July 14-16, 2023
A Mindful Glamping Experience Secluded In Nature
Catered to those who appreciate a more "mature" wellness retreat experience, amazing workshops, small groups, nourishing meals, a great night's sleep, self-care + more.
Connect with yourself and a like-minded community on private land just outside beautiful Elk Island National Park.
Consciously curated activities, workshops, live music, + more.
Sample agenda is at the bottom of this page
Recharge in style.
Location
Elk Island Retreat | Alberta’s Best Kept Secret
Elk Island Retreat is a beautiful serene private campground and is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Whether a world traveler or living local you’ll want to check out this little hide-away. A variety of camping opportunities are offered such as our comfort camping (glamping) in geodesic domes, yurts and cabins. Or if you prefer a more natural experience you can stay in a tipi…it’s the next best thing to sleeping under the stars. There are also 36 full service RV sites. There is a coin operated shower and laundry facility on site.
Between relaxing at your site, be sure to walk the nature trails and explore the natural beauty that surrounds you. There’s a volleyball / badminton net and a couple sets of horseshoe pits on site as well as a grassy clearing where you can toss a frisbee or football or play your favorite game.There is also a coin operated shower and laundry facility on site.
Being located next door to Elk Island National Park makes it just a hop, skip and jump away from where you can spend the day hiking, canoeing, and seeing bison and other wildlife.
*A national park pass is NOT needed on the property. You will only need one if you plan on visiting Elk Island National Park on your own time
Food to fuel your body, mind & soul
Included in your pass is a grazing table Saturday night!
Meals will also be available from our amazing catering partner...
$20
$10
$20
$20
$10
*Exact item orders will take place closer to the event date
Limited spots are available! Last time we sold out so don't miss your chance to secure your spot today!
View the 2022 sample agenda below or...
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Agenda
Friday, Aug 26, 2022
3:00 - 6:00 pm | Arrival & Check-in
You've arrived! This is your time to get settled in, enjoy the property, and prepare yourself for an incredible journey.
5:30 - 6:30 pm | Dinner
Enjoy a delicious healthy meal cook by you or purchased through our delicious catering partner. (details on catering coming soon!)
6:30 - 7:15 pm | Heart Opening Connections Workshop
We will focus on settling into a safe space for transformation, growth & community. We'll take time to get to know each other through some fun games, activities in a playful way.
7:15 - 7:30 pm | Welcoming Circle
7:30 - 8:00 pm | Honouring the Land
8:00 - 8:30 pm | Intention Setting Workshop
Come set an intention, not just for today but to carry with you in the days to come. In this group session you will draw an image intended specifically for you to evoke aspects of your life that are misaligned, causing you to feel anxious and stuck. You will be given an opportunity to process the image, the title and the description. Leaving you with an invitation of alignment to apply in your life.
8:30 - 9:00 pm | Break
9:00 - 10:00 pm | Ecstatic Embodiment, Movement & Music
This guided dance journey is seamlessly woven together with uplifting, live DJ beats and concludes with a sound healing meditation. Returning to the essence of the elements we explore the fundamental principles of ecstatic embodiment. Deepening our connection to receiving the subtle nuances of energy, we let music and emotion dance through the body in the free flow of expression that awakens a powerful and vibrant inspiration for life. The dance will transition into a sound healing meditation to help integrate this life affirming practice.
10:00 - 10:30 pm | Sound Healing Meditation
10:30 - 11:00 pm | Candlelight Sound Bath Journey
Sebastien Bolessa takes us on a sound journey with his viola, mesmerising voice and his uncanny ability to capture and become one with the sounds and energy of the surrounding landscape.
Saturday, Aug 27, 2022
6:30 - 8:00 am | Sunrise Yoga
Danny Williams will start us off with a relaxing meditation to calm our minds, connect with our bodies and our breath, and observe appearances in our own consciousness. Slowly moving into controlled, mindful movements synchronized with the breath, and with music. We will hold the poses looking for proper alignment of the body, and appropriate engagement and stretching of the muscles, dependent on the pose. To close we will do a slow body scan meditation focused on healing prior to drifting into savasana as the sun slowly rises upon us to start our day.
8:00 - 9:00 am | Breakfast
Enjoy a delicious healthy meal cook by you or purchased through our delicious catering partner. (details on catering coming soon!)
9:00 - 10:00 am | Vocal Embodiment
Vocal Embodiment is a somatic approach to connecting to the power of the voice as a tool for personal sound healing. The practice of vocal embodiment includes gentle movements and exercises, breath work, toning, mantra, song, and self-inquiry. Our voice is an ancient technology, evolved as a tool of intention. The wisdom in your voice knows how to sing a message of free expression, open heartedness, and radiance. Unifying our voices supports our health and symbiotic relationship to life. Many of us hold shame around the idea of sharing our voice and so shy away from exploring its potential. If we stay blocked to the vulnerability of the voice, we also stay blocked to the profound sense of joy and liberation our voice can create. Understanding the primal roots of the voice can help to awaken a more grounded and empowered relationship to life.
10:00 am - 12:00 pm | Forest Mediation and Medicinal Plant Walk
Tune into the energies of the forest and open your awareness to the medicine surrounding. Simone Clement, Community Herbalist, will take you upon an adventure to explore connection and the wisdom of Mother Nature. A guided heart meditation in the forest surrounding The Haven will be followed by a medicinal plant walk, discovering the natural herbal remedies of the land. She will share tips on crafting medicines that support sustainable wild harvesting, identifying various herbs and mushrooms empowering you to heal through the abundance provided by Mother Nature.
