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Coming Home To Self

An Intimate Personal Leadership Retreat for Women

September 11-15, 2021
Thompson-Nicola Valley, BC 

Imagine...

… sitting in an Adirondack chair, sipping your coffee on 80 acres at the base of the mountains.

Epona Rise Retreat Center is a spectacular backcountry lodge nestled in paradise – along Heffley Creek at the base of Tod Mountain in British Columbia. Close to Kamloops, BC in the Thompson-Nicola Valley, this property is home to a herd of 25 rescue horses – adding to the mystical beauty and magic of the land and experience.  

The serenity of the property and mountain setting is the perfect backdrop to your deluxe 5-day retreat led by Laura Foster. This is an intimate experience for 15 women.
 
Laura is excited about this once-in-a-lifetime retreat experience and has carefully curated the most incredible offering for you to fully retreat from the busyness of your daily life and allow yourself to be pampered and nourished at the level of your soul.
 
Ahhhhh …. anyone else feel an internal call-to-action to gather and connect with like-minded women?
 
This program marries Laura’s innate nurturing of one’s soul through yoga and mindfulness with her passion for helping others to step into their deepest truth and greatest sense of self. Whether we are hiking through the trails of Tod Mountain, meditating along the mountain streams or engaging in an equine-assisted learning session with the herd of rescue horses, you will feel yourself peel away the layers of no longer and welcome in the new, more aligned version of who you are. 
 
The seclusion and unparalleled vistas make Epona Rise Retreat Center an incredible place to de-stress, unwind and breathe in the mountain air. In late summer, Epona Rise provides a beautiful backdrop for solace, inner connection and transformation. 
 
Imagine rolling out your yoga mat alongside your cabin or in front of the lodge with a view of the mountains. Experience meditation and quiet mindfulness as we hike through the trails of the property work on designing the life that is deeply aligned with your heart’s desires. 
 
This retreat will allow your heart and head to connect in a way that you may have never experienced before and will leave you feeling grounded, connected and powerful in your being.

What 's Included

Along with the extraordinary location and obvious mountain serenity, your retreat includes…

  • Yoga – Daily yoga classes  that will range in style and focus. You do not need to be a seasoned yogi for this program. Each one of Laura’s classes explores the space between effort and ease and is meant for every woman who shows up on the mat. Each class will explore the balance between flow, presence, breath and balance.
  • Coming Home To Self – Throughout our time together Laura will lead group self-mastery sessions that will facilitate a deeper dive into the construct of your own life and your own sense of self. In a curious way you will be asking yourself the questions that we often don’t get the time to ask ourselves and creating space for what bubbles up. You will find these short workshop sessions are a beautiful integration of what comes forth from 5 full days of connection and soulful awareness. 
  • Meals – Be ready for an incredible farm-to-table dining experience that focuses on local suppliers and fresh produce. The retreat is working collaboratively with a personal chef who will make you feel nourished and supported throughout your retreat experience. Our chef can accommodate most dietary preferences; please let us know at the time of booking if you have any requirements.
  • Accommodations – 8 boutique cabins set amongst the 80-acre property. Each cabin has two beds (double or queens), a shared full bath, coffee maker, small fridge, towels + premium bed linens. There is Wifi in the main lodge.
  • Two Group Equine Sessions – As a group we will experience two equine-assisted learning experiences led by CEO + Founder of Epona Rise, Hillary Schneider. These sessions are facilitated by a herd of 25 rescue horses and in a word – WOW. Equine sessions are done on the ground, so no previous horse experience is necessary. This is a beautiful opportunity to engage in a deeper place of self reflection and transformation. Be open to gaining greater clarity and empowerment of where you are seeking it; horses are a medium of personal development, self reflection and strengthening our awareness in ourselves personally and professionally. You will feel seen, heard and held by this experience.
  • Hiking – There is absolutely no way we can be in this landscape without venturing into the neighbouring trails. There will be optional group hiking during our time together – bring your day pack + hikers.
  • Free time for your own pursuits that may range from exploring, hiking, reading, enjoying games + connection in the main lodge or indulging in the vastness of the land, there is plenty of space to play … or simply BE.

Pricing & Accomodations

To establish a true sense of peace and serenity, there are no televisions or WiFi in the individual cabins.
 
There are 8 boutique cabins and each shared cabin has two beds (double or queen), ensuite bathroom, premium linen and duvets, a coffee maker and small fridge.  Each cabin has a patio and chairs.
 
The main backcountry lodge has plenty of room to gather and relax by the wood burning fire, couches, floor-to-ceiling windows, billiard table, wrap around porch with Adirondack chairs or patio area.
 
