She Climbs Mountains Yellowstone Retreat
Aug
8
to Aug 14
Retreat

She Climbs Mountains Yellowstone Retreat

  • Yellowstone National Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

She Climbs Mountains is thrilled to partner with Breakwater Expeditions for an incredible retreat in the natural wonders of Yellowstone National Park. Through the peaks, valleys, and geo-thermals, we will backpack off the beaten path and explore where few people venture while connecting with ourselves and each other as we navigate life as motherless daughters.

We will embark on a journey that will provide an opportunity to stretch ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We will enjoy the benefits of an experience that will include daily hikes, meditation, story-sharing, movement, daily writing prompts, and nature connection with the goal of exploring grief, loss, and healing in a beautiful setting with the support of a safe community.

Daily hikes will range from 3-6 miles. No previous backpacking experience is required. The retreat is open to women ages 21+ who have experienced mother loss 2 or more years ago.

"It is not a matter of waiting for the pain of grief to wane. It is allowing for the possibility that JOY and SORROW can and do coexist." - Unknown

Trip Details

  • Dates: August 8 - 14, 2024 (7 Days, 6 Nights)

  • Trip Cost Per Person: $1600 (shared occupancy); $1700 (single occupancy)

  • Lodging Includes:

    • 1 night of group camping at Pine Creek Campground (30 mins from the park entrance)

    • 4 nights of backcountry camping

    • 1 night of hotel stay at the Chico Hot Springs Resort

  • Guides: 1 Breakwater Expeditions qualified guide will provide a safe, fun, and meaningful adventure.

  • Transportation Includes:

    • Pick up and drop off at the Bozeman Airport at pre-determined meeting place and time frame.

  • Group Size: 9 participants plus 1 guide and 2 facilitators.

  • Climate: The temperatures in Yellowstone range from 40’s to 80’s depending on the area of the park.

  • Clothing: You will receive a packing list for personal items needed.

  • Gear: Breakwater provides each participant with backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, tent (shared), storage sacks for organization, cup, bowl, spoon/utensils for eating, and all group gear for the comfortable and safe backcountry living as required by our trip itinerary.

  • Food: Meals and snacks will be provided for participants during the backcountry sections of the trip. Specifically, dinner day 1 through lunch day 6 will be included.

  • Each participant is responsible for purchase of airfare and coordination of flights that will work with the outlined itinerary. Participants will be responsible for their own meals prior to dinner on day 1 and after lunch on day 6.

Register for the She Climbs Mountains Yellowstone Retreat!

Payment Options: Pay in full at registration OR pay the non-refundable deposit at registration with 3 additional payments of $467.00 (shared occupancy) or $500 (single occupancy). Registrants will be sent payment reminders based on registration date. Final payment is due 30 days prior to the retreat start date.

  • CANCELLATION POLICY:

    Up to 60 days prior to the start date: 100% refundable minus the $200 non-refundable deposit.

    Up to 30 days prior to the start date: 50% refundable minus the $200 non-refundable deposit.

    From 30 days to the start date: non-refundable.

    She Climbs Mountains reserves the right to cancel the retreat up to 15 days prior to the start date. If cancellation occurs by the organization, registrants will receive a 100% refund.

    Please note that we are unable to issue refunds due to illness, including COVID-19.

Questions? Please contact Christine Meyer at christine@sheclimbsmountains.org.

Itinerary

August 8: Bozeman Airport to Pine Creek Campground
At 3pm MST we will meet at Baggage Claim in the Bozeman Airport. After gathering the group, we will shuttle to our first camp. Pine Creek Campground is about 30 minutes outside the North Entrance of Yellowstone. Upon arriving to our camp, we will have a packing shakedown with personal and group gear. Your guide will check to make sure all of your items are what you need for your hiking trip. During this time we will answer questions and concerns about the upcoming events, as well as start to settle in to our new environment and new friends. Lodging: Tents; Meals: Dinner

August 9: Into the Yellowstone National Park
Enjoy a hardy breakfast at camp and then pack up our belongings. Today we head into Yellowstone. We will be ready for the trail upon departure of Pine Creek Campground. Our drive will be a couple hours. Upon arrival the group will gather at the trailhead to each lunch, while guides set up a shuttle. After lunch and any last minute pack adjustments, we will set out onto our trail. Lodging: Tents; Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + Snacks

August 10, 11, 12: Move along the trail and connect with Nature!
Each day we will move along the trail and explore all of its natural beauty. We will make time to connect as individuals and as a group while on trail and in camp. Depending upon our route we have shorter and longer days on the trail. With the possibility of summit day or layover. Lodging: Tents; Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner each day + Snacks

