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Women’s
Experiences - from
past retreats
“Thank
you for a week of rest, rejuvenation and community. I
was so exhausted when I arrived, and felt absolutely fed by
the circle of women, the sun, the water, the beach, the food,
the workshop. That new energy is installed in my being
as a golden wick down the center of my spine. I still
can re-ignite that light many weeks later here at home.”
Naomi
“Besides
the stunning location, over-the-top service by the hotel
staff, and the energies of countless women before us on that
island, besides the fabulous yoga and the most authentic
‘let our hair down and get real with each other’ group
experience I’ve had to date, not counting the pleasures of
ocean, beach, snorkeling, massage and all that stuff, what
amazes me most six weeks after this trip is its impact on my
life today. I’m convinced that we each hold the key to heal
ourselves and the world, and that it’s critical for each of us
to take a time out in a safe, nurturing environment to find
that key within. Thanks, Karen and Ceci, for helping me find
that key in me.” Wendy
“The
Isla Women’s Retreat was nourishing and refreshing - what a
pleasure to meet up with diverse women belonging to our tribe
- just the right amount of free time and going deeper
together.” Elizabeth
“Unlike
any experience I’ve ever had and exactly as described on the
website, the program was inspiring, thought provoking and fun!
The accommodations were excellent and the food fresh,
plentiful and delicious. I felt nurtured from the moment
I stepped into the palapa for my first women’s circle until
the day I left the island. Lisa led our yoga classes
with a spiritual intention that was perfect for the island.
Karen and Ceci were caring, attentive, and charming. I
would recommend this retreat for all women at least once. It
truly nourished my feminine soul.” Judy
“I had a
friend ask me at work yesterday, following my sharing pictures
and stories with my colleagues, if this experience had changed
me. There was no hesitation in saying yes...but the how
will continue to unfold as time passes. I know that the
physical challenges, the energy of the jungle, the outward
experiences will leave a lasting impression, but what will
always lie deep within me are the connections, the witnessing
of strength and vulnerability of women whom I am forever
grateful for, and proud to call friends.” Nancy
“The
circle, as always, was wonderful and the women extraordinary.
Such unique and luminous individuals we all are and how great
to see that shine in each other’s eyes. The massage for me
was a high point, and I will forever remember the
transformative movement of his hands and the shift it created
in my body to a feeling of reverence for my own sacredness.
That was an unexpected gift.” Chris
“As I ponder
the experience on the island, I smile and am filled with
gratitude. The blue-ness is still with me as are my feet on
the path. I loved letting the interactions during the
week develop without expectations. I found that it was a safe
environment for me to try on new behaviors. Thank you for a
remarkable and lasting experience.” Kathy
“Thank you
for an incredible week in Tulum. I loved the retreat...the
facilitators were awesome, the food was fantastic and the
accommodations splendid! I had an amazing time, very
enriching for me...a wonderful way to take a break and meet
like-minded women.” Alaura
“I
am still soaking in all the wonderful experiences of Isla.
You created such wonderful opportunities for joy and growth.
I have never had such healthy, nourishing, fun and healing
experiences all at once. My heart is more open because of this
trip and my load is lighter. It seems that Isla is an
incredibly powerful place and that the waves of this healing
are felt far and wide.”
Jenny
“The
experience of the retreat was so powerfully restorative to my
soul’s being.”
Vera
“I’d
been feeling the need for change for several years, and more
recently, the need to take time for reflection, for regrouping
and returning, and for drawing on the strength of others. It
has been my experience that a circle of women holds tremendous
power for healing, so when my sister told me about Isla, I
jumped at the chance. I’m so grateful for the gifts of Isla.
The concept of Goddess is one I haven’t entirely wrapped my
brain around yet, but it felt so right to me, to be in that
sacred place, to be in touch at last with the divine
feminine! I’m amazed at how quickly a group of 18 women, 16
of them total strangers to me, began to feel like my sisters,
mothers and daughters all at once. I feel a fondness for the
people of Isla, too. They were so welcoming, so ready to
smile!”
Eileen
“I’ve
been given this awesome gift of a week filled with insight,
instruction, inspiration, encouragement, companionship. To
sit in a circle of women... with poems...with stories...with
dance...with song...with yoga...with meditation...with
solitude. It has been a most amazing time where the
opportunity to live in a moment of inner transformation was
encouraged and supported.”
