‘Somatic Solutions for Back CaRe, scoliosis & Fusions: A Healing Weekend for Your Back, Body & Whole Self’
—with Martha Carter
comox valley, Vancouver ISLAND, BC
Friday, May 8 - Monday, May 11, 2026

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

QUESTIONS? Email us!

This workshop will be held in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, BC. MAP

*Exact location to be decided closer to the date.

ABOUT THE RETREAT

Do you live with back pain, scoliosis, spinal fusion, chronic tension, or an old injury that never fully resolved?

Or perhaps you simply feel a lingering stiffness or fatigue that you can’t quite shake?

If so, this weekend retreat was created for you.

A 4-Day, 3-Night Somatic Immersion with Martha

Escape into a peaceful setting for a few days to learn a series of gentle, floor-based movements that calm the nervous system, unwind long-held tension, restore natural alignment, and reawaken ease in your body with the goal of finding pain-free mobility. 

Over the course of the weekend, you’ll experience a deeply supportive blend of education and embodied awareness as we delve into the subtle yet profound method of Hanna Somatics—also known as Essential Somatics™. Developed by philosopher and movement theorist Thomas Hanna, this neuromuscular approach helps to reconnect communication through the whole soma, reinvigorating optimal vitality of the body and mind and soul.

Join us to reclaim comfort, confidence, and connection within your body. You’ll uncover practical tools you can use in daily life, along with a renewed sense of possibility—whether you’re seeking relief, clarity, or simply a softer way of moving through the world.

This retreat is designed for all ages, all abilities, and all levels of movement experience.

No previous somatics, yoga, or fitness practice is needed.

ABOUT THE DESTINATION
Vancouver Island is renowned for wild, untamed beaches that are an idyllic summer sanctuary, and a hub for storm-watching, surfing, and skiing in the winter. In addition to its endless list of hiking, camping, whale-watching, and paddling adventures, there are also old-growth forests, endless beach combing and golfing. The Comox Valley is acclaimed for its incredible array of products harvested and created from its wild oceans and fertile soils, including organic vegetables, wild fish, free-range meats, and local chocolates, baked goods and wines. It’s a quick plane trip from Vancouver, or you can arrive via a stunning ferry ride. Note: If you’re flying in from an east coast (or smaller) city, we recommend booking a separate flight to Comox from Vancouver to get the best rate!

ABOUT MARTHA CARTER
Martha is a therapeutic movement specialist for scoliosis and spinal fusions, offering classes, workshops, and retreats in Gentle Yoga and Somatics. Synthesizing her knowledge as a dance artist with her love of therapeutic methods, she guides participants to discover increased strength, length, alignment, and mindfulness in the whole soma—body, mind and soul. Her welcoming approach is accessible to all levels and abilities. Martha is a certified teacher of both Yoga for Scoliosis based on the teachings of Elise Browning Miller, and Essential Somatics™ based on the work of Thomas Hanna. She has also studied Energy Medicine and Trauma Release techniques, which she weaves into all her classes to help participants with pain relief while enhancing their movement potential. Martha is the founder and director of Twisted Outreach Project for Back Care and Scoliosis (TOPS), a Canadian-based non-profit that provides a range of holistic and creative approaches to working with back care and scoliosis. Martha’s full bio can be found here.

FULL RETREAT PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• All classes

• 3 nights accommodation in beachside cabins (single and double occupancy rooms are available) and loft studio with local camping option available. Email us if interested in a camping option.

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• Tea bar + all-day snacks.

• Transportation to/from the airport, ferry, or bus station in the Comox Valley as needed

• Local transport for meals/activities during the retreat

• Handouts with ideas, exercises, drawings, and descriptions to help you create and continue your own practice

• Optional group discussion, activities, outings

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• This retreat is offered in-person only.

MEALS

Lunch and dinner will be customized for the retreat by a caterer using local ingredients from the lush Comox Valley. Breakfast will be self-serve style in each cabin where the fridge will be stocked with all the necessities.

COST:

• Full Retreat Package: Ranges from $1,375 - $1,600 CAD + tax, dependent on your accommodation selection (first come, first serve).
  NOTE: Discount on full package if you register before our Registration Deadline — details below under Payment Policy!
  Limited private bedrooms are available.
  Email us if interested in local camping.
  See Alders cabins + other options and register for full retreat package below.