August 13: Closure to our hiking and a return to Chico Hot Springs
As we enjoy our last backcountry breakfast together, we will close this portion of our experience as we walk out to our vehicles. With a stop at Mammoth Hot Springs or the gift shop, we will say goodbye to this beautiful National Park. Upon arriving at Chico Hot Springs Resort late afternoon, we will settle in, shower, indulge in soaking in the springs, and prepare for dinner. Lodging: Hotel room (separate beds for shared occupancy); Meals: Breakfast, Lunch* + Snacks *participants may choose to purchase lunch at the National Park instead of eating the lunch provided; Dinner on your own at Chico Hot Springs Resort.

Day 7: Bozeman, Airport drop off
With a leisurely morning, we will depart Chico Hot springs by 10am MST to arrive for drop offs at the Bozeman Airport. Should any participants need a drop off at a hotel in Bozeman, we will accommodate this request as well. Meals: Breakfast on your own at Chico Hot Springs Resort.

Guide:

Angie Roberts is a co-owner with Breakwater Expeditions and facilitates retreats, expeditions, and adventure travel year round. She is especially excited to work with the women of She Climbs Mountains as she is also a woman who lost her mother too early in life. She cherishes the opportunities to connect with other people’s journeys as she continues to heal within her own.

With over 20 years of experience working with people in outdoor settings, Angie believes that nature and adventure can foster healthier individuals who will, in turn, build stronger communities. An avid outdoor enthusiast from early childhood, she grew up camping, fishing, and hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

When she is not working, Angie enjoys skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and spending time with her husband, friends, and family in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Facilitators:

Sarah Conover holds a BA in comparative religions from the University of Colorado, and an MFA in creativewriting from Eastern Washington University. She has worked as a television producer for PBS, a social worker for Catholic Charities, a public-school teacher, and taught creative writing through many venues. She is the author of six books on world wisdom traditions and spirituality. Her most recent book, Set Adrift: My Family’s Disappearance in the Bermuda Triangle, a Mystery and a Memoir, is in large part about mother loss. She taught meditation for many years at Airway Heights Corrections Center and within the Spokane community. She lives in a condo in Spokane, Washington and in her beloved yurtiverse at the base of the North Cascades in Winthrop, Washington, where she and her husband are building a small hermitage.

Christine Meyer is the Founder of She Climbs Mountains. Christine earned her B.A. in Sociology from St. Olaf College in 1997 and over the next decade worked in Email Marketing Sales. After leaving her career when her second daughter was 6 months old, Christine became an at-home mom and also joined her then-husband’s home renovation business, managing the books. Christine previously served on the Board of Minnesota Families for Midwifery for over 5 years, last holding the position of President. In January 2014, after a series of meaningful events, Christine created and began facilitating Motherless Mothers Workshops and hosting monthly gatherings for motherless mothers through a local yoga studio. In March of 2017, after another series of meaningful events, she was moved to launch She Climbs Mountains. Most recently, Christine is proud to announce programming for girls ages 8-18, Girls Rise Up.

Christine co-facilitates weekly calls and has completed training with Author Hope Edelman, Founder and CEO of Motherless Daughters. Please note that the She Climbs Mountains Retreat is not associated with Hope Edelman’s Motherless Daughters Community or Motherless Daughters Retreats.

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She Climbs Mountains Retreat
Nov
3
to Nov 5
Retreat

She Climbs Mountains Retreat

The She Climbs Mountains Retreat encourages motherless daughters to acknowledge and move with their grief through creative activities, workshops, movement, and connection with other women who have the shared experience of mother loss through death. The retreat is designed to offer women an opportunity to intentionally attend to their grief, engage in self-care, and be in community with the desired goal of providing a safe space for sorrow while also experiencing gratitude and joy in a new way.

The $750 retreat price includes lodging at an incredible lakeside property in Shoreview, MN (2 twin beds + 8 full beds are available in two bunk rooms and 1 king bed is available in a private room - to be shared by interested participants on a first come first served basis), five delicious meals catered by Lunds & Byerlys, healthy snacks, N/A beverages (please note that this is an alcohol-free weekend), and a variety of activities/workshops listed below. During breaks and free-time, participants are encouraged to express thoughts, feelings, and experiences through writing – journals will be provided.

The retreat is open to women ages 21+ who have experienced mother loss 2 or more years ago.

In order to provide a unique and intimate experience for our community, this retreat is limited to 12 participants. Only 2 spots remain with registration closing Friday, October 27. Limited scholarships are available. Please contact christine@sheclimbsmountains.org for further information.

