“Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.”
“A Beautiful Release”
October 21-23, 2022
We’ve got an incredible line-up of experiences facilitated by wise guides who want to support your entire retreat experience.
In addition to the morning sessions, there are two, one-hour workshops offered on Saturday afternoon. Workshop options will be offered both times.
You will be signing up for these workshops on Saturday morning before lunch.
MAIN SESSIONS
“ A Beautiful Release” is the theme of this year’s retreat, and Christa Hesselink is our guide for our main sessions. Each session will include thoughtful reflections, engaging story-telling, and facilitated experiences to support you in slowing down and tuning into your inner life.
Christa Hesselink is the founder of SoulPlay.ca and has been guiding individuals and groups as they dig deeper into their spiritual life for her entire twenty-five-year career working in higher education, non-profit development, and church ministry.
As a well-respected keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and retreat leader, her greatest satisfaction comes when designing compelling experiences for people to slow down so they can wake up to their own soul.
Christa is a certified coach, certified yoga instructor, and certified spiritual director with the Haden Institute. She is also certified as an Enneagram Coach with the highly respected Narrative Tradition.
To learn more about Christa, head on over here.
SATURDAY WORKSHOPS
Letting Go with the Labyrinth with Beth Woelk
Join Beth in a guided walking meditation on the gorgeous outdoor labyrinth of Crieff Hills. Together we will embody release, welcome in fresh inspiration, and cultivate courage for the next small step. This session is designed for both people brand new to the labyrinth and those experienced with this ancient tool. We will be walking rain or shine!
Beth Woelk is a Spiritual Director and Retreat Facilitator who delights in creating opportunities for reflection, discovery, and growth. She is passionate about integrating spiritual practices into everyday life in ways that allow our intentions and actions in the world to flow out of Love rather than fear. You can find her over at www.bethwoelk.com.
Freedom through Forgiveness with Sandy Reynolds
The work of forgiveness strips away the residues of resentments that constrict how we connect with our own hearts as well as how our heart connects with others. As we learn to release ourselves and others through forgiveness we become free. In this workshop, we will look at the many dimensions of forgiveness - what it is and what it is not, how to nurture self-love and acceptance, and how forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves.
Sandy brings an abundance of skills from her many roles in life, including over 20 years of working in Learning & Development in some of Canada’s largest organizations. Sandy is currently certifying with Sage-ing® International. Her work is focused on exploring the spiritual preparation needed to become a Sage in a youth-obsessed culture. Sandy resides in Hamilton, Ontario. She has two adult children and three grandchildren. To learn more visit her website: sandyreynolds.com
Moving and Healing Through the Season with Kaitlin Powers
Autumn invites us to embrace opportunities to release, let go and renew. In the natural beauty of the retreat centre, you will be guided through an outdoor movement sequence inspired by the rhythms and energy practices of autumn qigong. These practices will help us harness the energy of the season, give space for healing and rejuvenation, and allow us to experience our oneness with the natural world. We will be walking rain or shine!
Kaitlin has been guiding community members through healing practices and therapeutic recreation programs since 2005. Her deep-felt connection with nature and personal healing experiences in nature led her to gain specialized training in Nature and Horticultural Therapy.
A guiding principle in her work is that when we live in harmony with nature, we are presented with powerful opportunities for healing, nourishment and transformation. Kaitlin is the founder and principal guide of Humans in Nature Wellness Services Inc., based out of St. Jacobs, Ontario. You can find out more at www.humansinnature.ca
The Art & Soul of Release with Deanna Underwood
Take this session to explore the more intuitive, creative, stirrings within. This workshop will be spent tuning into your inner life through images, and music, and creating your own work of art that expresses the terrain of your soul. You’ll have lots to process and uncover from the retreat sessions, and this is a perfect opportunity to slow down and tune in. Absolutely no “artistic” experience or skill is required.
Deanna Underwood is a student of the soul. She is completing a three-year intensive soul-formation program and is a true artist who loves to create for the pure joy of it.
She has tremendous experience in a number of different mediums and desires to introduce people to the power of “creative crafting” as a practice to tune into the deep voice of our inner life. You can find her over at @teadrinker_dee .
Other Afternoon Options
The entire afternoon is yours to slow down and wake up to your life. You can choose to participate in any of these workshops, or take the time for yourself - to nap, walk the property, journal, or connect with friends in the lounge. Guelph is only minutes away, if the city happens to be calling.
The time is yours! What will your soul need?
“Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits.”
The retreat will be held on the traditional territory inhabited by the Chonnonton people before Europeans settled here. We acknowledge other First Nations neighbours including the Haudenosaunee, the Anishnaabe and The Métis nation. SoulPlay.ca seeks a new relationship with the Original Peoples of this land, and will weave honour and respect into the weekend retreat.
