a creative retreat for women who desire to know and love themselves well
* Spring 2026 • Sold Out • Story Below *
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For those who say yes before you know the ending.
Here, we make things
without asking them to behave.
Here, we write into what’s stirring,
opening doors you didn’t know were waiting to embrace you.
Here, the body is a wise companion
who remembers joy long before she remembers rules.
Be the first to know about the next retreat.
What happened when twenty women said yesThis retreat has come and gone, yet it’s left us something beautiful and lasting. Hosted by a collective of kind women, we set out to remember what is possible and what is magical about this precious life—in a world where that’s needed.
A creative process retreat is a joyful gathering where art-making, writing, movement and meditation become ways of listening, exploring, and connecting. Blending the generative openings of a creative workshop with embodied presence, we formed a living circle where everyone brought something to the center.
On Friday we arrived from many lives—from motherhood and midlife, long careers, thresholds, endings that cleared space and new beginnings. Together we held grief, tentativeness, laughter, love, and more laughter. We built a fire. We told truths. By Sunday , we exceeded all of our hopes.
Through intentionally crafted “play”shops, time in nature, relaxed nervous systems, shared meals and star-filled skies, insights and connections emerged naturally—which affirmed this kind of intentional retreat is especially nourishing for women in seasons of transition, reflection and renewal.
in thier own words
“My heart feels light. My soul feels full. It’s like a warm hug from a loving family. I’m nourished by genuine time for myself and creative expression in the art and writing sessions.”
—Ashley L, 2026 circle participant
“I encountered trust in a real way. Trust in the earth to bring me back to joy, trust in my "sisters" to understand me better, and trust in the decisions I have to make. This was a magical, and energizing retreat. This was my first adventure on one of Shari’s retreats. Let me just say that I didn’t want it to end. I’m back home now and feeling more empowered to take better care of my soul and nurture my creativity. This retreat gave me that motivation, and I’m grateful.”
— ANNA K, 2026“I have a clearer vision of my next chapter of life. My body feels different—less pain, more rested, and the somatic holding practice dissolved a trigger point that my PT has been working on for a month! The writing session opened a door for me. I will take that home and keep writing. The group of women was awe inspiring.”
— LEAH K, 2026“I work in a male-dominated industry and I am the Mom and “man” of my home. Vulnerability is not a trait I am comfortable showing outside of a very small circle. Being able to share pieces of myself in such a safe, supported space feels life changing. I didn’t realize how much I was missing genuine feminine connections. I am so much lighter in not just my body, but also my soul!”
— Rebecca P, 2026
“I feel expansive in my capacity to form deep and meaningful connections. I’ve been longing to explore parts of myself that are more free, creative and fun-loving, and I feel more alive in these parts of myself now.”
—Susan B, 2026 circle participant
Over a decade of women's retreats · 2,000+ participants · multiple locations worldwide
HOW THE WEEKEND unfolded-
Arrival & settling in
Welcome circle & forest walk
Dinner
Filling the Well
This guided somatic session invited us into deep rest through slow, spacious movement. Drawing from gentle yoga, grounding breathing practices and releasing bodywork, we supported the nervous system in settling and restored a felt sense of ease in the body. The experience was low-effort and supportive, creating space for held tension to transform into resilient energy. -
Morning meditation & breakfast
Gentle movement practice & community circle
Connecting to the Source of Creativity
This guided process art session invited us into creativity as an intuitive, hands-on process rather than a skill to master. Using mixed media art materials, we explored collaborative exercises and personal work, co-creating a space that invited each of us to connect with our hearts, our bodies, our creative energy and what brings us joy. Exercises were followed by gentle inquiry and debrief, offering space to reflect and integrate insights.Lunch
Open afternoon (naps, hikes, wandering, spontaneous offerings)
A Held Writing Space
This guided creative writing session was designed to offer self discovery in a non-performative space. We began with a few short readings to inspire, followed by writing prompts offered in two parts: a “free write” in shared space, and then individual time to develop the piece of writing that holds the most energy. The prompts provided structure for writing from the heart and from memory, with an emphasis on physical senses, inviting both deeper integration of one’s life path and the joy of creating a written work of art.Dinner
Bonfire under the stars
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Morning meditation & breakfast
Gentle movement practice & integration circle
Bon voyage!
(This itinerary is representative — the next weekend creative process retreat will follow a similar rhythm.)
We welcomed women in every season of life. No prior experience needed in art, writing or movement modalities.
Resting on 25 acres and held by national forest on two sides, this women’s retreat was offered at a mountain sanctuary near Asheville, NC, with sweeping views of Mount Mitchell and the Black Mountain range—an open-air backdrop that invited wonder and presence.