10:00 am - 12:00 pm | Flow With Your Creative Spirit
Flow with your creative spirit in the wild. You will be guided through a zen doodle practice to tap into your inner artist. Open and reconnect to this deeply natural state. Zen doodle originates from the Therapeutic Zentangle drawing, Zen doodle is known to have calming effects on the brain and helps one de-stress and relax. Here, you’ll be taught how Zen doodle is done. You will leave with a playful creative practice that can help access flow beyond the woods.
12:00 - 1:00 pm | Lunch
Enjoy a delicious healthy meal cook by you or purchased through our delicious catering partner. (details on catering coming soon!)
12:00 - 2:00 pm | Empower Hour
You're empowered to use this time to do what best suits you. Have a bite, explore the property, enjoy the hiking trails, retreat for a nap or perhaps explore nearby Elk Island National Park.
12:00 - 2:00 pm | Self Care & Healing Space Open
This is your opportunity to pamper yourself and dive a little deeper into your journey of self care in whichever way serves you best. Private reiki, massage, breathwork and other practitioners will be available to book for that extra little care, healing or relaxation you need.
(Pricing is up to each practitioner and goes directly to them. Links to book will be made available soon)
2:00 - 3:00 pm | Secret Group Art Project
We have something amazing planned designed to help us tap into all of our emotions and sense of play through a group art and expression project. There may be tears, a lot of laughter a lot of play, joy and everything in between. Its a bit of a secret, but what we can tell you it might get a bit messy.
3:00 - 4:00 pm | Empower Hour
You're empowered to use this time to do what best suits you. Have a bite, explore the property, enjoy the hiking trails, retreat for a nap or perhaps explore nearby Elk Island National Park.
3:00 - 4:00 pm | Self Care & Healing Space Open
This is your opportunity to pamper yourself and dive a little deeper into your journey of self care in whichever way serves you best. Private reiki, massage, breathwork and other practitioners will be available to book for that extra little care, healing or relaxation you need.
(Pricing is up to each practitioner and goes directly to them. Links to book will be made available soon)
4:00 - 6:00 pm | Numa Somatics Breathwork Journey
Numa Somatics Breathwork is one of the quickest ways to open our hearts to love, inner peace and give us space to fill our minds and bodies with the beautiful pulse of life. Connecting the inhale and the exhale with awareness and intention is one of the most effective ways to re-connect with ourselves, each other and the very nature of existence. There is so much information in the breath. The practice becomes how we receive this information and move with it. When we consciously breath we can bring about huge transformation, deeper understandings and personal growth that can easily be integrated into our daily lives. This session is held in a safe container so that we can dive deep into the beautiful, profound world of breath!
6:30 - 7:30pm | Grazing Table
To help keep you nourished... included in your pass is this superb gastronomic and sensory experience made with impeccably sourced cheese, cured meat, crudite and fruit. Lovingly prepared for you by OMAM. (vegetarian & vegan options will be available)
6:30 - 7:30pm | Dinner
Enjoy a delicious healthy meal cook by you or purchased through our delicious catering partner. (details on catering coming soon!)
8:00 - 9:30 pm | High Energy Drumming
This high energy approach to drum therapy uses rhythm to promote healing and self-expression. Recent research reviews indicate that drumming accelerates physical healing, boosts the immune system and produces feelings of well-being, a release of emotional trauma, and reintegration of self.
9:30 - 11:00 pm | Music & Bonfire Jam
Kick back around the fire, enjoy some music, dance, or simply relax and integrate your day. We have created a unique experience designed to flow with the vibes of the evening. A space to deepen connections made during the day or perhaps create new ones. Immerse yourself in the vibes of the WUB community.
Sunday, Aug 28, 2022
6:30 - 8:00 am | Sunrise Power Hatha
Danny Williams will start us off with a relaxing meditation to calm our minds, connect with our bodies and our breath, and observe appearances in our own consciousness. Slowly moving into controlled, mindful movements synchronized with the breath, and with music. We will hold the poses looking for proper alignment of the body, and appropriate engagement and stretching of the muscles, dependent on the pose. To close we will do a slow body scan meditation focused on healing prior to drifting into savasana as the sun slowly rises upon us to start our day.
8:00 - 8:45 am | Breakfast
Enjoy a delicious healthy meal cook by you or purchased through our delicious catering partner. (details on catering coming soon!)
8:45 - 9:45 am | Integrating Intentions Workshop
We'll work on integrating our intentions, not just for today but to carry with you in the days to come. In this group session you will draw an image intended specifically for you to evoke aspects of your life that are misaligned, causing you to feel anxious and stuck. You will be given an opportunity to process the image, the title and the description. Leaving you with an invitation of alignment to apply in your life.
9:45 - 10:15 am | Break
10:15am - 10:45 am | Prana Meditation
This meditation is aimed at empowering you to embrace your inner strength through breathing techniques. Prana can refer to energy, life, or breath. In other traditions it is called chi or qui. By controlling the breath in various ways we will explore ways we can influence the flow of prana to find inner resiliency and ultimately find ourselves in a place of acceptance, peace and gratitude.
10:45am - 12:15 pm | Integrating Healing & Rhythm Cradle
Dive deep into a sense of unity and healing with this powerful group experience of support that can impact every level of being. We all drum and get drummed by beautiful native frame drums, fused together by the sounds of the didgeridoo, viola and various live soundscapes designed help integrate deep healing and growth.
12:15 - 12:30 pm | Closing Circle
