3 Powerful Reasons to Attend a Movement Retreat This Spring (and Where to Go!)
Spring is a season of renewal — nature wakes up, the days grow longer, and everything feels alive with possibility. What if you could harness that same energy to refresh your body, mind, and spirit? Imagine stepping away from the noise of daily life and immersing yourself in movement, mindfulness, and deep connection.
Many women reach a point where they feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from themselves. The usual self-care routines (an occasional yoga class or a weekend getaway) can help, but they don’t always create the deep, lasting transformation we crave.
That’s where a movement retreat comes in.
A retreat is more than just time away; it’s an intentional reset, a space to reconnect with your body, move with joy, and build community with like-minded women. Whether you want to release stress, spark creativity, or embrace a new chapter, a movement retreat can be the catalyst for powerful change.
In this guide, we’ll explore three life-changing reasons to attend a movement retreat this spring — and the perfect destination to begin your journey.
Reason #1: Reignite Joy Through Movement
There’s a special kind of freedom that comes when you move; not because you have to, but because it feels good. Too often, movement becomes something we force ourselves to do, tied to fitness goals or external expectations. But movement is meant to be joyful, expressive, and deeply personal — a way to awaken energy, release tension, and reconnect with yourself.
The Science of Joyful Movement
Research shows that movement — especially dance-based and somatic practices — activates the brain’s pleasure and reward centers, releasing dopamine and serotonin (the same feel-good chemicals that elevate mood and reduce stress). When you move in a way that feels natural and enjoyable, your nervous system relaxes, your body opens, and you create space for playfulness and possibility.
Spring is the perfect time to invite joyful movement back into your life. Just like nature reawakens, your body craves movement that feels fresh, energizing, and expansive. A spring movement retreat allows you to explore Nia®, somatic movement, and other mindful practices in an environment that supports your growth and transformation.
How Movement Creates Personal Transformation
Many women grow up with the belief that exercise is about discipline, control, or achieving a certain look. But movement is so much more than that — it’s a form of self-expression, healing, and empowerment.
At a movement retreat, you’ll experience:
The freedom to move without judgment — embracing movement as a form of self-care.
Guided practices like Nia® that connect body, mind, and spirit, helping you move in ways that feel natural and intuitive.
Moments of deep embodiment, where movement becomes a tool for clarity, confidence, and emotional release.
Why a Retreat Setting Enhances the Experience
Unlike a typical class or workshop, a retreat creates an immersive space where movement becomes part of a larger journey of renewal. When you’re away from daily distractions, surrounded by supportive women and breathtaking landscapes, something shifts.
You move for the joy of it — not for results or expectations.
You feel lighter, more open, and fully present in your body.
You return home with a renewed sense of energy and self-love.
Attending a movement retreat this spring is an invitation to let go of the old, welcome the new, and rediscover the joy of being in your body.
Reason #2: Connect with Like-Minded Women & Build Community
There’s something deeply powerful about moving alongside other women — feeling the collective energy, the shared breath, the unspoken understanding that we are in this together. A movement retreat isn’t just about personal transformation; it’s about connection. It’s about being seen, heard, and held in a space where you can truly show up as yourself.
The Power of Women’s Retreats
In our daily lives, it’s easy to feel isolated — whether we’re managing work, relationships, or personal challenges. Many women crave deep, meaningful connection, but finding it can be difficult. That’s what makes a retreat so special.
At a movement retreat, you’ll experience:
A judgment-free environment where you can move, express, and explore without comparison or competition.
A sisterhood of support — a group of like-minded women who are also on a journey of self-discovery.
A space to share, reflect, and grow together, through movement, conversation, and shared experiences.
Why Connection Matters for Wellness
Science shows that strong social connections improve both mental and physical health. Studies have linked supportive communities to lower stress levels, improved immune function, and increased overall happiness. Simply put: when we feel connected, we thrive.
At a retreat, movement becomes a way to bond, heal, and celebrate each other. Whether it’s dancing under the open sky, sharing a meal, or supporting one another in personal breakthroughs, these experiences create deep, lasting friendships that extend beyond the retreat itself.
What Retreat Participants Say
Here’s what one participant shared about their experience:
"I didn’t realize how much I needed this kind of connection until I experienced it. Moving together, sharing our stories, and simply being in a space of acceptance — it was life-changing. I left feeling lighter, stronger, and deeply supported.”
A movement retreat isn’t just about finding yourself — it’s about finding your community. It’s about surrounding yourself with women who uplift, inspire, and remind you that you’re never alone on this journey.
Reason #3: Give Yourself the Gift of Rest & Renewal
When was the last time you truly gave yourself permission to pause?
To slow down, breathe deeply, and listen to what your body and soul need? In a world that constantly demands more from us, taking time for rest and renewal isn’t just a luxury — it’s a necessity.
