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5 Day Trauma As Medicine Retreat

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Up to 20 in group
Date
May 1 - 5, 2025

Retreat Highlights

  • Shamanic wisdom teachings
  • Land based practices/ceremony
  • Processing circles
  • 3 Plant Medicine Ceremonies
  • Development and enhancement of intuition and body focused awareness
  • Self inquiry & meditation.

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

This retreat is an invitation to come home. To open to the genuine presence of your being through the use of plant medicine ceremony and earth based traditional practices. It is focused on the awareness that you have what you need within you – everything is in fact here now – and our healing is the art of integrating, accepting, and loving what is. In this process we claim the light of our true nature and use this light to guide our way.  

Sarah’s teachings are nondual, based on the philosophy that we are one. Through cultivating loving awareness we remember we are not separate from our Source and in this way, we align who we are with how we live. She is the author of Trauma as Medicine, a DIY book for healing trauma and transforming your life; based on the personal experience of losing her mother to homicide and subsequent journey of healing and forgiveness. 

What's included:

3 Plant Medicines

1 Forest Medicine night ceremony  

1 Heart Medicine day ceremony 

Hape ceremony 

4 Earth Tradition Ceremonies: 

Starlight Medicine Ritual 

Fire Ceremony 

Hucha stone cleanse 

Despacho 

 

Starlight Medicine Ritual – This ritual has come through the ancient teachings of our starlight ancestors as a guide for these times. We are in a great moment of awakening, and it is necessary to open to the highest light for the illumination of our path. This ritual is delivered through visualization, shamanic journey and earth-based practices.  

Forest Medicine ceremony – The Rainbow serpent lodge was passed to Sarah many years ago through her Spirit guide Thoth; the God of wisdom in the Egyptian pantheon. In this lodge she shares mushroom tea in a night ceremony. You are supported with channeled medicine songs, music, hands on healing, tobacco cleanse, and other shamanic methods. This is an excellent medicine for moving into the underworld aspects of our life’s journey so we can integrate them with the light. 

The intention of this lodge is to create a portal for the following: 

Commune with Source
Regulate your nervous system
Illuminate your true nature
Release old patterns


Address grief & trauma
Come home to your self & your body
Investigate internal contracted energy
Enter loving awareness – as referred to by Ram Das 
Experience presence 

 

Heart medicine Ceremony – Sarah will facilitate this profound Heart Medicine experience in a day ceremony. This Heart Medicine is an exceptional ally for connecting us with our inner child and facilitating an experience of embodiment. Held in the social and sacred container of our retreat community you begin to see yourself in a new way – releasing stories that do not serve your highest good  - and opening to your child-like sense of wonderment. 

Fire Ceremony – Working with the Spirit of fire you will learn a practice passed through the Inca Medicine Wheel tradition for cleansing your being and asking for help.

Hape ceremony - A sacred snuff comprised of tobacco and other plants this medicine supports your healing through the opening of your third eye, connection with your heart, and a rooted sense of awareness in your physical body.   

Despacho – From the highest reaches of the Andes Mountains this ceremony offers a practice of gratitude that is rooted in the celebration of life. Utilizing flowers, seeds, and objects from nature a mandala is created with prayer and intention to give thanks for all that is here.  

Integration – Sarah has had the joy of facilitating circles for over 20 years. The practice of bringing your visions into our circle are an integral part of awakening. This is where you learn to be seen, to listen to the collective teachings in the group and to use your voice – be heard- as you share your heart.  

The team – Sarah has gathered a solid team of assistants – professionals in the holistic field - to ensure you have what you need to tuning and turning inwards.  

The location – The Sentinel is a top-notch environment for soul healing. Nestled on 6 pristine acres on Kootenay lake you can expect to be held in the power of these ancient mountains with love, wisdom and stillness. The rooms all have a view of the lake, the food is local, organic and much is grown on the property.  For you pleasure there is a hot tub, sauna, and of course cold plunges in the lake.  



