Hello Friend ~

The Autumn Equinox happens in late September each year.

I’m gathering a small group to envision the new season.

Join me for a three-day women’s retreat

September 19 through 21 in Taylor, TX

 
 
 

This opportunity may be for you if …

 

… you’ve heard about the benefits of retreat and you feel ready to dive in

… you’d like to have direct experience in the venues described below

… you’d enjoy a change of scenery for a few days 

… someone else doing meal prep and clean-up sounds good to you right now

… you’d enjoy hanging out in a friendly community — with time alone built in

… you’re ready for a potentially life-altering experience facilitated by an experienced leader

… you’re free September 19 through 21

 
 

~ Who I Am ~

Kathryn Thomas, Ph.D. (Education, 1996)

In 1999 I attended my first women’s retreat in Mount Shasta, California.

It changed my life. Forever.

Since then, I have enjoyed and benefited from retreats with various themes: conscious movement forms including yoga and dance, meditation, communication skills, enneagram study, nutrition and healthy eating, nature, and spiritual practice — most of which overlap, in my experience.

I started co-facilitating retreats in 2004, learning directly from master teachers how to help women relax and enjoy practicing new skills and gaining new perspectives. 

In 2014 I began leading retreats on my own — in borrowed or rented spaces. Now — beginning in Summer 2024 — I have a venue that provides the beautiful, comfortable, private, safe, clean retreat space I’ve been seeking: Taylor Cottage.

I am over-the-moon happy about this … and I’m eager to welcome women to join me there.

 
 

~ What You Can Expect ~

An experience uniquely designed for participants

The flavor of each retreat will reflect the tastes and preferences of participants. I’ll check in advance to gauge your interest in these experience options and design the retreat’s emphasis accordingly.

 

Mindfulness and presence

meditation, breath work, and journaling

We will hold these — and all our practices — lightly. No prior experience or special abilities are required for any of them.

Just show up with a journal and pen you like for writing (or for drawing, or for scribbling, or for stabbing holes in pages) and with your body for breathing and sitting.

Healing movement

yoga, freeform dance, and play

I encourage you to bring your beginner mind — or, perhaps, your years of experience in movement — as we explore ways to nurture and heal ourselves playfully and with light hearts through yoga and freeform dance. Absolutely no prior training is required. Whatever you bring is welcome, and it is where you begin.

 
 
 

Self-inquiry

using the enneagram

and

the rain of compassion

My favorite self-inquiry tool — the enneagram — incorporates ages-old wisdom into modern usage.

Unfamiliar with it? Want a taste? This summary provides several options for dipping in.

A powerful adjunct tool we will explore is Tara Brach’s RAIN of Compassion. In my experience, this pairs nicely with the awareness gained from enneagram inquiry.

For those who are interested, I offer pre-retreat enneagram typing interviews and post-retreat coaching.

 
 
 

~ Details and Logistics ~

 

  • The Fall Equinox retreat takes place Friday lunchtime September 19 through Sunday September 21 mid-day.

    Note: You may arrange to arrive before the retreat date and/or stay after the retreat ends if …

    • you would like to work privately with me on a topic or to have a particular experience.

    • you would like private time by yourself or with another person.

    • you would like to reduce your cost by helping me prepare the space in advance and/or restore the space after the retreat ends.

  • Taylor, Texas is located 45 minutes NE of Austin. Retreat activities take place at Taylor Cottage, located in an historic neighborhood.

    I will help you sort out arriving in Taylor. The closest airport is Austin-Bergstrom. Alternatively, Amtrak stops in Taylor if you enjoy train travel.

  • There are three good options I can recommend. The first two are an easy walk to the Cottage. (Note: this is not an exclusive list. You may find something else you like if you search.)

    Women who live nearby may join us for the day and go home to sleep. Depending on traffic, the commute from nearby communities such as Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Manor, Hutto, and Elgin is less than an hour.

  • The base cost to participate in all activities is $350 USD for the entire retreat. Meals are included; lodging is separate.

    If you make arrangements with me to arrive early and/or to stay after the retreat ends, you can choose to stay with me at the Cottage and the price per night is negotiable. Let’s talk.

    If you are strongly motivated to participate but the cost is beyond your current budget, let's DEFINITELY talk.

 
 
 

So, what about …

… my special dietary needs? 

We’ll plan in advance so that meals are safe for you to eat.

Or you are invited to bring what you need and prepare your meals on-site.

Or you can bring your own prepared meals.

Fortunately, the kick-ass kitchen in the retreat space can accommodate more than one chef. The fridge is spacious and there is room in the freezer for what you need.

… my physical limitations? 

We’ll plan in advance to work with whatever you bring. All bodies are welcome, provided that yours can navigate short flights of steps at both entrances to the Cottage.

… my need for privacy ?

I enjoy the experience of intimate conversation, and I like to keep distractions to a minimum so that we can engage in deep personal growth work. Thus my retreats are limited to eight women, plus me.

And … one of the participation options is to stay offsite — at home, for local women, or at a nearby hotel or bnb. In such cases, I will help arrange for any transportation that might be needed.

 
 

~ Kind Words for Kathryn ~

“Kathryn’s experiences are a lift for my spirit. She holds a beautiful space — a judgement-free zone where I can be myself ...”
— J.B.
 
“Kathryn has superpowers of empathy, leading to an ethereal but balanced wisdom. She has served as mentor to many through her deep study of the enneagram. In my view, she is the perfect guide, embodying experience, knowledge, and good judgment.”
— H.S.
 
“I encourage women to try this experience because it feels safe, natural, and authentic. There is no comparison, competition, or judgment — it’s open and supportive. ”
— L.K.
“When I show up and move in our community, I’m reminded how much more alike we are as human beings than we are different. After my practice, I often notice a real connection to my body and a lift in my spirit.”
— B.E.

Ready to join?

Note: The above button will take you to my PayPal account page. There you can enter the amount you are paying and click send.

 
 

Questions?

Contact me at kathryn@wellwisestrong.com.

I would LOVE to talk with you about how a women’s retreat might benefit YOU.