Befriending Your Inner Critic

4.577 reviews
Location icon
240 Davis Rd, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X1 Canada
Date
August 21 - 24, 2026

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

This program is for you if you have self-limiting beliefs that you’re not enough, or that you’re way too much or if your inner dialogue is getting in the way of how you’d like to be living.  If you have ever stopped yourself from doing or having what you truly want because of negative self-talk, we’ll look at some effective ways of transforming your negative self-talk into strong self-allyship.

Through a synthesis of creative process work, somatic experiencing and a generous dollop of Satir work, Graemme and Louise will guide you in making a friendship overture to your Inner Critic.  In the company of supportive co-explorers, open your curiosity to learn what you might be up to and how to establish a good working relationship with yourself moving forward.

Befriending Your Inner Critic uses music, visual arts, movement, guided meditation, laughter and story to help you build (and rebuild) a relationship with your inner critic. Think of it like mediation between you and your critic, or facilitating a creative meeting of the minds.









In this program you will...

Dialogue with your hidden critic
Get to know yourself and your strengths
Re-evaluate and re-establish your relationship with your critic
Transform your inner critic into an ally

Befriending Your Inner Critic is for people who want to:

Accept themselves
Trust themselves
Stop the negative self-talk
Build confidence in themselves
Practice present moment awareness
Be intentional about the language they use in inner dialogue
Let go of habitual responses to triggers
Accomplish their desires

This program is for everyone, whether you identify as male, female, or non-binary.

Bonus pre-work:  For two weeks leading up to the retreat, carry a small notebook and pen with you. Capture the "stops" in your day. Write down each time you hear negative self-talk and notice if you stop yourself from doing something. This is an exercise in building awareness, not judgment, so just notice the stops, that's all.

Note: The program begins at 7:30 pm on the first evening. Otherwise there are no evening sessions. The daytime session times are 9 am to noon, 1 to 3 pm and 4 to 6 pm.
Investment:
Our Earlybird tuition price of $750 is available to those registered and paid in full one month prior to the program start.  Full tuition is $810.  Tuition must be paid in full one month prior regardless of price.

We are offering private and shared room options.

You can find our cancellation policy here
Schedule:
Your program begins with dinner at 5:45pm and your first session at 7:00pm.
Daily schedule:






Breakfast 8:00am - 8:45am
Morning session 9:00am - 11:45am
Lunch 11:45am - 12:30pm
Afternoon session 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Break 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Afternoon session 4:00pm - 5:45pm
Dinner 5:45pm - 6:30pm
Evening's off to enjoy free time, bodywork, hot tub and sunsets!





Your program finishes with lunch on the last day.

 

Admission requirements: The student must have the desire and ability to learn.  Must demonstrate a capacity for responsible self care, responsible self organization and sound mental health.  The student must understand and speak English.

This program does not require approval by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.  As such, the registrar did not review this program. What does this mean? Click here to learn more.

Getting Here

Location icon The Haven, 240 Davis Rd, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X1 Canada

Accommodation

Dorm bed (upper) - Participant

Accommodation
Thunderbird dormitory is our most economical option. Each dorm pod accommodates up to 6 people, and each pod has its own washroom. Bunks are adult built, single over single, with extra-long mattresses. Dorm pods are separated by gender. The Thunderbird dormitory is only available for participants registered in a catalogue program at The Haven. From July to mid-August, the dorms are reserved for our Youth Programs.  We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room. Read more about Thunderbird Dorms (PDF).

Dorm bed (lower) - Participant

Accommodation
Thunderbird dormitory is our most economical option. Each dorm pod accommodates up to 6 people, and each pod has its own washroom. Bunks are adult built, single over single, with extra-long mattresses. Dorm pods are separated by gender. The Thunderbird dormitory is only available for participants registered in a catalogue program at The Haven. From July to mid-August, the dorms are reserved for our Youth Programs.  We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room. Read more about Thunderbird Dorms (PDF).

Basic Room - Shared - Participant

Accommodation
These cozy rooms have 1 double or 2 single beds.  Some rooms have a small desk.  We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.

Basic Room - Private - Participant

Accommodation
These cozy rooms have 1 double or 2 single beds.  Some rooms have a small desk.  We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.

Forestview - Shared - Participant

Accommodation
These rooms look out to lush forest views and have 1 queen or 1 double in addition to 1 single bed.  Many rooms have a small fridge and desk.  We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.

Forestview - Private - Participant

Accommodation
These rooms look out to lush forest views and have 1 queen or 1 double in addition to 1 single bed.  Many rooms have a small fridge and desk.  We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.

Staying off-premise - Participant

Accommodation
This lodging type is used by guests staying off-premises, not staying at The Haven.

Customer Reviews

4.57 out of 5.0 average rating

2.0
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Not a yoga retreat place
This place is under new ownership, and runs recovery programs for addiction. While there is nothing wrong with this, it just means this is not the yoga retreat center that is advertised and what I expected. There is a large male presence at the center, which can feel unsettling at times. There is no alcohol allowed on premises (too bad if you are on vacation and want to to relax with a glass of wine or cocktail at the end of the day). The food is atrocious. Hot dogs, burgers and deli meat sandwiches. Seriously?? Again, not the wholesome food you would expect at a yoga retreat, and not worth the $80 they are charging per day for meals. Total rip off. Not sure what the deal is with a new "chef" because anyone could cook better meals. The same salads every day too. So, don't expect anything gourmet food-wise. In fact, save your money and go eat elsewhere. The "chefs" also get offended if you ask for anything and one time they started cleaning up dinner at 6:15 even though it's supposed to run until 6:30.

There is also no daily housekeeping. Which is fine. But worth it to know, so you don't have high expectations. The bathroom sink kept making a weird gurgling sound so I had to sleep with ear plugs.

The staff at the front desk is very nice though.

My experience felt like the whole center caters to the recovery programs. It's fine to run a recovery center, but it's just not compatible with a yoga retreat - where people expect to relax, unwind, have good wholesome food and maybe a nice glass of wine at sunset. Having both in the same location doesn't work. Disappointing and not worth the money. I will not be returning

5.0
2nd time
Experiential, universal, revelational about relational and self knowledge. Skilled experienced facilitators. Both times I’ve gone it has left me with deep connections in a short time and I continue to stay I. Touch with those co-participants. Food is hearty, delicious, and plentiful. Grounds are peaceful. I look forward to my next course and my next reunion with newfound friends.

5.0
TEENS ALIVE I, II & III
Our 15 year old son just completed Teens Alive (1-3) for the second time, and loved it. The environment is so nurturing and transformative - I really can't say enough about how grateful I am to have this program as a support during these years when parenting can be TOUGH. Our son is navigating high school with confidence, and making mature and thoughtful decisions - we definitely see him process his experiences in a new way and love what we are seeing. His communication with us is more open and productive, and we look forward to him navigating the rest of his teen years with his hands on the reigns. He is looking forward to next year's program and has plans to become an intern in the future as well.

5.0
Giving Voice
The Haven is beautifully set on the waterfront on Gabriola Island. I wasn't sure what to expect at this workshop. I was hoping I would find more confidence in using my voice as I have been confident in speaking in public but deathly afraid of singing in public! What I found was a very safe space to explore making all kinds of sound from humming and babble to overtone chanting and yes...singing. Leah was an excellent and gentle guide and the acoustics of our meeting space were amazing. I would recommend The Haven for anyone wanting to get away from their regular routine and explore their inner world. I will go back for more!

5.0
Imagine 2019
A wonderful opportunity to meet like minded people and to participate in goal setting activities for The |haven and for myself.

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