The Yes of You
A Threshold Retreat for Women Ready to Live Their Brilliance
October 23-27, 2024
Hot Springs, NC
Join us for a five-day, four-night retreat at the most breathtaking time of the year one hour north of Asheville, North Carolina.
Through our distinctive and divinely-inspired program, you will step into yourself and a community of women and nature, crossing the threshold from exhausted woman to nurtured visionary.
Through intuitive listening, healing, writing, rest, joy, and nourishment in sacred spaces, you will be guided through a doorway into radical knowing — the truest true of you.
“Suddenly, all my ancestors are behind me. Be still they say. Watch and listen.
You are the result of the love of thousands.” — Linda Hogan
What is a “Threshold Retreat” & Why Do We Need One?
A Threshold Retreat is an intentional space.
Thresholds are the liminal space between leaving and entering. We cross them every day, both physical and non-physical, but rarely let ourselves pause to reflect on the potent possibility of that space.
A Threshold Retreat is where women are held and witnessed in their liminality.
Stepping out of the old but having yet to become that which we are becoming, we can experience a loss of identity, a feeling of ungroundedness.
We need a safe and sacred space to cut the final tether of our old selves. Without community and a solid framework for trust, we fall back into old patterns of behavior and resist the expansive “yes” the universe is inviting us to step into.
A Threshold Retreat is a space where women’s voices are safe to be amplified.
It takes courage to stand on the cusp of past and future and just breathe. When we let ourselves experience them wholly, we begin to realize that thresholds are more than doorways; they are pathways of connection—to ourselves, each other, Mother Earth, our ancestors, to every “yes” that lives deep in our bodies.
“At this time in my life, what am I leaving? Where am I about to enter? What is preventing me from crossing my next threshold? What gift would enable me to do it....” — John O’Donohue
Why you need this retreat:
You spend a lot of time taking care of others and want to begin taking care of YOU.
Your nest is newly empty, or about to be, and you’re anxious to welcome what’s next.
You are single and excited to chart out your next phase or be in a relationship again.
You are ready to take a career, business opportunity, or entrepreneurial leap.
You feel a calling to expand your purpose and live louder.
You feel stuck in some part of your life and are ready to explore and flow.
What you will experience:
Holding a space of unconditional love, we will accompany you as you cross the threshold into your “yes.” Here is our divinely-guided six-step process:
Identify the “yes of you,” the threshold you are on, and want to cross during this retreat.
We hold space for you in this liminality as you stand on the threshold in presence and acceptance.
Identify any blocks that might keep you from moving forward.
Release and heal all barriers.
Stand on the threshold once again, feeling into your first step forward.
Take that step and cross your threshold.
What you will walk away with:
A deep sense of being seen and heard
A well-nourished mind, body, and spirit
A powerful community of sisters and threshold soulmates
A new lightness and sense of self
Intuitive tools to continue crossing thresholds
A personal manifesto that reflects the truest true of you
An energized and expanded purpose
Greater love — for you, for family and friends, for the world
What’s Included?
5-Day, 4-Night Stay
Wheel of Bliss, a private retreat tucked into the Blue Ridge mountains.
All Meals + Snacks
Organic, local, and mouthwatering.
We can accommodate all dietary needs.
Group Intuition Initiation Sessions
Individual Intuitive Healing Sessions
Guided Small Group Writing Sessions
Personal Manifesto Creation
Guided Hikes, Fresh Springs, & Waterfalls
Wandering Time
Somatic Movement Session
Bonfires and Ceremonies
2 Post-Retreat Threshold Integration Group Sessions
“We must learn to speak the language women speak when there is no one there to correct us.”—Helene Cixous
The First Threshold….
Wheel of Bliss: Our Sanctuary in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Nestled among some of the oldest mountains in the world, ancient wisdom fills the very air we will be breathing throughout our retreat. Mother Nature shows off her most sacred self in the 63 acres of protected land that include lush forests, wild waterfalls, and serene freshwater streams.
