In Ceremony with the Natural World: A Deep Nature Retreat for Women
July 25 - 30, 2027, Ocamora Retreat Center, Northeastern New Mexico
Join Holos Director and Eco-therapist, Jan Edl Stein, MFT, for a deep nature-based retreat in northeastern New Mexico.
"Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond." ~ Robin Wall Kimmerer
There is a quiet place where the boundary between self and landscape begins to soften. This retreat is an invitation to enter it. Over our days together, we will treat the natural world not as scenery but as a living presence, one we meet with reverence, curiosity, and an open heart.
Our sacred bond with the natural world will be the guiding theme for this retreat. This is an invitation to reside in liminal spaces where awe, wonder and magic happens as we deeply explore the place where inner and outer landscapes reflect each other. The experience is an exceptional time to unwind, connect deeply with the natural world, expand the senses and discover our own bodies as that of the earth. Daily earth-based contemplative practices and imaginal journeys will open the senses to the natural world. You are invited to step away from media and news in order to deeply resource yourself and return to the outer world clear, grounded and empowered.
There will be some simple art and writing practices to express and support what we “see” and the connections we feel. Part of the retreat will involve solo time on the land and a practice of mindful silence.
In an (optional) morning dreamwork practice we can track the ways in which the natural world speaks to our psyche.
The retreat intends to bring a restoration of spirit, a sense of awe and love of the natural world, and a hopefulness as we approach our lives ahead.
For those who are interested in applications and philosophies of some of these practices in clinical or other healing modalities, Jan will offer optional didactic sessions. CA BBSE licenses are eligible to attain 8 CEU units. This program is an experiential module that satisfies (1/5) the of the Holos Institute EcoPsychology Certificate Program.
The retreat is hosted at the Ocamora Retreat Center, a private center on 265 acres of pristine land at 7500 ft. elevation in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Northeastern New Mexico. The center is remote, elegantly rustic, remarkably gorgeous and hosts a variety of astonishing wildlife. The land is simply magical. Accomodations range from an authentic adobe compound to yurts and wooden cabins in an old apple orchard. There is a meditation hall, art studio space, hot tub and pond on the property, with a creek running through the land and many miles of hiking. It is about a 2.75 hour drive from Albuquerque, 1.45 hours due east of Taos, and 2 hours NE of Santa Fe. Retreat participants will be connected with others as requested to share the effort and costs of rental cars/driving to/from the retreat center. The group will be small, with an average of 12 and a maximum of 18.
We are hoping to again have the extraordinary gift of Kirsten Kairos (“KK”) on Ocamora staff (and present throughout the week to support us), who will guide a Candlelight Sound Sanctuary on one of the evenings. This is an extraordinary offer of relaxation enveloped by sacred, subtle sound, including gong, bells, bowls, Native flute, handpan, and ethereal vocals. KK offers her 90-minute Candlelight Sound Sanctuary in a variety of venues across the country, inviting us to remember the importance of deep listening as we slow down to benefit the nervous system, increase the capacity of our senses, and elevate conscious awareness about living as part of this Web of Life.
Kirsten, founder of LightHorse Equine & Wellness, a 501c3, is a Creative Life Guide, Equine Gestaltist™ and GROF® Breathwork Facilitator as well as being an accomplished musician and performer. Her love of sound, movement and breath as both a soul expression and a healing modality has been cultivated through lifelong careers in music and transformative journeys. Partnered in practice with her horse, Ash, Kirsten is inspired by nature, multiculturalism, and inclusion, as she holds space for the release of trauma and the emergence of authenticity in all beings.
We will also be blessed by the additional support of Ann Brode in optional bodywork sessions. Ann is a longtime resident of Santa Barbara and recognized master in her field as a respected leader in the bodywork community. For over 50 years she has focused on the relationship of body, mind and spirit as it shapes the physical experience. In her early work with children she discovered that movement and non-verbal exercises can improve performance as well as self-confidence. She has developed a deep respect for the essential unity of body, mind and soul. Ann’s intuitive somatic healing sessions begin with a check in to identify issues and concerns. Gentle hands-on bodywork becomes an invitation to listen to the body and hear what’s going on and identify what’s ready to shift/heal. If helpful, the process can involve exploring a bit of relevant emotional history. Often, when the timing is right, simply identifying and connecting opens the door for letting go and moving on. Integration is facilitated through massage, rocking, breathing, moving, and visualizing. Being with people and facilitating healing through the soma, or body, is Ann’s life’s work!
Working with Ann is completely optional at this retreat. There will be a sign-up sheet upon arriving. Payment to Ann is direct and separate from the retreat fee. In past retreats everyone was deeply moved by her work and sought repeat sessions with her deeply integrated and profound approach. More info on Ann’s work here.
ACCOMMODATIONS: range from a charming adobe compound called "The Cloisters", to cabins, rooms, and yurts situated in an old apple orchard. All are somewhat ‘rustic’ but still quite well appointed, thoughtfully comfortable, and offer a sense of spaciousness and connection with the land.
CLOISTERS ACCOMMODATIONS: The Cloisters is a charming U-shaped adobe compound that feels very private and contained. In addition to the lodging rooms, there is a spacious library, a small kitchen (including stove, refrigerator, coffeemaker, dishes, etc), a shared bathroom (with private shower stall), and a covered outdoor seating area that includes a striking kiva fireplace. The patio area is centered around a beautiful old apple tree and perennial flower beds.
