‘Somatics for Asymmetrical Bodies: restore intelligence and freedom to Spine, ribs, neck, face, and jaw’
with Laura M Gates

OHM Centre, Vancouver ISLAND, BC
OCTOBER 17 - 20, 2025

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

QUESTIONS? Email us!

This workshop will be held at Open Heart Mind (OHM) Centre in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, BC. MAP

ABOUT THE RETREAT
This immersive retreat at the beautiful OHM Centre on Vancouver Island includes 4 days and 3 nights in nearby cabin accommodations, wonderful meals, walking paths, and beautiful nature at the shore. 

The retreat will include an intro evening lecture Friday, somatic movement classes Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning, and discussions. It is a 'learning laboratory' for improving scoliosis, asymmetrical posture, and the issues that come with it. 

This year's retreat will address the whole torso, deep to the spine, and out to the extremities, and will highlight the upper torso, rib cage, shoulders, arms, hands, neck, facial muscles and jaw. If you have chronic pain or issues in these areas, they will be well addressed with these effective self-care techniques. This retreat is perfect for people wanting an immersion experience in this delicious work, and also for teachers and practitioners interested in learning more. Audio recordings of movement class material, divided into sections, will be included so that you can continue your learning process at home.

Note: Private sessions with Laura, featuring the gentle but powerful hands-on techniques of Clinical somatic education, may be scheduled on October 17 and October 20-22 via the link below (scroll down for details).

ABOUT THE DESTINATION
Vancouver Island is renowned for wild, untamed beaches that are an idyllic summer sanctuary, and a hub for storm-watching and surfing in the winter. In addition to its endless list of hiking, camping, and paddling adventures, the Island offers ample other opportunities to unwind on its scenic golf courses and lush vineyards. This workshop will be held at the wonderful new Open Heart Mind (OHM) Centre located in Merville in the Comox Valley. It’s a quick plane trip from Vancouver, or you can arrive via a stunning ferry ride.

ABOUT LAURA M GATES
Laura M Gates, CHSE, CCSE, is a certified (Hanna) clinical somatic educator ('07), a practitioner of hands-on work, and a member of the training team at Essential Somatics LLC, USA. Somatics in the tradition of the late neuromuscular pioneer, Thomas Hanna Ph.D., is her passion. She has developed strategies particularly helpful for scoliosis, fusion, and other postural issues including movement patterns and rich imagery. She brings her years and experience as a former professional dancer, dance educator, and visual artist to her teaching.

PRE-REQUISITE FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS

• Students must already know Somatics Basics through past classes with a qualified teacher. Laura will be organizing an online intro session ahead of the retreat for those who have not experienced Somatics before - please email Laura if you don’t have any prior experience with Somatics.

There will be a short workshop on Sunday afternoon for somatic movement teachers and practitioners. 

FULL RETREAT PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• All classes

• 3 nights accommodation in beachside cabins

• Single and double occupancy rooms available

• 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

• Access to class recordings for download following 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

• Audio recordings of the movement classes are included for participants to continue the process at home.

PRIVATE SESSIONS WITH LAURA

Private 1-on-1 sessions feature the hands-on protocols of Clinical (Hanna) Somatic education, and address your individual issues. The gentle but powerful hands on techniques accelerate the learning potential of your brain, nervous system and muscles, with the help of my specific modulated touch and resistance. Clients find that these hands-on sessions help them change more stubborn patterns of contraction, give them new strategies to use, and inform their movement practice in a very positive way. 

Sessions are $160 CAD + tax. This is a reduced rate from Laura’s usual rate of $215 CAD + tax. A great perk to joining this retreat!

Must be booked in advance via the link below. Limited spaces available. If you are local to the area, it is recommended that you book a session on Tuesday, October 21 or Wednesday, October 22, to allow those traveling to book sessions on Friday, October 17 and Monday, October 20.

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 $1,485 - $1,710 CAD + tax, dependent on your cabin room selection (first come, first served). NOTE: Discount on Full package if you register before our Registration Deadline - details below under Payment Policy!
  Limited private bedrooms available.
  See room options and register for full retreat package below.

• Commuter Package with Lunch (includes everything except accommodations, breakfast and dinner) - $885 CAD +tax.

Sliding scale is available based on financial need.

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 on our Full Retreat Package when you register by our Registration Deadline of August 17, 2025 - use coupon code GATES2025 during registration.

30% deposit due at registration; balance due 30 days 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

Just down the road from the OHM Centre, participants will stay in charming, rustic beachside cabins at The Alders Beach Resort. The two and three-bedroom cottages offer both shared and en-suite bathrooms plus a shared kitchen and living area.

Limited private bedrooms are available.
NOTE: All cabin and room bookings are first come, first serve.

RETREAT SCHEDULE
(Subject to Change)

Friday

• Arrivals

• 6:00-7:30pm - Dinner at cabins

• 7:30-8:30pm - Introductory lecture/discussion at OHM yurt
  Optional: hot tub on OHM yurt deck (comfortably fits 4)

Saturday

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

• 9:00-9:30am - Travel to OHM yurt

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

• 12:00-12:30pm - Travel to cabins

• 12:30-1:30pm - Lunch at cabins

• 1:30-4:00pm - Break
  Optional: Group nature walk and creative art project - optional but highly recommended!

• 4:00-5:30pm - Movement Session 2 at OHM yurt

• 5:30-6:00pm - Travel to cabins

• 6:00-7:30pm - Dinner at cabins

Sunday

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

• 9:00-9:30am - Travel to OHM yurt

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

• 12:00-12:30pm - Travel to cabins

• 12:30-1:30pm - Lunch at cabins

• 1:30-4:00pm - Break

• *2:00-4:00pm - Teacher Only Mentoring Mini-Workshop*

• 4:00-5:30pm - Movement Session 4 at the OHM yurt

• 5:30-6:00pm - Travel to cabins

• 6:00-7:30pm - Dinner at cabins

Monday

• 8:00-9:30am - Self-serve breakfast in the cabins

• 10:00am - Checkout

• 10:00-10:30am - Travel to OHM yurt

• 10:30am-12:30pm - Movement Session 5 at OHM yurt

• 12:30-1:00pm - Final Wrap-up / Discussion

• 1:00-2:00pm - Lunch at OHM yurt - sandwich buffet for takeaway if required

• Departures or private sessions for those scheduled.

*Teacher Only Mentoring Mini-Workshop provides an additional 2 hours of training for $65 CAD + tax. If interested, please be sure to select this option when registering!

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. Contact us for more details.

QUESTIONS? Email 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 our other scoliosis retreat offerings at Open Heart Mind Centre (OHM)!

Back in Balance with Martha Carter and Claudia Katherine

This 4-day/3-night weekend is a unique chance to intensively explore your own twisted and curved spine with the guidance of two experienced therapeutic spine specialists. Activities will include gentle scoliosis-focused movement classes, group discussions, and a solo assessment session—along with beach walks and delicious catered meals at charming rustic ocean-side cabins. By the end of the weekend, you will have new tools to support yourself in all your activities as you continue your scoliosis journey.