April 2nd - 7th, 2024
Join Us on Maui for an Awakening Through Grief Retreat:
Embrace grieving in community on the magical island on Maui
With great excitement and heartfelt anticipation, I invite you to be part of a transformative retreat on the magical island of Maui. This gathering provides a safe, intimate space for expressing, sharing, and healing your grief within a nurturing community.
Nestled on the gentle shores of Maui, experience a blend of radical self-care, self-reflection, and community connection. These elements combine to enrich and support your personal grief journey.
Schedule Your Complimentary Information Session
The Heart of our Retreat
A unique convergence of serenity, wisdom, and connection — here, each moment is steeped in the magic of transformative experiences. You'll find yourself immersed in an environment that nurtures your heart and invites deep relaxation for your healing journey.
Surrounded by the island’s natural wonders and infused with the spirit of aloha, you’ll discover new depths to your practice and emerge with insights that resonate far beyond the confines of conventional retreat.
The magic of this retreat lies in its power to sooth your soul and offer you a sanctuary to step out of your daily life, feel your grief, share your heart and open to the wisdom and healing that can only come from within. Our embodied approach to grief work explores the relationship between your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects, using grief as a catalyst for personal growth and transformation. Together, we create a space where healing flourishes and the essence of somatic grieving comes alive.
Experience Support & Healing For your Grieving Heart
Mindful Grieving Curriculum Immersion
Dive deep into the power of somatic grieving practices. Our interactive sessions include daily yoga, meditation, journaling, group sharing, and connection, all designed to deepen self-awareness and cultivate a loving, accepting relationship with yourself. We’ll explore themes such as Creating a Safe Container, Presence & Body Awareness, Self Love and Acceptance, Grief as a Teacher, Evolution of Identity Through Loss, and The Process of Change.
Bodywork & Relaxation
Begin each day with a guided meditation on the beach, set against the backdrop of Maui's natural beauty. Enhance your healing with a complimentary 1 hour massage from our on site massage therapist and Mindful Grieving Facilitator, Zach, to compliment our somatic practices, aiding in your integration of the work. This is an integral part of the retreat experience, promoting deep relaxation and openness to transformation.
Fostering Connections
This unique retreat offers a platform for forming meaningful relationships in a safe, authentic environment. In our circle, be witnessed, receive reflection, and create deep connections, fostering a learning community that sparks new insights and friendships.
Nature-Infused Experiences
Immerse yourself in the healing power of nature with the beach just steps away from your door, serene sunsets, and opportunities for solitary reflection. Maui's natural splendor offers a perfect setting to connect with the earth and find peace and clarity.
An Enriching Field Trip
Our retreat includes a visit to Ram Dass’s Hanuman Temple. We’ll unite in meditation, chanting, and heartfelt connection, enveloped in the palpable aura of love that imbues this hallowed ground. The temple, a source of inspiration and profound healing, offers an ideal setting to open our hearts, setting the tone for a journey of transformation and deep connection.
Please Note: While I eagerly anticipate this enriching experience, please be aware that certain circumstances out of my control may lead to its cancellation.
Experience SomaticGrieving & Healing in Community
Dive into practices to deepen your understanding of where your grief lives in your body while connecting with like-minded individuals, creating opportunities for both personal growth and healing.
Embrace Serenity and Splendor
Your Retreat Experience
Luxurious Accomodations
Indulge in the luxury of a 5-night / 6-day stay in a beautifully appointed suite at the exquisite Wailea Inn, nestled in the heart of South Maui. Wake up to breathtaking surroundings and the gentle sounds of island life.
Exclusive Estate Amenities
Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the private estate, complete with a heated pool. Practice mindfulness in our indoor yoga studio and outdoor spaces designed to harmonize with nature.
Culinary Delights
Savor 2-3 delectable meals daily, artfully prepared with local, seasonal ingredients. Each meal is a celebration of Maui's rich culinary heritage, crafted to nourish both body and soul.
