6th Annual Retreat - Oh My Soul
May 2nd & 3rd at Thorpewood
Our theme this year is a focus on cultivating soulfulness. We know that grief doesn’t ‘go away,’ and so we must choose to be in the present moment, whatever the moment has to offer. This year we will be focusing on being connected with self, with loving community, and with our loved ones who are no longer with us. We will explore ways to be grounded and present, in the wabi-sabi, aware of beauty as well as heart-ache. Aware of joy as well as sadness, and aware of gratitude as well as grief. We will practice the art of being soulfully present with what is.
Thorpewood Location:
12805-A Mink Farm Road
Thurmont, MD 21788–1402
See below for directions.
GPS WARNING: The default routes suggested by GPS navigation apps are neither the safest nor easiest ways to get to ThorpeWood. We strongly suggest you follow our detailed directions below.If you do choose to follow your GPS, for your safety please ignore any instruction to make a U-turn from US15 northbound to US15 southbound. Instead, just continue heading north for 3–5 miles. Your GPS will recalculate and direct you to Route 77, a much safer and easier choice.
Choose your 6 prefered workshops. We will do our best to meet everyone’s requests. Workshops will be filled in the order that registrations are received.
Workshop 1: Healing Through Soul Reflection
Led by Megan Kelly, LCSW-C
‘All that we need to heal ourselves is within ourselves’. Through a process of guided relaxation and meditative card prompts, we will call on our inner selves to lighten our path. Using metaphor and image, we will create a healing space for ourselves. This will be a gentle, creative journey tapping into our inner strength and love. You will be given a sweet little meditation tool box to take with you and use at home!
Workshop 2: Soulful Connection
Led by Thorpewood team
Experience the self-expanding process of connecting with a horse. You will be guided by equine experts. No experience necessary. Note: This will be very different from our experiences in the past so be sure to come in with an open mind and a clean slate! This will also be weather permitting.
Workshop 3: Unburdening Our Souls
Led by Sheri Tydings, LCSW-C
Sometimes we carry beliefs or emotions that weigh us down. Guilt, responsibility, self-criticism, feelings of unworthiness…there are so many. This workshop is about reflecting on those things that weigh on our souls, to identify a message of release, and to symbolic let go, lifting the burden. You will be gently led through this process, and offered a sweet invitation to release whatever burden weighs on your soul. This workshop is an invitation to a new way of being.
Workshop 4: Mindful Meandering; A Mindful Meeting of Self in the Woods
Led by Regina Flanigan LCPC, Certified Mindfulness Teacher
Join Regina on a meditative guided walk along a path in the woods. Learn a process of getting out of the head and into the soul through connecting with the earth and with self. Then spend a bit of soulful time together processing your experience. This is a gentle walk for all levels of walkers.
Workshop 5: Love Lives On
Led by Whitney Dahlberg
Love lives in the space no goodbyes can reach. Using collage materials and found objects, we
will illustrate the opening of our hearts from the love before the loss to transcend into current
love and the relationship that lasts forever. We will create a piece of art to honor that love;
before and beyond. No artistic ability needed.
Workshop 6: Returning to Our Selves
Led by Sara View LCSW-C
If you attended last year, you experienced the beautiful grounding experience that Sara shared with us. This year, Sara will be offering a small group experience focused on learning to calm the nervous system, helping us return to our peaceful grounded soul self. This is helpful in healing worry, anxiousness, and stress, and you will learn a way of being that you can take with you, and apply in everyday life.
Workshop 7: Soulful Paint by Number
Led by Susan Scarvalone, LCSW-C
This will be a soulful time of creating with therapist-supported conversation around grief and growth, love and loss, and whatever themes are on your heart. Once again we have a limited edition paint by number image exclusively for the Living Through Loss Annual Retreat. You will be set up in a peaceful space, and be given all that you need to complete a paint-by-number canvas. (Paint by number kits will not be for sale, they will only be available in this workshop) No artistic ability necessary.
Workshop 8: Ripples of Grief, Ripples of healing
Led by Bonnie Triantifillos, LCSW-C
This group will gather in a picturesque spot near the pond, where you will share in an exploration of secondary losses, and the ripple effects of grief. You’ll also explore the ripple effects of healing, and identify ways we can intentionally grow and live, even after loss.
Please note that we will do our best to meet your preferences, and will be filling workshops in order received. If you do not designate your choices, you will be assigned to workshops with availability.
There is a suggested minimum donation of $25 for the retreat.
You can make your donation by following the link below:
To place your donation
click here.