For individual and group support
by private arrangement
Partial Day
Full Day
Multiple Day Retreats
For individual and group support
Here are a list of offerings you or your group can select from. Choose what feels like the best fit. They can be offered as stand alones or grouped together for a longer gathering.
Circle 60, 90, or 120 minutes
Lori facilitates The Circle Way, which is based on indigenous social structure where sitting in a circle with intention allows a group of people to connect with purpose. There is a loose structure, a sacred center, and the facilitator introduces ideas, poetry, and questions for the group to explore.
Sound Bath 60 minutes
Lori begins with a short guided meditation and plays crystal bowls for 40 minutes. The body is intelligent and knows how to respond to the healing sounds emitted from the bowls. There is a short debrief afterward.
Heart Coherence Meditation 60 minutes
A methodology promoted by The Heart Math Institute and Dr. Joe Dispenza.
Coherence is when our mind, heart, emotions, and physical systems are operating in cooperative, harmonious alignment.
Together, we’ll synchronize our energy fields by each of us moving into coherence and then amplify this coherence. Imagine the amplified sound of many voices in a choir, singing in harmony. Coherence is similar, only the energy waves aren’t created by our vocal chords and aren’t heard by our ears. The energy vibrates outward from our heart centers and is FELT by our hearts as well. This is accomplished by focusing on breath, body, and the instructions from the facilitator.
During the Heart Coherence meditation, we may send healing and calming energy to a person or persons of focus with our intentions, e.g., wishes or prayers.
Why do we want to create this group coherence? Grief is a natural process involving mind, emotions, spirit, and the physical body; in essence, a lot of stress. Coherence reduces that stress and puts us in a state where we are more resilient and can better manage the stress. Some people experience bliss and a deep sense of connection when they let go of thoughts correlated with negative emotions and hurt.
Somatic means “of the body.” This work is important because the body stores energy and we gain from giving that energy a way to move.
Stuck Exercise 30 minutes
This gives each person a chance to focus on their individual experience of grief with support from group members. We ask each person, in turn, to find a “pose” that represents an aspect of their grief. Group members offer gentle touch, holding space for when that “pose” is ready to soften and then move. This is done in silence to encourage everyone to focus on how and what the body feels, rather than using words to process.
Social Presencing 60 minutes
This is a group movement practice that gives roles to each individual, representing a whole system. The group explores the emerging change in the system and then debriefs afterward to share what they discovered from the process. There is usually insight and a new, broader perspective for each person. This is a more advanced somatic practice.
Art Therapy 60, 90, or 120 minutes
Facilitated, non-verbal, somatic expression session with background music. The intention here is to get out of the thinking mind and allow emotions to express from the heart out through the hands, using color on paper. It’s not about creating an image to take home and put on the refrigerator; it’s about moving energy in the body that needs someplace to go.
Walking the Labyrinth 60 minutes
We meet at a local outdoor labyrinth and do a walking silent meditation with focused contemplation. Following the labyrinth walk, individuals can journal about their experience. Then we sit in a circle to allow anyone who would like to share about their experience (sharing optional).
Intuitive Dance 60 minutes
Many cultures incorporate dance as a part of grieving. We are your DJ, bringing a music playlist that inspires movement. We spend a bit of time warming up the body slowly then encourage movement inspired by the music. This practice gets us out of our heads and gives the body the freedom to move in whatever way it wants to. It’s ok to yell, scream, cry, lie on the floor, run, pound on the floor, or shake. The body KNOWS what it needs! We give you permission and safety to move the energy. For the last bit of the hour we sit in a circle and invite anyone who would like to share, and we honor this shared experience. Intuitive dance satisfies the physical, emotional, and spiritual parts of us.
Lori has 30 years of experience in facilitation with training in The Circle Way, The Art of Hosting, Leading Meetings That Matter, Community Weaving, Conversation Cafe, Open Space, World View Intelligence, Social Presencing Theater, U-Theory, and more. She has facilitated in professional, social, and personal growth settings. She has co-hosted women's circles over the years and participated in the Wisdom Council and Medicine Wheel practice with Glenna Gerard and Acalia.
Rachel Henry finds her spiritual grounding in the Christian contemplative tradition and her Jewish heritage. Buddhist and Taoist thought and practices along with a profound respect for all our non-human relations also influence her worldview. She works as a hospital chaplain accompanying people during times of illness or end of life. Life-giving, joy-filling activities for her include being outside, delicious meals with family and friends, beauty in various forms, and athletic endeavors.