 

Basic Itinerary:  

May 1st:

4-5:30pm Arrive – check in 

5:30 - 6:30pm Supper 

7:00 – 9:00pm Opening Ceremony & Circle Maloca 

May 2nd:

7:00 – 8:00am Somatic Movement Maloca 

8 :00-9:30 am Breakfast 

9:30 – 12:30pm Workshop – Starlight ritual & Hape Ceremony 

12:30 – 1:30pm Lunch 

1:30 – 3:30pm Reflection time 

3:30 – 4:00pm snack 

4:00 – 6:30pm Ecstatic dance & Sound bath  

6:30 – 7pm Break – get ready for ceremony 

7:00 – 11:00pm – Rainbow Serpent Lodge (Forest Medicine) 

May 3rd:

8:00 – 9:30am Breakfast 

9:30 – 10:30 Kundalini Yoga 

10:30 – 12:30 Integration Circle 

12:30 – 1:30 lunch 

1:30 – 3:30 Reflection time 

3:30 – 6:00 Fire Ceremony & Hucha stone cleanse 

6:00 – 7:00pm Supper 

May 4th:

No breakfast  

9:00 – 6:00 pm  – Heart medicine ceremony – Medicine songs, Despacho ceremony, circle and time outside on the land.  

6:00 – 7:00pm Supper 

May 5th:

8:00 – 9:30am Breakfast 

9:30 – 12:00 Integration circle & closing ceremony  

12:00 Lunch  

 

If you would like to BOOK a 15 min Call with Sarah to learn more about her retreat please do so here: https://calendly.com/sarahsalterkelly/free-15-minute-consult

For more information please visit Sarah's website here: https://sarahsalterkelly.com/retreats/

Please watch Sarah's interview with Marianne Williamson here: https://youtu.be/8WDFQOcNrho

Schedule

Basic Itinerary:  

May 1st:

4-5:30pm Arrive – check in 

5:30 - 6:30pm Supper 

7:00 – 9:00pm Opening Ceremony & Circle Maloca 

May 2nd:

7:00 – 8:00am Somatic Movement Maloca 

8 :00-9:30 am Breakfast 

9:30 – 12:30pm Workshop – Starlight ritual & Hape Ceremony 

12:30 – 1:30pm Lunch 

1:30 – 3:30pm Reflection time 

3:30 – 4:00pm snack 

4:00 – 6:30pm Ecstatic dance & Sound bath  

6:30 – 7pm Break – get ready for ceremony 

7:00 – 11:00pm – Rainbow Serpent Lodge (Forest Medicine) 

May 3rd:

8:00 – 9:30am Breakfast 

9:30 – 10:30 Kundalini Yoga 

10:30 – 12:30 Integration Circle 

12:30 – 1:30 lunch 

1:30 – 3:30 Reflection time 

3:30 – 6:00 Fire Ceremony & Hucha stone cleanse 

6:00 – 7:00pm Supper 

May 4th:

No breakfast  

9:00 – 6:00 pm  – Heart medicine ceremony – Medicine songs, Despacho ceremony, circle and time outside on the land.  

6:00 – 7:00pm Supper 

May 5th:

8:00 – 9:30am Breakfast 

9:30 – 12:00 Integration circle & closing ceremony  

12:00 Lunch  
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Location icon The Sentinel

Directions

We are a 50-minute drive north of Nelson, BC, just outside the charming village of Kaslo. We are 9 hours by car from Vancouver, and 8 hours from Calgary. These drives are incredibly beautiful, wending through some of North America's most spectacular mountain terrain. There are flights (approx. 1 hour) from both Vancouver & Calgary to our nearest airport, in Castlegar, which is a scenic 1.5 hours from our door.

Driving from Nelson, follow highway 3A north to Balfour (Kootenay Lake ferry landing), and proceed another 20-25 minutes on Highway 31 north. There is a "Sentinel Retreat" blue road sign on the highway (approx. 60 km from Nelson). Slow down and prepare to take a sharp right turn onto Amundsen Road. The Sentinel is located at bottom of the hill. Please observe signs.

