popped up when a gracious family member said, "Come on down! The house is all yours!"

As I arrived in the land of live oaks and inter-coastal waters, I immediately settled in to a retreat rhythm. No agenda, no have-to's, and no work to do. I took long strolls under Spanish moss canopies, I wrote as words flowed and honored the process when they paused. I ate light and simple, drank lots of water, wandered at dusk.

It is truly amazing to me the clarity that sparkled in areas of my life I was not expecting and the exhale I felt from some physical challenges that have been up for me. Every retreat I have ever taken has provided its own splendid gifts.

Clients ask me, why take a retreat? It is honest to say that I find it nearly impossible to give language to all the benefits. My response to their question, "In order to answer that question you must take a retreat and find out!"

I am so thrilled to have my next self-care retreat on my calendar and to be sharing the news with you!

Being on retreat with amazing women, designing and facilitating a magical experience, is one of my greatest joys!

You can learn more by visiting the Retreat Page, and by watching a fun little video called

Come on Retreat

If the idea of coming on retreat intrigues you, here is what I want you to know: Given this is my most popular retreat and space is limited to the first 16 women who show up to say YES! I encourage you to register early to save your spot.

Imagine ...

Taking an entire weekend just for you.

Being in the company of extraordinary women who will share their stories, hear yours, and provide wisdom and support in sacred ways.

Committing to transform the quality of your relationships with yourself and others.

Committing to transform your life.

Now stretch even further and picture a pristine, magnificent slice of heaven in the western NC mountains ... mouth-watering organic gourmet meals, fun and engaging exercises to nurture you from the inside out. And  so much more!

There’s no better way to energize your body, mind, and spirit than by taking care of yourself. - Stephanie Tourles

If I am touching on a place deep within you that is whispering ... yes ... YES! then I invite you to join me on the one and only retreat I will be offering through the end of 2009. Space is limited.

Learn more, read what past participants have to share, explore the fit for you, at www.womansfieldguide.com

Next Retreat Nov 7-9 2008

Contact Corrie to Learn More

Check out Come on Retreat SlideShow

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.

About this time two years ago, I was transitioning from a management position in corporate America and part-time coaching (which I had been doing for seven years) to full-time coaching. At that time I was searching for an advanced training program that I could jump into with both feet. One that spoke to my love for working with groups, working in women's circles. In that search, I came across Helene and The Retreat Coach Certification Program. At first glance it seemed the fit: comprehensive training in a variety of experiential formats (teleconference, workbook, hands-on retreats, mentor coaching) and a skillful facilitator in Helene. I joined the program and began an unexpected journey that I am proud to say I am still traveling.

I worked my way through the program, becoming a Certified Retreat Coach in December of 2007. I am now continuing on in the Master Program. What I expected, I received: great training, an expanded network, improved coaching skills on all fronts, and a great training and great time in Colorado in the spring of '07.

What was completely unexpected: that one woman and her vision and love and grace could change my life in so many ways. Helene mentors conscious coaching and living with every breath she takes. She is the kind of woman that you want to hang out with in hopes that some of her will rub off on you. She vibrates in such great ways.

The way she shows up reminds me ...

I want to be that light for others.

I want to do great work with an open heart.

I want to be a woman in circle holding safe space for other women.

and