• Commuter Package with Lunch (includes everything except accommodations, breakfast and dinner) - $825 CAD + tax.

Sliding scale is always available based on financial need. Low-income participants and students, ask us about scholarship opportunities.

USA PARTICIPANTS: CHECK CAD TO USD $ EXCHANGE RATE HERE.

PAYMENT POLICY

Registration & Deposit Deadline - 2 Months Prior to Retreat.
As a non-profit, we need to know we have enough registrations required to fulfill our financial obligations to pay studios, accommodations, teachers, caterers, etc, by their deposit deadlines. Save $50 (incl. tax) on our Full Retreat Package when you register by our Registration Deadline of March 8, 2026 - use coupon code SSSF2026 during registration.

30% deposit due at registration; balance due 2 weeks prior to retreat.

NOTE: Prior to completing your registration, you will see an orange button option to ‘Pay Now’ (this will be the full amount) OR to ‘Pay CA $XXX Deposit Now’ (the 30% deposit amount).

ACCOMMODATIONS

Participants requiring accommodations can stay in charming, rustic beachside cabins at The Alders Beach Resort. The two and three-bedroom cottages at The Alders Beach Resort offer both shared and en-suite bathrooms plus a shared kitchen and living area.

Limited private bedrooms are available.

If there is not an accommodation showing that suits you, please contact us.

NOTE: All cabin and room bookings first come, first serve.

RETREAT SCHEDULE
(Subject to Change)

Friday

• Arrivals

• 6:00-7:30pm - Dinner

• 7:30-8:30pm - Introductory session

Saturday

• 7:30-9:00am - Self serve breakfast in the cabins

• 9:30am-12:00pm - Movement Session 1 (including Q&A)

• 12:00-1:30pm - Lunch

• 1:30-4:00pm - Break

• 2:00-3:30pm - Individual Assessments

• 4:00-5:30pm - Movement Session 2

• 6:00-7:30pm - Dinner

• Post dinner: Optional group activity

Sunday

• 7:30-9:00am - Self serve breakfast in the cabins

• 9:30-12:00pm - Movement Session 3 (including Q&A)

• 12:00-1:30pm - Lunch

• 1:30-4:00pm - Break

• 2:00-3:30pm - Individual Assessments

• 4:00-5:30pm - Movement Session 4

• 6:00-7:30pm - Dinner

• Post dinner: Optional group activity

Monday

• 7:30-9:00am - Self serve breakfast in the cabins

• 10:00-11:30am - Movement Session 5

• 11:30-12:30pm - Final Wrap-up / Discussion

• 12:30-1:30pm - Lunch and Departures

TRANSPORTATION
Participants are responsible for arranging transportation to the Comox area. Merville is 10 minutes from Courtenay/Comox, which has two airports: regular and sea plane. Access is also possible by car or bus via the ferry from Vancouver. TOPS will arrange for your airport or bus terminal pickup and transportation to the retreat centre. Questions? Contact us.

Interested in a longer trip to BC?
Extend your time, either before or after the workshop! Consider a visit to Victoria (the capital of BC, at the southern tip of Vancouver Island), enjoy exploring the old growth forests on Vancouver island, book a whale watching tour, visit Tofino (a small ‘gem’ of a town on the far west side of Vancouver island). Or consider travelling through Seattle for a couple of days (only a 2.5 hr drive to/from Vancouver!). Let us know if we can answer any questions or help with ideas.

Cancellation Policy: $30 processing fee for cancellations up to four weeks prior to retreat start date; 30% non-refundable within four weeks of retreat start date; 100% non-refundable within two weeks of retreat start date.
Note: in the event that borders are shut / travel is banned by Government or public health mandate due to Covid-19, all registrants will receive a full refund, less $30 processing fee.

ADDITIONALLY, IN CASE YOU’RE INTERESTED…

**Check out other retreat offerings!

Back In Balance On The Beach with Martha Carter and Claudia Katherine
@ Troncones, Mexico
November 8 - 14, 2026 

Join Martha Carter & Claudia Katherine for a transformative experience toward strength and self-care. Email us to be placed on the 'Interested' list!