Anonymous says, "I had such a soothing, transformative, and healing experience during the recent "Change and Surrender" retreat I attended at Ratna Ling. The cottage accommodations were the most luxurious I have ever had at a retreat center." See more
sylas says, "What a powerful experience! thank you Julia for such a beautiful weekend. Everything was perfectly orchestrated all the sessions flowed seamlessly. All the information delivered was easy to digest and understand, but I also had the feeling of acceptance and love what you make me feel safe." See more
Kristin says, "This trip couldn't have come at a better time in my life. I was finally able to quiet my heavily distracted and fast paced mind with the guided meditations and yoga poses taught by Jana." See more
James says, "I noticed that Rochelle had prepared very well....and so had Dave. They were always prompt, professional, on time, passionate, engaged, and present. They covered every basis, including thorough covering of safety, expectations, provided education, science, meditation, somatic experience, and were always available to check in with." See more
At quality retreats, participants typically report feeling deeply seen and held, free from the constant demands of caring for others, and able to access parts of themselves often set aside in daily life. Yet not all retreats are created equal - the most valuable ones emphasize authentic connection over Instagram-worthy moments and skilled facilitation over guru worship. The key is finding a retreat that resonates with personal needs, whether that's gentle nurturing, creative exploration, or facing challenging emotions in a supported way. When approached with clear intentions and reasonable expectations, a women's retreat can be profoundly worthwhile - not because participants are broken and need fixing, but because taking time to honor oneself in community is a fundamental human need.
Spiritual retreats offer profound opportunities for insight and renewal, though their value depends greatly on timing, preparation, and clear intentions. Traditional meditation retreats in Buddhist, Hindu, and contemplative Christian settings typically provide structured periods of silence and guidance from experienced teachers - creating space to explore one's inner landscape away from daily distractions. A well-chosen retreat can help reveal what's already present but perhaps overlooked in the busyness of modern life. At retreat centers participants often discover both challenge and support: pre-dawn meditation sits balanced with gentle movement practices, shared meals eaten in mindful silence, and skilled teachers available for questions that arise. Yet retreats aren't magic solutions - they're simply dedicated time to pause, reflect, and remember essential truths. Some find a weekend retreat sufficient for renewed perspective, while others benefit from longer immersions of 7-10 days. The key lies not in duration but in approaching retreat time with genuine curiosity rather than looking to fix what isn't broken. When chosen thoughtfully and undertaken with realistic expectations, retreats can indeed be deeply worthwhile investments in understanding oneself and one's place in the larger web of life.