Learnings and Musings from the Power of You Retreat

Last month we held The Power of You Retreat.  A small group of women from all walks of life gathered for 3 days with open minds and hearts to discover, connect and grow.

They start out the same:  A mixture of excitement, fear, awkwardness.  Who are these people?  Can I be myself here?  Will they ask me scary questions that I am not prepared to answer?  Can I be vulnerable?  Ugh, why did I sign up for this?

Then, the day unfolds.  With careful facilitation of introductions, icebreakers and laughter people start to relax.  There is an openness to what comes next and a willingness to lean in, if ever so slightly.

We build from who we are, where we come from, what has formed us, to start to slowly think about what we want, who we could be, and maybe even some dreaming.  All this while infusing evidence-based manifestation techniques.

Throw in a LOT of laughter, some tears, bonding, writing and artistic vision boarding, and by the end there is a new sense of purpose, connections and friendship.  There are new skills added: meditation, journaling, manifesting, and habits to be formed. There are hugs goodbye, some tears, plans to stay engaged, and a new perspective on life.

This was not my first retreat.  I’ve facilitated numerous retreats the outcomes still amaze me.  Here is what I take away from these events”

• Vulnerability looks different on everyone: vulnerability can be hard for people.  It can be masked by humor, self-deprecation, tears, deflecting, storytelling and avoidance.  But each person comes into vulnerability at their own time and way.  The key is to give space.

  
  

• Showing up for yourself takes courage:  At least half of the women who attended asked themselves, “Why am I doing this?” before coming.  By then, they were all proud of taking this chance, showing up and leaning into the process.

  
  

• Tapping into your creative side can have profound effects on how you show up intentionally.  We had one client who stated repeatedly that she “Could not write” and “was not artistic in any way”.  To everyone’s surprise, she was the most eloquent journaler/writer, and her vision board turned out to be the biggest and the most intricate.  She left with new skills and creative outlets she didn’t have before.

  
  

• Friendship is good medicine: Did I mention the laughter, the running jokes, the late-night storytelling, the early morning coffee chats? So many bonds of new friendships and deepening of existing ones....it was heartwarming to watch.

  
  

• We are more alike than different, no matter the age, education or position:  so many women have imposter syndrome issues around their age, the degrees they don’t have or the titles they do or don’t carry.  The great thing about retreats is that no one cares about any of that... they care about how you show up, who you really are, and they support each other 100%.

  
  

• The power of you is immense:  Women being together can change lives, and I see this every time I run a retreat.  The way they lift each other up, how they validate each other and cheer each other on is always the most rewarding part of these events.

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But don’t just take my word on this-  here is what our clients said:

1. “I came to The Power of You Retreat with an open mind, not fully knowing what to expect—just knowing I trusted Elise’s work.  It was a space for deep reflection, connection, and surprising insights about myself. I realized how private I tend to be and how powerful it can be to open up in safe, supportive spaces.  I left with a clearer vision, a stronger sense of community, and a new commitment to show up more authentically—in my leadership, my relationships, and my life.”

2. “At first, I felt like an outsider—comparing myself to everyone else. But by the end of the retreat, I felt completely different. The Power of You helped me see that I belong, that I’m not alone, and that the power really is within me. I’m leaving more confident, more inspired, and more connected to who I truly am as a woman.”

3. “This was my first retreat, and I came in feeling lost—like I had lost a piece of myself. I thought I was looking for career answers, but what I really found was a reconnection to me. The Power of You was the perfect name, because I’m leaving with a deeper sense of personal strength, clarity, and self-trust. I also found an inspiring group of women I never knew I needed. I’m so grateful.”

4. “I’m always amazed by the power of women coming together. This retreat was transformational—restorative, emotional, and life-affirming. The space, the sea, and the shared vulnerability created deep connections I’ll carry with me forever. I felt truly seen, heard, and encouraged, and I’m leaving with new friendships and a renewed vision for my life.”

5. “I wasn’t sure what to expect, but from the moment I arrived, I felt deeply connected—to the space, the facilitators, and the incredible women around me. This retreat came at a messy, perfect time in my life and gave me permission to cry, laugh, and reflect on the stories I’ve been telling myself. I felt challenged, supported, and creatively inspired—even in the moments that scared me most. I’m leaving with a lighter heart, stronger belief in change, and deep gratitude for the community we built together.” 

If this sounds like something you’d like to experience, we are holding another retreat in October 2025.  Check out https://www.thesinhagroup.net/the-power-of-you to learn more and register.