Friday night (Oct. 19) we will come together in a ritual and intention circle. Maria will also perform a special sound healing concert in which she will compose an intuitive song for each participant to facilitate a sacred release and receive process. We'll get you grounded and relaxed!

Saturday (Oct. 20) we'll be spending our day in music making (no experience needed, really!), collage, expressive painting, journaling, movement and play, all designed to rekindle the spark of your inner creator and allow you to experience the timelessness of your being. You'll also learn simple ways to bring home self-care and creative jumpstarts.

Sunday (Oct. 21) we'll be focusing on integrating what we've learned and bringing the wisdom into our lives in ways that can sustain us--until our next retreat! 

"The retreat was a remarkable learning experience. The weekend was a turning point for me. On a daily basis, I am better able to know how I am feeling, to listen to my body, to relax and accept the moment, and to be gentler with myself, and as a result, to others near me. I am much more sensitive to the benefits of taking good care of myself, not in terms of vanity but in terms of fulfilling a greater potential of being alive. Thank you for the wonderful work you do." --Laraine 

Jennifer Louden

A bestselling author of The Woman's Comfort Book and five other titles. Her newest book is the innovative process for creating a life you love entitled The Life Organizer: A Woman's Guide to A Mindful Year. She's been a pioneer in women's well-being since 1992.

She's a certified coach, monthly columnist for Martha Stewart's Body+Soul magazine, national spokesperson for Spring Air, and creator of learning events and retreats around the country. She's devoted to nurturing women to express their true creative power so they can help change the world.

More information about Jennifer Louden at www.jenniferlouden.com and www.comfortqueen.com

Maria Kostelas

Described as a "pied piper of the soul." She is an international recording artist, intuitive and workshop leader whose work has been lauded by Shirley MacLaine, Christiane Northrup, M.D., Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., and Judith Orloff, M.D. among others. Maria has released 6 CDs of original music and her CD "One Heart" has been licensed to play in hospitals nationwide. Her greatest joy comes from supporting the visions and dreams of others, as well as providing healing music that helps individuals live with their soul, on purpose.

More information about Maria Kostelas and music samples here www.flutesoftheworld.com

"Maria is an artist I really admire. She is a remarkable flutist whose compositions have been used to help energize and heal many, many people. She has such passion and the passion comes through the flutes."  Shirley MacLaine

Location:
Bainbridge Island Creativity Center
9338 Sportsmans Club Road, Bainbridge Island, WA

Dates:
October 19th, Friday night: 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

October 20th, Saturday: 10 am - 5:00pm

October 21st, Sunday: 9:00am – 1pm

Cost: $375 per person

Includes art supplies*, a Native American flute, a delicious, healthy catered lunch (vegetarian options available) on Saturday, as well as an abundance of healthy snacks and beverages.

*A list of additional art supplies will be emailed to you when you register that include personal images and things you have on hand. Price does NOT include lodging, other meals, and travel costs.

Note: You can easily make the 2:05 ferry and be at the airport by 3:10 pm. Allow time for rental car return.

"Maria's teaching methods inspire the inner child  in all of us to come out and play! Definitely, the most fun I've ever experienced  in a workshop setting." --Linda

Explore your lodging options: Bainbridge Island Lodging Association

How to get to Bainbridge lsland
Bainbridge Island is located within the Central Puget Sound Basin, east of the Kitsap Peninsula accessible by crossing the Agate Pass Bridge and west of the City of Seattle accessible by a scenic 30-minute ferry ride from downtown

Transportation Options:

Rental Car: If you wish to explore Bainbridge or to stay at any of the tucked away B&B's, you'll need a rental car. The disadvantages are expense including bringing car on ferry, which costs $14.45. Also leaving on Sunday night, you might have to wait approximately an hour to get on the ferry with your car.

Taxis: You can also take a taxi from the airport to the Bainbridge ferry for approximately $35 one way, and then take a taxi to your hotel once you are on Bainbridge. Call ahead for a Bainbridge taxi (206) 842-1021.

Bus from Airport: Cheapest option but slow; you also have to walk four blocks (hilly) to ferry; You will still need to use taxis on Bainbridge as we don't have all day bus service. Seattle Metro bus service and Bainbridge bus service/Kitsap Transit: 1-800-501-RIDE 

Share!

You may want to share a rental car from the airport and around the island, and to share accommodations. Upon registration, Debbie, Jen's assistant, will subscribe you to a discussion list where you can post about yourself and your transportation and accommodation needs.

"The retreat with Jen and Maria gave me transformation, community, soul growth, being tenderly held by a beautiful process--a journey that was deep, beautiful, mythic, and so much more!" --June

QUESTIONS?

Ask us anything--we want to make this comfortable for you and help you make time for this enriching magical weekend!

Email Maria@flutesoftheworld.com about music-making.

Email Jennifer@comfortqueen.com with questions about the Creativity Center site, overall retreat benefits, creative play, and movement.

Email Deb@comfortqueen.com with questions about registration and payment, the discussion list, or anything technical.

"It was so satisfying and rewarding and revealing. I was so spiritually touched, I am still trying to put into words how I feel in my own mind.  The most amazing thing is the sense of peace. Calmness. It's like the earth is listening to me and I to it. It's amazing that I can actually stop my tapes running in my head." --Ginny Henry 

PAYMENT and CANCELLATION POLICY

We ask that you pay in full upon registration. You can use this LINK or send a check for the full amount ($375--please include your email address with your check) to:

Art of Life Retreat
C/O Debbie Buxton
PO Box 307
Grapeview, WA  98546

If you need to cancel before September 15th, 2007, we will refund all but $35 (administrative fee) of your registration fee.

If you must cancel after September 15th, we will do our best to refund all but the $35 administrative fee; however, if WE CANNOT FILL YOUR SPOT, we cannot refund any of your monies due to our contracts with the various providers.

"In a word, the retreat was divine. I am stronger. I am grateful. I am changed!" -- Brandi