Awaken Your Soul - Women’s Retreat

A self-care, self-love, and empowerment experience.

Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic

May 22-28th, 2023

7 day All-Inclusive Women's Retreat

Are You a Woman Who ...

  • Is stressed or burnt out from work or family life?
  • Is struggling with self-care and prioritizing leisure time?
  • Is feeling lost and not quite sure of your own identity?
  • Is giving care to others but forgetting yourself?
  • Is finding it hard to set boundaries and ask for help?

If you’re a woman who feels lost, overwhelmed, or too busy to take care of herself due to her career, relationship, or endless to-do’s, then this retreat is for you. If you feel stressed out with a lack of self-love and self-care, and you want to re-prioritize your wellness and reconnect with your soul! Join other like-minded women and us in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, for an unforgettable experience pampering yourself with much-needed relaxation while also discovering what empowers and awakens your soul.

Allow Yourself To Imagine...

Waking up to the beautiful sounds of birds chirping and fresh mountain air wafting through your bedroom window…

You walk to the window and see rolling mountains greet you and heavenly white clouds fill the majestic blue sky. You are surrounded by tropical greenery, mountains, waterfalls and endless blue skies everywhere you look..

Then you head to the outdoor terrace where your traditional Dominican breakfast awaits, prepared by professional trained chefs. They will cook most of your Dominican style cuisine throughout your stay. Whether you are sipping your Dominican cafe con leche in the morning, eating some tropical fruits in the afternoon, or enjoying some fresh seafood in the evening. Rest assured that your taste buds will be on cloud nine.

Then you head to the heated pool on the beautiful outside deck overlooking the magnificent mountain view. This takes indoor/outdoor living to the next level! You will enjoy eating, socializing or taking a swim in the pool all while surrounded by beautiful nature.

You feel as if you are in heaven … not quite, you are in
Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic!!!

Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic is the ideal place to slow down, unwind, and reconnect with what truly inspires your soul.

Jarabacoa has retained a quaint beauty, encapsulating an almost spiritual ambiance. With its dark pine trees and lush forests; tall mountains and rejuvenating waterfalls; freshwater rivers and cool hikes that will allow us to reconnect with what truly inspire us and facilitate the awakening of our souls.

…You will get to enjoy the many soul awakening benefits that the tropical landscape has to offer you through the many activities we will do such as outdoor meditations, nature trails, and swimming in waterfalls.

…You will also partake in many self-care practices such as journaling, exercising, and yoga that are an easy and proven way to replenish and nurture your soul, mind and body.

…You will be guided by mental wellness experts who don’t just teach what they know, they live it every day and they will help you work through any challenges, mindsets, or obstacles that impede your self love journey.

…You will connect with other like-minded women and enjoy many fun experiences with them, creating friendships that will last a lifetime.

…You will rediscover that self-love is not selfish, it empowers you and liberates you to be your best self in any season of life.

Our Promise to You

By the end of this self-care retreat you will AWAKEN to your, Unique Identity, Power, Beauty, Radiance, Strength, Resilience, and Vision for your Life!

Me Encanta!

I can hear you now...

….a trip to the Dominican Republic? I barely have time for myself now, how do I make time for a self-care retreat?

In the back of your mind, there is this wish list titled, “That would be nice someday. A list that remains exactly that… wishes.

You’re wondering if this would be ‘realistic’ or ‘possible’ for you at this time in your life. How would you be able to take the time off just for yourself?

You’re asking yourself, “How do I make this happen? Is it selfish when I have so many responsibilities?”

My friend….in order to care for others or your responsibilities well, you must take care of yourself.

Self-care…..Is not a luxury, it’s a necessity!

“When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel” – Eleanor Brown

This retreat will give you the opportunity to reconnect with yourself and the present moment instead of going through the motions of our everyday hectic life. We are human BEINGS after all, not human DOINGS. How amazing would that be to just BE and not have to worry about doing anything?!

You will use the beauty and inspiration around you to not only slow down and regenerate but, in addition, we will help you to identify any obstacles that prevent you from incorporating self care into your life so you can start living from the overflow rather than the fumes.

Self-Love….Is not Earned, it’s a Birthright!

We live in a world, where we are always taught to be the best at everything you do which can easily turn into a struggle to be perfect. To have the perfect career, relationship, family life, social life, body and the list goes on and on. When we have checked off everything, then we can finally love ourselves!

You deserve better than this! Self-love is not something you need to earn, it is your birthright! 

Throughout this retreat, you will learn how to love yourself! How to treat yourself with compassion, understanding, forgiveness and warmth. How to accept your shared imperfect humanity and how to be kind to yourself in the midst of suffering.