Initially envisioned for Chakrasamvara Center, a Tibetan Buddhist Spiritual Center based in Miami, Wheel of Bliss was then created to share the divine energy of this magical land.
Accommodations and Pricing
If you have any questions about accommodations, please feel free to reach out by email.
See Q&A below for our refund policy.
SOLD OUT The Yes Suite
Private King Bed
Private Bath
Infrared Sauna
One available
Third Floor
Investment: $2,950 or $2,350 each if shared with a friend or partner.
SOLD OUT Dawn’s Doorway
Private Queen Bed
Shared bath
Second Floor
One Available
Investment: $2,600
Night’s Nest
Triple Shared room
Twin or double bed
Top or bottom bunk (sturdy bunks)
Sound machine and ear plugs provided
Ground Floor
Nine beds available in three rooms
Investment: $2,200
Your Threshold Retreat Guides
Emily Blank
Emily Blank, intuitive energy healer and intuition expert, creates space for healing practitioners, coaches, creatives, entrepreneurs, artists, and parents to explore intuition as a vehicle for transformation, healing, and creativity. For more than 16 years, Emily has worked with hundreds of clients 1:1 and with small group classes to help individuals tap into the well of intuitive wisdom within, transform stagnant and blocked energy, and discover the meaning of authentic action fueled by intuitive knowing. Her hope for you is to live a heart-centered, soul-inspired life. As you stand on the threshold of a new you, Emily helps you get back to your truth to create your most authentic and abundant life.
cin salach
Poet of page and stage, Illinois Arts Council recipient, four-time Ragdale fellow, and Emmy nominee for voice-over and on-screen narration of the PBS documentary “From Schoolboy to Showgirl.” cin salach has collaborated with musicians, artists, dancers, photographers, and most recently, healers, chefs and scientists, for over 30 years. She is honored to be the inaugural Poet Laureate of Covenant Farm in Sawyer, Michigan. Her two books of poetry, “Looking for a Soft Place to Land” and “When I am Yes” are housed there in the Porch Swing Poetry Box.
cin leads circles of women in Splitting the World Open, a monthly workshop inspired by the quote, “What would happen if one woman told the truth about her life? The world would split open.” (Muriel Rukeyser) She also creates workshops/poetry experiences for seniors, caregivers, and those with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Helping people voice their deepest truths, even when they are the most afraid, is the work she has always felt called to do.
She lives in Chicago with her son, where her love of poetry and the belief that it can change lives has led her to create her business, poemgrown, helping people, companies, and non-profits mark thresholds in their lives with poetry.
What women are saying about working with us:
“ cin creates safety, provokes thought, provides powerful feedback, and, most importantly for me, creates a dedicated space to prioritize myself. ”
KT
“ Emily's peaceful and intuitive presence holds a sacred space that allows us to connect to and channel our guides. This workshop was a life-changing experience and I would recommend it to anyone interested in angelic channeling.”
JC
“ cin offers a kind of sistering and sometimes even mothering of us that feels so nurturing. ”
EQ
“ cin sees the value in each person's story, and brings out the magic in each of us. Also, providing the space, in the way she does (which is so particular to her) is indescribable and priceless. ”
HJ
“ I always feel uplifted, understood and certainly not alone after a session with Emily! She channels information that is spot on and she is a loving presence who holds beautiful, non-judgmental space for healing.”
DA
“ After a mere one session I got utter clarity into my next direction and I felt the certainty of that direction without any second-guessing. Emily's skills are enlightening in a humbling way. She…listens very deeply and tells you what she hears, and what comes through is powerful. She's a wonderful and powerful channel and a great voice for your deepest wisdom. I highly recommend! ”
CA
“ Emily is a spiritual midwife. She guided me through the labor pains of birthing a new sense of myself. She helped me step into my power and take responsibility for making my dreams a reality. ”
MC
“ cin naturally fosters a sense of community and kinship. She unequivocally believes in us and the power our words can have. Her support and honest guidance have helped me find the courage to tell my truth. I am beyond grateful. ”
MK
Meet Our Threshold Guests
Nancy Zitlin
Retreat Liaison
Nancy Zitlin is a Holistic Nutrition Health Coach. She helps people go from resigned to connected by finding the “why” of their relationship with food, establishing healing habits, and rewriting their stories. Her secret weapon? Self-love.