ORCHARD ACCOMMODATIONS: Orchard accommodations (rooms, cabins, and yurts) are all placed in relation to a 100 year old apple orchard. The view to the east is spectacular and includes the nearby mountain and fields. The feeling is vast and open. All spaces in the orchard are served by a spacious and clean solar bath house and a number of conveniently located outhouses.
Orchard rooms are under one roof. They are 4 single rooms and share a spacious covered terrace with a stunning view of the apple orchard and nearby mountain. All rooms include a single built-in bed/reading lamp, closet, writing desk /table lamp, etc. The patio is furnished with comfortable wicker furniture and a large coffee table. They are very private, quiet and offer a meditative feel while offering a spacious shared veranda.
The orchard cabin is a free-standing small cabin. It has a small front porch/bench and is furnished with a full-sized bed, night stand/lamp, closet, and writing desk /lamp. It can be used as a single or for a couple.
Yurts - There are three yurts: a 12', a 14 ' yurt, and 20' (double or triple occupancy) tucked back in the woods along the upper orchard path. Yurts are furnished with conventional wood frame beds and mattresses. The larger yurt can easily accommodate 2-3 people, and the smaller yurts are ideal for a single retreatant. The yurts do not have electric lights and are served by lanterns with rechargeable batteries.
Camping with one's own tent or RV is also an option but with very limited spaces.
MEALS
We serve delicious, hearty, healthy meals from dinner upon arrival on Sunday evening through lunch on Friday. Participants are free to bring their own food items to supplement, as there is a guest kitchen for storing and preparing items. We do our best to accommodate dietary preferences within reason for such a remote location. You can specify dietary needs in the registration form, and we will follow up.
Our solo day on the land will offer the option to fast or to pack a bagged lunch to go.
SCHEDULE
We will gather on Sunday, July 25 between 3:30- 4:15 pm, and the retreat will end on Friday, July 30 with a closing session that ends at 11:30 am followed by a lunch (option to prepare a bagged lunch) at noon. Most participants will leave by 1 or 2 pm at the latest. On most days, we will have an optional morning dream circle followed by a 3-hour session each morning and afternoon, with one day dedicated to solo time on the land. Some evenings will have a group gathering, but most will be open for casual conversations, art making, skygazing, hot tub soaking, etc.
FEE:
* Register and pay in full before January 10, 2027 for a $50 discount
$2380 Single room in Cloisters
$2140 per person Shared room in Cloisters (max 2 people/2 beds)
$2380 Single cabin in Orchard
$2310 Single room in Orchard
$2130 Single room in yurt
$1770 per person for shared room in large yurt (2 - 3 people) (3 bed yurt)
$1530 camping on own (discuss details with Jan)
Fees are inclusive of lodging, meals (dinner Sunday through lunch on Friday), art supplies, and tuition.
Not included in the fee are optional bodywork sessions, extra food for guest kitchen as desired (much appreciated), and tips for cook and support staff.
Transportation to and from the retreat center is at participants’ own cost and arrangement; however, we will support you in planning and arranging ride sharing /splitting the cost of rental cars. From past retreats, we find that this always works out very well! More details upon request or registration.
ADD-ON FEES:
CEU certificate (8 hours for California BBSE licensees) - ADD $50
REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY
Any cancellation received in writing or by email on or before April 15, 2027 will be fully refunded minus a $200 administrative fee.
Any cancellation received in writing or by email after April 15 but before June 1, 2027 will be refunded 75% of any fees paid.
Any cancellation received in writing or by email on or after June 1, 2027 is NOT refundable UNLESS your reserved space can be filled in which case we will refund 75% of fees paid.
REGISTER: Early registration is encouraged for priority lodging.
To register, please fill out this form. You will receive an email with payment instructions and other details within 3 days. Please reach out to Jan directly (@ jan@holosinsitute.net) if you don't receive a response within those 3 days or if you have more questions.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Continuing Education Credits This course meets the qualifications for 8 hours of continuing education credit for MFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavior Sciences. Holos Institute is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for MFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs.
Holos maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. Holos Institute is a CAMFT Approved CEU Provider #90905.
Participants taking this retreat for CEUs may be required to attend dedicated mealtime discussion sessions on ecotherapy applications.
At the end of this retreat, clinical (BBSE licensee) participants will :
be able to describe the philosophical position of ecopsychology
be able to list at least 3 ecotherapy interventions
be able to describe at least 3 outcomes of an ecotherapy approach
be able to design a nature-based clinical approach
be able to describe a perceptual experience as it relates to a therapeutic outcome
Be able to describe a mirroring practice that deepens and integrates a nature-based experience.
GRIEVANCES
Any grievances may be submitted via email to "events@holosinstitute.net". We will work with you to come to a reasonable resolution of your issue.
Retret leader, Jan Edl Stein, MFT, is a depth-oriented psychotherapist and ecotherapist in private practice who has lead many retreats and workshops over the last 35 years. Jan is the director of Holos Institute and co-teacher of the Ecopsychology Certificate Program. Jan has a sincere connection to the spiritual aspects of the natural world and long-time meditation and nature-based contemplative practice. Jan holds a strong ethos of loving-kindness, a reverance for the natural world and the creative collective unconscious, and a special attunement to the subtle levels of connection to all of life.