Register for the She Climbs Mountains Retreat!*

*For registrants in need of payment flexibility, PayPal Pay Later option is available at check-out.

Founder Christine Meyer co-facilitates weekly calls and has completed training with Author Hope Edelman, Founder and CEO of Motherless Daughters. Please note that the She Climbs Mountains Retreat is not associated with Hope Edelman’s Motherless Daughters Community or Motherless Daughters Retreats.

  • CANCELLATION POLICY:

    Up to 45 days prior to the start date: 100% refundable minus a $100 non-refundable fee.

    Up to 30 days prior to the start date: 50% refundable minus a $100 non-refundable fee.

    From 14 days to the start date: non-refundable.

    She Climbs Mountains reserves the right to cancel the retreat up to 14 days prior to the start date if minimum enrollment has not been met. If cancellation occurs by the organization, registrants will receive a 100% refund.

    Please note that we are unable to issue refunds due to illness, including COVID-19.

"It is not a matter of waiting for the pain of grief to wane. It is allowing for the possibility that JOY and SORROW can and do coexist." - Unknown

PROGRAM

Friday, November 3, 2023

  • 5:00-6:00pm – arrival + introductions

  • 6:30pm – heavy appetizers

  • 7:30pm – Welcome + Connection Activity

  • 8:30-9:30pm – Soul-Nourishing Sound Bath Meditation led by Paula Jiménez

    Join Paula Jiménez, Mother, Sound Facilitator, Reiki Master and End-of-Life Doula, for a deep, immersive, and soul-nourishing sound bath meditation.

    Paula will use a variety of instruments, including crystal singing bowls, gongs, chimes, and drums, to create a safe and sacred space for healing. She will guide you into a state of deep relaxation, allowing your body to restore and rejuvenate naturally.

Saturday, November 4, 2023

  • 9:00am – breakfast

  • 10:00am-12:00pm – Story Sharing facilitated by Christine Meyer

Story sharing is an important ritual within our community - being seen, heard, and validated by other motherless daughters is an extremely powerful and healing process, and helps us understand and accept that we are not alone as grievers. Participants will be invited to share about our mothers lives and deaths, and the impact of both on our own lives.

  • 12:00-12:15pm – Self-Love Meditation led by Christine Meyer

  • 12:30pm – lunch

  • 1:30-3:00pm – Nature Connection & Healing led by Suez Nields

    Suez Nields will guide us on a nature walk exploring the healing power of the earth and the connections we can form with ourselves and our mothers by being present in our natural environment.

  • 3:00-3:30pm – break/free-time

  • 3:30-5:30pm – Marking Time through Ritual:  Mandala Altar Making facilitated by Ann Viveros

    Pain, grief, and loss can be transformed into something beautiful and meaningful for deeper understanding. Let nature and art bring inspiration, vision, remembrance and connections to our lives. Impermanent earth art altars provide a meaningful place to gather, to reflect, to remember, to wonder, and to celebrate. They are ritual pieces, meaning-makers, and ways to honor our life. We will practice mindful awareness through altar making; aiming to  balance and integrate our head, heart, and belly. We will connect with ourselves so that we may connect more authentically with each other. Together we will create an impermanent nature mandala. As we create the mandala we will be invited to share a memory, gratitude or an intention.

    On Sunday morning we will return to our altar and see the  mandala as a symbol of impermanence as we let it go and return to nature.

  • 5:30-6:30pm – break/free-time

  • 6:30pm – dinner

  • 8:00-9:00pm – Mother Loss Journaling & Open Discussion led by Christine Meyer

    Journal prompts will be provided and sharing/open discussion will be encouraged as a way to continue to connect with our mothers and our community.

Sunday, November 5, 2023

  • 9:00am – breakfast

  • 10:00-11:00am – Yoga Practice led by Betsy Elworthy Sundell

  • 11:00-11:30am – closing + group picture

  • 12:00pm – departure

Featuring:

Paula Jiménez is a Mother, Sound Facilitator, Reiki Master and End-of-Life Doula. Originally from Colombia, Paula intuitively uses with a variety of healing modalities that help cultivate connection with community and promote wellness of the whole person: mind, body, spirit, and emotion. 

