MINDFUL SOUL FACILITATOR & LIFELONG EDUCATOR
Find Your Calm
with Jo Sawyer
A FULL DAY RETREAT FOR WOMEN
​ FIND CALMING SELF-COMPASSION & INNER PEACE
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Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher,
Reiki Level 1 & 2 Practitioner, EFT Tapping Facilitator,
Children’s Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher,
Public Education School Teacher (Masters of Education)
Join Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher, Jo Sawyer, and guest Yoga Instructor Karin Kerfoot, for a calming FULL day retreat that will give you the opportunity to pause, breathe, and reconnect with your inner peace through the dark Winter months.
This retreat is for any woman needing a supportive space to balance your emotions with self-compassion and gratitude. Throughout the retreat you will be guided through meditation, yoga, journaling, EFT Tapping, and mindful calming practices to release stress, connect with your inner calm, and become immersed in restorative self-care.
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Leave with a toolbox of skills and practices that you can use to renew your sense of inner peace and emotional balance at home. Surrounded by like-minded women, take this time for yourself to recharge your mind, body, and spirit.​​
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What's Included In Your Day...
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Tea, Coffee, and Juice Upon Arrival
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Welcome & Introductions
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Setting Intentions: Becoming aware of what your mind, body, and heart need and want *Bonus: all retreat attendees will receive a complimentary copy of My Daily Intentions journal
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Opening Meditation: Showing Love & Compassion for Self
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Exploration of Mindfulness: what it is, how it helps, how to bring more of it into your life
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Mindful Awareness of Our Thought/Feeling Connections to help with emotional balance
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Catered Lunch
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The Power of Self-Compassion: awareness and practice through journaling, meditation, and mandala creation
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EFT Tapping: a technique to bring calm to your nervous system
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Gentle Yoga for Emotional Balance: beginner friendly, with special guest yoga instructor Karin Kerfoot
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Reflection, sharing & closing circle
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A take-home PDF booklet of the skills & practices covered to help equip you with review & resources for continued use at home.
Past Retreat Reviews
"Thank you for the helpful techniques and welcoming environment! I look Forward to another retreat! Loved it!"
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Natalia Vargas
Find A Calm Oasis Women's Retreat
"I felt safe to share experiences and to practice the strategies. I really appreciate the authenticity you brought and for sharing your experiences." ​
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N.M. Find A Calm Oasis Women's Retreat Participant
"It was great in every way. Thank you!
K.M. Find A Calm Oasis Women's Retreat Participant​
“The retreat was very well done. Your approach is warm and welcoming. Sharing your personal journey with us opened the door for all to share comfortably. The activities were wonderful. Thank You!
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Finding Calm Clarity Educator Retreat Participant
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“Your vulnerability allowed me to feel safe in the space. I appreciated your intentionality about all of the activities. Loved the yoga! Loved the jelly beans mindful eating! Appreciated you sharing your "icky guy". Thanks so much!"
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Finding Calm Clarity Educator Retreat Participant
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"This was an amazing experience and I've gained many new strategies to try. I can't wait to put these strategies into practice. Thank you for a great afternoon."
Finding Calm Clarity Educator Retreat Participant​
"This space is exactly what I needed to calm my mind prior to school start. I felt Jo's story was very authentic and inspiring as I can very much relate. I look forward to using mindfulness strategies daily and feel inspired to navigate my life's purpose. Thank you so much."
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Finding Calm Clarity Educator Retreat Participant
"I think the retreat was excellent. I enjoyed every minute, the food and snacks, and every part. I will be doing the "icki" exercise at home. Thanks." ​
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A.S. Finding Calm Clarity Educator Retreat Participant
"I honestly didn’t know what to expect and I was very pleased with the whole afternoon. You set a lovely calming stage to feel comfortable and at ease. Your decor and food and gifts really added to the specialness. Your manner is very soft and welcoming and encourages our sharing and sense of well being. Karen’s gentle yoga was a great addition to the session. I wish you continued success, I love your focussed path in life.