Nancy will conduct a workshop on Friday evening. She will also be the liaison throughout the retreat for all of your logistical questions and needs.
Gillian Hailey Parcells
Integrative Somatic Therapy Practitioner
Gillian is a certified integrative somatic therapy practitioner + coach, trauma informed therapeutic yoga instructor, and international nature-based travel and retreat facilitator.
She is passionate about nurturing individual and collective vitality and wellbeing, harnessing the science of our body and being to reclaim our birthright and biological design to not just survive, but to flourish and thrive, in each season of life.
Katie Fiori
Retreat Chef
Chef Katie Fiore lives in Asheville, NC, with her husband, Kirk and two kids, Will and Lidia. After meeting at The New England Culinary Institute, the two chefs opened Sugarsnap, a farm to table catering business and take out restaurant in Burlington, VT. Once the kids came along, Kirk and Katie sold the business, and Katie began her career as a personal chef.
Katie embraced the idea of healing through food. She developed her own programs for weight loss and clean living. Katie has extensive restaurant and catering experience, cooking professionally for almost 20 years. Her passion is making healthy, clean food approachable and delicious.
Step into the Yes Of You NOW!
To register, please complete the information below and submit your deposit. Once we receive your information and payment, we will send you a welcome email. Got questions? Check out the Q&A below or email us now.
Questions You Might Have (we would!!)
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Check in time on Wednesday, October 23, is between 3-5 pm. Check out time on Sunday, October 27 is 1:30 pm. We will serve dinner on Wednesday at 6:00 pm and lunch on Sunday at 12:00 pm.
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No. You are responsible for your own flights and transportation to the Wheel of Bliss retreat center in Hot Springs, NC. We recommend renting a car from Turo for the most affordable rates. An SUV is recommended to access the Wheel of Bliss property. We will collect flight times and help coordinate ride shares as the retreat gets closer.
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The closest airport is the Asheville Regional Airport which is 1 hr. away.
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The $750 deposit is non-refundable, but may be transferrable.
The full amount paid, less the non-refundable $750 deposit, will be refunded should you provide written notice of cancellation at least 45 days prior to the retreat start date.
No refund will be offered if notification is received within 45 days of the retreat start date.
No one books a retreat with the intention of canceling, but unexpected events do occur. For this reason, we strongly suggest each attendee to purchase travel insurance that includes the price of the retreat in the policy.
Exceptions to our refund policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather, injury/illness, or personal emergencies. No refunds or credits will be granted for failure to attend, or for arriving late or leaving early. We are not to be held responsible for changes beyond our control. There are no refunds due to flight cancellations or changes, political unrest, or bad weather.
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We have heard good thing about Allianz and Wander Well. We do not have personal experience with these companies but they have been recommended by others in the retreat industry.
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Absolutely! This is not a “writing retreat” but a retreat that uses guided and group writing with plenty of prompts and support (gentle healing and revealing) for you to experience the depth and strength of your voice.
On the other hand, if you are a writer, this retreat is for you too. You already know the power of words, and through our group sessions you will be inspired to explore the truth of your voice even further.
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We are expecting 10-12 attendees.
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Our retreat is created to be gentle on your body. The two physical activities are a hike and gentle yoga class. Both of these activities can be done at the right level of movement for your body. If climbing stairs is a challenge we recommend booking in the shared rooms on the ground floor. All activities will take place outdoors, in the yurt, or in the dining hall, all of which are on the ground floor. There are casual meeting spaces such as the deck on the retreat house that would require stairs, but it will not be part of our programming to be in these spaces. The house and grounds are not wheelchair accessible. Please email us with any questions you may have about your particular situation.
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Yes, please indicate any special diet requests or allergies (include reaction especially if severe) in the retreat questionnaire and we will notify the chef of your needs.
Have any other questions?
Contact us and we’ll be happy to answer!