Christine Meyer is the Founder and President of She Climbs Mountains. Christine earned her B.A. in Sociology from St. Olaf College in 1997 and over the next decade worked in Email Marketing Sales. After leaving her career when her second daughter was 6 months old, Christine became an at-home mom and also joined her then-husband’s home renovation business, managing the books. Christine previously served on the Board of Minnesota Families for Midwifery for over 5 years, last holding the position of President. In January 2014, after a series of meaningful events, Christine created and began facilitating Motherless Mothers Workshops and hosting monthly gatherings for motherless mothers through a local yoga studio. In March of 2017, after another series of meaningful events, she was moved to launch She Climbs Mountains. Most recently, Christine is proud to announce programming for girls ages 8-18, Girls Rise Up.

Suez Nields is a Nature-Connected Transformational Guide based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Her own decades long battle with anorexia nervosa, chronic migraine syndrome, PTSD, clinical depression and anxiety deeply informs her work today. Her own journey to healing began with slow steps inward, facing the fear and darkness of the unknown. Through a deep connection to nature, permission from self and others to explore new ways of being, unwavering systems of accountability and support and an underlying commitment to do “whatever it takes”, she overcame the odds and the naysayers and is now living a life of fulfillment, health and adventure.

Suez trained in Education at Augsburg College and the College of St Catherine In Holistic Studies. She worked with Students with ASD, EBD and CP, and in Family Advocacy before turning her attention to advocating for others in their Radical, Transformational Growth. This path led her to train at the Earth-Based Institute, out of Boulder, Colorado where she received Her Nature Connected Coaching Certification. (NCC)

She shares her life with Her Husband Charlie, and their canine hiking companion Roo La Roux. When not out on the trail or meeting with clients she enjoys hanging out with any combination of her three Sons and Grandson, time with Friends, traveling, camping, reading-preferably by a fire with a cup of hot cup of coffee or tea in hand… Just BEING.

“I will shout it from the mountain top, for as loud and as long as I have breath in my body… Nature is powerful medicine, and profoundly healing. Nature is all around us, nature is IN us. It is within, from that place of SOUL, where the answers lie. Come explore with me!”

Ann Viveros (she/her) is an intuitive artist and facilitates mindful mandala drawing and art making classes for individuals and groups. She is a self-taught mandala artist inspired by world cultures and traditions as well as personal dreams, meditations, and inquiry. She teaches meditation, mindfulness, and inquiry through experiential practices that integrate our minds, hearts, and bodies. Ann leads grief and healing circles and is a Conscious Dying Coach and End of Life Death Doula. She is a certified Morning Altars teacher and practitoner. She is a life-long learner and educator who believes in radical love and acceptance. Ann has served in public education for over 30 years.

“Personal transformation in service of universal transformation is at the heart of my life's work. I believe in using experiential practices that integrate our minds, hearts, and bodies. I believe in using inquiry-based mindful awareness practices to uncover our blocks and biases. I believe in radical love and self-compassion. I am an artist, life coach, meditation teacher and end of life death doula.”

Betsy Elworthy Sundell All it took was the invitation from a good friend, a quick bike ride, and one crazy, intense Ashtanga yoga class at the Piedmont Yoga Studio to hook this lifetime lover of movement into a new method to explore the complexities of body, mind and spirit. Betsy has been practicing yoga ever since that memorable first class. Growing up in a home saturated with music, art, dance and two active older brothers, Betsy was attracted to the creative asana sequences, physicality and flow of a Vinyasa yoga class. Life has changed over the years, along with her practice. As a classroom teacher in the public schools, yoga provided the opportunity to recharge, realign and restore. As an expecting mother, Betsy learned to surrender to the wisdom of the body during prenatal yoga. And, as a new parent, Betsy relished the quiet connection of mother and baby postnatal yoga with Yoga Bonding. Now with two children, Betsy's practice has expanded to include these dynamic yogis. Betsy’s yoga classes for kids reflect her family’s yoga practice that integrates yoga with stories, songs, games and a whole lot of imagination. Betsy continued to study, practice yoga and completed her yoga teacher training through the Yoga Center of Minneapolis 230 hour Yoga Study Program. With her new favorite role as a mother to Reyna and Boden, a fortunate next step was to apprentice Lisa Bergly, founder and and creator of Yogabonding. Soon Betsy was a certified Postnatal Yoga teacher. The love for nurturing the mother and child bond grew into another passion, prenatal yoga. Betsy studied with both Sarah Longacre and Stacy Seebart through Blooma's Prenatal yoga trainings. Her total delight was to attend another postnatal training with Katie Wise in Boulder, Colorado and then an opportunity to develop Blooma's BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby) teacher training based on the wisdom of her teachers and of her own experience. Other credentials include a Masters degree in Education, Bachelor of Arts in Dance and English and a Certification in Participatory Arts and Research.

