MINDFUL SOUL FACILITATOR & LIFELONG EDUCATOR
Find Your Calm
AN AUTUMN FULL DAY RETREAT FOR WOMEN
PAUSE IN NATURE'S BEAUTY AND REDISCOVER YOUR INNER PEACE
​
with Jo Sawyer
Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher
Reiki Level 1 & 2 Practitioner
EFT Tapping Facilitator
Ontario College of Teachers Certified Teacher (Masters of Education)
Children’s Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher
Join Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher, Jo Sawyer, for a restorative FULL day Autumn retreat set in the heart of the Carolinian Forest at the tranquil Fernwood Hills. This retreat offers the space to pause, breathe, and reconnect with your inner calm while surrounded by the quiet beauty and gentle rhythms of the season.
​
This retreat welcomes women who feel drawn to slowing down and spending time in nature, in a supportive space that nurtures balance, peace, and gratitude. Throughout the day you will be guided through meditation, mindful movement, journaling, and calming practices that root you in the beauty of the season. Together we will embrace the natural surroundings with meditative walks, mindfulness in nature, and a special opportunity to create your own bouquet of Fall flowers guided by Celia, the owner of Fernwood Hills, who will share her passion for the peace found in tending to the earth and the beauty it provides.
​
Our practices will be held in the Studio Loft, a calming space with high ceilings and large windows that flood the room with natural light, offering expansive views. This serene setting allows us to feel deeply connected with nature even while indoors, providing the ideal backdrop for rest, reflection, and renewal.
​
Leave with a renewed sense of calm, a deeper connection to yourself and the natural world, and your own Fall bouquet of flowers, along with a toolbox of practices to carry this feeling home with you. Surrounded by like-minded women and the serenity of the forest, take this day to recharge your mind, body, and spirit.
What's Included In Your Day...
-
An Assortment of Teas Upon Arrival
​
-
Welcome & Introductions
​
-
Setting Intentions: Enjoy your gift of My Daily Intentions Journal as you become aware of what your mind, body, and heart need and want.
​
-
Opening Meditation: Showing Love & Gratitude
​
-
Exploration of Mindfulness: what it is, how it helps, how to bring more of it into your life
​
-
Mindful Meditative Walk as we explore the beautiful Fernwood Hills, finding calm in nature all around us
-
Catered Lunch provided by Fernwood Hills
​
-
Creating a Mindful Fall Bouquet: Guided by Celia, the owner of Fernwood Hills, mindfully arrange seasonal blooms into your own bouquet. Connect with the textures, colours, and scents of autumn. This hands-on, mindful activity encourages reflection, gratitude, and a deep sense of inner peace, leaving you with a beautiful bouquet and a lasting reminder of stillness.​
​
-
Gentle Mindful Movement Flow
​
-
Reflection, sharing & closing circle
​
-
A take-home PDF booklet of the Mindfulness skills & practices to help equip you with resources for continued mindful practice at home.
Past Retreat Reviews
"Thank you for the helpful techniques and welcoming environment! I look Forward to another retreat! Loved it!"
​
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." ​
​
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!
​
Finding Calm Clarity Educator Retreat Participant
​
“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!"
​
Finding Calm Clarity Educator Retreat Participant
​
"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."
​
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." ​
​
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.
​
Thank you, Ann
Thankful Paths To Calm Retreat
Participant
Meet Your Guide
Jo Sawyer
Certified Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher,
Ontario College of Teachers Certified Teacher, Masters of Education
Reiki Level 1 & 2 Practitioner, EFT Tapping Facilitator
Children’s Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher,
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.
​​
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.
​
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.
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:
-
General Policy:
-
Retreats will generally continue during winter storms and inclement weather warnings.
-
No refunds or transfers of dates are available due to winter storms or inclement weather.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
-
Cancellation Criteria:
-
Retreats will be canceled if any of the following conditions are present in the retreat city location:
-
A major snowfall of greater than 25 cm (9.8 inches) within a 24-hour period.
-
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.
-
-
Rescheduling:
-
If a retreat is canceled due to the above conditions, it will be rescheduled to a new date chosen by the retreat leader.
-
If a guest is unable to attend the rescheduled date, a refund or transfers of dates will be available.
-
​
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.
​