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Thank you, Ann
Thankful Paths To Calm Retreat
Participant
Meet Your Guide
Jo Sawyer
Certified Meditation Teacher, Children’s Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher,
Mindfulness Facilitator, & Public School Education Teacher (Masters of Education)
I am a woman, mother, Grammy Jo, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, teacher. Over the years there have been many labels assigned to who I am. Having lived the chaos of trying to live up to the expectations of a multitude of roles, there were many times I felt as thought no one was receiving the best of who I could be, including me. I often felt as though I was living to survive the day, which led to depression, anxiety, and a questioning of my worth.
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I even quit teaching at one point because I was so overwhelmed with how to do everything, a decision that was made without the planning and thoughtful introspection that a major life decision deserved. I had convinced myself that this choice was the right one for everyone who needed me. Years later, when I returned to teaching it became clear how much I had missed it and how truly passionate I was about it. But I still felt like I didn’t quite fit into what I was being asked to do as a classroom teacher. This feeling provoked me into doing a deep dive look into my life and what I really wanted. But, I struggled to know where to turn to for support.
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The healing practices that helped transform my mind, body, and soul began with yoga and meditation which started my own discovery of soulful wellness practices. And now, having lived the chaos of finding a balance between my true passions and many other external pressures, I am ardently committed to connecting with other women to help them navigate their way through their worlds, while also equipping them with what they need to find or renew their passion in their lives.
My offerings include the practices that have been essential in my own emotional regulation so that I can move towards calming clarity: yoga, meditation, journaling, EFT tapping, and exploration of one’s life purpose.
Special Guest
Karin Kerfoot RYT500
Karin is a highly knowledgeable and experienced yoga teacher who brings both her yoga and medical training to the mat. You will almost certainly leave Karin’s yoga classes feeling more at ease than when you arrived – both in your body and in your mind. Her calm demeanour, clearly articulated cues, and soothing voice are repeatedly highlighted by Karin’s yoga students as some of their favourite aspects of her practices. In a remarkably gentle and authentic way, Karin imparts knowledge, strength, and equanimity to all those who practice with her.
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You can find Karin’s website at: thegatestudio.ca
Cancellation/Refund Policy: 50% of payment is a non-refundable deposit - no exceptions. If canceling greater than 14 days prior to retreat, a 50% refund is available. No refunds available on cancellations 14 days or less prior to retreat as sufficient time is required to fill the vacancy. If retreat is cancelled, a full refund is provided. Thank you in advance for your understanding and consideration.
Inclement Weather Cancellation Policy: At our retreats, the safety and well-being of our guests are our top priorities. While we strive to proceed with scheduled retreats despite inclement weather warnings, there are specific conditions under which a retreat may be canceled. Please note the following policy:
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General Policy:
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Retreats will generally continue during winter storms and inclement weather warnings.
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No refunds or transfers of dates are available due to winter storms or inclement weather.
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It is the responsibility of each retreat guest to monitor the weather in advance and make any necessary travel arrangements. This may include arriving at the retreat city earlier or arranging additional accommodations if required.
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We are unable to accommodate for weather conditions in different locations from which guests may be traveling. Guests should plan their travel accordingly, taking into consideration potential weather disruptions.
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It is the client's responsibility to determine if travel is safe for them. Guests should evaluate weather conditions and their personal travel circumstances to make informed decisions about their safety.
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Cancellation Criteria:
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Retreats will be canceled if any of the following conditions are present in the retreat city location:
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A major snowfall of greater than 25 cm (9.8 inches) within a 24-hour period.
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A major snowfall of 25 cm (9.8 inches) or more within a 24-hour period with winds of 40 km/h (25 mph) or more, causing widespread reductions in visibility to less than 400 meters (0.25 miles) for at least four hours due to blowing snow.
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Rescheduling:
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If a retreat is canceled due to the above conditions, it will be rescheduled to a new date chosen by the retreat leader.
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If a guest is unable to attend the rescheduled date, a refund or transfers of dates will be available.
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We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in ensuring the safety and smooth operation of our retreats. Please plan your travel accordingly and stay informed about weather conditions leading up to your retreat.
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