Program Cost: $3350
Join Jennifer Harper for a chance to rest and reset in the company of horses on this mindfulness based retreat.
Overview
Today’s world can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to become disconnected from ourselves, from nature, and from each other. Spending time with horses can help us slow down and reconnect with our capacity for mindful awareness and personal power.
During this retreat you’ll explore mindfulness based practices supported by the grounding of horses, and surrounded by the wild beauty of the Absaroka mountains. You’ll reconnect with the rhythm of the natural world, cultivate compassion for ourselves and others, and build the courage to step fully into our lives with power and authenticity. In relationship with our diverse herd of horses of all ages and many breeds, you will experience connection and communication using body language, breath, energy and intention, learning to create relationships beyond words and without judgement.
While the practices and activities are customized to the participants (based on a pre-retreat survey and the experience as it unfolds) some of what you can expect to explore with the horses includes:
- Observing interactions, including between mothers and foals
- Exchanging greetings and communicating your intentions
- Asking for space without creating fear or disconnection
- Supporting a horse that is uncomfortable
- Inviting a horse to walk and/or rest with you
- Grooming a horse to create comfort and connection
- Moving quietly through the herd without disturbing the horses
There will be three optional trail rides into the mountains and forests surrounding the ranch. You’ll start each one with grounding and awareness practices to support you in connecting to your horse, and yourself, during your ride. Personal mindfulness practices will be offered during this time for participants who choose to stay at the ranch.
Spend your time away from the herd expanding on your discoveries and setting intentions for the next day, through a combination of mindfulness practices, gentle movement, journaling and group discussion.
Together the group explore a way of being in the world that is deeply healing. One that connects us to our own body and breath, and to each other. Head home with a greater awareness of the energy you want to bring into your daily life, and your relationships, and with practices to support creating it (with or without horses).
Meet your Instructor
Jennifer Cohen Harper is a mindfulness and yoga educator, author, mother, and lifelong student of horses. The driving force of her work is sharing practices and experiences that support healing, strengthen connection with ourselves and others, and help both children and adults joyfully embrace the full human experience. Jenn is the founder of Mindfulness with Horses and Little Flower Yoga & Mindfulness. She has been studying embodied mindfulness practices since 1998 and and has been teaching since 2006. Her horses (and children) have provided many of her greatest lessons.
Itinerary
Sunday: Arrival at the ranch between 2-5pm. Enjoy wine and appetizers on the porch at 6:30pm and dinner by the river at 7pm.
Monday: Breakfast between 7:30-9am each morning.
- 9am: Retreat welcome and orientation.
- 10am: Retreat programming with horses.
- 12:30pm: Lunch.
- 2:30: Retreat programming integration and reflection.
Appetizers and wine at 6:30pm and dinner at 7pm each evening.
Tuesday: Retreat programming with horses between 9am-12:30pm. After lunch you’ll have grounding practice at 2:30pm before an optional trail ride. Tonight at 8pm there is square dancing in the town of Dubois, about 40 minutes away, for those interested
Wednesday: Retreat programming with horses in the morning and integration and reflection in the afternoon. This evening at 8pm join for an optional sunset hike to the horse herd in turnout.
Thursday: Retreat programming with horses between 9am-12:30pm. After lunch you’ll have grounding practice at 2:30pm before an optional trail ride.
Friday: Walk up to visit the herd in turnout before breakfast with the group if desired. Retreat programming with horses in the morning and integration and reflection in the afternoon.
Saturday: Grounding practice at 9am before optional trail ride or personal mindful practice. Your afternoon is spent as free time on the ranch or in the town of visit. After dinner, closing practice.
Sunday: Depart the ranch after breakfast.