Daily Therapeutic Yoga
Engage in a daily therapeutic yoga session, tailored for our intimate retreat community. These sessions are designed to rejuvenate your spirit and deepen your connection to the practice.
Adventure Opportunities
Enjoy exclusive booking options for exhilarating activities like guided snorkeling, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and more. Our complimentary concierge services make it easy to immerse yourself in Maui's vibrant adventures.
Personalized Bodywork
Included in your retreat experience is a 1-hour bodywork session by our incredibly talented Mindful Grieving Facilitator, Zach. A blissful experience that promises relaxation and rejuvenation, leaving you refreshed and realigned.
Time for You
Carve out spacious free time to bask in the sun, delve into a good book, forge new friendships, embark on island adventures, or simply embrace the art of being. This retreat is your canvas to paint with experiences that resonate with your soul.
Mindful Mornings
Start your day with optional early morning meditation sessions offered before breakfast, setting a tone of peace and introspection for the day ahead.
This retreat is more than a getaway, it’s a journey to the heart of tranquility and rejuvenation, where every moment is an invitation to explore, heal, and grow.
KIND WORDS FROM RETREAT PARTICIPANTS
Spaces for this transformative retreat are limited.
We are limiting this experience to 8 participants. This is your moment to step into a space where radical self-care, inspiration, and personal growth intersect beautifully. Secure your spot now and be part of this extraordinary journey.
Personal Growth & Healing: Somatic Grieving sessions to support your personal growth and evolution
Community Networking: Opportunities for collaborative growth and personal development
Luxury Accommodation: 5 nights in a shared luxury suite at Wailea Inn
Fresh, Nutritious Meals: 2-3 daily meals prepared with local, seasonal ingredients
Curriculum Sessions: Access to all Mindful Grieving curriculum immersion sessions
Yoga and Meditation: Daily therapeutic yoga and optional early-morning meditation
Nature Experiences: Access to our complimentary concierge to book guided snorkeling, surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, and tours through the magical Bamboo Forest.
Cultural Activities: An opportunity to experience Ram Dass’s Hanuman Temple
Bodywork Session: One 1-hour personalized bodywork or massage session
Exclusive Amenities: Access to the estate's heated pool and yoga spaces
Full Investment: $3,250
PAY IN FULL
12-MONTH PAYMENT PLAN
Registration for this retreat closes on March 15, 2024.
Please don’t delay.
Frequently Asked Questions.
-
Our retreat days blend structured activities and free time. Expect mornings filled with a nourishing breakfast, and curriculum immersion sessions. Afternoons offer opportunities for nature-infused experiences, with evenings reserved for delicious dinners, reflection, and connection.
-
Each session is an interactive exploration of the Mindful Grieving process. They include a daily theme and teaching, guided meditation, journaling, group sharing circles, somatic yoga practice and personal reflection time, all designed to deepen your understanding of yourself and move through your grief in a loving community.
-
While transportation to and from the retreat center isn’t included, we provide detailed guidance on the best ways to reach us. The retreat center is a 25 minute uber ride from the airport and typically costs $35. We can also assist in coordinating shared transportation options if needed.
-
Yes, each day includes yoga sessions designed to complement our curriculum and enhance your overall retreat experience.
-
Luxurious shared accommodations are provided. We cater with local, nourishing meals to support your retreat experience.
-
We recommend keeping your schedule flexible. While there’s ample free time, the retreat’s immersive nature might influence your desire for additional activities. To create a strong container, please do not miss scheduled group sessions.
If you’d like to do day-long adventures, please schedule additional days and accommodations before or after the retreat. -
For any additional questions or inquiries, please contact us directly through our website. We're here to assist and guide you.
Wendy Black Stern
Wendy is the heart and soul behind the Center for Somatic Grieving, where her mission is to support individuals through the transformative process of grief. Her journey into this profound work began with a personal tragedy—the loss of her son Noah—which led her to a path of self-discovery and a deepened commitment to helping others. Wendy, a resident of Boulder, CO, finds solace in nature, and her passion for travel, deep human connections, and live music has provided a backdrop for her personal growth.
