Retreats
SoulCollage® & Yoga Retreat, Guatemala
SoulCollage® & Yoga, Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, NM
Mindfulness Meditation and SoulCollage®:
A Retreat for Mental Health and Health Care Professionals
About this Retreat
- Do you need to unplug from the busy-ness of your daily life and return to yourself?
- Are you longing to reconnect with your creativity and nourish your spirit?
- Imagine giving yourself permission to deeply take care of yourself for one delicious week.
On this retreat we will be nurtured by the creative process, the gentle spirit of the Mayan culture, the company of other women, and the beauty of nature, as we play and create on the shores of Lake Atitlan in the Highlands of Guatemala.
Sometimes we need to pause, allow ourselves to settle into an inner stillness, and reconnect with our essential selves and our innate wisdom. Art making and creative expression can be practices in listening deeply to ourselves and coming home to that which is most true and essential in us.
We are all naturally creative and have something inside us that is authentically ours, wanting to be expressed. Each day we will play with a variety of creative and contemplative practices including mixed-media artmaking, SoulCollage®, journaling, yoga, meditation, creative movement and dance, all of which are designed to bring us into closer relationship with ourselves and our authentic creative expression.
Throughout the week we will be working with SoulCollage®, a process of creating a personal deck of unique, collaged cards from found and personal images for the purposes of creative renewal, exploring our inner lives, and self-acceptance. SoulCollage® is a fun, engaging and illuminating process that is all at once a form of creative play, self-care, and personal reflection. We will also be making our own journals and filling them with stories of our inner and outer journeys, using writing as another portal into ourselves. For more information about the SoulCollage® process, click here.
On this retreat, the yoga will be gentle hatha yoga, designed to take us deeper into our bodies, our hearts and our inner experience. We will use mindfulness and meditation practices to reconnect us to the simple experience of being fully alive and to an experience of the sacred.
No yoga, art or writing experience is needed, only a desire to explore your creativity and your inner world. Beginning and experienced artists and writers alike will find a safe, supportive, encouraging environment in which to create from their deep authentic selves. You will be encouraged to experiment, play, explore and return to the freedom of creative expression we all enjoyed as children.
A beautiful veranda offers handmade hammocks for resting and reading. Swimming and kayaking in Lake Atitlan are delightful and invigorating. There are traditional Maya villages nearby to explore or you can hike the magnificent lake basin. The retreat will include two optional excursions to Mayan villages and artisan workshops.
"I came away from the Art and Soul retreat in Guatemala with new perspectives - both about myself and about the creative process. I decided to go on the retreat for many reasons, but principal among them was a sense of lack of creativity in my life. Laura's guidance, support and wonderfully crafted week allowed me to learn, explore, and ultimately to find things in myself I didn't believe were there. I can't say enough about the wonderful setting on Lake Atitlan. Watching the sunrise over the lake while practicing yoga was a spiritual experience I will treasure forever."
~ Brenda Hill
Independent Higher Education Consultant
About Villa Sumaya
Villa Sumaya, perched on the shores of Lake Atitlan with panoramic views of the lake and three majestic volcanoes, is an unforgettable sanctuary for those in search
of rest, reflection and natural beauty. This unpretentious, exquisite, thatch roofed complex, with comfortable rooms, spacious gardens, hot tub, sauna, and outdoor pergolas, is hidden in the lush natural beauty of the highlands of Guatemala. Colorful Guatemalan textiles and handcrafts are used throughout the retreat center adding vibrancy and warmth 
to its inviting atmosphere. Villa Sumaya's world-class yoga hall and group room boasts a lake front location, full panoramic views, hardwood floors, a pyramid skylight and cascading garden waterfall. The restaurant at Villa Sumaya caters to vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. The cuisine is exceptional and created largely from fresh produce grown on the property. Villa Sumaya offers outstanding massage and bodywork treatments upon request. www.villasumaya.com
About Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlan was described by Aldous Huxley as the most beautiful lake in the world. Lago de Atitlán, as the Guatemalan's call it, is surrounded by craggy mountains and three majestic volcanoes. 
Formed by a collapsed volcano cone, the lake is 45 square miles and 320 meters deep, the deepest lake in Central America. Approximately fifteen villages lie on its perimeter, mainly inhabited by traditional Mayan peoples with a sprinkling of foreign settlers. The word "atitlan" is a Mayan word that translates as "the place where the rainbow gets its colors".