She Climbs Mountains/Girls Rise Up believes that the loss of a mother through estrangement, abandonment, or separation is devastating and causes a unique grief for a daughter living without her mother. However, at this time, our organization only provides programs for women and girls who have experienced mother loss through death.

She Climbs Mountains/Girls Rise Up is an inclusive organization and welcomes all humans who identify as daughters. Additionally, though we use the pronouns she/her/hers, we welcome individuals who use pronouns such as they/them/theirs and/or other gender-neutral pronouns.

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Sep
28
to Sep 30
Retreat

Motherless Daughters Retreat - Fall 2018

  • SE Minneapolis Mansion (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Utilizing various activities, workshops, and time to connect with other women who have the shared experience of mother loss through death, the Motherless Daughters Retreat will encourage women to acknowledge and move through their grief with the desired goal of experiencing gratitude and joy in a new way.

The $450 retreat price includes lodging at an incredible mansion in SE Minneapolis (four shared beds and 2 single beds, participants can indicate roommate preference if known; maximum of 10 attendees), five delicious and healthy meals (Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast) catered by Chef Amy Nadeau, snacks, drinks, and activities/workshops listed below. During breaks and free-time, participants are encouraged to express thoughts, feelings, and experiences through writing – journals will be provided.

Registration is now closed. Please check back soon for our next retreat!

beautiful women.jpg

"It is not a matter of waiting for the pain of grief to wane. It is allowing for the possibility that JOY and SORROW can and do coexist." - Unknown

PROGRAM

Friday, September 28th, 2018

  • 5:00pm-6:00pm – arrive

  • 6:30pm – dinner and opening activity

  • 8:00pm – Wine Tasting with ONEHOPE, Kasi Tompkins

We will enjoy wine tasting and getting to know one another in a relaxed and accepting environment. *OneHope will donate 10% of sales to She Climbs Mountains!

Saturday, September 29th, 2018

  • 8:30am – breakfast

  • 10:00am-12:00pm – Writing Workshop led by Christine Friberg

My Life/My Mother's Life – During this workshop, we will explore the stories of our lives and the stories our mothers' lives, examining both the similarities and differences we share with our mothers. We will also reflect on the impact of our mothers' deaths on our lives, considering her imagined perspective, and our 'before' and 'after.' Writing prompts will be provided, as well as an opportunity to share and discuss our work throughout the session.

  • 12:15pm-1:15pm – Mindfulness Practice led by Karla Buerkle

Mindful Self Compassion: Understanding and Honoring Ourselves – Incorporating a lens of self-compassion in our daily lives can enhance both mental and physical well-being. Self-compassion is about finding a kinder and friendlier way to relate to ourselves. In this retreat session, we will be introduced to and invited to practice several mindful self-compassion techniques. Mindful practices will involve both sitting and moving, are made to be personalized, and aim to make self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness part of our daily lives.

  • 1:30pm – lunch

  • 3:00pm-5:00pm – Visual Art Journaling led by Gabriel Ross

Gabriel Ross will guide us through acknowledging the loss of our mothers with the written word and visual art. Incorporating the wisdom from the book She: A Celebration of Greatness in Every Woman by Mary Anne Radmacher and Liz Kalloch, we will create pieces of art (that can be framed, if desired) to honor our mothers' continual presence in our lives. There will be time to share our work with one another at the end of the workshop.

  • 5:00pm-6:30pm – break/free-time

  • 6:30pm – dinner

  • 7:30pm – Bracelet/Necklace-Making Activity led by Jen Boesel, of Capturing Time Jewelry Design (Beading supplies provided. Additional items/charms will be available for purchase. Attendees are welcome to bring beads and/or charms that they would like to repurpose, i.e. a piece of jewelry from your mother's collection.)

Sunday, September 30th, 2018

  • 8:30am – breakfast

  • 10:00am-11:00am – Yoga Practice led by Betsy Elworthy Sundell

  • 11:00am-11:30pm – closing and group picture

  • 12:00pm – depart

Featuring:

Chef Amy Nadeau My first impressions of food came from my mother and grandmother, avid gardeners and accomplished cooks. Each time my family gathered around the table for a home-cooked meal, I experienced food’s power to bring people together. These impressions created in me a passion for food which I followed into the restaurant industry, becoming a chef, caterer, and pastry chef. Unfortunately, along with the joys of cooking I also experienced the downside. Over the years my eating habits became erratic, leading to multiple health problems including high blood sugar, weight gain, and an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. Also during this time both of my parents passed away from conditions that dietary changes may have been able to positively address. Clearly it was time for a change. Determined to regain my health, I focused on whole and minimally processed foods and experienced first-hand how simple dietary changes can lead to dramatic results. Eventually, this spurred me on to achieve certification as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP). I advocate for food as a way for people to bond and connect and a way to heal and prevent illness. I believe what we choose to eat is the cornerstone of our health and in making those choices, we have the power to determine whether we live vital and healthy lives or fall into disease. I can help you discover the most nourishing diet for you and guide you in taking back the power for your own health.

