A WOMAN’S JOURNEY HOME

Breathe. I’ve got your back!

Imagine roaming the gentle hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, North Carolina, attuning our senses to nature, and joining together in the moonlight, sunlit afternoons, and early dawns.

Together we will explore and dive into the soul of the mountains in what is called the sanctuary that activates life and knows the path for healing.

Come birth what you have been holding back and pushing away. Come to release and reconnect. Stay and unravel your layers. Learn how to access your voice, wisdom and experience inner peace in our sacred circle of women.

We’ll call back intuition, imagination and wander more. Resting in the beauty of nature, track back to your heart while increasing your understanding through movement, presence, rooting (connection to the earth), to re-engage with your life effectively. Recharge and revitalize, knowing how to calm your mind, body and spirit while opening your heart.

You will experience increased confidence through discovery using purposeful release inquiry to effectively change your course and direction. Welcome better understanding of your needs that lie beneath your patterns. You will secure guidance, clarity and action steps to align with your soul’s true nature.

• To experience transformation and move beyond fear into love with authentic engagement from a caring likeminded community?
• To be embraced and cradled in the crisp mountain air, under the canopy of trees, as I re-connect with each meaningful step on this rich soil in this deeply peaceful space?
• To carve out time for yourself bringing new awareness and elevating my love, clarity and joy? This is my key moment to be present.
• To experience coming to an overflowing well of love after feeling thirsty for connection?
• To get down-to-earth in self-discovery and walk in my life’s purpose playing with bigger impact by learning how to use my natural strengths and insights?
• To seek healing, learn new ways to discover the best version of myself?

Imagine yourself immersed in nature to listen deeply and hear your inner voice. Invite and welcome this stillness for a rich exploration allowing you to let go of what no longer serves you. This space, infused in the purpose to release as you walk far from the noise of everyday life, is created to serve our powerful purpose. Join together in a fire circle in the cool evening air welcoming home your open heart.

During our walks along the trails in the sweet mountain air, I’ll be guiding you in a simple but powerful release technique that will leave you feeling connected to yourself, others and the earth with depth and strength you may never have felt before. I’ll also show you how to call on this same technique to ground yourself at home, even in times of stress, so you always feel you have a solid anchor.

Embrace your inner wise woman, gain tools to access your higher self and support your healing with intimate sharing held in a safe shared space for inner work.

Well, this is your chance! From our soothing venue to our delectable cuisine and transformative fun we have planned for you, this entire retreat was designed to be your turn.

Not only will you feel the safety and support of other compassionate, like-minded women, but you’ll also have one-on-one time with me; someone who has been through the dark tunnel, someone who can take you by the hand and show you the way out and the bright light you are.

I know this is the opportunity to explore my edge and deepen my practice of building confidence. I’m ready to be heard, appreciated and honored.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful not to feel so overwhelmed and separated, especially when emotional challenges or memories come up? We’re all beginners, in every moment, discovery is available and on our retreat we will celebrate this fact.

Shame be gone! By the end of this course you will feel much more confident, empowered by new-found knowledge of how to embrace your feelings and come to a deeper appreciation and acceptance of who you really are. Cultivate emotional courage by focusing on techniques that inspire you to gain forward momentum.

By the end of your retreat you will understand the emotional and spiritual challenges. Discover how and what supports your core needs. Learn what approach will compliment, re-wire, and clear patterns for an open path to your vision.

You will release attachments with presence on the trails along with other empowered women. This new pathway will hold the space to express your full-hearted self. You might be surprised as you feel your transformation, the journey from your head to your heart.

Imagine sensing a growing ease with yourself, revealing your true passion. Restore your confidence and dissolve the limiting beliefs that have held you back. Come face to face with self-love using artful play. Know what it’s like to play again, using clay, and experience sheer fun. You will learn to be aware of your surroundings, how to circle back, redirect and get back to higher ground with quiet guided meditation and evening walks or in clay play.

Lace up your shoes… Earth is our grounding force. Fertile soil allowing our seeds to be planted and nourished. This grounding gives strength for our journeys. It is clearly our foundation for self. In this sacred grounding space to see, hear, feel, smell, touch and even taste. You will learn to ground anywhere and any place – with actionable techniques.