With over 25 years of experience as a yoga student and teacher, Wendy's expertise lies in integrating yoga with grief support. She is a certified Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist and instructor, with additional qualifications in yoga teacher training and Reiki. Her work is heavily influenced by the teachings of Ram Dass, Shiva Rea, Twee Merrigan, Shannon Paige, and Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy.
In 2012, Wendy founded the Grief Support Network (GSN), a non-profit organization that emerged from her personal loss. After GSN, Wendy founded CSG, where she is dedicated to transforming how individuals and communities perceive, experience, and navigate loss, promoting a culture that embraces grief as an opportunity for growth and connection. Wendy's approach combines personal reflection, group sharing, and a grief-focused, somatic curriculum to guide others in their healing journeys.
MEET YOUR GUIDE
Schedule Your Complimentary Information Session
Meet the Team
-
Assistant Facilitator
Nancy’s passion is supporting young people in realizing their strengths and navigating life’s challenges. A dedicated Waldorf educator for 30 years, her gift has been developing deep and meaningful relationships with students and their families. With mastery of the developmental phases from birth to 17, her career also included educating and counseling parents on how to support their children and teens in school and at home.
Nancy got a crash course in grief and self-care when she, her mother and sister received cancer diagnoses the same year. She was presented with the challenge of taking care of her two young children, showing up for students, and being present for her sister and her mother who were also beginning cancer treatment. In time, Nancy lost her mother and sister to cancer; her father passed not long after. With little time to recover between losses, grief became a daily part of her life.
Nancy was grateful to find Awakening Through Grief, a six week yoga therapy program, which offered an embodied practice of feeling and staying in the moment. Grieving with others brought her closer to herself and the healing power of presence. She participated in GSN’s 9 month course, From Grief to Gratitude. Nancy completed the 200 hour RYT through Shambhava Yoga and completed GSN’s Mindful Grieving 200 Hour Yoga Therapy Teacher Training Program. She is honored to be a GSN Yoga Therapy Facilitator, helping others find peace through the journey of transformation. Her compassion, wisdom, and ability to listen deeply from the heart, make Nancy a trustworthy guide on the journey from grief to gratitude.
-
Chef
From the forests of British Columbia to the jungles of Hawaii, Gillian has been in a creative relationship with nature since the beginning of her time as a chef. She was led to share the bounty of nature through cuisine and has been a private chef for the past decade. Through the vibrancy of fresh ingredients and the intention of nourishing body and soul, Gillian creates vibrant meals for all to enjoy! Gillian was the personal chef for Ram Dass shortly after his stroke for many years before his passing. Ram Dass, who describes Gillian’s craft as a chef that “has the ability to extend love because she cared and had a presence in what she was doing, and sensitivity to what she was feeding people by choosing the food, intuitively, to support people.
-
Bodywork Practitioner & CSG Facilitator
Zach has been practicing bodywork for 20 years. His work is informed by the traditional system of Asian medicine, yoga, meditation and sensitivity, and the ability to listen to what the body needs to attain greater balance. This work is about clearing energetic and physical blockages, freeing the breath, integrating our experiences, and restoring resilience in ourselves.
“It is my honor to be of service to you in this way and I look forward to having the opportunity to work with you.” — Zach
SIGN UP TODAY
A Legacy of Healing: Embracing Your Journey of Mindful Grieving
This is an invitation for you to delve into the heart of mindful grieving amidst Maui’s ancient wisdom and serene beauty. Join us in this circle of healing, where you'll expand your understanding, awaken new perspectives, and be part of a transformative journey in mindful grieving. Heed this call to explore the depths of your emotions and begin a path of healing and self-discovery. Join us on this unforgettable and life-enriching experience in Maui.
