Nurtured by Nature
Women’s retreat to rejuvenate, reconnect, and renew
Ely, Minnesota
May 5th-8th
Laura Adrian
There is nothing more healing than a pure experience of awe.
Awe and Wonder in the Northwoods
Nurtured by Nature is an opportunity for women to steep in the beauty and majesty of Mother Nature.
Delight in the wholesome joys of being in nature—the beauty of landscapes, awe of wildlife, and quietude of the forest.
Forget what day it is and revel in the simple pleasures of life—good company, amazing food, and no emails!
According to astronomers and scientists, 2024 is a fabulous year for the Northern Lights. Being in the Northwoods with little light pollution increases our chances of experiencing the remarkable phenomenon of aurora borealis!
Following nature’s path…
We’ll align with the spiral journey of releasing, revitalizing and creating that weaves together self-awareness, physiology, psychology, and nature.
1) Release. You’ll be guided through tools and techniques that release blockages and stress through yoga, self-awareness, and nature.
2) Revitalize. The whole experience is designed to nourish your mind/body/spirit. Through delicious food, inspiring workshops, and just plain fun activities as well as the nature immersion itself, we consciously create an experience that invites you to receive and recharge.
3) Create. This phase is where you consciously plant seeds for yourself by opening to new ways of being, relating and responding to the demands of modern life.
Experience the healing power of nature in the Northwoods…
Spending time in nature helps the nervous system relax, cultivating a sense of calm
Nature improves sleep and strengthens the immune system
Nature helps people think in creative and innovative ways
Moments of awe and wonder that are some of the most healing experiences a human can have
Phytoncides (special molecules that trees produce), uplift the mood, cultivating ‘positive emotions’ and emotional stability
Nature offers a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves
What do we mean by ‘Nurtured by Nature’? It’s about….
clearing away blockages that prevent us from fully receiving what is good, beautiful, and beneficial
cultivating a deeper connection to the natural world, one that is open, driven by curiosity and held with respect
remembering the little joys in life through wholesome fun
deepening a sense of inner safety that naturally and gently opens the channels of authentic expression and creativity
planting seeds for true belonging, which invites you to further accept and embrace your whole self
“It was a beautifully empowering experience and quite the adventure.”
“Laura helped me break down stuff like a laser beam!”
About the Retreat
Yoga to release tension in the mind/body/heart and cultivate kind awareness*
Guided nature-based practices to rejuvenate your body, connect to your heart, and inspire clarity
All meals crafted with organic and local ingredients
Fun free-time activities such as hiking, board games, private group sauna and canoeing
Small number of participants, great opportunity to get your questions answered, meet new people and form friendships
*Yoga classes offer moderately challenging movement with options to modify or increase difficulty. If you have an injury or you’re not sure if you can participate fully, feel free to contact Laura before registering.
Oh and the food!
Our private chef Tina will be preparing one-of-a-kind meals featuring local and organic ingredients from the Northwoods. Foodies will delight in the unique ingredients that create a sense of place for us and bring us closer to the natural world. You might experience locally foraged wild rice, cedar leaf teas, wild game, and real maple syrup. She’s also partnering with local business to feature unique-only-in-Ely ingredients! Tina’s culinary expertise has been featured on the docuseries, “Sacred Science” where she prepared foods from foraged ingredients. Check out Tina’s Instagram here!
Many thanks to our local business sponsors, Gene Hicks Coffee and Crapola! Granola. We’ll be featuring ingredients from these fine establishments. Also, participants will get to take home gourmet coffee samples from Gene Hicks Coffee in our gift bag!
Laura Adrian is a Retreat Facilitator, Speaker, and Writer who is a catalyst for transformative experiences that connect thousands globally to the healing power of nature.
Laura has an eclectic background in mindfulness, yoga, spirituality, and herbalism. Her connection with nature has deepened by spending over 365 nights in the wilderness. She is a certified mindfulness teacher through UC Berkeley and she has travelled across the US teaching workshops that bring people closer to the natural world.
Laura Adrian will be sharing workshops two workshops where participants will be guided through practices to deepen their connection to the natural world and open to new wisdom through nature. We’ll explore the healing power of trees through direct connection. Participants will also be explore the wisdom of nature as we attune to changes, seasons, and cycles. From these workshops, participants will learn simple, yet powerful practices that they’ll be able to take home and integrate into their life to cultivate resilience, inner strength, and wisdom for turbulent times.
About the Facilitator
You may have seen Laura at these events:
Featuring Special Guests!
Jess Anderson Ojala will be offering a class, Introduction to speaking Anishinaabemowin & The Four Sacred Medicines.
Students will spend time learning basic Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe Language) and learn about The Four Sacred Medicines and how they pertain to the mind, body, and soul. Traditional practices of Anishinaabe heritage promote spiritual growth and healing. Anishinaabe People are the first inhabitants of this region with strong ties to Burntside Lake. Ely, Minnesota resides in the 1854 Treaty Authority whom Bois Forte Band of Chippewa and Grand Portage Reservations reside.
