By Program Presenter Valerie Brown
A Nature Based Retreat for Rest and Renewal
I first came to Hollyhock about 10 years ago. I was in a period of profound grief with the death of my father, my brother’s heart transplant, and the ending of a loveless and ambiguous marriage. I can’t say that I recall traveling to Hollyhock, but I do recall my excitement to experience a week of dance and movement with the incredibly talented Margie Gillis. The moment I entered through the front door my physical, mental, and emotional exhausted evaporated with each day.
When I wasn’t attending the dance sessions with Margie which helped my body to heal through movement, I parked my Adirondack style chair in the centre of the flower garden and never left. I never went past the garden. The gardeners worked around me as I gazed at the flowers in all their gorgeousness.
The meals so exquisitely prepared and again decorated with flowers nourished my soul that was bruised and battered. And what a special moment to experience and savour the oyster BBQ, a time that continued to linger in me as the essence of community and very special care.
It took ten years, but I returned to Hollyhock in September 2026 and I felt the call to offer a retreat, to give back to others in some small way what Hollyhock had given me so many years ago. The retreat that concluded in May was a deeply nourishing opportunity for silence and meaningful reflection, discernment, and dialogue, mindfulness meditation, mindful walking, mindful eating, and deep relaxation through yoga nidra.
I wish everyone could have the Hollyhock experience: the incredible beauty of the place, the healthy, delicious, and chef-prepared meals, the extraordinary garden and grounds, and the kindness of everyone who works there.
Hollyhock is an experience to be savored again and again.
More about Valerie Brown and her Silent Retreats and writing.
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