Empowered….To live life intentionally, not accidentally!

You hold power to change your life! Once you understand this, your whole life will change. No matter what circumstances you may currently face, you can start creating the life that you want.

The blame game ends here because blame puts the power for your life, happiness, and mood into something or someone else’s hands outside of yourself. While this can be easy, it ultimately robs you of your power. Your choices have the most significant impact on your life.

So this retreat will challenge you to take back the reins of your life and ask yourself the hard questions. Like what I am currently doing that is not fostering the kind of life I want? This increased awareness will help you determine what changes, habits, and choices you need to make to live life intentionally, not accidentally.

The Accommodations

Villa Brisal & Spa

Brisal Villa & Spa is located in Jarabacoa “The City of Everlating Spring”. The city is known for having a Tropical Rainforest climate surrounded by mountains, rivers, waterfalls and natural environment.  It’s location is in the center of the Central Range of the Dominican Republic.

You’ll feel like you’ve found a secret oasis that only YOU know about…this will be instrumental in the Awakening of your Soul.

You’ll feel like you’ve found a secret oasis that only YOU know about…this will be instrumental in the Awakening of your Soul.

Location & Travel

Brisal Villa & Spa is located approximately:

We will be carpooling from the Cibao airport on August 22 and August 28 to Brisal Villa & Spa.  

If you an earlier arrival or departure date we will be glad to assist with additional arrangements outside of the itinerary and the all inclusive package cost for the retreat.

Tell us what you love to do and we can tell you where to go! While ultimately your Pre & Post journeys are your own, we love this area and are delighted to give suggestions!

Cuisine

DROOL worthy food is your pathway to pleasure!

“YOU will attract more joie de vivre, when you feel better about yourself!

They say that the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, so based on this, traditional food from the Dominican Republic will make anyone fall madly in love with this Caribbean nation. Dominican cuisine is the result of the crossroads of many continents and many countries. Taino, Spanish, and African (in order of arrival) were the cultures that most strongly influenced Dominican cuisine. All or nearly all food groups are accommodated in typical Dominican cuisine, as it incorporates meat or seafood; grains, especially rice, corn (native to the island), and wheat; vegetables, such as beans and other legumes, potatoes, yuca, or plantains, and salad; dairy products, especially milk and cheese; and fruits, such as oranges, bananas, and mangos.

Retreat Itinerary

PRE-RETREAT ZOOM MEETING:

Before our retreat together we will have a zoom group call that will set you on the right track for preparing for the retreat and your upcoming transformation! You will receive a ‘pre-retreat orientation package’ well before our call. This call will also help with getting acquainted so we will hit the ground running at our welcome cocktail meet and greet.

Today is a celebration! You have arrived in Jarabacoa! Settle in for some much-needed rest and relaxation.
  • Check-in at The Villa Brisal and Spa
  • After settling in, meet your hostesses by the pool
  • Enjoy a cocktail party while meeting your companions
  • Relax to pleasant music and take in the beautiful sunset
  • Welcome Dinner prepared by on-site private chef
Today is where you learn to just BE instead of DO. You honor your being and listen to your thoughts, feelings, and needs.
  • Enjoy Breakfast and Dinner prepared by on-site private chef
  • Guided Meditation Session – Introduction to Mindfulness
  • Physical Replenishment through Yoga and Massage
  • Interactive Seminar on Holistic Approaches to Women’s Wellness
  • Private, Excursion to Baiguate Salto Waterfall (Lunch Provided) where you will enjoy the tropical waters refreshing your body and spirit
  • Small Group Connection Time to connect and unwind with other women
  • Quiet Evening Reflection Time for your spirit
Today you will identify the words in your mind, how they impact you, and how to take back the power these words have wielded over you.
  • Enjoy Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner prepared by an on-site private chef
  • Guided Meditation Session – Our Story Telling Minds
  • Physical Replenishment through Fitness Session and Massage
  • Interactive Seminar on Relationships
  • Leisure Time to Relax or Enjoy the Pool
  • Small Group Connection Time to connect and unwind with other women
  • Quiet Evening Reflection Time for your spirit
Today you will learn how to cultivate kindness towards yourself rather than judgment or criticism.
  • Enjoy Breakfast and Dinner prepared by an on-site private chef
  • Guided Meditation Session – Introduction to Mindfulness
  • Physical Replenishment through Yoga and Massage
  • Interactive Seminar on Body Image and Healthy Lifestyle
  • Private, Excursion to Quintas del Bosque Trails (Lunch Provided), where you will hike the mountain trails and realize how powerful you truly are
  • Small Group Connection Time to connect and unwind with other women
  • Quiet Evening Reflection Time for your spirit
Today you will understand how tolerance is built through how we respond to challenges, obstacles, and difficult seasons.
  • Enjoy Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner prepared by an on-site private chef
  • Guided Meditation Session – Willingness to Be with Things as They Are
  • Physical Replenishment through Fitness Session and Massage
  • Interactive Seminar on Depression and Anxiety Among Women
  • Leisure Time to Relax or Enjoy the Pool
  • Small Group Connection Time to connect and unwind with other women
  • Quiet Evening Reflection Time for your spirit
Today is where it all comes together, and you learn what it means to love and care for yourself with compassion, understanding, and affection.
  • Enjoy Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner prepared by an on-site private chef
  • Guided Meditation Session – Finding Compassion Within
  • Physical Replenishment through Yoga and Massage
  • Interactive Seminar on Self-care
  • Leisure Time to relax, connect and love on yourself and each other
  • Dinner and Closing Event to Celebrate Your Retreat Experience with peers and hosts
Enjoy a leisurely and independent start to the morning with a full breakfast prepared by an on-site private chef.
  • Final goodbyes
  • Check out of The Villa Brisal and Spa: Transport to airport