Why We Resist Rest
Many women are conditioned to prioritize others over themselves — caring for family, managing careers, supporting friends. It’s easy to fall into the cycle of giving, doing, and achieving, leaving little time for personal restoration. Even when exhaustion sets in, we often push through, believing we’ll "rest later."
But here’s the truth: later never comes unless you make space for it.
And deep, meaningful rest doesn’t happen in short bursts between errands and emails. It requires intention, space, and a shift in environment — exactly what a movement retreat provides.
How a Retreat Offers Deep Restoration
A movement retreat isn’t just about physical activity — it’s about creating balance between movement and stillness, activity and reflection. It’s a chance to reset your nervous system, release stress, and nourish your entire being.
At a retreat, you’ll experience:
Guided movement and meditation that invite relaxation and renewal.
Time in nature, which has been scientifically proven to lower cortisol and increase mental clarity.
Unstructured space to rest, reflect, and simply be — without the demands of daily life pulling you in a dozen directions.
Spring is the perfect season for this kind of reset. Just as the earth renews itself after winter’s rest, you, too, deserve a fresh start — a time to shed what no longer serves you and step into the new with clarity and energy.
The Lasting Impact of a Retreat
Unlike a typical vacation, where you might return home feeling just as exhausted as when you left, a movement retreat gives you tools to carry this sense of renewal forward.
You’ll return feeling more connected to yourself and your body.
You’ll have a new appreciation for movement as a form of self-care, not obligation.
You’ll feel empowered to make rest a regular part of your life, not just an occasional treat.
A spring movement retreat is your chance to pause, breathe, and come back to yourself — so that when you step back into your daily life, you do so with intention, joy, and a full heart.
Where to Go: The Best Movement Retreat This Spring
If you’re feeling the call to reset, reconnect, and move with joy, there’s no better place to do it than in the Pacific Northwest — where nature’s beauty provides the perfect backdrop for transformation. This spring, join me for a movement retreat in Pleasant Hill, Oregon, a place where lush greenery, fresh air, and open skies create the ideal space for renewal.
Spring core connection Retreat in Pleasant Hill, Oregon
Nestled in the heart of Oregon’s stunning Willamette Valley, Pleasant Hill is a sanctuary of rolling hills, vibrant flowers, and my peaceful retreat space that invite deep rest and connection. Just outside of Eugene, this retreat offers the perfect blend of seclusion and accessibility, making it easy to step away from daily life without feeling too far from home.
What to Expect:
💃 Daily Nia® classes designed to awaken your body and bring joy into movement.
🌀 Somatic practices and mindfulness exercises to help you realign with yourself and the season.
🌲 Time in nature, including walking meditations and space to breathe in the beauty of Oregon’s lush landscape.
🌸 A supportive community of women who are also seeking growth, connection, and renewal.
🔥 Sacred reflection practices to help you release what no longer serves you and step into spring with clarity.
Why This Retreat is Perfect for Spring:
Experience the energy of renewal in a setting that mirrors nature’s transformation.
Let go of the heaviness of winter and step into the lightness of movement, joy, and connection.
Return home feeling refreshed, inspired, and deeply connected to your body and spirit.
👉 Spots are limited! Reserve your place at HERE!
Core Connection: Unleashing Your Body’s Primal Wisdom
April 11-13, 2025 with Kellie Chambers and Debbie-Lee Van Ginkel
Dive deep into the essence of your physical and emotional core.
This transformative weekend workshop focuses on the psoas muscle, often referred to as the "muscle of the soul," which plays a key role in our physical stability, mobility, and emotional well-being. Through Nia® techniques and guided explorations, you'll learn how to harness the power of this vital muscle to improve posture, balance, and emotional resilience, facilitating a deeper connection to your body's intuitive wisdom.
This retreat is not only a journey into understanding a crucial part of your anatomy but also an opportunity to transform how you relate to your physical and emotional self.
Step Into Spring: Your Invitation to Move, Connect & Renew
Spring is a time of renewal, growth, and transformation — the perfect season to step away from routine and give yourself the space to move, breathe, and reconnect. Whether you’re seeking more joy in movement, deeper connections with like-minded women, or a much-needed reset, a spring movement retreat offers the perfect opportunity to realign with yourself and step into a new season feeling energized, empowered, and whole.
By attending the Core Connection movement retreat in Pleasant Hill, Oregon, you’re giving yourself:
✨ The freedom to move for joy, not obligation.
✨ The support of a welcoming, heart-centered community.
✨ The gift of rest, reflection, and renewal — so you can return to daily life feeling lighter, clearer, and deeply nourished.
Ready to Say Yes to Yourself?
Join me in Oregon for the Core Connection Retreat! Immerse yourself in Nia®, somatic movement, and the power of community in a stunning natural setting.
Explore my Nia® classes to start moving with joy today.
Spring is calling—will you answer?
