Retreats & Workshops
"I'm still trying to find words sufficient to describe the retreat' For Love'. A fundamental shift has taken place in me and I have a greater sense of well being. I am holding my body differently, with less tension in multiple areas. People I have known for a while have said I look different since returning. I feel more relaxed, my nervous system calmer, even in the face of everyday life stressors.
Joanna fosters deep trust and safety in the groups she facilitates. This ability of hers is essential in laying a foundation for vulnerable work. I would absolutely recommend a retreat or workshop with her if you are eager to dive deep into yourself with the warm support of good company." R.A-M, London
Love Most Natural - Retreat
Wednesday 17th to Tuesday 23rd April 2024
6 days to explore and experience your natural capacity to give and receive unconditional acceptance.
This will be the 3rd time I have offered this retreat and the 2nd time that Alex Bennet will be assisting. It will be equally suitable to people returning and people coming to this retreat for the first time. It is intended for people already working with me, but do get in touch if that's not you but you are interested and we will discuss if this would be the right place for you.
Drawing on many sources, I will bring a unique programme of processes and enquiries to awaken and support your innate predisposition for heart connection.
We will consider what we mean by emotional safety - and how to find this safety within.
We will take any arguments, doubts, wounds, deficiencies into account, but the focus will be on experiencing the potential rather than the difficulty.
Alex has been involved for many years in This Movement, Movement of Being and This Beautiful Work (and is also agreeably friendly, reliable and practical).
This is a residential retreat at the beautiful Bala Brook retreat centre on the edge of Dartmoor. Maximum 12 people. Each person will have their own room. More on the venue here www.balabrook.org.uk
Costs:
Accommodation total £3,720 which will be divided between participants. Final figure will depend on numbers eg £310 each for 12 people, or £620 each for 6 people
Food approx £120
Facilitation £400 (or between £300 for low income, £500 for high income)
Times:
The retreat will start with 6pm dinner on Wednesday 17th April, with arrivals from 4pm and finish at midday on Tuesday 23rd April.
Please email me to express interest - joannawatters@gmail.com
Facing into Death (while we are alive) -
March 21st to 24th
taking time together to consider death and dying from the vantage point of living
"Have you built your ship of death, O have you?
O build your ship of death, for you will need it"
D.H.Lawrence
residential or non residential retreat in Devon, at Alex's Bennet's home -Shute Cottage, Hennock
Thursday 7-9pm, Friday & Saturday 10am - 6pm, Sunday 10am - 12:30pm
Non residential - £60 venue, £* lunches, plus faciliation £150 - £250 depending on means
Residential £120 venue/accommodation, £* food, plus £150 - £250 facilitation
email me for more info/ to book
Ease of Relating Camping Retreat with Brad Richecoeur
July 21st to 28th
Deepening into the material of the Ease of Relating workshops, sharing simple living together under canvas in the landscape of Dartmoor
Camping at Gidleigh Village Hall
Dartmoor
More info to follow soon. Email to register interest: Penny
Trauma and Spirituality, with John Wilks -
12th to 15th September 2024
What do we mean by Trauma? What do we mean by Spirituality? How do they each influence us in our lives?
Movement, Somatic Exercises, the Tri-Brain process (www.birthintobeing.com ) meditation, information about the Vagus Nerve, enquiry
in Devon. At Caddaford Barns. Cost £240
More info and to book a space contact John:
www.therapy-training.com/courses#/spirituality-and-trauma-retreat
Online Groups & Workshops
Guest House Thursdays - the first Thursday of each month, 7- 8pm
Free to Attend
Anyone who is interested in attending can subscribe via the eHealth Learning website page :
https://ehealthlearning.tv/portfolio-2/guest-house-thursdays/
When you go to this page a pop up form will open. Fill in the details to register on this form and submit it and then they will be subscribed to the emails which are sent out before the event with the Zoom link included to attend the next scheduled session.
If anyone experiences problems ask them to contact us for help on info@ehealthlearning.tv
These monthly live classes offer an hour in the good company of others to welcome our experience in the present moment, and reconnect with what is most precious : our source nature, our essence. I will guide a meditation and then offer a simple enquiry into “this being human” to be shared in breakout spaces, with some time to reflect together afterwards.
No particular previous experience necessary. Come with a curious heart and an open mind.
The Guest House – by Rumi (Adapted, by me, from the translation by Coleman Barks)
This being human is a guest house.
Every moment a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some arising condition comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and attend to each and every one
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, bless each guest with your presence and curiosity.
They are all part of the same Unfolding Mystery.
The bouncers and the hungry ghosts,
meet them at the door with compassion,
and invite them in.
Appreciate whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from the same silent Source
beyond understanding.
There is no obligation to come to every session - drop in when it suits you, but ideally come punctually (as we usually start with a meditation). One regular attendee kindly wrote this, and is happy for me to share it as a testimonial:
"I just wanted to thank you again for these wonderful opportunities in the Guest House.
