Restore Stewardship Retreat

Rooted in the wisdom of multi- knowledge systems, this retreat offers a profound opportunity to become immersed in an ancient understanding of the interconnectedness between humans and the Earth. By engaging with ancestral teachings and practices, participants will explore the sacred relationship between the natural world and all living beings. The retreat will foster a deepened sense of reverence for the land, water, and all our relations as we reawaken our inherent capacity for stewardship.

Many indigenous cultures view whales as our oldest ancestors—wise beings connected to the ocean's depths and cosmic rhythms. During the retreat, we will have the privilege of communing with these ancient beings through respectful prayer. Guided by a local elder and captain who live in relationship with the ocean and the whales, we will deepen our understanding of the profound wisdom they embody and generously impart.

A temazcal ceremony is a sacred and transformative sweat lodge ritual rooted in Mesoamerican Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Symbolizing the womb of Mother Earth, the temazcal employs earth, air, fire, and water to facilitate spiritual cleansing, physical purification, and communal bonding. Within a dome-shaped structure, heated rocks and water create a steam-filled environment for prayer, song, and intention-sharing. Guided by a local elder, this sacred ceremony encourages participants to release old patterns and internalized systems, connect with ancestral wisdom, and invoke healing for themselves, their community, and the Earth.

Animism, a spiritual practice found across cultures and millennia, is one of the earliest ways humanity connected to spirituality through an embodied experience. It honors the interconnectedness and aliveness of all beings and elements of the natural world. Animist ceremony and ritual create a sacred space for communion, reverence, and reciprocity with the Earth and its inhabitants. These rituals often involve invoking ancestral wisdom, connecting with elemental forces, and engaging in embodied expressions and practices such as prayer, song, dance, and other forms.

Nature re-connection and sea excursions in the Gulf of California, often described as the "aquarium of the world," offer a unique opportunity to connect with an incredibly unique, diverse and delicate marine and desert ecosystem. Home to numerous endemic and endangered species, this region highlights the importance of maintaining balance within our natural world. Through quiet reflection, observation, and connection with the desert ecology and marine life, participants can deepen their understanding of the intricate web of life and strengthen their commitment to stewardship and planetary wellbeing.

Led by Ioana, the eco-somatic art practice and sacred water meditation cultivates a deep connection to both the external waters of the ocean and the inner waters within our very bodies. This profound practice will engage and ignite your creative fire, opening new pathways for sensing, seeing, and creating in collaboration with the natural world.

Futures literacy thinking is an empowering and transformative approach to understanding and engaging with the complexities of our world. Through this practice that combines imagination, sensory awareness, and creativity, we learn to explore diverse futures, moving beyond prediction and probabilities to consider multiple potential scenarios. This empowering skill enhances our ability to navigate change and make informed choices that contribute to fostering adaptability, creativity, and resilience in the face of uncertainty.

The wisdom of death and the process of grieving are essential components of fostering stewardship and cultivating thrivability in an age of eco-anxiety and profound inter-species collapse. In this workshop, we will collectively reimagine our relationship with death and mortality, recognizing their vital roles in the regeneration of life. By exploring ancestral cosmovisions and cross-cultural practices that honor death as a generative force, we can release our attachments to outdated systems, allowing them to compost and nourish the soil for new growth. Through holding a grief circle, we create a sacred space to tend to the emotional complexities that arise in the process of transformation. As we embrace death's wisdom and the power of grieving, we can open up space for the emergence of more resilient and life-affirming systems.

We’ll be closing the retreat with a deep sound healing journey to harmonize our bodies with the vibrations of the land, waters, and beings as a process of embodied integration. A resonant soundscape will invite participants to connect with sound's universal healing language. This immersive experience will foster relaxation and coherence, allowing for the synthesis of personal insights and collective wisdom gained throughout the week.

Breathwork serves as a powerful anchor throughout the retreat, offering numerous benefits that enhance the transformative potential of each experience. By consciously connecting with our breath, we tap into a vital life force that deepens our presence and awareness in every moment. Breathwork supports emotional regulation, stress reduction, and mental clarity, fostering a sense of inner balance and resilience. Through breath-based practices, participants can explore the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit, facilitating the integration of personal insights and the embodiment of collective wisdom.

During an engaging and insightful afternoon, participants will visit a regenerative community farming project, showcasing the resilience and abundance of desert food systems. This hands-on experience offers a unique opportunity to witness the power of community-driven land stewardship in action. As we connect with local growers and community builders, we'll explore innovative practices that cultivate resilience, nourish the land, and foster vibrant, local food systems. Engaging in dialogue and knowledge exchange, we'll deepen our understanding of the interconnected factors influencing sustainable land management, while celebrating the transformational potential of community-led initiatives in fostering thriving local futures.

Nourishment is integral to our retreat experience, and we take great care in providing daily, fresh, and home-cooked meals. Our in-house chef will create primarily vegetarian dishes, utilizing locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible, to support both personal well-being and environmental sustainability. All meals will be shared communally.