WiFi is available in the main lodge and cell phone signals are accessible throughout the property. 
 
All pricing is in Canadian Funds and includes all taxes and gratuities (per person pricing)\ $1950 pp*
 
* $1000 deposit in August and remainder payable by Sept 5, 2021

What's Not Included

Retreat price does not include transportation to and from Epona Rise Retreat Center, travel insurance or additional activities such as massage or additional private one-on-one equine sessions.

About Your Host

Dr. Laura Foster

“Is this it?”

Have you ever felt like there has to be more to life than what you’re currently experiencing – even if your life is pretty damn good and you have much to be grateful for?

Do you sometimes feel the intense weight of the world sinking into your shoulders and this feeling that you are being called to something more?

Or maybe it’s just me (I know, it’s not just me)

You want to dig deeper—into who you are … the dark + the light, and especially the relationship you have within yourself. You feel the rise of empowerment within you and you want to fuel what’s possible – even if you’re not exactly sure what that means or looks like.

After being a chiropractor for nearly 25 years I felt the internal call-to-action to retire my license, sell my clinic and rise into the woman that I have been becoming for a very long time. 

And now, I’m Soul Inspired Gurl – personal leadership coach to women, yogi, retreat leader, founder and creator of the epic 10-wk ROOTS program and ongoing Sisterhood. I see you. I feel many of your feels and above all, I honour you. 

I know you are special. We both are. We are spiritual beings doing our best to have an extraordinary human existence and sometimes this can feel difficult and even lonely. I know that in addition to our heart-led lives we are also on a journey of Coming Home To Self and Gurl, that’s where I know the magic truly happens.

 

I’m here to empower you to gain the clarity you seek, let go of limiting beliefs and speak your truth, so you can step into the power of the woman you are becoming.

I believe that our soul work is our greatest work and also our most rewarding. It’s where joy, passion and inspiration reside and when we take the time to create the space and opportunity to connect with that part of ourselves, we become grounded in who we are. Self compassion lays the groundwork for your greatness … and Sister, this is what we are each here to remember. 
 
This retreat is a beautiful exploration of Coming Home To Yourself in your unique, intuitively led way. 

Frequently Asked Questions

We welcome all beginner yogis and no experience is necessary. 
 

Please let us know upon booking – we are able to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and most food sensitivities.

If you are a single registrant – awesome! We have found that over 50% of the individuals who sign up for our retreats are coming alone so do not worry if this is something you’ve never done before. We may arrive solo, but we will move throughout the week as a mini-tribe of beautiful souls. The women you meet during this weekend will likely become life-long friends.

To be completely wowed and leave feeling like you’ve given yourself the biggest gift ever. That’s a bold statement – I know, but after hosting many retreats in various settings I am accustomed to the magic that happens in a retreat.

Retreats are inherently different than vacations. On the surface it may look a lot like an all-inclusive style vacation, but once you arrive you’ll start to settle into the glorious routine of taking space and time to unroll your yoga mat, breathe deep, expand outwards and enjoy the process that unfolds. The workshops and classes are like icing on a soulful adventure.

Bring your open heart and sense of fun and you’ll be sure to have an incredible time (and if you feel inspired to truly unplug – be prepared to set down your technology while you are here).

Epona Rise Retreat Center is in Heffley Creek, BC – 40 minutes from Kamloops in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. 

Many retreat participants will be able to drive to the retreat center or will choose to fly into Kamloops International Airport (YKA). West Jet, Air Canada, Delta, Pacific Coast Airlines and Central Mountain Air all fly in and out of this airport.

You may also choose to fly into Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and drive 4.5 hours or to Kelowna International Airport (YLW) and drive 2.5 hours. 

Currently, there are no federal travel restrictions between provinces.

Provincially, there are no restrictions on travel or quarantining in British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan or the Yukon. 

There is also no current mask mandate for the Thompson Region where this retreat is located. 

The Epona Rise Retreat Center and your retreat host utilize all standard health and cleanliness precautions.

It is up to you to stay current with any travel or health restrictions. We do not recommend you attend this retreat if you are exceptionally anxious about travel or social gathering. 

 

Retreats are non-refundable unless the retreat does not run. If you decide you do not want to attend and we are able to find a participant to fill your space we will refund all monies less a $75 administration fee.

Past Retreats

Somehow, each retreat I host is my favourite one. Here is some evidence of good times past.

Praise for Soul-Inspired Retreats

Listen to Yourself

If in any way, shape or form, this is calling to you – heed the message. It’s important.