Cozy lodges and luxury suites felt perfectly at home among winding creeks and forest trails. Mornings found us lingering over tea, afternoons wandering into waterfalls hikes, and evenings easing into rest and laughter around a crackling fire.
It was a place to breathe, to make, to write—and ultimately, to belong: with yourself, with the land and with the circle of women who gathered beside you.
YOUR RETREAT HOSTS
Lisa Bliss is a lifelong explorer of creativity, both in her travels around the world and in her artistic pursuits at home.
A clinical law professor by profession and Fulbright Scholar, Lisa brings an open, curious spirit to all she does—whether guiding students, wandering through far-flung art museums, or working in her studio with found objects, papers, and paint.
As a co-founding member of a beloved craft group that has been gathering for over 25 years, Lisa has immersed herself in a wide range of media, including jewelry-making, quilting, mixed media, papier-mâché, painting, and found-object sculpture. Her collections—pottery, rusty metal, and natural artifacts—serve as both inspiration and material for her work, reflecting her deep appreciation for texture, form, and the stories behind objects.
In her personal life, Lisa is in a place of reinvention and growth as part of her healing journey.
On retreat, she led a hands-on creativity session designed to spark playful exploration and self-expression. Lisa’s approach is inclusive, tactile, and rooted in the belief that everyone has a wellspring of creativity waiting to be tapped. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or simply curious, her session invited you to see familiar materials—and yourself—in a new light.
After a career in executive recruiting, Kelly Knowlton has returned to what she loves: writing and teaching writing.
She leads writing retreats and writing groups through an organization for psychoanalysts and other mental health professionals who want to develop their writing. These retreats have taken place on Cape Cod and on Whidbey Island. She also leads mini writing retreats in homes, most recently in Seattle. She never stopped writing, but has returned to it in a more intentional way. Her essay, “Moorings,” is forthcoming in 2026 in The Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association (JAPA).
Kelly explains that writing heals her when she lets it take her where it needs to go.
Her writing, she’s been told, makes the reader feel “safe to be human,” and that exchange is the most satisfying feeling she’s ever known. At this retreat, Kelly offered a writing experience that creates expressive space for reconnection with yourself.
Kelly has a B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of California at Santa Cruz and an M.A. in Creative and Professional Writing from the University of Minnesota. She was the first recipient of the Paul Bowles Fellowship in Fiction at Georgia State University. Before shifting to a corporate career, she taught writing at the University of Minnesota, the University of Cincinnati, Eastern New Mexico University, and Georgia State University.
Shari Foxis a movement and meditation teacher, retreat leader, and mother who sees our personal and collective journey as an unfolding myth still being written. She believes in protecting the sacred from the noise of everyday life.
With over 20 years of experience guiding retreats and women’s groups, Shari has worked extensively in yoga, somatic care, holistic psychology, and embodiment-based inquiry. She is an E-RYT, Yoga Teacher Trainer, Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider, Certified Enneagram Teacher and the founder of Soul Nourish, a celebrated international retreat company.
Shari is known for creating environments that feel both grounded and alive—where bodies express their wisdom, creativity returns, and we remember how to listen to ourselves.
She is the creator of Field of Wildflowers, which began as an experiment in prioritizing one’s inner life and wellbeing. Her work centers on presence as a pathway to ease, resilience, and self-trust.
For this weekend retreat, she promised herself to set aside the struggle of what she can’t control—and to be too busy dancing anyway. She’s excited to participate in a women-led community and extend invitations to experience belonging that is felt in the bones.
Come closer, I’ll tell you a truth that feels like freedom—the process itself is where joy comes to life.
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Wildflowers Bunk Suite
Modern cabin suite with two shared bunks and ensuite bath
♥️ Our favorite feature: Feels like fireflies in the summertime!
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Friends Suite
Large suite with a queen plus bunk beds and ensuite bath
♥️ Our favorite feature: Space for cozy gatherings with friends who feel like family.
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Loft Lodge Suite
Warm and spacious, two private rooms with ensuite baths
♥️ Our favorite feature: This lounge area calls for tea, blankets, and good conversations.
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Private Lodge Suite
Thoughtfully appointed with a king bed and ensuite bath
♥️ Our favorite feature: Mountain views—from your bed!
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Luxury Private Lodge Suite
Forest porch, plush living room, queen bedroom and ensuite bath
♥️ Our favorite feature: Peaceful, quiet moments are the ultimate luxury.
The next circle is forming.
We’ll be announcing the next retreat date to our waitlist first:
Hi! I’m Shari. Thanks for coming by and making yourself a priority.
I’m here for us—and for the inner life of women. (As a mom, wife, creator, and collector of way too many unread books and unused art supplies, I get it.) Want to connect offline, interested in working together, or have a question about retreat? Share a few details below and I’ll be in touch soon. I can’t wait to hear from you.