Your home in the mountains… Bend of Ivy is a sanctuary for connection to Mother Earth, connection to the parts of you left behind, the pieces looking for re-connection. The buildings and grounds are magical. Think Asian Zen elements mixed with charming restored tobacco barn, all nestled in nature haven surrounded by majestic mountains. This sanctuary has been created to attune with the energy of the rolling meadows and soothing atmosphere.

Bend of Ivy’s natural surroundings offer a safe and supportive space to settle in for exploration and authentic conversation. Deep passage into one’s self happens here.

The Gazebo and rock garden by the pond encourages connection through quiet reflection or open conversations. You’ll enjoy many deep breaths as you take in the nature’s healing surroundings.

Bend of Ivy’s buildings and grounds are magical. Think Asian Zen elements mixed with charming restored tobacco barn, all nestled in nature haven surrounded by majestic mountains. This sanctuary has been created to attune with the energy of the rolling meadows and soothing atmosphere.

• Breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountain views
• 63 Aces to explore of ponds, waterfall, and surrounding gardens
• Four Indoor meeting facilities and multiple outdoor meeting places
• Ivy River access, 6+ trails, labyrinth, 3 fire-pits plus a local farm along trails

We are Honored to have Dava Melton of Blessed 2 Cook provide delicious and delectable farm to table, down to earth fresh meals. All vegetables, fruit, greens and flowers are grown on Root Bottom Farm. They’re dedicated to growing great organic food the old- fashioned way: by hand, with love and without chemicals.

Blessed2Cook’s food is described as Beautious, Yummy and Healthy, leaving all satisfied. Gather and linger enjoying the mouth-watering cuisine overlooking the gazebo and pond, or dine al fresco.

Davas inspired meals provide energy to nurture and bless your body and soul. Savor and delight in delicious home-spun meals, resting assured that all dishes are natural and organic.

You will return home from this retreat ready to live more fully from your heart. You will learn how to question your thoughts and who you are without them. These thoughts that keep you away from loving others and yourself. This powerful process of inquiry offers teaching to identify the judgements that cause you pain, frustration, anger and stress.

Imaging coming home with renewed energy for life and feeling so creative and positive that you made the changes you have been putting off.

Leave with an increased knowledge and ongoing practices (actions) to hold true to your deepest intentions with kindness and acceptance.

You will return home feeling alive and less stressed through the experience of quiet and connection to find what brings you pleasure and joy.

Ashley is all about supporting big hearted woman whether it’s in a kayak traveling white water, on the crest of a mountain top or in a yoga class teaching awareness of the natural moment with one’s inherent breath. Her own personal development and healing after a tragic event has given her a deep knowledge of “holding space” for others and the power of that healing. Ashley gives women time to breathe, slow down and simply be. She has a passion for promoting healing and boosting self-love while suppoting core strength through movement. Ashley holds a Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology and is a Certified Yoga instructor.

Elizabeth’s true journey has been about listening to her heart and others by quieting the mind. Her connection to nature allows the silence and stillness for insight and deep reflection. Trained as an addiction counselor and recovery coach she left working in the field to create a new pathway for others that had wandered away from themselves and desired the journey home to their heart space. She has developed the empathetic abilities necessary to fulfill her true calling walking aside others to their whole and complete self.

What lights up her heart is kindness for all living forms, whether it is a stray cat, a hawk soaring overhead or a turtle crossing the road (yes, she will hold lanes of traffic up until it is safe). Having grown up tumultuously as a child of parents in 60s music business, she has proudly maintained her sobriety for over three decades. She is trained as an Addiction Counselor, Life Spring Trainer, ICF ACC and CPRC, and Recovery Life Coach.

• Morning guided clearing meditation and gentle yoga with Ashley and Elizabeth.
• Evening silent walk with Ashley.
• Daily walking for grounding you and fire circle time to inspire you and your purpose.
• Access and use of the majestic Bend of Ivy grounds. There is ample space for you to embark on your own and step into additional seclusion.
• Laughter and discovery with ”clay-play”.
• Three peaceful nights double/single occupancy.
• Thursday arrival welcome dinner, three lunches,  two additional dinners, three breakfasts and snacks.
• A private one-on-one coaching session with Elizabeth at the retreat sanctuary or out in nature.
• Weather permitting, dancing in the rain!

• Transportation to Bend of Ivy in Marshall, NC
• Travel, medical or personal insurance.

Bend of Ivy is located in Marshall, NC and readily accessible through Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Asheville Regional Airport, and Tri-Cities Airport in Blountville, Tennessee.