We welcome you to an immersive
5 day gathering
as we disconnect from the colonial pace, to reconnect to our organic ways of being: together around the fire, singing from our depths, relating as family, creating reciprocity with the land, reviving communal ways of living, ancestral crafts, movement arts, elemental ceremony & authentic connection
We re-calibrate our nervous systems & souls not to 'retreat' from 'regular life' but to revive the Flame of connection deep within- to be deeply nourished & inspired by the stillness of the lake, the songs of the trees, dirt between our toes, with hands united in a circle of empowerment
Together we'll experience:
morning dream counsel
daily primal movement
rhythm & voice workshops
basket weaving with palm branches
honoring grief & celebrating life
singing together around the fire
swimming in the lake
intentional silence
giving back to the land in reciprocity
sharing prayers & delicious meals from our private chef
ceremonial revival of our authentic voice, conviction, passion & service
"This gathering is a place of transpiring sorrow into gold; understanding the ultimate power of your inner Alchemist, and how it's patiently waiting to celebrate the most shamed parts of yourself. You will arrive curious, and leave wondering why isn't this how we function as an entire society."
-ISABELLE WELLMAN, NEVADA
CRETE RETREAT 2022
Hosted by Paulina & Zin
A couple devoted to non-hierarchical community revival, land stewardship,
awakening our soul gifts, grief work & celebration of life.
Zin is a student/teacher of sound and intuitive ritual: a multi-instrumentalist, singer & songwriter, producer, song circle facilitator, music instructor & ally in opening the voice & connecting to rhythm. He's the catalyst that transforms a space from a facilitator-recipient dynamic to a space of co-creation, evoking playfulness & participation.
Paulina is a ceremonial facilitator, student of ancestral arts, community steward and ally of empowerment, wielding a balance of humor and reverence to dissolve the distortions that don't perpetuate free will or a life aligned with joy, creativity, intuition or trust in our inner source.
Together they live in Crete, Greece, reviving ancient crafts such as traditional sheepskin processing, and hosting seasonal retreats of celebration & reconnection to our inherent blueprint of inter-dependence with one another and nature.
“Every ceremony was crucial, had purpose, dynamic, deep connection to ancient ways of honouring life itself that we have covered up with superficial conversations. Thank you Paulina and Zin for showing me that I can choose differently.”
-CHRISTINA DELIGIORGI, GREECE
CRETE RETREAT 2023
The Hostel in the Forest
is a place incredibly dear to Paulina, who was guided and held by the forest while working on staff in 2018 during an immense life transition, while being gifted beautiful memories and teachings that empowered her current reality.
The Hostel in the Forest has operated as an International Youth Hostel since 1975. It is world renowned for its geodesic domes and tree houses, which were built and have been sustained entirely by volunteers.
The Hostel sits on 140 acres of forest and wetlands, 2 miles from Hwy 95 in Brunswick, Georgia. It is a 501©(3) non-profit entity with an emphasis on nature, serenity, and peaceful surroundings.
The area is unique in every way, with lush, dense sub-tropical forests containing palms, saw palmettos, magnolia, cedar, holly, pine, and myrtle. Huge live oaks draped with moss contrast with the broadleaf evergreens that are the dominant trees of the forest. Well over three hundred species of birds visit this coastal region annually and dozens of species of reptile and amphibian make this their home. Contrasting the forests and the coastal savannahs are the wetlands and swamps where alligators, river otters and wading birds are prolific.
It's a great honor to co-create this magnificent experience with the Forest, the Hostel & the amazing faculty, during the month long celebration of the Hostel's 50th year anniversary.
The Hostel will be hosting other guests during the time of our gathering, as we aren't renting the entire space in exclusivity. Our group ethos will be of inclusivity as we'll share meals with the hostel staff and other guests, along with inviting them into appropriate moments of our gathering.
What's Included
꩜ 1 pre-gathering preparation call to orient about the hostel's traditions & our group work together
꩜ Private group chat to become acquainted, plan rides together & have integration support afterwards
꩜ 4 nights of community style shared accommodations in the hostel's epic tree houses and huts
꩜ Exquisite breakfast & lunch each day provided by our beloved chef Jenna, cooking thoughtfully with love and local, organic ingredients
꩜ Dinner each day provided by the hostel's loving staff
꩜ Workshops, ceremonies and all mentioned group activities taking place each day
꩜ Access to the spring fed lake, walks in the labyrinth, outdoor bathtub & all the forest's amenities
꩜ A transformational & unforgettable experience meant to empower you indefinitely, on your life's journey of connection to yourself, soul family & the Earth
Nourishment by Jenna
Jenna is the owner and heart of Whimsical Wellness, a business dedicated to guiding others on their individual path to wellness. She believes that through our connection to food, movement, and mindfulness we can transform our reality and live a long and vibrant life.
Jenna strives to create wholesome meal times that bring the community together around the table, leaving everyone feeling nourished and nurtured.
Ayurveda, lovingkindness, and locally sourced/foraged foods, in collaboration with farmers; are all key ingredients in the dishes she creates.
Her pathway to inspiring Earth tending is through bringing awareness to the foods we consume and how they are grown. Her mission is to flavor life with love and colorful reciprocity.
“Mana Yi is not a retreat. It is an initiation into the lost arts. There will be laughter and feasts and dancing in long skirts long into the night. There will also be ceremony, silence, deep teachings, grief and pain.
The grief and pain, the triggers and discomfort, the desire to run or avoid, the places within us that are crunchy or caked in shame, they were already there within us.
Mana Yi helps to bring it out and into the light.”
-SARAH HARVEY, UK
CRETE RETREAT 2023
Enrollment
Please choose the payment option that works best for you, and answer the questions at checkout thoroughly.
We may reach out for a short call if we aren't already acquainted, or to get to know each other better.
Spaces are limited - first come, first served!
Enrollment closes June 20
group preparation call is Saturday June 28 @ 11am est.
We are deeply looking forward reweave the fabric
of community through the pillars of
safety, trust, consent & respect.
It's our honor to welcome you to this unique gathering that usually takes place in Crete as a 12 day annual retreat. It's our first time returning to Turtle Island in years and we are so grateful to be hosted by the hostel and the forest, supported by the benevolent ancestors, guides and nature spirits who celebrate our reunion as soul family stoking the flame of service, connection and remembrance of our eternal source.
Have questions? Email us: [email protected]
With love,
Paulina & Zin
