Writing about our past empowers us to identify old patterns so that we can write new futures, transforming old wounds into new stories.

On this intimate 4-day retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains, we will write our origin stories, chart our timelines, discover our archetypes, and identify the themes and narrative arcs of our lives. Combining guided meditation, visualization, and energy work within our small group writing circles, we will unearth our most potent and pervasive themes in order to imagine new plotlines for our lives moving forward. As we find our voices, we take back our power, becoming the hero, the most important character, in our own lives.

Each writer will have their own gorgeous bedroom in the beautiful farmhouse of Porches Writing Retreat in Nelson County, a short walk away from the James River. Our schedule will include small circle writing, free time, energy work, writing at the river, half a day at Yogaville ( a 15-minute drive from Porches), and all course materials.

Our small group will be limited to 4 participants.

Provided: 4 days and 3 nights of private accommodations, 15 hours of group writing time, energy work, a day pass to Yogaville, coffee, tea, dinner all 3 nights, and lunch on Saturday.

Not Provided: transportation to the Porches, breakfasts, lunch on Friday or Sunday, and towels.

Payment: Registration for one of the 3 Queen Bedrooms is $1200. Registration for the Single Bedroom is $1,125. A $400 deposit is required to hold your space, but payment plans may be created as needed. Payments should be made in full by 03/28/24.

Meals: All 3 dinners and lunch on Saturday will be provided, as well as coffee and tea for the weekend. Please plan to bring your own breakfast for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning, as well as lunch for Friday. Porches have a full kitchen with everything you should need for meal preparation. The nearest grocery store is about 30 minutes away, so it is recommended that you bring all of your food with you.

Cancellation Policy: The $400 deposit is nonrefundable. Cancellations on or before September 30, 2024, will receive a full refund minus the deposit. Cancellations on or after October 1, 2024, are nonrefundable. Email hello@valleyhaggard for information or assistance.

Itinerary

Thursday

3 - 5 pm: Arrival

5 - 5:30 pm: Welcome

6 - 7 pm: Dinner (vegetarian and non-vegetarian options provided)

7- 9 pm: Small Circle Writing

Friday

9 - 12 pm: Small Circle Writing

12 - 3 pm: Free time

3 - 5 pm: River walk and small circle writing

6 - 7 pm: Dinner (vegetarian and non-vegetarian options provided)

7-9 pm: Energy work and guided journey

Saturday

9 - 11 am: Small Circle Writing

12 pm - 7 pm: Visit to Yogaville

12- 12:30: Silent meditation in the Lotus Temple

12: 45 - 1:30: Vegan Lunch (provided)

1:30 - 4 pm: Free/writing time

4 - 5:30 pm: Integral Hatha Yoga (mixed level)

5:30 - 6:30 pm: Vegan Dinner (provided)

6:30 pm: Return to Porches

7 - 9 pm: Small Circle Writing

Sunday

9 - 10:30 am: Small Circle Writing

11 am: Departure

***I took the photo of that gorgeous Butterfly the last time I visited Porches!***

Transformational Memoir: a 4 Day Retreat