In the highlands of Guatemala, especially around Lake Atitlan, the Mayan culture still thrives. The spirit it invokes is the hidden gem of Guatemala, and makes this among the most interesting of destinations in the world. The Mayans are known for being friendly, funny, deeply connected to their earth-based spirituality, and welcoming of strangers. Visiting among them is an enchanting , heart-opening and life-changing experience.
"Laura has a great ability to gently guide and assist each participant in such a way that both the beginner and the experienced artist can each contact their own wellspring in order to bring out their creative expressions with enthusiasm and joyful energy. The group of women comes together in a mutually supportive way that intensifies the fun of the whole experience!"
~ Judith Nicolaidis, Professor of Art, Emerita, Southwestern College
Cost
$1,690 before December 5
$1790 after December 5
(does not include airfare)
What's Included?
- Lodging for 8 days, 7 nights, Shared Occupancy. Single accommodations are available for an extra charge, space permitting.
- Delicious vegetarian meals: Complete traditional or Guatemalan buffet breakfasts, international lunches, and lavish family style dinners each night. Chicken or fish are available for an extra $7 per meal.
- Transportation from Antigua to Villa Sumaya and back again via private mini van and boat.
- A complimentary evening hot tub or sauna.
- Guatemalan coffee, tea and purified water is available all day.
What's Not Included In The Price?
- Airfare to Guatemala City, Guatemala.
You will land in Guatemala City and be responsible for getting yourself to Antigua about 30 minutes away. Public transportation is available for about $8.00; a private taxi is about $30 and may be shared. - If you arrive in Guatemala on Friday, you will be responsible for your hotel in Antigua on Friday night. Moderate hotel rates start around $50 a night.
- A van will be taking our group from Antigua to Villa Sumaya around 1 pm on Saturday afternoon. If you choose to arrive in Antigua later than Saturday afternoon, you will need to arrange and pay for your own ground transportation from Antigua to Villa Sumaya via private mini van. The cost ranges from $30 to $80 depending on number of people traveling together. If you choose to stay at the Lake after the retreat is over then you will need to arrange and pay for your own ground transportation back to Antigua or the airport as well.
- Massages, energy work and other healing modalities are available at the retreat center by highly qualified professionals. Prices range from $ 65 to $ 75 per hour, plus 10 to 15% gratuity.
- Optional excursions at Lake Atitlán, which cost approximately $20-$30 each.
- Gratuity for staff atVilla Sumaya.
How do I register?
To reserve your space send a $350.00 non-refundable deposit to:Laura Hansen, 4560 Ladera Street, San Diego, CA 92107
How many people will be on the retreat?
This retreat will be limited to 12 participants.
Tentative Daily Schedule
This will give a general idea of the flow of our activities, however, changes will happen to accommodate weather, special activities, and the creative spirit!
Morning:
| 7: 00 am - 8:30 am | Yoga & Meditation |
| 8:30 am - 9:30 am | Breakfast |
| 10:00 am - 12:30 pm | Art Making session |
| 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm | Lunch |
Afternoon: |
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| 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm | Art Making, Journaling, Activities in Nature, Free Time, Excursions to Mayan Villages |
Evening: |
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| 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Dinner |
| 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Journaling |
"After having looked for a long time for a trip that would feed my art and soul- I found it in Guatemala with Laura. The experiences of learning new art techniques, practicing yoga, bonding with extraordinary women, interacting with a new culture full of color and spirit - my dream was fulfilled. It has been the one trip that helped to change me and is traveling within me still."
~ Debby Dunbar, Elementary Teacher
Logistics & Other Info
We want to help make your travel to and from Guatemala as easy and safe as possible. Please contact us with any questions, comments or concerns you may have at: laura@artandsoul.us.com
Air Transportation
- Airlines flying to Guatemala from U.S.A.: American , Continental, Taca.
- If you have frequent flyer air miles, this might be a good time to use them.
When To Arrive
We recommend arriving no later than the Friday before the retreat starts and staying Friday night in historic Antigua (about 30 minutes from the airport). You will land at Guatemala City airport and be responsible for paying for your transportation to Antigua, I can assist you in making a shuttle reservation. In a letter to follow registration, I will recommend a moderately-priced hotel for you to stay overnight in Antigua, and I can make these reservations for you if you wish.
Those who arrive on Saturday should land at the Guatemala City Airport no later than 10:00 am on Saturday and go straight to the designated hotel in Antigua. Our driver will pick us up there at 1:00pm to transportation us to the retreat center.