Accommodation

All our King and shared Twin rooms have stunning views of the lake and mountains. Whether you opt for a luxurious private King or a shared Twin, all our rooms are clean and modern. Ensuite bathrooms have heated floors, a rain shower, and amenities for your comfort. Fluffy white towels and crisp linens are found in every room — our goal is to ensure can relax and refresh during your stay with us.

King Room

Accommodation
Our king rooms are elegant, lake and mountain facing boasting ensuite bathrooms with heated tile floors. All rooms were intentionally designed to enhance a reflective and serene stay away from home.

Twin shared room (per person)

Accommodation
Our twin shared rooms are elegant, lake and mountain facing boasting ensuite bathrooms with heated tile floors. All rooms were intentionally designed to enhance a reflective and serene stay away from home.

Queen Room

Accommodation
Room 7 is a cozy queen room on the lower level of the Lodge. It's favoured by guests who love containment, a dark sleeping space, and appreciate the savings offered by using a shared bathroom, steps away. This room does not have a direct lake view, but is adjacent to our beautiful sunroom which offers plenty of sunlight and beautiful views of the lake.

Maloca Queen Room

Accommodation
The Maloca Queen Room is a cozy bedroom down the hallway from our the Temple Space. Ideal for our events

Glamping

Accommodation
The Sunroom Nest is a glamorous word for shared accommodation in our Sunroom with up to three other people. Each person gets a fully made twin bed with a high density foam topper, 1 pillow, sheets and a full set of towels.  The bathroom is adjacent to the sunroom nest, shared and you are steps away from the lower lobby tea/coffee station.

Sentinel Camping

Accommodation
Camp on The Sentinel grounds! Bring your own tent and bedding and we will set you up with a lovely place to camp. Shared bathroom facilities. Summer Only. $50/person/night

Venue & Amenities

Venue & Amenities
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
Overlooking spectacular Kootenay Lake, the Lodge, with its massive windows and expansive deck affords breathtaking lake & mountain views. The Maloca, a magnificent round, timbered ceremonial and activity space, seems to float above the lake. A short stroll from the Lodge, the Sentinel's spa deck, with its unique wood-fired sauna and cedar-lined hot tub is a favourite gathering spot for guests, year-'round. 700' of lakefront, with deck, firepit and yoga area is a tranquil spring/summer area.

Meals

Menu
Menu

Menu Types

Guests rave about our food! Sentinel meals are prepared with ingredients sourced whenever possible from our organic, on-property garden. We can accommodate virtually any dietary requirement.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • Cedar hot tub
  • Sauna
  • Maloca
  • Lakefront
  • Nature

What's Not Included

  • Bodywork
  • Airfare
  • Travel
  • Gratuity
  • Taxes

Customer Reviews

4.96 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Absolutely lovely
I had such a relaxing experience at the Sentinel. I felt I was surrounded by so much beauty, created by both, nature and humans.
I decided to try the sauna and cold plunge interchangably one night after the sun went down and it was such a beautiful reset to my nervous system. The sauna is so cozy and had some powerful revelations. To finish it off I went into the hot tub and admired the starry night for a while. So peaceful! Such a treat to my soul!
Not to mention the staff are a God sent. They are helpful and very caring humans.
Andrea A.
Thanks!

5.0
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Full Potential of Love
We had the most incredible love ceremony one could ever imagine. The Maloca is like a spaceship, and we went on a live journey through the Cosmos! That you Janet all the helper and of coure Richard and Gillian for the tireless efforts that allow this place to thrive!
Highly recommend this type of ceremony for anyone newly in love or wishing to go deeper into relationship with full community support.
Love warriors unite!

5.0
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Amazing getaway
Our stay here was phenomenal! Very relaxing and beautiful setting. We look forward to our next stay here!

5.0
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Amazingly restorative
The staff are so extremely kind, helpful, and relaxed. Our large grouo of ladies had a lovely stay and left after only a day feeling recharged and content. Thank you for sharing your incredible space with us!

5.0
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amazing retreat
I spent a day and evening at the Sentinel for a womens friends birthday retreat and it was perfect to connect and unwind.

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