ONEHOPE Wine is produced in collaboration with winemaker Rob Mondavi, Jr. and our award-winning portfolio consists of handcrafted blends sourced from Napa, Sonoma and the Central Coast of California. OneHope wine is unique in that we donate HALF the profits from EVERY bottle to partner non-profits. For example, our Pinot Noir supports pet adoptions through the ASPCA. Our Chardonnay funds clinical trials for women with Breast Cancer. Our Red Blend Supports our troops through the non-profit Team Rubicon. Our commitment to the quality of our wine is just as strong as to the commitment to the causes we support! Here is our story and how we make an impact all year long: https://youtu.be/EzVoaTcz04M

OneHope also donates 10% of sales from events to any local non-profit of the host's choice! We were built on a strong foundation of doing good and giving back! Feel good about any purchases that you make through OneHope! 

Christine Friberg is the Founder of She Climbs Mountains. Christine has been writing down her thoughts and feelings since the age of 5 when she wrote her very first poem about the death of her grandma. Christine developed a deep love of poetry and creative writing throughout elementary and high school and into college. She has taken writing courses and workshops in both the Chicago area and Twin Cities and enjoys writing personal essays, poetry, and journaling. She believes that the written word is a powerful tool for healing the human spirit.

Dr. Karla Buerkle is a licensed child and educational psychologist who became fascinated with mind-body connections as a pregnant yogi over a decade ago. She became committed to better understanding how mindfulness practices might impact those with whom she works three years ago, and has incorporated a variety of practices into her therapy practice with children and their families, supervision with graduate students, consultation in schools with teachers and all ages of students, and her own personal practice. Karla has had the privilege of working with a diverse array of families in community nonprofits in the early part of her career. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, and has taught and supervised aspiring school psychologists,
does clinical work in a whole family practice, and is nationally certified in the schools where she provides consultation and training around supporting wellness and addressing mental health concerns in the classroom.

Gabriel Ross, MA Catechetics and Liturgy, University of St. Thomas, is the founding director of Creative Spirit, a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring spirituality through the arts. Gabriel has facilitated adult education courses and intergenerational programming for over 25 years. She leads women’s spirituality groups and teaches courses on comparative religions, eco-spirituality, creativity and spirituality. Gabriel designed and leads the Soul Journal programs for incarcerated women and Befriending Creation camp for girls. Her unique program offerings include drum and ritual groups and Mystics at the River.

Jen Boesel has been making jewelry almost her whole life, beginning around the age of 8 when friendship bracelets were all the rage (remember the 80’s?). During her four years at college, while pursuing a theatre degree, Jen worked in the costume shop, learning all about costumes and jewelry worn throughout time. She also worked part-time at a vintage clothing store, setting the foundation for her vintage inspired jewelry style, and also where she sold her first pieces! A couple of years after graduating from college, she landed an assistant jewelry buyer position with the Bibelot Shops. She worked as an assistant buyer for seven years and decided to return to school for a Masters in Education. Jen became pregnant with her first son, William, who was born nearly 3 months premature. Needless to say a very difficult postpartum depression took hold, and she returned to jewelry making as a therapeutic and creative outlet. She began working for the Bead Monkey in St. Paul, where she honed her craft, learning many different techniques. A few years later, Jen began selling her line ‘Capturing Time Jewelry Design’ at the Bibelot Shops. A busy at-home mother of three, the name came from the need that she had to “capture time” and produce something lasting that didn’t get lost in the often mundane tasks of being a homemaker. Jen loves teaching and sharing her passion for jewelry making with others. She also loves re-purposing vintage, broken, or damaged pieces into wearable works of art! Mostly, she is drawn to sentimental pieces and believes that we can keep those we love close by wearing jewelry that reminds us of them.

