Mountain Women’s Intensive Retreat
Miki Kashtan
Photo by Lynd Morris
Mountain Women’s Intensive Retreat
Taught by Miki Kashtan
August 16 – August 19, 2007
The Mountain Women’s Intensive Retreat is a three-day gathering of up to 18 women that takes place every August in Twain Harte, CA, in the Sierra Foothills.
Led by certified trainer Miki Kashtan, co-founder of Bay Area Nonviolent Communication, the intensive is unique for its familial setting and sense of relaxed connection among the women. The participants stay together in a rented house, cook for one another throughout the three days, share sleeping spaces, take walks together and make occasional trips to a nearby lake beach. The main focus of our time together, however, is connection, healing, and deep integration of NVC consciousness, fostered through group time, one-on-one deep-empathy sessions with Miki, as well as through daily, small empathy groups with one another.
Twain Harte: Twain Harte is a town of 2800 permanent residents located in the foothills of the Central Sierras. At 3800′ elevation, Twain Harte was developed as a resort area in the late1920s and was named after the two authors Bret Harte and Mark Twain. There is a small but lovely lake for swimming in town; we will have tickets available. The entire area is one of beauty and history. Laura Ingle’s home which was the basis of the TV series The Little House on the Prairie is nearby as well as Mark Twain’s cabin. Driving time from the East Bay or Sacramento, during best traffic times, is approximately 2 ½ hours.
Accommodations: We have rented a cabin in Twain Harte. Linens and towels are NOT provided.
On site sleeping accommodations are as follows (some local people will be sleeping in their own homes): There are three bedrooms, one of which is Miki’s. The other two bedrooms are basically wall-to-wall beds (one queen and 2 twins). Think “slumber party.” There is also deck that is lovely for sleeping outdoors on air mattresses (bring your own). There are three full bathrooms. If you have any special needs, we’ll try to accommodate your sleeping requests. Please consider bringing ear plugs if you are bothered by noises (snoring, for example).
The schedule: This schedule is a tentative one (except for Thursday night) and may be changed by the group to meet more needs.
Thursday:
Arrival anytime after 3:00 PM.
Dinner: 6:00 PM
Opening session: 7:30-9:30 PM
Friday and Saturday:
Breakfast: 8:00 AM
Morning session: 9:30 AM-12:00 noon
Lunch: 12:00 noon-1:30 PM
Break (with or without small empathy groups) 1:30-4:00 PM
Afternoon session 4:00-6:00 PM
Dinner: 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Evening session: 7:30 to 9:30 PM
Sunday:
Breakfast: 8:00 AM
Morning session: 9:30-12:00 AM
Lunch: 12:00 -1:00 PM
Closing session: 1:00-2:30 PM
Meals: We will prepare the meals on site; each person will be ask to partner with someone else to assist in the preparation of one meal. Clean up will be on a volunteer basis. The food will be simple, wholesome, and organic wherever possible. Upon receipt of your deposit, you’ll be sent a questionnaire regarding your food choices/preferences. Approximately, two weeks prior to the event, you’ll be sent directions to the cabin, a list of items you might want to bring, your meal assignment and partner.
Maximum number of participants: The maximum number of participants, including Miki, is 18. We are imagining that limiting the number of participants will meet needs for intimacy, connection and learning.
Logistics: The retreat tends to fill up with past year’s participants, but sometimes a few spots become available due to cancellations. Please let us know of your interest so we can put you on our waiting list, and bear in mind that you are not likely to hear back from us (after initial confirmation) until close to the event. We request a deposit ahead of time, and have a sliding scale to guide your financial choices. However, the final decisions about how much money each participant will contribute occur on the last day of the retreat, and have been a satisfying experience for all concerned.
Registration: To hold a space, email registrar@wholeheartedcommunication.com. Please include the name of the workshop for which you wish to register, your name, address and phone number. If you have questions, call Cindy Tucker at 209-586-8916.
Requested Donation: $350 – $500
Please see the statement on money on our Frequently Asked Questions page.