Next Date: TBA

Salt Spring Island, B.C.

Register

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Everyone has experienced loss in some form. Unfortunately, many of us haven’t had access to tools and safe spaces to be witnessed; to integrate our grief.

Join Satya (Vedic Priestess Temple) and Sarah Jane Smith Lyons (The Nest Yoga and Embodied Possibility) in a welcoming, sacred space to connect with others and be less isolated in your grief.
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Through movement, breathwork, reflective journaling and ceremony, we will bring understanding, self-compassion and awareness to how grief is showing up, held, and released. We will also learn ancient traditional yogic practices from India that tune us into holding, working with, and integrating our grief. 

This retreat is anchored in the work of world-renowned grief specialist and author Francis Weller, specifically his Five Gates of Grief.
Together, we will build a toolkit to support your relationship with grief and inspire you to continue a grief tending practice. 

Situated on 69 acres of beautifully stewarded land, on the traditional unceded territory of the Hul’q’um i’num’ and SENĆOŦEN (Coast Salish) speaking peoples, The Salt Spring Centre of Yoga is an ideal location for this gathering that considers the body, mind, heart and spirit.

Omja Catering will serve a delicious Indian lunch.

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While death is the most commonly recognized source of grief, there are many other life experiences that result in grief.
​All forms of loss are welcome at this retreat.

Over our time together, you will learn techniques to:

• Bring self-compassion and awareness to how grief is showing up in your body.
• Relieve physical and mental tension.
• Acknowledge the shared humanity aspect of grief.
• Learn how meet the parts of yourself that are grieving with kindness and compassion. Learn to give yourself the support that you need.
• Support your grief journey with ancient traditional yogic practices from India.
• Build a toolkit that supports a generative relationship with grief.
  

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This is also an opportunity to:

• Gather with others who are grieving,
• Be seen and heard with compassion,
• Feel a sense of belonging,
• Alchemize grief in a welcoming and supportive container.

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Your Facilitators:

Sarah Jane Smith

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Sarah Jane is an experienced yoga teacher, facilitator and coach who specializes in working with women who are childless not by choice. Her experience of multiple losses, unexplained infertility and a chronic illness that led to a hysterectomy led her into deep grief, and she realized the necessity of grief tending. 

After the death of her father during the pandemic, Sarah Jane found solace in the work of Francis Weller and studied with him in his “Apprenticeship with Sorrow” course. She continues to study with Francis in his Grief Ritual Facilitator Program.

She has developed a positive personal relationship with grief tending by drawing on the practices of Weller, Yoga, embodiment, self-compassion, writing and community. She is honoured to share these practices to help you cultivate your relationship.
​Sarah Jane leads in-person group yoga classes on Salt Spring Island at her studio, the Nest Yoga, plus online programs and coaching for childless not by choice women at www.embodiedpossibility.com.

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Satya Jehman

Satya completed a deep-dive study into renowned grief author and speaker Francis Weller’s work, including participating in his “Apprenticeship with Sorrow” course. After losing her mother to sudden death eight years ago, she has been guiding folks on the grief journey. Her practice deepened more recently after losing her father to a tragic and complicated death in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Born into the Vedic lineage, Satya has been living the traditional path of yoga all her life – with a more concentrated practice over the last 21 years. Satya carries the gift of ceremony and ritual by the grace of her ancestors. She completed a year-long Yoga Apprenticeship in 2015 (Vijnana Yoga RYT200).

Furthermore, Satya has recently completed a leadership training with a focus on Trauma-informed Leadership, Transformational Leadership, Crisis Intervention, Indigenous Perspectives, Coaching, and Justice/Equity/Diversity/Inclusion. She also has a background in writing.

Backed with over two decades of yogic study, practice and training – Satya offers a heartful space of utmost respect and compassion to you and your tender heart.  She offers ceremony, workshops, retreats and one-on-one support at www.vedicpriestesstemple.com.

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Investment

Early Bird $175
$225 full price
Rate includes a delicious Indian lunch, dessert and chai.

Register

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FAQ's

I haven't done much Yoga . IS this retreat suitable for beginners?

Yes, the asanas, physical postures of Yoga, we will be doing are suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners alike. The focus and intention of the movement practice is to connect with your body and notice what you feel and where you feel it. 

Am I required to share my story of loss?

What you share is up to you. There will be opportunities to share and many ways to do it. You can share how you feel and the impact that grief has had on your life with or without sharing specific details. You can also choose not share.

IS THIS RETREAT JUST FOR DEATH LOSS?

While death is the most commonly recognized source of grief, there are many other life experiences that result in grief. All forms of loss are welcome at this retreat.

WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY?

Full refund minus a $35 admin fee until  January 27th, three weeks before the event
50 % refund, minus $35 admin fee until February 3rd, two weeks before the event
​Unfortunately, we cannot issue any refunds within two weeks of the event

Do I Have to bring my own food?

Omja Catering will serve a delicious Indian lunch. You might want to bring snacks for mid-morning and afternoon.

Please email [email protected] with any questions