OYOU Women’s Retreats: A Sanctuary for Renewal, Connection, and Creative Healing

The OYOU Women’s Retreats offer a transformative and nurturing experience for women seeking restoration, self-expression, and meaningful connection. Held in the peaceful setting of Martindale Schoolhouse and Wilory Farm, these retreats welcome women from all walks of life — including cancer survivors, caregivers, educators, healthcare workers, and others who dedicate themselves in service to others. We intentionally cultivate a safe, inclusive, and judgment-free space where participants can slow down, reflect, and reconnect with themselves and one another.

Each retreat includes a range of enriching activities such as journaling workshops, creative arts and crafts, guided reflection, and music-infused song circles. These offerings are designed not only to spark creativity but to support emotional well-being, resilience, and personal growth. The retreats provide a much-needed pause from life’s daily demands, helping women rediscover joy, laughter, and their inner creative voice.

Thanks to the generosity of individual donors and business sponsors, OYOU is proud to offer these retreats at a significantly reduced cost—approximately 75% less than comparable programs. Scholarships are available for those facing financial hardship, ensuring that no woman is turned away due to cost.

We invite you to join us as a participant or to consider sponsoring a woman in need of rest and renewal.

No prior experience in the arts is required — just a willingness to unplug, connect, and explore in the company of kindred spirits. For more information, including upcoming dates and retreat details, please contact us. Your support helps us continue offering these life-affirming experiences to women who need them most.

Join us this fall for the All Souls Women’s Retreat at Wilory Farm in Martindale — a heartfelt weekend of reflection, creativity, and connection.

Set against the peaceful backdrop of nature, this special retreat invites women of all backgrounds to gather in community through music, art, and restorative practices. No music experience is needed to join our joyful song circles, where we sing together in the spirit of celebration and remembrance. Participants will enjoy hands-on arts and crafts, a guided relaxation class, and the option to camp onsite under the stars. Rooted in the spirit of Día de los Muertos, we honor the past, embrace the present, and set intentions for the future in a warm, welcoming space where all are free to be themselves.

12th Annual Women's Retreat: A Sanctuary for Connection and Renewal

Theme: TBA

“Every single thing I heard here was something I needed to hear, that was pertinent to me.   There was so much synchronicity, energy and connection. The retreat will definitely help me as I approach challenges in my life, giving me a fresh perspective. I find that my “tool box” of responses is fuller and richer.”

“The connections here were tender, vulnerable, open, to the point that I found myself on the edge of tears.   Good tears, needed tears. I am still processing it all, but I definitely felt that this was a safe place in which to share and feel that vulnerability. The success of the retreat is a testament to how Terri shares her own vulnerability and builds trust with others.”

“This was a no BS zone.   We were able to be fully transparent and truthful here. We were able to share about our hard situations with family or failures or desires to be different.   We were all able to relate to each other’s struggles. The creative exercises helped us connect to each other and to deep parts within ourselves. We were reminded of the many good people in the world, a nice contrast to the craziness and ugliness that the world sometimes gives us.”

“This has been so restful, peaceful and healing for me. I could feel the loving welcome as soon as I arrived.    It was almost overwhelming since this is so rare. The discussions helped me better understand my past traumas, and helped me to start healing by being around other survivors and supporters.”

“I can’t help but to be infected by all the positivity here, reminding me to offer myself grace and patience like I do for others in my life.”

“This is my third retreat. I have always felt camaraderie and friendship at these retreats, even with women who I just met. I find this to be an emotionally and spiritually healing force, giving me a better perspective on life and people in general. My only question is - how long can I continue to savor this feeling, to hold on to the spiritual sense I found here?   I think that music will be a good bridge to keep me grounded to this feeling.”

“So enlightening!  Such spiritual growth. Loved the new contacts I made, and the change and growth I already sense. This retreat has all the benefits of being connected to nature when camping, without the hassles of setting up a tent!”

“It was almost scary how deeply healing this weekend was for me. The topics were challenging but great.   The Nia exercise felt energetically healing, the singing bowls were so powerful that I felt transported to another plane of existence.  I feel joy and deep excitement.”

“Unbelievably intimate, safe and open environment. It was magical, with a universal connection flowing between us all”.

“I have been to other larger group OYOU retreats, but I especially liked the smaller scale of this weekend. Very intimate. It cleansed my soul, and reminded me to put myself first.    The creative workshops brought me insight and awareness. It was a soul shower!   I hope to make this feeling and perspective last a long time.”

“The smaller group made for greater connection. Less structure made for more relaxation and less stress. Having it all in one location reduced the confusion of moving from place to place.  I have been to “yoga” retreats that focus on just yoga, but this is so much broader and deeper and brings so much personal growth.”

“I felt like I was not so much discarding toxic things from my life, as much as learning to include the healthy and loving into my life.”

“The retreat seemed to me as an opportunity for us all to seek an ancient wisdom, finding the divine among the group as opposed to one god above. The planet has given us humans all we need, our challenge is to learn how to use and appreciate those gifts.    Connecting to indigenous cultures in this retreat really brought that point home for me, rooting in the earth and finding the spiritual within.”