Fran
“I want to tell you what a wonderful, spiritual, thoughtful,
joyous week I had in Tulum! I feel energized and connected to
our circle even now...without being there...and I so
appreciate and love that connection. I met some fabulous
women that I can continue to get to know better.”
Lissa
“The night sky is
bright with stars and the air is sweet with the smell of the
sea. The procession of women makes their way across the land
bridge to the temple. The sun rises to greet the Yucatan on
the left and Mother Moon says her morning good-byes on the
right. We each make our own private dedications as we step
through the portal into the actual temple. As I close my eyes
I can see the ancient Mayan women getting off their boats at
what appears to be the ruins of a dock below. I am drawn to
what’s left of a lunar observatory or altar. One of the women
in our group dances at an outcropping, chanting, her beautiful
scarves blowing in the wild sea breeze. These are just a
few of the wonderful images I brought home with me from a
recent women’s retreat to Isla Mujeres, an island off of
Cancun. The retreat is a 7-day adventure hosted by co-madres
Ceci McDonnell, the statuesque Mother Goddess who brings her
children together to light their torches and send them forth
and Karen Rosenberg, the bi-lingual amazement who organizes
details - a woman who is nourishing in the truest sense of the
word.” Deb
“I have
been soaring so fully since Isla! Thank you for creating a
place where the Goddess and archetypal figures of women can
dance and express.” Holly
“Every moment was so filled with colors, beauty, life, and
abundance. I couldn’t have picked a more perfect week.”
Elaine
“I was trying to explain
at dinner tonight - just how it was that the circle and the
healing all worked. To build the kind of trust we had and
the deep sharing takes so long in a ‘normal’ sort
of group. The structure I understand. The magic I can’t
explain. Grace is a good word.” Mary Frances
“The
week was absolutely fabulous. I’ve never had an experience
like it…the circle just blew me away. It’s hard to describe
the experience but to say I was personally transformed is not
an exaggeration. I would never have imagined that a group of
strangers, from very different backgrounds and experiences,
could find such a deep connection. I discovered what it means
to be more openhearted and the wonderful things that can
happen when I am. I discovered new ways of loving and being
with others. The location is ideal. I stayed really busy but
found lots of time to relax and rejuvenate. I will be forever
grateful for all the love, support, mothering and laughter.”
Liz
“The hotel itself was
incredible, and that gentle, relaxing environment contributed
so much to the overall experience of the retreat. The graciousness
of the staff made it a true paradise...what was best about
it was that it was so ‘organically’ beautiful...there
was no fabricated, ostentation about the space, so it
allowed us to be more comfortable and authentic in a way that
supported the rest of the retreat experience. The structure
of the retreat itself - the ways in which we met together
for meals and group work - was really effective in enhancing
the relationships among the people in the group and also in
tending to the individual needs of each participant. Overall,
the experience was so positive for me, so deeply enriching
and healing. It was a tremendous, life-changing gift for me,
and I will remain grateful for all the effort and grace that
made it possible.” Elizabeth
“This morning I felt
a new pleasure in life, nature and love. My relationships
both with myself and others are now enriched by the beauty
and grace that filled my heart on Isla Mujeres. I have found
a circle of supportive, nurturing and incredible women.”
Abby
“What a wonderful experience.
I feel really changed, more open...just better.” Catherine
“The place was lovely,
as was the food, service and attentiveness of everyone concerned.
I thought the facilitation of the circle was excellent...I
liked how the facilitators opened up the work to adventurous,
willing others.” Germaine
“You encouraged us to
believe in our dreams, use our imagination and to come together
connecting our experiences in a lovely circle of spirit here
on Isla.” Carol Anne
“I walked away having
had not only a good time, but feeling refreshed, renewed and
re-invigorated. It also felt good to get ‘new blood’
in my veins from all the different women and their souls that
were shared so easily at our circles. I am so happy I went. It was a highpoint in my life.” Maureen
“The setting
was wonderful. I can see why you keep returning...the beach,
the rooms, the food! The workshop was a loving validation
of who I am. In that environment of open spaces, the sea and
sky, I seem to flourish easily. My body dances and my eyes
and hands want to create. I began to feel my loving self. It was an honor and such a pleasure to watch the week unfold
and to watch the hearts open.” Mie
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