Assistance with Travel Plans
If you'd like assistance with your travel plans please call Isaac Hilpman at Exito Travel 1-800-655-4053, ext 8507 and tell him you are with Laura Hansen's retreat group. He can help you find a good flight.
Transport from Antigua to Villa Sumaya
Our driver will meet us at our hotel in Antigua at about 1:00 pm on Saturday. We will board a private bus for Panajachel on Lake Atitlan, about 2 hours away. A private boat will then take us across the lake to Villa Sumaya.
Departing
You may want to consider staying one or more extra nights at Villa Sumaya or Antigua after the retreat. If you have to fly out on Saturday, the day the retreat ends, we suggest a departure time of 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. or later, to give you plenty of time to get back to the airport. On Saturday morning, the day the retreat ends, we will arrange private transportation for the group to return to the hotel in Antigua or to the airport. For anyone choosing to stay extra nights at Villa Sumaya, transportation back to Antigua will not be included. Private transportation from Panajachel to Guatemala City or Antigua costs between $ 20-40 depending on the number of people traveling together; public transportation is about $20.
Weather
Clear and sunny. Cool, in the 60s, in the morning and evenings, going up to the 80's in the afternoons. Perfect for swimming in the lake!
Click here for the Art & Soul Photo Gallery of photographs from previous retreats.
"The Art & Soul Retreat in Guatemala cracked the creative door open for me. I was able to face and have an artistic 'conversation' with the part of me that Laura calls 'The Critic'. You know, it's that voice that tells you that what you do doesn't measure up...isn't good enough. Well, I have to say that by facing that "Critic" I have been able to make it much smaller and less important...and I've been able to have more FUN!"
~ Susan Warren, Weaver
"I went to Laura's Guatemala retreat without expecting anything in particular - mostly due to a demanding work life that doesn't allow for much time to think about anything except the professional work I love to do. What I got was the beautiful and magical surroundings of Lake Atitlan, a luxurious week of self-discovery, a reawakening of how music lives in my soul and body, new writing skills, a surprising affinity for yoga, and an emergence of my love of making art."
~ Karen Yoshino
SoulCollage®and Yoga Retreat at Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, New Mexico
September 7 - 14, 2010
“If you're ready for a creative journey that will alter your life for the better, there's no better guide for that journey than Laura. It would be a gift to your soul to be in her company.”
~ Jan Phillips, Author of Marry Your Muse
- Expand your creativity and nurture your artist's soul in community with other women
- Rediscover creativity as play
- Access your deep wisdom
- Come home to yourself
Come to the spectacular landscape where Georgia O'Keefe lived and created. We will make SoulCollage® cards and do other Expressive Art by day, journal in the evenings, hike in the canyons of the magnificent high desert, and visit the Native American artisan markets in Santa Fe.
Art making and creative expression can be practices in listening deeply to ourselves and coming home to that which is most true and essential in us. On this retreat we will be nurtured by the creative process, the beauty of nature, and the company of other women as we play and create in the high desert of the Southwest
Daily yoga will open our bodies, and outdoor meditation practices will support our creative unfolding and an effortless deepening of mindfulness, clarity, an
Throughout the week we will be working with SoulCollage®, a process of creating a personal deck of unique, collaged cards from found and personal images for the primary purpose of self-exploration, self-acceptance, and soul-tending. We will also be making our own journals and filling them with stories, observations, creativity, and musings, from our inner and outer journeys. For more information about SoulCollage®.
Absolutely no experience in art, writing or yoga is necessary.
This retreat will be led by Laura Hansen. The gentle morning yoga sessions will be taught by a certified yoga instructor.
Cost:
$1,525 before July 7
$1,625 after July 7
(does not include transportation to Ghost Ranch)
To keep this retreat intimate, the number of participants is limited to 12.
About Ghost Ranch and Casa del Sol in Abiquiu
In this land of shifting light, boundless skies and fused Native American and Hispanic cultures, the towering rock walls and vivid colors of Abiquiu are an oasis for renewal, retreat and transformation. Away from the main property of Ghost Ranch, down a private dirt road shared by Georgia O'Keefe's home, is the Casa del Sol Contemplative Retreat Center. Casa del Sol is an historic adobe hacienda built around a central courtyard overlooking the red rock cliffs and El Pedernal, the flat-topped mountain that O'Keefe painted often. It is a space that invites you to be still and listen within. It is an open-hearted setting where there is a heightened awareness of the landscape as teacher. It is a place of simplicity and beauty where the heartbeat of the desert is felt along with the presence of creation.
