How to Host A Retreat During COVID-19
When I launched this business in February of 2020, never in a million years did I think a global pandemic would hit, causing me to rethink my entire business model.
I launched with the idea Balanced Roots Retreats would consist of intimate weekend retreats for women in beautiful, woodsy locations. While this is still the experience I dream to host again, it’s something that can’t happen right now. COVID-19 has forced me to take a good look at my business plan, and figure out what I CAN do in the crazy world we’re living in.
September 19th was the first day I was able to host an in-person retreat since February. Connecting with women in-person and creating an experience for them to do something good for themselves is my mission; so to say I was excited was an understatement.
After all, I believe God put me on this Earth to create connection and change for women through beautiful experiences.
What do you do at a half-day retreat?
There are six main pieces to our retreats that we believe create the best experience. Those pieces are: mind and body wellness, creative play, food experience, life-coaching, intimate group sizes, and beautiful, outdoor locations. While it’s not always possible to include all of these elements during a four-hour, half-day retreat, we always include a few of these elements.
During Flow into Fall, we focused on mind and body wellness, food experience and life-coaching. This allowed for enough time for introspection, nourishment of the body and soul, and time for fun and connection.
Mind and Body Wellness
For the first 90-minutes, we partnered with Jessie, one of the founders of Runa Yoga, located in Duluth, Minn. Jessie led guests through a beautiful practice of yoga and meditation, leaving them in a state of zen. It was a beautiful sight to see watching guests meditate with the sun shining down on their faces, looking out over the city of Duluth.
Food Experience
We decided to serve brunch instead of lunch, because who doesn’t love a good brunch? With a little help from Dovetail Cafe, we offered guests vegetarian and regular quiche, mixed greens, fruit, pastries, coffee, sparkling water - and of course a little bubbly.
Life-Coaching
Depending on the group, many guests are at different experience levels when it comes to their exposure to life coaching. In this case, some guests had never heard of it, and some had been coaching for 5+ years. In partnership with Ang Stocke Coaching, we worked together to create a program that would introduce our newbies, while nourishing the souls of our veterans.
Guests completed the Wheel of Life exercise, which we also complete during our part 1 journal and meditation course. Guests also completed a “Tolerations” exercise, bringing a new awareness to different parts of their lives where they might be expending energy. This exercise is offered during our part 2 journal and meditation course.
How do you host a retreat during COVID-19?
This particular half-day retreat was hosted outdoors, where guests could be socially-distanced. There were 4 guests, along with 3 facilitators, so there was plenty of room for people to stay 6-ft apart.
Guests were not required to wear masks, as we were in an outdoor space with plenty of room, but they certainly could if they wanted to.
Each guest completed a COVID-19 questionnaire before the event began.
All food and drink were individually served; nothing was shared.
There was plenty of hand-sanitizer, scattered about for guests to use as they desired. It was required for use post-yoga, pre-brunch.
Each item used by the guests was sanitized prior to the event.
Guests brought their own yoga mats, blankets, and pillows.
What’s next?
I have one more in-person half-day retreat planned for 2021, which will be a yoga and wreath-making workshop on Saturday, December 5, 2020.
It’s hard to say what will be safe during the winter in Minnesota, but I can tell you that I’m working on some really amazing partnerships so I’m able to offer digital retreats throughout the Winter months. (I’m REALLY EXCITED about a digital workshop with Ang Stocke Coaching taking place in January 2021; it’s going to be AMAZING!!!)
Self-Care is Essential
If you’re from the Midwest, or anywhere that is prone to harsh Winters, you might be feeling a little more anxiety than usual as we head for another year of uncertainty. There are a few things I want to remind you:
Remember that it is always important to take care of yourself.
If that means that you get up 10 minutes earlier so you can have 10 minutes of time to yourself, do that. If it means spending 1-hour a day exercising, enjoying your coffee, and writing in your journal; do that. Whatever self-care means to you, please take time to nourish your mind, body, and soul. Ask for help when you need it. Hire a cleaning lady. Call up Nosh and Gather to bring you heat and eat meals for the week; do what you need to do to have time for you. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t have anything left in your tank to give to others.
You have permission to take care of yourself.
