Women Empowered
Gabriola Island, BC
september 18 - 21, 2025
Just a short ferry ride from Nanaimo, our guesthouse and studio are tucked among the trees on Gabriola Island - on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. Known as “The Isle of the Arts,” Gabriola is a place of raw beauty, creative energy, and grounding coastal quiet.
Our retreat is just minutes from the ocean and surrounded by forest - a cozy, welcoming space designed for rest, connection, and strength-building. Here, we come together to move, train, and grow. Step away from daily demands and into an experience that will empower your body, sharpen your instincts, and reconnect you with yourself and others.
A Weekend of Reconnection – For You
Step onto the mat and into your strength
This powerful weekend blends movement, skill, and soul… designed to reconnect you with your body, your instincts, and a community of women rising together.
Train with purpose, move with heart, and leave with clarity, confidence, and renewed power.
YOUR RETREAT INCLUDES:
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Tucked away just a five-minute walk from the ocean on beautiful Gabriola Island, our cozy guest home offers all the simple luxuries you need to make your stay feel like a true retreat.
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Ground Up Café & Catering will be nourishing us with beautiful lunches and dinners, including vegetarian options and accommodations for food allergies. Each morning will begin with a buffet-style breakfast, and all beverages will be provided throughout the weekend.
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We’ll come together for three 90-minute empowerment sessions designed to build strength, confidence, and technical skill through focused training - including self-defence and kickboxing. You’ll leave feeling stronger, more capable, and powerfully grounded in your body.
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I’m aso honoured to welcome Mikaela Millington (www.mikmill.com) as a guest facilitator for this retreat.
Mikaela brings a deeply intuitive and grounded presence to her work - weaving together yoga, somatic awareness, and soul-centred reflection in a way that feels both expansive and profoundly restorative. She’ll be leading daily yoga sessions to help you stay connected to your breath and body throughout the weekend, as well as a closing Soul Circle to support integration, reflection, and deeper connection.
These practices will beautifully complement the empowered martial arts and self-defence training you'll receive - allowing you to move between strength and softness, fire and stillness, with intention and awareness. This full-spectrum approach creates space not only for skill and physical power, but also for healing, clarity, and embodied confidence.
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We’re incredibly fortunate to have such a rich and diverse creative community here on Gabriola - and I’m thrilled to include a special offering led by local artist and master craftsman Tony Grove (www.tonygroveartist.com).
Tony will guide us through a hands-on art class designed to spark creativity, presence, and self-expression - no experience needed. With his deep artistic expertise and grounded, inspiring teaching style, Tony brings a soulful layer to the retreat that invites us to slow down, connect, and create something meaningful with our own hands.
It’s a rare gift to learn from someone of his calibre, and I can’t wait to share this part of the weekend with you.
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NOT INCLUDED:
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Please arrive Friday afternoon
Gabriola Island is just a short ferry ride from Nanaimo Harbour. You can drive on - no reservation needed (though keep in mind it gets busy in the summer) OR walk on, and we’ll happily arrange pick-up and drop-off on the island.
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Gabriola offers plenty of fun activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, and biking. You’ll have some free time during the retreat, so if there’s something you’d love to explore, I’m happy to help you set it up.
This retreat package includes the private master bedroom with its own ensuite bathroom - a warm, restful space for two, complete with cozy beds and soft, beautiful bedding. All retreat experiences, meals, and sessions for both guests are included, so you can simply settle in and enjoy.
A cozy room for two, featuring soft, beautiful bedding and a warm, restful atmosphere. The bathroom is shared, but all other comforts are thoughtfully provided. Your stay includes all retreat experiences, meals, and sessions for both guests, so you can relax, recharge, and enjoy the weekend fully.
A bright and peaceful space for two, nestled above the main living area. With cozy bedding, soft lighting, and a calm, airy feel, it’s the perfect perch to rest and unwind. The bathroom is shared, and all retreat experiences, meals, and sessions for both guests are included. Simple, soulful, and just the right amount of tucked away.
A charming, rustic cabin tucked just a short stroll from the main guesthouse - your own peaceful hideaway for two. With warm wood accents, cozy touches, and all the essentials for a comfortable stay, it’s the perfect private retreat. Enjoy your own space while staying fully immersed in the weekend’s shared meals, sessions, and experiences.
If you’d like to bring a friend, a sister, or another daughter, you’re more than welcome - we’ll create a beautiful sleeping arrangement to make sure everyone feels comfortable and included.
Perfect for locals or those with a place to stay nearby, this option gives you access to all workshops, meals, sessions, and group activities throughout the weekend. Come immerse yourself in the connection, training, and empowerment, and then rest in your own space each night.