Recently i said yes to 2 very scary (for me) things, that even 6 months ago I would have run a mile from. Even though I would have wanted to do them, because they help something I believe in, it would have felt too exposed.
Yet, I said yes, and have done the scariest one already, and survived! And I think the Guest House has been a generous part of that change in me.
It's not that I'm braver, it's just that I care less about the backlash of thoughts and feelings that are inevitable afterwards (oh, cringe, cringe, I made a complete berk of myself). Something like knowing those feelings are going to come, and being OK with it. Knowing that I will not be consumed by them, but I now know they will be a small part of my day, mixed up with so many other feelings and sensations that will be the majority. Not quite at the stage of welcoming them with laughter yet, maybe with a wry grin, but that's great progress!
And also hearing other people's insecurities and self-doubt has helped me to see possible unforeseeable consequences that could be for the good - say someone saw me and thought 'wow, she didn't do that very well, but she's clearly wetting her pants with fear, and she's doing it anyway - maybe I could find a way to do that thing that I'm scared of doing...?'
I'm so appreciative of your offering the Guest House, I just wanted you to know that they are rippling out into the world in so many ways you will never know!"
Strength and Sensitivity - an ongoing closed group enquiring into including both ends of any polarity (now closed until April 2024)
We tend to split reality into "either this or that"
(Left or Right, Strong or Sensitive, Bad or Good, etc)
In this ongoing group we will explore holding both ends of any polarity at the same time, not either/or but both.
When we do this, it has a radical impact on our lives, inviting compassion and flexibility.
We will explore this through movement, meditation and enquiry.
Please email me for dates and more information if you're interested.
Welcome Reality - a fortnightly group based in Totnes on Tuesdays 2-4pm - FULL - please email me if you'd like to be on a waiting list
2024 Dates - January 9th to March 19th.
..
Wednesday 17th to Tuesday 23rd April 2024
6 days to explore and experience your natural capacity to give and receive unconditional acceptance.
This will be the 3rd time I have offered this retreat and the 2nd time that Alex Bennet will be assisting. It will be equally suitable to people returning and people coming to this retreat for the first time. It is intended for people already working with me, but do get in touch if that's not you but you are interested and we will discuss if this would be the right place for you.
Drawing on many sources, I will bring a unique programme of processes and enquiries to awaken and support your innate predisposition for heart connection.
We will consider what we mean by emotional safety - and how to find this safety within.
We will take any arguments, doubts, wounds, deficiencies into account, but the focus will be on experiencing the potential rather than the difficulty.
Alex has been involved for many years in This Movement, Movement of Being and This Beautiful Work (and is also agreeably friendly, reliable and practical).
This is a residential retreat at the beautiful Bala Brook retreat centre on the edge of Dartmoor. Maximum 12 people. Each person will have their own room. More on the venue here www.balabrook.org.uk
Costs:
Accommodation total £3,720 which will be divided between participants. Final figure will depend on numbers eg £310 each for 12 people, or £620 each for 6 people
Food approx £120
Facilitation £400 (or between £300 for low income, £500 for high income)
Times:
The retreat will start with 6pm dinner on Wednesday 17th April, with arrivals from 4pm and finish at midday on Tuesday 23rd April.
Please email me to express interest - joannawatters@gmail.com
Facing into Death (while we are alive) -
March 21st to 24th
taking time together to consider death and dying from the vantage point of living
"Have you built your ship of death, O have you?
O build your ship of death, for you will need it"
D.H.Lawrence
residential or non residential retreat in Devon, at Alex's Bennet's home -Shute Cottage, Hennock
Thursday 7-9pm, Friday & Saturday 10am - 6pm, Sunday 10am - 12:30pm
Non residential - £60 venue, £* lunches, plus faciliation £150 - £250 depending on means
Residential £120 venue/accommodation, £* food, plus £150 - £250 facilitation
email me for more info/ to book
Ease of Relating Camping Retreat with Brad Richecoeur
July 21st to 28th
Deepening into the material of the Ease of Relating workshops, sharing simple living together under canvas in the landscape of Dartmoor
Camping at Gidleigh Village Hall
Dartmoor
More info to follow soon. Email to register interest: Penny
Trauma and Spirituality, with John Wilks -
12th to 15th September 2024
What do we mean by Trauma? What do we mean by Spirituality? How do they each influence us in our lives?
Movement, Somatic Exercises, the Tri-Brain process (www.birthintobeing.com ) meditation, information about the Vagus Nerve, enquiry
in Devon. At Caddaford Barns. Cost £240
More info and to book a space contact John:
www.therapy-training.com/courses#/spirituality-and-trauma-retreat
Online Groups & Workshops
Guest House Thursdays - the first Thursday of each month, 7- 8pm
Free to Attend
Anyone who is interested in attending can subscribe via the eHealth Learning website page :
https://ehealthlearning.tv/portfolio-2/guest-house-thursdays/
When you go to this page a pop up form will open. Fill in the details to register on this form and submit it and then they will be subscribed to the emails which are sent out before the event with the Zoom link included to attend the next scheduled session.
