Finding Peace in the Storms of Our Lives

Question: When the world seems to be spinning out of control, where can we turn to recover calm, stability, and perspective?

Answer: The peace and quiet of springtime at GilChrist! The sacred grounds support this invitation to explore a ‘try softer’ attitude for centering and change. Trying softer self-care subtly opens energy channels allowing for reawakening and refreshing. Gentle yoga, tai chi, silent and guided meditation, breath work, readings and reflections from poets, sages, and mystics will be offered as pathways and pauses to the heart.

About the Facilitator

Michael Rice, BA, E-RYT-500, has served a vast and diverse population for over 40 years with yoga, tai chi and mindfulness meditation. In addition to weekly in-person yoga and meditation classes, he offers two Zoom gatherings: Meditation and Poets and Welcoming All Change. His root teachers continue to be Master Wasentha Young, Pema Chodron, Jack Kornfield, Laura Dempster, and poets, mystics and sages! He has completed mindfulness meditation studies with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. He is a faculty member at the International Institute of Yoga Therapy.

Retreat Schedule

The retreat will open on Friday at 6:30 p.m. in WindHill and end Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. with morning, afternoon, and evening sessions on Saturday, and a morning practice on Sunday.

Registration and Lodging Details

The retreat begins in WindHill at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and closes at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. Early bird registration is $275 before March 1, 2023 and $300 after that. Space is limited, and participants must register for the retreat with a minimum $200 deposit before reserving a cabin at GilChrist, with remaining cost of retreat due by April 1, 2023 2022.

Lodging fees and reservations are separate, and participants are encouraged to complete a registration form and submit payment early to secure a spot and secure a GilChrist cabin. After you have registered and paid for the program with the facilitator via email, contact GilChrist to reserve your cabin using the online registration form or by calling the main office at (269) 244-1130. Lodging is $60/night per person in addition to the program fee. Participants will check into their cabins between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 14, 2023 or at a time you communicate via your cabin reservation. Cabin check-out is at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 16, 2023.

A communal dinner will take place on Saturday evening, so please let Michael know if you have any food restrictions. Other than Saturday evening, individuals are responsible for their own meals. Each guest space at GilChrist is equipped with a complete kitchen. See the complete GilChrist FAQ for more information about the facility.