Betsy Elworthy Sundell All it took was the invitation from a good friend, a quick bike ride, and one crazy, intense Ashtanga yoga class at the Piedmont Yoga Studio to hook this lifetime lover of movement into a new method to explore the complexities of body, mind and spirit. Betsy has been practicing yoga ever since that memorable first class. Growing up in a home saturated with music, art, dance and two active older brothers, Betsy was attracted to the creative asana sequences, physicality and flow of a Vinyasa yoga class. Life has changed over the years, along with her practice. As a classroom teacher in the public schools, yoga provided the opportunity to recharge, realign and restore. As an expecting mother, Betsy learned to surrender to the wisdom of the body during prenatal yoga. And, as a new parent, Betsy relished the quiet connection of mother and baby postnatal yoga with Yoga Bonding. Now with two children, Betsy's practice has expanded to include these dynamic yogis. Betsy’s yoga classes for kids reflect her family’s yoga practice that integrates yoga with stories, songs, games and a whole lot of imagination. Betsy continued to study, practice yoga and completed her yoga teacher training through the Yoga Center of Minneapolis 230 hour Yoga Study Program. With her new favorite role as a mother to Reyna and Boden, a fortunate next step was to apprentice Lisa Bergly, founder and and creator of Yogabonding. Soon Betsy was a certified Postnatal Yoga teacher. The love for nurturing the mother and child bond grew into another passion, prenatal yoga. Betsy studied with both Sarah Longacre and Stacy Seebart through Blooma's Prenatal yoga trainings. Her total delight was to attend another postnatal training with Katie Wise in Boulder, Colorado and then an opportunity to develop Blooma's BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby) teacher training based on the wisdom of her teachers and of her own experience. Other credentials include a Masters degree in Education, Bachelor of Arts in Dance and English and a Certification in Participatory Arts and Research.

View Event →
Sep
29
to Oct 1
Retreat

2017 Motherless Daughters Retreat

  • Top of the Mill Retreat Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Through various activities, workshops, and time to connect with other women who have the shared experience of mother loss, the Motherless Daughters Retreat will allow women to acknowledge and move through their grief with the desired goal of experiencing gratitude and joy in a new way.

The $425 retreat price includes lodging at The Top of the Mill Retreat Center (two shared rooms will accommodate up to 6 women in each room, 12 maximum total participants), 5 healthy meals (Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast) catered by Amy Nadeau, snacks, drinks, and activities/workshops listed below. During breaks and free-time, participants are encouraged to express thoughts, feelings, and experiences through writing – journals will be provided.

Two optional activities are available on Saturday night: henna body art (by BlurBerryBuzz) or a memory box craft (participants will decorate a box to store mementos - materials will be provided, though personal items/materials are also welcome). 

"It is not a matter of waiting for the pain of grief to wane. It is allowing for the possibility that JOY and SORROW can and do coexist." - Unknown

PROGRAM

Friday, September 29, 2017

  • 5:00pm-6:00pm – arrive
  • 6:30pm – dinner
  • 7:30pm – Wine Tasting with ONEHOPE, Kasi Tompkins

We will enjoy wine tasting and getting to know one another in a relaxed and accepting environment. *OneHope will donate 10% of sales to She Climbs Mountains!

Saturday, September 30, 2017

  • 8:00am – breakfast
  • 9:00am-10:00am – Yoga Practice led by Betsy Elworthy Sundell
  • 10:30am-12:30pm – Interactive Workshop led by Sarah Johnston, Clinical Social Worker

Release for Peace: Connecting, Creating, and Increasing Insight: During this two-hour workshop, we will discuss ways to process and release the pain of grief on a daily basis. We will identify the ways that grief can impact relationships and show up in ways we don't expect. We will explore ideas to create ritual as a tool for healing. Please come ready to explore emotional experiences, consider, and connect. 

  • 1:00pm – lunch
  • 2:15pm-4:15pm – Visual Art Journaling led by Gabriel Ross

Gabriel Ross will guide us through acknowledging the loss of our mothers with the written word and visual art. We will create pieces of art (that can be framed, if desired) to honor our mothers' continual presence in our lives. There will be time to share our work with one another at the end of the workshop.

  • 4:30pm-6:00pm – Writing Workshop led by Christine Friberg

My Life/My Mother's Life: During this workshop, we will explore the stories of our lives and the stories our mothers' lives, examining both the similarities and differences we share with our mothers. We will also reflect on the impact of our mothers' deaths on our lives, considering her imagined perspective, and our 'before' and 'after.' Writing prompts will be provided, as well as an opportunity to share and discuss our work throughout the session.

  • 6:30pm – dinner
  • 7:30pm – free-time, henna body art by BlurBerryBuzz (optional), memory box craft led by Courtney Carter (optional)

Sunday, October 1, 2017

  • 8:00am – breakfast
  • 9:00am-10:00am – Guided Meditation led by Autumn Lee

Autumn Lee will guide us through a gentle and healing meditation that will allow us to be present to and let go of the myriad of emotions we feel as motherless daughters.