If anyone experiences problems ask them to contact us for help on info@ehealthlearning.tv
These monthly live classes offer an hour in the good company of others to welcome our experience in the present moment, and reconnect with what is most precious : our source nature, our essence. I will guide a meditation and then offer a simple enquiry into “this being human” to be shared in breakout spaces, with some time to reflect together afterwards.
No particular previous experience necessary. Come with a curious heart and an open mind.
The Guest House – by Rumi (Adapted, by me, from the translation by Coleman Barks)
This being human is a guest house.
Every moment a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some arising condition comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and attend to each and every one
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, bless each guest with your presence and curiosity.
They are all part of the same Unfolding Mystery.
The bouncers and the hungry ghosts,
meet them at the door with compassion,
and invite them in.
Appreciate whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from the same silent Source
beyond understanding.
There is no obligation to come to every session - drop in when it suits you, but ideally come punctually (as we usually start with a meditation). One regular attendee kindly wrote this, and is happy for me to share it as a testimonial:
"I just wanted to thank you again for these wonderful opportunities in the Guest House.
Recently i said yes to 2 very scary (for me) things, that even 6 months ago I would have run a mile from. Even though I would have wanted to do them, because they help something I believe in, it would have felt too exposed.
Yet, I said yes, and have done the scariest one already, and survived! And I think the Guest House has been a generous part of that change in me.
It's not that I'm braver, it's just that I care less about the backlash of thoughts and feelings that are inevitable afterwards (oh, cringe, cringe, I made a complete berk of myself). Something like knowing those feelings are going to come, and being OK with it. Knowing that I will not be consumed by them, but I now know they will be a small part of my day, mixed up with so many other feelings and sensations that will be the majority. Not quite at the stage of welcoming them with laughter yet, maybe with a wry grin, but that's great progress!
And also hearing other people's insecurities and self-doubt has helped me to see possible unforeseeable consequences that could be for the good - say someone saw me and thought 'wow, she didn't do that very well, but she's clearly wetting her pants with fear, and she's doing it anyway - maybe I could find a way to do that thing that I'm scared of doing...?'
I'm so appreciative of your offering the Guest House, I just wanted you to know that they are rippling out into the world in so many ways you will never know!"
Strength and Sensitivity - an ongoing closed group enquiring into including both ends of any polarity (now closed until April 2024)
We tend to split reality into "either this or that"
(Left or Right, Strong or Sensitive, Bad or Good, etc)
In this ongoing group we will explore holding both ends of any polarity at the same time, not either/or but both.
When we do this, it has a radical impact on our lives, inviting compassion and flexibility.
We will explore this through movement, meditation and enquiry.
Please email me for dates and more information if you're interested.
Welcome Reality - a fortnightly group based in Totnes on Tuesdays 2-4pm - FULL - please email me if you'd like to be on a waiting list
2024 Dates - January 9th to March 19th.
..
FOR FAMILIES with pre-school children
Nurture in Nature group at Nutwells, Buckland in the Moor, alternate Fridays 9:30 - 11:30. For parents and babies/toddlers up to 3 yrs old.
This group is offered by the community organisation Sustainable Families which I founded in 2010 to support parents with the incredibly important work of raising children. We draw on the Parenting by Connection approach and also on aspects of This Beautiful Work. The group is hosted by Amy Behrens Clark and Sarah Cook with Play Workers Eliza Christopherson and Rozi Hilton and is currently funded through the Lottery.
For more information please message Sarah Cook on WhatsApp or Text 07949334003
Growing Families group at Nutwells, Buckland in the Moor, alternate Fridays 1 - 3:30pm. This group is for parents and children 3+.
This group is supported by DEFRA and Sustainable Families and is hosted by Michel Thill and Eliza Christopherson. We draw on Parenting by Connection, Permaculture and Forest School principles. FFI message Eliza on 0749164408
Nurture in Nature group at Nutwells, Buckland in the Moor, alternate Fridays 9:30 - 11:30. For parents and babies/toddlers up to 3 yrs old.
This group is offered by the community organisation Sustainable Families which I founded in 2010 to support parents with the incredibly important work of raising children. We draw on the Parenting by Connection approach and also on aspects of This Beautiful Work. The group is hosted by Amy Behrens Clark and Sarah Cook with Play Workers Eliza Christopherson and Rozi Hilton and is currently funded through the Lottery.
For more information please message Sarah Cook on WhatsApp or Text 07949334003
Growing Families group at Nutwells, Buckland in the Moor, alternate Fridays 1 - 3:30pm. This group is for parents and children 3+.
This group is supported by DEFRA and Sustainable Families and is hosted by Michel Thill and Eliza Christopherson. We draw on Parenting by Connection, Permaculture and Forest School principles. FFI message Eliza on 0749164408