Poplar Cabin @ Alders Beach Resort
Spruce Cabin @ Alders Beach Resort
Pine Cabin @ Alders Beach Resort
Therapeutic Body Care on the Island
with Martha Carter and Darcy Mcmurray
OHM Centre, Vancouver ISLAND, BC
April 14-17, 2023
This workshop will be held at Open Heart Mind Centre (OHM) in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, BC. MAP
ABOUT THE RETREAT
Join Martha and Darcy for a weekend of therapeutic movement exploration through a combination of Yoga, Somatics, Pilates Mat work, and Freestyle movement.
Enjoy your stay at cozy beachside cabins, the nourishing catered meals, plus the forest bathing, nature walks, and breathtaking views from the OHM yurt studio.
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 is 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. 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 MARTHA CARTER
Martha’s welcoming approach to Somatics and Gentle Yoga is accessible to all levels and abilities. Synthesizing her knowledge as a dance artist with her love of therapeutic methods, participants will learn a range of movements that will lead to increased strength, length, alignment and mindfulness in the whole soma—body, mind and soul. Martha’s full bio can be found here.
ABOUT DARCY MCMURRAY
Darcy has been teaching Pilates and training Pilates instructors since 2000, specializing in rehabilitation and acute issues. Through Pilates, Darcy integrates massage, breath work, strengthening, and stretching exercises.Clients experience better range of motion, feel empowered, and more aware of how to move in day-to-day life.
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
In-person with some online sessions available.
For those who want to join ONLINE ONLY, please email us. For online students, there will be no corrections during the movement class, but a 20-minute post class question/answer period will be provided.All registrants can access and download class recordings following the retreat.
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 $1,200 - $1,425 CAD +tax dependent on your cabin room selection (first come, first serve). NOTE: Discount on Full package if you register before our (extended) Registration Deadline of Feb. 28 - 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) - $595 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 (extended!) Registration Deadline of February 28, 2023 - use coupon code THERACARE2023 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
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 shared kitchen and living area.
Limited private bedrooms available.
NOTE: All cabin and room bookings are first come, first serve.
POPLAR CABIN:
3 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms (1 shared full bathroom with in-tub shower and 1 ensuite: 3 piece with shower).
Room 1: Private - Queen bed with ensuite bathroom
Room 2: Private - Queen bed with shared bathroom
Room 3: Shared - 2 bunk beds with shared bathroom (max 2 people)
SPRUCE CABIN:
3 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms (1 shared full bathroom with in-tub shower and 1 ensuite: 3 piece with shower).
Room 1: Private - Queen bed with ensuite bathroom
Room 2: Shared - 2 single beds with shared bathroom
Room 3: Shared - 2 single beds with shared bathroom
PINE CABIN
3 bedrooms with 1 bathroom (1 shared full bathroom with in-tub shower).
Room 1: Shared - 2 single beds
Room 2: Private - Queen bed
Room 3: Shared - 2 bunk beds (max 2 people)
RETREAT SCHEDULE
(Subject to Change)
Friday
Arrivals
6:00-7:30pm - Dinner
7:30-8:30pm - Class 1 - Restorative Relaxation with Martha and Darcy
Saturday
Breakfast in cabins
9:30am-10:30am - Class - Somatic Yoga with Martha
10:30am-11:00am - Break
11:00am-12:00pm - Pilates Mat work with Darcy
12:00pm-4:00pm - Lunch and Afternoon Break
4:00pm-6:00pm - Movement session TBD
6:00pm - 6:30pm - Break
6:30pm - Dinner
(Optional dance party after dinner)
Sunday
Breakfast in cabins
9:30am-10:30am - Class - Somatic Yoga with Martha
10:30am-11:00am - Break
11:00am-12:00pm - Pilates Mat work with Darcy
12:00pm-4:00pm - Lunch and Afternoon Break
4:00pm-6:00pm - Movement session TBD
6:00pm-6:30pm - Break
6:30 - Dinner
(Optional group activity after dinner)
Monday
Breakfast in cabins
9:30am-12:00pm - Movement session TBD
12:30pm - 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. 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 the other retreat offerings at Open Heart Mind (OHM) Centre!
Somatic Solutions for Asymmetrical Bodies with Laura M Gates
This is a learning laboratory workshop designed for people with scoliosis and uneven posture. It is also for Clinical Somatic movement teachers interested in learning more about the subject for their students and clients.
A synergistic and inspirational mix of Gentle Yoga, Somatics, Yamuna Body Rolling, and Intuitive Art. Designed for all levels and all bodies.