Spring Retreat

There is something magical about getting quiet and turning inward. Creating a sacred space where we can turn away from our worldly roles and remember who we are beyond our busyness and to-do lists. Getting quiet and still enough to hear the inner voice, feel the sensations of the body speaking to us, and have time with symbols and images from our dreams. We move our bodies slowly, yield to the earth, walk in the trees, sit next to the fire, practice with our community, and remember what is ancient and trustworthy: our innate wisdom and deep compassion. To ask the more profound questions, what needs more care, inclusion, and love? Retreating allows us to return to our lives with fresh eyes and a renewed commitment to live from our depths, a bit more inner space, and the capacity to meet human complexity and precarity.

Join us for a residential silent retreat in the Highlands just outside Victoria, BC. Through meditation, yin yoga, writing, and dreamwork, we explore deep inner listening, leaning into the mystery, and remembering our innate stability, courage, and care.

Meditation

We'll start by soothing our nervous system, grounding into the earth, and connecting with our three centers of intelligence before moving into a mindfulness practice of exploring our breath, sensation, and sound in a warm, inclusive way.

Writing

This practice is about staying close, showing up, and clearing the space to see what comes through. We begin with gentle movement and mindfulness to help gather our attention. I'll then read a short quote, poem, or archetype from the tarot. We'll engage with a stream-of-consciousness writing practice.

*No writing experience necessary

Embodiment practice

We will practice gentle qi-gong movement that encourages, opens, and nourishes the energetic channels of the physical body and long-held, yin yoga-style postures. Movement practices are essential to helping us harvest and yield the gifts of our deep inquiry work and driving our aspirations into physical form.

Embodied dreamwork

We will work with our deep imagination to explore and receive medicine from our dreams, a creative and gentle way to experience our inner realms and access our innate wisdom.

“The Earthspring Retreat Centre is located within a large nature sanctuary in the Highlands, near Victoria, BC. In this quiet area of forests, streams, and open hilltops, groups and individuals can find refuge from worldly stresses and opportunities supporting the experience of returning home to ourselves."

Location

Earthspring Sanctuary Retreat Center

405 Hazlitt Creek Rd

Victoria BC

https://www.earthspringsanctuary.org/

Dates and times

Friday May 24

Arrive at the retreat center anytime after 3pm

Dinner at 5:30pm

Evening session 7-9pm

Saturday, May 25

7am meditation (optional)

7:30 breakfast

9:30-12:30 practice session

12:30 lunch

3pm practice session

5:30 dinner

7pm meditation

7:30-8:30 session

Sunday May 26

7am meditation (optional)

7:30 breakfast

9:30-12:30 practice session

12:30 lunch

3pm practice session

5:30 dinner

7pm meditation

7:30-8:30 session

Monday May 27

Breakfast 7:30am

Closing session 9-11am

Retreat ends 11am

Cost: For retreat and meals (not including accommodation)

Early bird due by Feb 29

$825

After Feb 29

$950

Payment for accommodation is separate and is due April 24th.

Accommodation options and pricing

Accommodation options include, private rooms with ensuite in house, cabins, a treehouse, dormitory, and camping.

Lodge
Dormitory - (6 single beds) —$60 per person, per night

Cabins
Tree House - $70 per night (sleeps up to 2 in single bunks)

Camping
Tent Camping - $45 per tent, per night (one forested campground and one open meadow, up to 7 tents to each area.
Camping gear not provided)
R.V. Camping - $55 per vehicle, per night

Former students who have practiced with Carly are welcome to attend. If you are new to Carly's work, please reach out. She will schedule a phone call to ensure this retreat is a right fit for you needs. Info@carlyforest.com

I am so grateful for Carly's qigong treatments. A single session combined with gentle follow-up practices not only cleared my ovarian pain and began to regulate my menstrual cycles, but also yielded profound insight into the original source of these long-time imbalances. This first session was a turning point for me, and additional treatments continue to deepen my experience of healing and energy cultivation. Carly's gentle, skillful and beautifully intuitive approach to Qi Gong has won my heart forever.

– J.M., Montreal, Quebec

Carly is a warm, intuitive, compassionate individual with extensive knowledge and experience working with the subtle body. I have deeply appreciated her ability to hold space and help me work through some challenging areas in my life. Her mindful, non judgemental approach makes it easy to trust and talk with her and I have found her Qi Gong treatments to be incredibly grounding and profoundly healing. I feel blessed to have this opportunity to work with Carly one on one and for her gentle guidance in navigating this path of my life.

– S. Davies, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia (www.sheenadaviesphotography.net)

Carly has guided me in a myriad of ways to look at my inner life. The unseen terrain. Through workshops, courses and phone chats, I have been able to uncover some very well hidden and guarded aspects of myself, places where I get caught; aspects of myself that are stuck and holding me back from living a happier life. A life that is more true to who I am. Opening to your vulnerabilities is tender work and I only dive in as much as I am able, but I do this knowing I have Carly’s unwavering support and wisdom at my side. What Carly offers is vast and is tailored to where you are at on your spiritual and emotional journey.

– P.H., Victoria, British Columbia