Women deserve time to grieve and integrate their birth experience. Often with a newborn to take care of, this necessary part of healing from a cesarean birth is put on hold, sometimes for years. Additionally, society, friends and family do not always provide a space for the full range of emotions including; rage, sadness, disappointment, and trauma. A healthy baby is not all that matters. Moms matter too, and how she gave birth matters. This retreat will provide a safe place for moms to explore further their thoughts and feelings.
Infants in arms are welcome.
However, Moms are encouraged to give this day to them selves.
Comments from
last years retreat…
“It was awesome!”
“Today’s workshop was amazing, powerful, liberating, and beautiful—all at the same time.”
Choice One- Rhythm nation: Healing and the drums with Mark DeMaio
Our bodies, minds, and spirits open to the connection of music, to the
beat, to healing, and to other women.
Choice Two- Healing your wound through massaging your scar mindfully and spiritually with Pam Guldi
Learn massage techniques to break up scar tissues and reconnect to your beautiful body.
12:00- 1:00 Pot Luck Lunch (Please bring a dish to share)
1:00- 2:30Afternoon Session- MIND
Choice One- The after shocks- Discussion group with Pamela Goldsmith
How has this experience affected your relationship and attachment with yourself, child, and partner?
Choice Two- Freedom Journal- Telling of your story visually through altered art
with Carly Sullens
Learn to free your story with simple art making techniques and the art of
creative writing.
2:30- 3:00Break- Snacks
3:00 – 5:00 Evening Session- SOUL
Earth warrior dolls- with Carly Sullens
Using natural materials, sticks, cotton, and batting, women will ‘swaddle’ their dolls to create a warrior doll.
5:00- 5:30Closure
Registration is now closed. See you in the Fall for the next retreat.
Chair massages will be available with Pam Guldi
Mark J DeMaio is a well-heeled percussionist and teacher. He graduated UCF with a degree in Liberal Studies with foci in Practical Philosophy and Integrative Psychology in 2001. Upon graduation, he immediately set out in search of service. Since then, he has studied with acclaimed African, Middle Eastern, and Korean drummers while teaching a myriad of subjects to people of all ages and cultures. He lived and traveled in Asia for many years, is an avid student of Comparative Mythology, and uses the connection between all walks of live to illustrate the world of rhythm beyond boundaries. Through his experiences, he has been developing methods for how music transforms and vitalizes community, self, and the planet. He has acted as Drum Facilitator for Orlando PURE, led drum circles in Asia and throughout Florida, drummed with local and not so local bands, been a guest with Valencia Community College’s Music Department on many occasions, acted as Mentor to youth in and around Central Florida, is a student of Yoga, Chi-Gong, Conscious Breathing, and is also a certified Reiki 2 practitioner and a licensed Avatar Master.
Carly Sullens, ATR has a Master of Arts degree in Art Therapy from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. As an art therapist for over 13 years, Carly is skilled working with clients on such issues as; depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, trauma-related issues, life transitions, creative blockages and grief and loss. She has received additional training to work specifically with women who are pregnant and the postpartum period that follows. Carly is trained as a Birthing From Within childbirth educator and Doula. She works closely supporting women through feminine life transitions with a special interest in fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, adoption, birth trauma and postpartum.
Pamela Guldi, L.M.T., was originally licensed as a massage therapist in 1992. Her passion for children and families led her to a practice specializing in pregnancy and infant massage. Pamela has studied with Carol Osborne-Sheets, the nations leading Prenatal Massage Therapist. After achieving certification for Prenatal Massage, Pamela had the honor of being an assistant teacher for Osborne-Sheets during several courses presented in Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. A doula since 1995, Pamela has worked with many women and families helping them to create beautiful births with the support of her loving hands. During in 2007 she began a journey as a Birthing from Withinämentor, learning new ways to join her practice of therapeutic touch with birth assistance for women that happens at a deeper and more profoundly transformative level. Since joining Red Sun Yoga, Pamela has mentored expectant mothers, taught pre-natal, post-partum and children’s yoga classes and shared her massage and doula practice with many of the studio’s clients and students.
Pamela Goldsmith, LMHC has been practicing mental health counseling since 1996. She is holistically-oriented, which means that she will work with you to nurture wellness in the body, the mind, and the spirit. Pam graduated with a Master's degree from Naropa University in Boulder Colorado. At Naropa she learned about the power of knowing one's own mind. She was able to learn the art of therapy while developing a personal style that has been very effective with her clients. This personal style incorporates mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, existential psychology, transpersonal psychology, Gestalt, play therapy, art therapy and other techniques to help clients gain the self awareness necessary for change to occur.
