Detail
June 1 – 7, 2025
Join Caroline Welch, Cofounder & CEO of the Mindsight Institute, mindfulness practitioner, attorney, and author of The Gift of Presence: A Mindfulness Guide for Women (Penguin Random House 2020), together with Dr. Adriana Copeland, certified forest bathing therapy guide, UCLA certified mindfulness teacher, psychotherapist, and Somatic Practitioner (SEP), for a five-night, six-day journey of self-discovery, immersion in nature, and renewal.
We are located within the privacy of fortified walls dating back to the 13th century, in a family-owned medieval castle surrounded by 270 acres of evergreen and oak forests, just two hours south of Paris by train. We offer plenty of time for you to enjoy the beautiful castle grounds, including its seven circuit labyrinth, recreated by Dr. Copeland in the ancient design, also known as the Cretan Labyrinth, dating back more than 4,000 years. You will experience a safe haven for inspiration and restoration. Discover the timeless healing wisdom of living in attunement with our natural world and be your most resilient self. We will be a small group of up to 14 women.
Our time together will feature:
- Daily mindfulness and forest bathing workshops, experiential exercises, and/or discussion on the ancient grounds of Castle Marouatte, a family owned, medieval castle
- Private time for reflection and journaling
- Local farm-to-table cuisine and wines
- One local excursion
What is forest bathing?
The term shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing”) emerged in Japan in the 1980s as a body and mind practice which connects us with nature as we slow down and take in the atmosphere of the forest with all of our senses. The purpose was to offer an ecofriendly antidote to burnout in Japan and to inspire people to reconnect with and protect the country’s forests. While Japan is credited with the term forest bathing, many cultures have long recognized the importance of the natural world to human health. In the 1990s, researchers began studying the physiological benefits of forest bathing and science now confirms, as you might have suspected, time spent immersed in nature is good for us.
What are the benefits of this retreat?
- Learn and experience the scientifically established psychological and physiological health benefits of mindfulness and forest bathing
- Articulate your life’s purpose, and reflect upon your core values
- Build inner resilience to feel more confident to meet changes and challenges
- Experience your unique inner strength and the collective power of the group
- Internalize why self-care isn’t selfish
- Practice establishing boundaries
- Return home feeling relaxed, renewed, and ready for whatever comes your way