What people are saying
“Shari has a superb ability to ask exactly the right question at the right moment, in a way that helps me see what’s going on beneath the surface. She is dedicated to the truth, presence, and what’s real, and her insights and teachings always help me contact my Essence and listen to it. I love the way she blends movement and meditation with the Enneagram for a truly unique experience.”
— Women’s retreat guest, 2016
“If you are seeking space to shed all pretenses and reconnect with the essence of who you are and who you aspire to be—this is the place.”
“Shari teaches a skill that is essential to the core of our very being. Thank you for sharing your love, support and kindness. Thank you, too, for the multi-pronged approach: experiential, theoretical, reflective, scientific, spiritual and interactive. I appreciate the breadth and depth.”
— Sarah, 2015
“I want to be part of the shift as well as an agent for the shift that I believe is happening all around us. I come on retreat to find space, to re-energize, to connect with Self and the Source within, and to expand and grow through fellowship with other women. Being with women who are like-minded and soulful is comforting, normalizing, and magnifying to the divine nature of the feminine. I enjoy the opportunity to be deep, I enjoy the chance to be playful and have fun, and I think the group sharing is invaluable.”
— Laura H, 2015
“Being with Shari is like the deep inhale of crisp, clean air on a mountain peak. Restorative, inspirational, and life giving to all the nooks and crannies of the soul that have been waiting to hear, ‘I see you.’ Her insight and intentions pave the way for transformation for anyone ready to receive.”
“First...thank you! You opened and connected me to my so long forgotten heart center. Thank you just doesn’t seem enough. Even more importantly, I was able to be fully authentic and present in your safe space. I anticipate being able to move forward with gratitude. ”
— Rebecca A, 2017
“Life changing, life affirming! It was a safe space to be vulnerable with the many experiences we are all dealing with in our daily lives. Shari is the most generous, loving, open facilitator. Everything was greater than I could have ever imagined. Thank you!”
— Cynthia P, 2018
“Knowing my Enneagram type, I was hesitant to sign up for the retreat without seeing the agenda, and I’m so glad I took the leap. I can truly say this community and soul + body work has filled my cup. I know I'm going home much stronger and with a present slate of mind, which is a great gift to myself (and my family). Forever grateful to my soul sisters.”
— Lori F, 2019
“I came in feeling depleted, exhausted, so tired from work and relationships. I now feel completely balanced; my cup is full and running over with all of these amazing women and being able to gather wisdom from all different walks of life. I feel strong and ready to take on the outside world…I love it! I’m taking back incorporating breath into everyday. Just to sit, be where I am, notice my steps when I'm walking, be present and slow down. It was joyful, peace-giving, energizing and full of friendship!”
— Sarah, 2018
“Something special from this retreat was an understanding of vulnerability. I’ve been inspired to be more vulnerable, because it will lead to deeper connections. I’ve read about this and yearned to be vulnerable, but here on retreat I actually experienced and practiced it. That was life-changing.”
— Kelsey C, 2019
“This retreat was a rebirth for me. I’ve done many activities in the past to understand what kind of leader I am and what my personality is, but this was the first time I actually saw who I am as a person and what motivates me. The connections I’ve made with a diverse group of women & the meaningful programs have truly been a blessing. Everything is brighter and more beautiful!”
—Makesha, 2019
“I arrived stressed and anxious and your meditation did wonders to my body and soul. Something you said really hit home: ‘you invite relation, you dont force it.’ I think I was definitely trying to ‘force it’…I have 10 minutes, I really need to relax, relax relax relax. Perhaps that is why it wasn’t working…or it just seems to work a lot better with you and your gentle voice. I am deeply grateful for these precious moments.”
—Julie A, 2020
“I wanted my ‘self’ back and your retreat reunited me with her once again. Shari’s nourishing loving energy reconnected my spirit to the softer, sweeter side of life… When our yoga session ends and I go into savasana with her special breathing exercises, Shari's touch on my forehead is gentle and caring. As she instructs me to relax parts of my body, I can truly feel myself MELTING. Thank you.”
— Women’s retreat guest, 2013
“Hard to believe for myself that after 10+ years of the Diamond Approach I'm still a woman of few words... but gratitude, warmth & compassion runs deep in me. Thank you for all the effort you put into making this a loving and kind world. Thank you for giving us space to feel safe as we explore our inner world.“
— Kim, 2016
“You have gathered the most magical circle in the most magical of places. My roots are stronger and deeper. My body and senses are nourished. My heart overflows like the chalice. I’m home now and experiencing such a profound reset. Merci, merci beaucoup! ”