Jess Anderson Ojala – Bois Forte Descendant, B.A. Indigenous Studies, Ely Folk School Ojibwe Language Instructor, Minnesota North College Indigenous Studies Club Leader/Advocate, Owner of Debwe LLC, American Association of University Women of Ely Branch, SAGE Foundation Vice President.
Tracy Koivisto is a certified clinical herbalist, nutritionist, astrologer, nature connection guide, and medicinal herb grower; she recently obtained a Master’s degree in Holistic Health Counseling and Somatic nature-based Healing.
In her private practice, Birch + Fern Holistic Wellness, she weaves plant medicine, deep nourishment, and astrology into her vitalist approach when working with clients. Born and raised in northern Minnesota, she has always been rooted deeply in nature. She has spent the last several years wandering the mountains and connecting to the plants in Alaska and Colorado. Tracy’s last name means ‘birch forest’ in Finnish, and she is now cultivating a life in Ely, MN where she feels most at home with the birches, ferns, and the waters of the north. Stay tuned for her Apothecary space in Ely, MN!
Flower Essences: Learn to harness the vibrational frequency of the flowers. Flower essences can support emotional, mental, and physical healing while connecting us to the medicine of place. We will engage with the petals of particular spring flowers and experience mindfulness practices through this relational process to create an intentional remedy with the power of the sun.
Conifer Medicine: The medicine of the conifers has been traditionally utilized for a myriad of ailments. This aromatic tree medicine is a remedy for the body, mind, and spirit. We will discuss traditional ways conifer needles have been worked with, connect with the essence of pine, and experience a step-by-step method of making your own pine-infused oil.
What’s Included
-All workshops
-All retreat materials except for journal and yoga mat
-Lodging
-Delicious and nutritious meals featuring local and organic ingredients. We can accommodate food allergies/diets such as dairy free, gluten free, vegetarian, etc (check with us before registering if this is important to you).
-3 nights of lodging (see options here)
-Free time activity supplies and gear
-Carpool rideshare board for those who’d like to participate
Imagine setting the weight of the world down, unplugging, and playing!
Root down to rise
I created Nurtured by Nature because I wanted to teach people simple, practical ways that direct connection to the natural world can change their lives.
I don’t want people to struggle with cycles of stress and anxiety as I have for years. I want to teach new ways of relating.
I wanted to teach people how to nurture themselves through nature, restore their energy, and create balance in their lives so they can create, nurture, and give in a way that’s enlivening and sustainable.
Questions?
Feel free to reach out to Laura via email or schedule a video call!
Retreat Rates All Inclusive (per person):
Single Occupancy (2 spaces available): $999
Double Occupancy (1 spot available): $899
Commuter (classes + meals ONLY): $550
Triple Occupancy (waitlist only): $799
Quadruple Occupancy (waitlist only): $699
How to Register:
2) You will receive a welcome email and all the major details
3) As the retreat grows nearer, expect additional emails
You might be wondering…
I am completely new to all this. Will this work for me?
I guide each practice as if each person is a brand-new beginner. Give yourself time to be a learner and follow the suggestions in the free guide.
How hard is the yoga?
I describe the yoga as moderate with modifications to make the experience more or less intense. I teach in ‘krama’ as much as possible, where I offer stages of development for poses.
How much free time is there?
The retreat strikes a balance between organized activities and free time for self care, spontaneity, and relaxation.
Is there a payment plan?
There currently a payment plan of paying 50% the deposit at time of registration and the remaining 50% 40 days prior to the start date. There is no charge for the payment plan. Use coupon code DEPOSIT if you’d like to opt-in to payment plan.
Can I sign up by myself?
Absolutely! Oftentimes most people do not know anyone prior to the retreat. If you sign up for a shared room, we’ll do our best to put you with compatible people.
Still have questions?
COVID Policy
We are currently not requiring masks or vaccines.
Cancellation Policy:
Please reflect carefully before registering for this experience. Seriously consider purchasing travel insurance as there may be changes in your health or life that are uncontrollable. Deposits are refundable before February 20th. Beginning February 21st, deposits are non-refundable and paid in full payments are 50% refundable (until March 31st).
At any point, you may transfer your space and payments made to another person suitable for the retreat (must be approved by Whole Life Elevation).
In the event of unsafe weather conditions, the itinerary may be adjusted to ensure the safety of the group.
In the event of severe weather, natural disaster, government intervention, campsite unavailability, acts of god, etc, Whole Life Elevation may choose to cancel the trip. If this is the case participants can 1) attend the rescheduled trip or 2) receive a full credit towards another trip or service with Whole Life Elevation to be used within 365 days of retreat cancellation.