9-11 February 2024 | Journey of Loss Retreat | Old Joe's Kaia, Schoemanskloof
Grief and loss are a natural part of life and yet are often ignored or swept under the carpet. Then when it happens to us, we have no idea how to cope, we don't understand that what we are experiencing is "normal" and we struggle with the unfamiliar emotions. We are expected to pick ourselves up and carry on as usual in what is now a strange new world.
Unless we create the space to process and work through the emotions surrounding loss, we internalize them, where they continue to grow and fester, doing untold damage to our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Join Di Atherton and Marian Cottle for a powerful weekend of reflection and introspection as we unpack the journey of loss.
Using a variety of tools and practices, incorporating the labyrinth and ritual, as well as sharing their own experiences and lessons learnt on their journeys with loss, Di and Marian create a nurturing, healing space.
You will leave with a clearer understanding of how loss shows up, how to work through it and to connect with the gifts it can bring, as well as tools and tips to support and help ease your journey with grief.
The Journey of Loss Retreat will support you in gaining a deeper level of understanding of the losses faced in your own life, processing them so that you can heal and move on with clarity and peace. This is done in the safe and nurturing space created and held by Di and Marian.
The Space - Old Joe's Kaia
Nestled in the lush Schoemanskloof valley, Old Joe's Kaia is a country haven of authentic living, working in harmony with breathtaking nature to nourish our guests through soulful accommodation, wholesome vegan food, wellness treatments, inspirational retreats & workshops
Old Joe's Kaia promotes a conscious, sustainable lifestyle, and to share the space with visitors who share the same notions.
TESTIMONIALS FROM PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS:
"I found the emotional support and the outletting of grief to say a final goodbye was good for my soul as I could bear it totally with the love and acceptance I felt from all those who were present. The love and acceptance I felt will certainly be a boost to ensure my heart does get better. The "letting go" must have been the real highlight as it culminated in real feelings of release of so many years of guilt, feelings of jealousy and envy and will go a long way to work on myself to give myself the love and acceptance I have always felt difficult to do." C
"Marian & Di's event was truly a blessed event that allowed me to connect understand my loved ones that had passed. The vegan food was absolutely amazing." I
"I felt comfortable to be in the company of people that have all been through a loss in some form. You can cry comfortably and are not judged. I love that." MT
"This Journey of Loss retreat has helped me to find some peace in my soul. It has been beautiful sharing my real feelings and real emotions with beautiful souls." B
"It was wonderful to cry and release so much I’ve been hiding inside." J
"Eye-opening, enlightening and opens you up to allow that which one does not understand. Helps to clarify and experience greater understanding of what is happening in your life and why. Equips you with a deeper and different understanding of how to deal with what you are facing. Thank you for enriching me so profoundly!" K
"I came broken and in lots of tears due to the break-up of my marriage and the loss of my future as I knew it. I slept like a baby both nights, due to this process of grieving my loss, under the loving care and nurturing of Di and Marian. I left this "cocoon" reluctantly, with a stronger step then when I arrived." B
"Wow wow and wow. This is exactly what I needed. Completely exceeded all my expectations. I met the most amazing people and leave Old Joe’s with a happy heart. Marian and Di totally understand and deal with each one’s loss in such a unique way, I should have come to this retreat last year. Thank you so much for the path you have cleared for me." S
Meet your hosts
Di and Marian have joined forces to present their “Journey of Loss”.
Both ladies have experienced deep personal losses that have lead them to this kind of work, and the desire to create space for others to understand and deal with loss.
Di Atherton, owner of The Spiral Path, is a soul healer, transformational catalyst, teacher and retreat facilitator who has a passion to empower and motivate others to live their best life. After the death of her husband and soulmate in 2019, and witnessing her own mother struggling to let go and move on, both very different grief processes, she completed certification with Sacred Dying SA to become a death doula (the other end of the spectrum to a birth doula) and grief guide. She supports those suffering bereavement and loss. She offers 1-on-1 sessions, 1-day Grief Immersions and retreats. Di has combined her work into a powerful offering. One where she holds a non-judgemental safe space to process grief, make sense of and move beyond loss, to reach a place of acceptanece, as well as supporting the physical body which is holding all the emotion and trauma that has been experienced.
No matter where you are in your grief journey, this retreat meets you where you are. Marian and Di create a gentle, loving, healing space. There is no pressure.
We have to feel, to heal. The Journey of Loss Retreat is the perfect space in which to do this, while you are nurtured and supported by Di and Marian.
Marian Cottle, owner of Old Joes Kaia and creator of "The Seedling, Plant Based Kitchen", has designed and facilitated life skills programmes and interventions throughout her working career – formally in the corporate world and informally wherever she found herself and the need to empower and strengthen people through strategic questioning their lives.
Having suffered her own deeply personal loss with the passing of her teenage son some years ago, Marian offers a place of compassion, love and understanding for those walking the path of grief.
She opens her heart and her beautiful home for those needing respite from the world and time to process their emotions.
We never "get over" the loss of a loved. We learn to adapt our life to accommodate the grief that becomes our constant companion.
9-11 February 2024 | Journey of Loss Retreat | Schoemanskloof
Price
R3 995.00 Sharing
R4 995.00 Single
Price includes:
2 nights accommodation, 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, tea, coffee, all Retreat materials. Cash bar available.
PLEASE NOTE :
50% deposit is payable to secure your booking.
Old Joe’s Kaia is a vegan establishment and no animal products are used, all meals provided will be strictly Vegan
Accommodation is shared, unless single specifically requested.
GRIEF IS NOT A DISORDER, A DISEASE OR SIGN OF WEAKNESS. IT IS AN EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL NECESSITY, THE PRICE YOU PAY FOR LOVE. THE ONLY CURE FOR GRIEF IS TO GRIEVE." - EARL GROLLMAN