Post Retreat Call

Upon your return home, we will hold a post-retreat call to assist you with integrating your new learnings and remaining focused on your transformational experience and the actions that you planned to take to keep your self care journey thriving.

I am blown away! My bag is packed!

What is Included

What is not Included

I WANT THIS, I AM IN!

Invest in Yourself AND SAVE YOUR SPOT

Once you register you will gain immediate access to our virtual private Facebook community. Here you will receive weather tips, travel tips and tricks, important information about the Awaken Your Soul retreat, and you will be able to connect with other women who will be on the trip!

Scholarship

We are pleased to offer one position as a scholarship, send us an inquiry so we can provide you with the list of items required for this consideration.

Your Hosts!

About Josefina:
Josefina has been a Board Certified Psychiatrist in practice for over twenty years. Josefina received her medical doctorate (M.D.) from the Dominican Republic in 1990. She completed her Psychiatric Residency Training at Wake Forest University; she is also an Addiction Medicine Specialist and Geriatric Psychiatrist. She believes in empowering the human soul with holistic approaches and applying evidence-based medicine to make effective and long-lasting changes in individuals’ lives.
Her favorite things: Chess, cycling, photography, outdoor activities, human relationships, travel, beaches, and being a Cynophile or “dog lover”.
Little Known Facts: She was the Women’s Dominican Republic Chess Champion in 1983-1984 and participated in the Chess Olympics in Thessaloniki, Greece representing the Dominican Republic. She is the grandmother of five!
About Ana:
Ana is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She completed her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Political Science from the University of Florida and her Master’s in Social Work from Florida Atlantic University. Ana has years of experience providing individual therapy to adult women for various issues such as depression, anxiety, self-esteem, life transitions, stress management, trauma, and relationship problems. She is trained in the best therapeutic modalities on the market today, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness. She is on a mission to help women to discover their power not just to survive but THRIVE – mind, body, and spirit!
Her favorite things: salsa dancing, reading, travel, fitness and trying new foods
Little-known facts: She completed a half-marathon (13.1 miles) and has performed in salsa congress socials across the country.

FREQUENTY ASKED QUESTIONS

You will ideally be flying to the Cibao International Airport which is fifty minutes from the venue and as a second option to Santo Domingo International Airport at a two and a half hour driving distance.

We will provide transportation included in the  all inclusive price from the Ciba International Airport, we will assist the guest with arrangements for transportation from the Santo Domingo Airport but that fee is not included in the all inclusive price. The cost from the Santo Domingo AIrport to the retreat venue is about US250 including arrival and departure trips if you book a private transportation and the cost is not shared with others.

Yes, There are single, double and triple rooms available! If you’d like to a share a room, please let us know during your free consultation call to explain the different options available.

You must have a negative covid test within 2 days of this retreat and send a copy scanned and sent to staff@theawakenretreats.com

For the safety of all of our guests we request a rapid covid test the day of your arrival, no fees associated with this test.

If you do not desire to participate on a particular activity or excursion you will  not be precluded from doing so and extracurricular activities will be suggested that may have an additional cost or you can just have leisure time.

Yes, we can accommodate all diet restrictions if we are notified prior to your arrival date, on the registration form you will have the opportunity to disclose any dietary restrictions.

We highly recommend travel insurance, we are not affiliated with any particular insurance company however our guest have use in the past companies as Allianz and Travel Guard.

I will always encourage extended time for relaxation! Simply reach out at staff@theawakenretreats.com to get additional information related to nightly fees or other recommendations.

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