How do I register?
To reserve your space send a $350.00 non-refundable deposit to:
Laura Hansen, 4560 Ladera Street, San Diego, CA 92107
"When I gifted myself the SoulCollage® and Yoga Retreat at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico, I had no idea at the time how transformational it would be. Through art, yoga, dance, hikes in nature, lots of fun, tears, laughter and making my own SoulCollage® cards, I discovered I came home to myself for the first time in decades. It caught me by surprise and I am so grateful and excited to hear my soul sing again. I'd recommend that you run, not walk, to give yourself the gift of this experience. You'll be glad you did. I am!"
~ Doretta Winkelman, Director of Binational Education
San Diego Natural History Museum
To see photographs from previous Ghost Ranch retreats click here.
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Mindfulness Meditation and SoulCollage®: A Retreat for Mental Health and Health Care Professionals
Joshua Tree Retreat Center
Joshua Tree, CA
October 15 - 20, 2010
- Remember the hopeful idealism with which you began your career?
- What if you could recapture it?
- Remember how passionate you were about your work earlier in your professional life?
- Would you like to reconnect with that passion?
As mental health and health care professionals we are called upon not only to provide technical skills and expertise, but also to empathically attune to our patients and clients. Attuning to suffering without the necessary skills and inner resources can leave us both emotionally and physically depleted.
Join us for this workshop/retreat created especially for mental health and health care professionals. People in other professions are welcome as well.
- Renew and nourish yourself.
- Cultivate joy, resilience and ease of being.
- Re-connect with the heart and soul of healing.
In this retreat we integrate the practices of mindfulness meditation and the expressive art of SoulCollage® to refresh our spirits, and know again the heart and soul of healing.
Mindfulness Meditation involves being present to each moment of experience exactly as it is, without agenda or judgment. The practice of mindfulness reconnects us to the simple experience of being fully alive.
SoulCollage® is the process of creating a personal deck of unique, collaged cards from found images, for the purposes of creative renewal, exploring the depths of our inner lives, and self-acceptance. SoulCollage® is a fun, engaging and illuminating process that is all at once a form of creative play, self-care, and personal reflection. Absolutely no art experience is necessary. To learn more about the SoulCollage® process click here.
Each day there will be Mindfulness Meditation instruction, sitting and walking meditation, mindful yoga and SoulCollage® sessions. Through these alternating practices we will have the opportunity to investigate the interrelationships between silence, stillness, self-awareness and creativity.
"I came to nourish my artistic side and ended up nourishing my soul. My spirit is leaving well fed and ready to give to others in my very demanding human service career."
~ Kathy Randall, LCSW, Geriatric Care Manager
Cost
$975 before September 1
$1,075 after September 1
(Includes lodging for 5 nights and all meals)
CEU's will be available for LCSWs and MFCCs.
About the facilitators:
Steven Alper, LCSW, has taught Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at UCSD, Scripps, and in private practice since 1992; and training professionals in MBSR and mindfulness-based psychotherapies since 1998. He has over 30 years experience as a therapist and workshop leader, and has been practicing mindfulness meditation for 28 years. Steve is known for the warmth, enthusiasm and clarity he brings to his presentations; and for embodying mindfulness in his teaching and work with groups. His first book, Incorporating Mindfulness in Psychotherapy: a Practical, Integrative Guide for Clinicians, is scheduled for release in 2011. Steve's website is www.mettaconsulting.com
Laura Hansen, MSW, is an artist, Expressive Arts facilitator, and a former business executive. She leads workshops and retreats internationally in Intuitive Painting, SoulCollage®, and other Expressive Arts modalities. She is especially interested in the intersection of art and spirituality and creating environments where people can learn to listen to their intuition and rediscover how nourishing it is to engage in creativity as play. Her background includes a Masters in Clinical Social Work, a degree in Studio Arts, twenty years of yoga and Vipassana meditation practice, and graduate studies in Expressive Arts. She is a Master Facilitator of The Intuitive Painting Process and a Registered SoulCollage® Facilitator.
"If you're ready for a creative journey that will alter your life for the better, there's no better guide for that journey than Laura. It would be a gift to your soul to be in her company."
~ Jan Phillips, Author of Marry Your Muse
To register or for questions email us at:
laura@artandsoul.us.com or
salper@mettaconsulting.com
© 2008, Laura Hansen, All Rights Reserved