  • 10:00am-11:00am – group picture/wrap-up
  • 11:00am – depart

Register now for the retreat!

Featuring:

ONEHOPE Wine is produced in collaboration with winemaker Rob Mondavi, Jr. and our award-winning portfolio consists of handcrafted blends sourced from Napa, Sonoma and the Central Coast of California. OneHope wine is unique in that we donate HALF the profits from EVERY bottle to partner non-profits. For example, our Pinot Noir supports pet adoptions through the ASPCA. Our Chardonnay funds clinical trials for women with Breast Cancer. Our Red Blend Supports our troops through the non-profit Team Rubicon. Our commitment to the quality of our wine is just as strong as to the commitment to the causes we support! Here is our story and how we make an impact all year long: https://youtu.be/EzVoaTcz04M

OneHope also donates 10% of sales from events to any local non-profit of the host's choice! We were built on a strong foundation of doing good and giving back! Feel good about any purchases that you make through OneHope! 

Betsy Elworthy Sundell All it took was the invitation from a good friend, a quick bike ride, and one crazy, intense Ashtanga yoga class at the Piedmont Yoga Studio to hook this lifetime lover of movement into a new method to explore the complexities of body, mind and spirit. Betsy has been practicing yoga ever since that memorable first class. Growing up in a home saturated with music, art, dance and two active older brothers, Betsy was attracted to the creative asana sequences, physicality and flow of a Vinyasa yoga class. Life has changed over the years, along with her practice. As a classroom teacher in the public schools, yoga provided the opportunity to recharge, realign and restore. As an expecting mother, Betsy learned to surrender to the wisdom of the body during prenatal yoga. And, as a new parent, Betsy relished the quiet connection of mother and baby postnatal yoga with Yoga Bonding. Now with two children, Betsy's practice has expanded to include these dynamic yogis. Betsy’s yoga classes for kids reflect her family’s yoga practice that integrates yoga with stories, songs, games and a whole lot of imagination. Betsy continued to study, practice yoga and completed her yoga teacher training through the Yoga Center of Minneapolis 230 hour Yoga Study Program.  With her new favorite role as a mother to Reyna and Boden, a fortunate next step was to apprentice Lisa Bergly, founder and and creator of Yogabonding.  Soon Betsy was a certified Postnatal Yoga teacher.  The love for nurturing the mother and child bond grew into another passion, prenatal yoga.  Betsy studied with both Sarah Longacre and Stacy Seebart through Blooma's Prenatal yoga trainings.   Her total delight was to attend another postnatal training with Katie Wise in Bolder, Colorado and then an opportunity to develop Blooma's BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby) teacher training based on the wisdom of her teachers and of her own experience.  Other credentials include a Masters degree in Education, Bachelor of Arts in Dance and English and a Certification in Participatory Arts and Research.

Sarah Johnston is a Clinical Social Worker who has been working in the field of helping people since 2001. Prior to attending graduate school, she worked extensively with youth and families, especially those experiencing poverty and homelessness. After graduate school, she worked for 5 years at an outpatient mental health clinic in south Minneapolis. There she worked with people of all ages and backgrounds with a variety of mental health needs. She also completed extra training in perinatal mental health issues, experiential play therapy, and adult attachment.

Gabriel Ross, (MA Catechetics and Liturgy, University of St. Thomas). Gabriel is the founding director of Creative Spirit, a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring spirituality through the arts. Gabriel has facilitated adult education courses and intergenerational programming for over 25 years. She leads women’s spirituality groups and teaches courses on comparative religions, eco-spirituality, creativity and spirituality. Gabriel designed and leads the Soul Journal programs for incarcerated women and Befriending Creation camp for girls. Her unique program offerings include drum and ritual groups and Mystics at the River.

Courtney Carter is an attorney and mother of two. Courtney lost her mother in 2011, after a long battle with alcoholism. Courtney joined the Motherless Mothers Workshop at Blooma in 2014, and found it to be very healing. She first co-facilitated the workshop with Christine Friberg in April 2017. Courtney lives with her husband and two young daughters in Minneapolis. 

Autumn Lee believes above all in the power of love and in the comfort and strength of sisterhood. She uses yoga and meditation as a practice to calm, heal, and connect. It is through our breath and a healthy relationship with ourselves and with others that we transcend that which we do not need and become more fully ourselves. She brings a servant’s heart to her classes, and a sincere desire to create a space for personal growth and possibility. Autumn received her training at Minneapolis Yoga Center and has practiced yoga in support group settings for adult women and with high school students for the past three years. Her teaching style is warm and welcoming, and full of burning sage.

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