Transitions Retreat in Arizona
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Transitions and New Beginnings Retreat |
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-- February 4-8, 2026 Wednesday late afternoon through Sunday noon When change happens, it can be life-altering. It can disorient and alter our relationships with ourselves or others in unexpected ways. We need time away to process the change. If you wish for a place to get away to reflect for a few days, along with people understand transitions and can support you, we invite you to join a "Transitons and New Beginnings" retreat. This retreat will help you explore ways to move gracefully through your transition, let go of the past and explore new beginnings. We'll do it by engaging in meaningful conversations, gentle restorative movement, intuitive art (no talent needed!), rest and more.
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Registration opens in mid-November 2025 Contact us if interested in attending this retreat -- we will make sure to let you know when registration opens. Space is limited! We can host only 9 participants in this retreat, plus the host and the two facilitators. Depending on how many people stay at the home, we may be able to accept 2-3 more commuters Interested in housing at the retreat location? There are a few beds available for four nights (Wednesday through Saturday nights). Contact us if interested in the in-residence option. Please note that the housing fee is separate and in addition to the retreat fee. |
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Your retreat facilitators Barb Bickford (left) offers transitions retreats out of her own experience of major life transitions and loss. She is an experienced facilitator of meetings and retreats who is based in the east metro area of Minnesota. Cassandra O'Neill (right) is also no stranger to transitions. She is a Pilates instructor, retreat planner and facilitative leadership consultant in Tucson, Arizona.
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I became aware of the need
to approach transitions with calm, openness, non-judgement and the support of good people.
I returned home with much more patience and insight during a process of change.
My heart opened to the walks shared by others,
Our experiences resonated even though the specifics differed.
I was looking for greater fulfillment in my work life, with time to reflect and to open my mind to new possibilities.
Each session built on the others, allowing me to explore ideas more deeply.
I realized that it's OK to play and not to worry about perfection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who is this retreat for?
A. Anyone in transition who is open to reflecting about it, sharing their journey with others, and listening to the intuition that is arising from within them. If this question resonates with you: "What is the transition providing for you and what could your next step be?" then you will benefit from this retreat.
This particular retreat is longer, so it will be more relaxed, there will be more "down time" for rest and informal conversations. Sun City West also has optional activities like swimming, which are available to guests of the homeowner.
A. The retreat location is a private home. The owner of the home can accommodate four people. Each person would have their own bed, However, most would need to share a room. Rooms are limited and will be reserved on a first come / first served basis.
The Housing Fee will cover lodging at the retreat location (see question above) for up to four participants.
NOTE: Special needs must be indicated at the time of registration so that the cooks can plan accordingly.
Q. How can I pay for this retreat? Who should I make out the check to?
For the housing, you may write a check to the host by name or pay cash. You will pay the housing fee at the retreat.
If you'd like be notified about other Transitions events, go to our Topic Sign up page
and check the box for "TOPIC: Transitions / Grief."
I want to thank both of you, Sandy and Barb, for the opportunity to participate in your Transitions workshop in March 2023. I really wasn’t sure what to expect but I knew it would be top shelf with you both creating and facilitating it.
I also wasn’t totally sure what my transition was, but I definitely felt stuck, still grieving the loss of my husband and having writers block for writing a book intended to honor him and help others. My unfinished book manuscript had been untouched for months.
Your workshop got me unstuck and moving forward. It was the combination of physical movement, your insightful questions, talking sincerely with others, painting just for fun, and the different experiences inside and outside of the group that helped me identify what I had been struggling with.
I left with a game plan and I want you to know that I have written every day since the workshop and I can see the end in sight for submitting my book to a publisher. It would not have happened without my weekend with you and our group. Thank you sincerely!
---Kathleen A. Paris
Kathleen's book, "Gentle Comforts: For Women Grieving the Loss of a Beloved Life Companion," came out a year after she attended our retreat.
If you recall, I was contemplating leaving my career as an architect and trying to figure out my next career.
The art exercises that you had us do really had an impact on my thought process. I discovered that it was ok to get messy and explore ideas and options I normally wouldn’t have.
I can confidently say that the retreat helped me settle into a phase of open exploration without being afraid. Shortly after the retreat, I began working on the book I had always talked about writing.
I have a completed manuscript almost ready to go to my editor and am hopeful that by May of 2025 I will be a published author. I also currently have a children’s book that we are editing and getting an illustrator onboard and hope to have that published by spring of 2025.
I wanted you to know that your retreat, for me, was eye opening and did make an impact and for that I am grateful. Thank you!
---Bob Vajgrt
Bob's book is "THE STORY IN YOUR HEAD - How Life Experiences Prepare You For Leadership"
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The biggest thing I get out of these retreats is individuals sharing who they are. -- Vicki, after attending for the third time |
If you'd like be notified about future Transitions events, go to our Topic Sign up page
and check the box for "TOPIC: Transitions / Grief."
