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Save the Date - Saturday, December 9th!

"Women - We are the Peacemakers!"
I call on all women to come and join in this peace-making experience. We are the Peacemakers!
This retreat will be held in December as this is the season of peace and light. In this season of Peace, I invite you to join me as we light the candle of peace within our own hearts and let the light of Peace shine out into our world.
During the retreat we will honor women who have come before us with a mission to bring peace to the world, participate in a World Peace Circle and Light ceremony, learn and participate in astral travel to bring peace to other areas of the planet, go within for a Mindful Movement experience with Barbara Pastie and more.
Continental breakfast and light lunch provided.

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"Women - We are the Peacemakers!"

Women's Grounding RetreatLocation is at our home/retreat center175 Tsatsawassa Lake Rd, East Nassau, NY 12062Saturday, December 9th9:00am - 5:00pm ETFee: $99.00Includes Continental Breakfast, lunch, tea/coffee, water, snacks and all program activities.

We encourage you to share your Light and bring a donation of non-perishable food to be delivered to the Resource Center in Nassau after the retreat for folks in need.

Please bring your own yoga mat or blanket, wear comfortable clothes, a coat and shoes suitable for being outdoors, and house slippers or socks. House socks are available for your use. Bring your swimsuit and towel if you'd like to go in the hot tub.

Why Women Gather

The Ripple Effectby Rev. Heidi Kowalchyk
Women have gathered together for eons, probably since the beginning of time. You may be familiar with the red tent in Biblical times where women gathered during “that time of the month” or illness and supported each other. Then in Victorian times, women gathered together around a pot of tea in the late afternoon to chat about their day. Fast forward to the 1950’s or 60’s when women gathered over a pot of coffee during their “coffee klatches”. Today, we have women’s sororities where women hold each other up and inspire each other. But I don’t often see a regular opportunity for women to be together in these busy and complicated times.
Why do you think women gather with other women? This topic is near and dear to my heart because as a woman, I find there is no better way to relax, share my joys and sorrows, feel supported and be inspired than when I am in the company of other women. In fact, research shows my thoughts on this topic to be true! An article on Healthline website confirms there is science behind the importance of female friendships. In the article Dr. Ruby Bash referred to studies at Stanford and UCLA that showed in times of stress, women don’t just experience the drive toward fight or flight, they release oxytocin which compels women to “tend and befriend”. According to the article, that means during stressful times, women tend to their loved ones and befriend other women.  
I can relate to all of that especially as I age, get busier and have more responsibilities. Being with other women helps me feel nurtured and validated. During the most challenging times in my life, other women have cried with me, confided in me, held me and taught me how to come out the other side stronger and smarter. When I gather with other women, I get recharged and my light gets brighter. My world gets better and I believe it spreads to the world around me. I wanted to create an opportunity for women to gather.
So, the Women’s Grounding Retreat was born! My daughter Dana, encouraged me to invite some women to our new home/ retreat center. It was such a glorious experience being together that I was encouraged to do it again. The first Women’s Grounding Retreat was held in 2019 at Ripple Effect Spiritual Therapies retreat center. Women came from all walks of life with different backgrounds and experiences. But the thing we had in common was the longing to be together with other women to connect and share. The one thing I try to do at our retreats is help women get back to their true self and leave feeling balanced and recharged. Each retreat offers opportunities for women to share, connect, go within, express and challenge themselves. One comment from Sheri, a past participant- ”Was wonderful. So great to meet new people and get in touch with myself. Just what I needed but didn’t know I did.”
I hope you can join me at our next Women’s Grounding Retreat - "Moving to Joy!", on Saturday, June 24th from 9:00am - 6:00pm ET, in person in East Nassau, NY.


Adventures of the Spirit

From Women's Empowerment Day, Acceptance Speech for Woman of the Year award, Blessings Magazine 2022