September — Grounding & Routine

Movement: Rooted Stability

Wednesday, September 23rd at 7:00 PM

Ground through nature as you take your attention to a single creature, aspect, or object of the natural world. Connect with it through poetic writing and discover what messages it has for you. All you will need is writing material. Enhance your experience by joining this moment in an outdoor space.

Zoom details will be sent upon registration.

Seasonal Transition Retreat:
An Immersive Preparation for Winter

As the seasons shift, nature begins to slow. The leaves fall, daylight shortens, and the world gently invites us inward. Yet many of us resist this transition, pushing through exhaustion rather than embracing the rest our bodies naturally crave.

Join us for a three-hour immersive retreat designed to help you welcome winter with intention instead of dread. Together, we'll explore how to align with the rhythms of the natural world, quiet the mind, nourish the body, and create a meaningful relationship with the season ahead.

Led by clinical therapist Emily Braun, this experience combines guided reflection, discussion, gentle movement, meditation, journaling, and creative expression within a warm and supportive community.

Retreat Details

Date
Saturday, October 10, 2026

Time
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location
Bliss Bliss Bliss
3101 About Town Place
Morgantown, WV 26508

Investment
$115

Facilitated by

Emily Braun, MPA, MSW, LGSW
Clinical Therapist & Groups Coordinator

What You'll Experience

Throughout the morning, you'll discover practical ways to move into winter with greater ease and awareness.

Together we'll explore:

• Understanding the natural rhythm of seasonal transitions

• Reframing the conversation around winter and seasonal depression

• Guided reflection using Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May

• Restorative movement practices

• Meditation and mindfulness

• Guided journaling

• Poetry and creative expression

• Community discussion and connection

• Personal winter intention setting

This retreat is intentionally designed to leave you feeling grounded, supported, and prepared for the months ahead.

Your Winter Care Package Includes

• A copy of Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May

• Journal and pen

• Herbal tea

• Cozy seasonal comforts

• Retreat handouts

Retreat Purpose

Winter often brings changes that affect our emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing. Feelings of fatigue, grief, isolation, uncertainty, or simply feeling "off" are common during seasonal transitions.

Our intention is not to avoid winter, but to develop a healthier relationship with it.

Through guided practices, meaningful conversations, and quiet reflection, you'll gain tools that extend well beyond this retreat. You'll leave with practices that support greater peace, restoration, and resilience throughout the season.

Equally important is the opportunity to gather in community. We believe healing happens not only in solitude, but also through connection.

We're honored to welcome your story, your experiences, and your wisdom into this circle.

Retreat Itinerary:

Opening

9:00am Retreat Welcome, Agenda, Purpose, & Guidelines

9:10am Engagement & Introductions

• Share names

• Nature aspect connection 

9:20am Seasonal Flow Assessment 

• Review and rate your sense of wellbeing and mood among each season

• Experience share

9:35am  Winter, Wintering, and SAD

• The definitions of winter

• Wintering Reading & reflection 

• Letting go of the Seasonal Depression label

9:45am Winter Retreat Journaling & Share

Wintering Body

10:05am Wintering excerpt & Hibernation Discussion

10:20am Restorative movements

10:35am Recipe Swap & Midmorning Snack 

Restful Mind

10:50am Wintering excerpt & reflection, suggestions for cold connection

11:00am Cold Plunge Poetry Meditation 

11:10am Cold Plunge Journaling 

Reverent Soul 

11:20am Wintering excerpt & reflection

11:30am Accessing Your Essence 

• Hand movement

• Expressive dance 

11:45am Winter Intention Setting

Closing

11:50am Winter Intention Circle Round & Closing Mantra

October — Listen & Release

Movement: Cold Plunge

Wednesday, October 28th at 7:00 PM

Experience deep listening to the sensations, tensions, and needs of your physical body as messages from your nervous system through meditation and breathing practice. Inhale self-compassion and exhale what feels heavy with power and intention for emotional release and safety. Find yourself a comfortable place to sit or lie down for this moment.

Zoom details will be sent upon registration.

November — Gratitude & Connection

Movement: Communal Breath

Wednesday, November 25th at 7:00 PM

Move toward self appreciation and love for life in this moment using Poetry as a Tool for Wellness. Connect with quotes, poems, and enjoy a short acrostic poem practice. Writing material is all that’s needed.

Zoom details will be sent upon registration.

December — Rest & Patience

Movement: Deep Restoration

Wednesday, December 23rd at 7:00 PM

Give permission to your body, mind, and soul to slow down through light stretching and floor movement. The key here is mindful attunement to every little pull and stillness, moving only in ways that feel good, letting your awareness take you there. A space to lie down and stretch out is recommended.

Zoom details will be sent upon registration.