Duration Lori only** Add Rachel***
Circle | 60, 90, 120 minutes | $100/hour | $125/hour |
Heart Coherence Meditation | 60 minutes | $50* | $75* |
Stuck Exercise | 30 minutes | $50* | $75* |
Social Presencing or Sound Bath | 60 minutes | $100 | $125 |
Art Therapy | 60, 90, 120 minutes | $100/hour | $125 |
Walking the Labyrinth | 60 minutes | $50* | $75* |
Intuitive Dance | 60 minutes | $100 | $125 |
*priced as if grouped with other exercises **$100 Minimum per gathering ***$125 minimum
The One Nighters will be staying at Coyote Moon Vineyard, which is right next to Flag Ranch. Accommodations of this house include:
Full kitchen with refrigerator, stove with oven, microwave, coffee maker, toaster oven, cooking, baking and eating utensils upstairs. Each downstairs bedroom (Sunrise and Sunset Rooms) has a mini refrigerator, microwave oven, drip coffee maker and electric tea kettle..
• 4 bedrooms: three with queen beds, chair and nightstands, desk and chairs; and one with twin beds; desk and 2 chairs.
• Upstairs dining area, with dining table and chairs.
• Bathroom with bathtub in the Sunset Room and bathroom with Easy Entry Shower in Sunrise Room.
• Personal care items: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, fragrant bubble bath, towels and washcloths.
• Small supply of toys and games including Corn Hole, Frisbee Disc Golf, Giant Jenga.
• Living room upstairs with full sofa and love seat recliners, gas fireplace.
• Air conditioning/heating for each room.
• Smart TV mounted on wall for in living room, and each downstairs bedroom, DVD player and several DVD's in upstairs living room; high speed satellite WiFi allows for streaming with guest personal accounts.
• Washer and dryer; iron, ironing board and steamer at top of stairs, accessible to all guests.
• Saltillo tile deck on upper level, patio dining table and chairs and other patio chairs.
• Sitting areas outdoors near pond, in courtyard and rocking chairs in front of house.
Lost in Loss
North Paso Robles, California
"Lori and Andreea were exemplary facilitators who provided a welcoming and emotionally safe atmosphere during the entire retreat. From day one I felt connected to everyone because we were all there to do the same work. To open up, invest in our own healing and use the collective energy of the group for support and growth. Hearing, seeing and feeling everyone as they shared their story was relatable, motivating, humbling and helpful.
Even though I am a bit fearful of horses, due to some traumatic childhood experiences, I felt safe with the horses when I allowed myself to be calm, collected and relaxed. This was an amazing experience for me in relation to my past trauma. It really made me realize how much personal healing I could gain from being around them more. I also played flute for them and they really enjoyed it which made the experience even richer. I particularly bonded with one young male horse, and this made the weekend extra special. I felt like he helped me to see the unease in myself and through his interaction with me, filled it with a sort of noble grace and reflective power that I could stand in. It was very powerful for me.
Accommodations were wonderful and comfortable, and I loved being on the ranch. Everyone I encountered there was welcoming, kind, and friendly. The venue was beautiful all around: Animals, mountains, vineyards, and a lot of heart.
I learned that I could heal parts of myself through attending more retreats like this and also working with horses again. I’m walking away, refreshed, empowered, more settled, grounded, inspired, and stronger. I’m also walking away knowing myself even more and with more peace. This is invaluable."
- F.B.
To take time to listen to your
Unmet needs lead to behaviors. By taking time to listen and identify your needs, you can make more conscious choices about your behaviors and choices.
By sitting in circle, we verify to ourselves "I am not alone in this."
By being in the presence of a horse, we soften, release, and our nervous system becomes more regulated.
By being in nature and putting our phones away for the day, we increase our
These factors set the stage for reconnecting with the feeling of wholeness, home, and sanctuary.
Each day, we will meet from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside at Flag Ranch. There are covered areas and many large trees as well as open fields where we will be at various times, but we will be outdoors the entire time.
You have options to include or exclude accommodations. Included with registration are materials such as pens and journals, handouts, water and snacks.
We will have snacks available, but you should bring your lunch. There is a refrigerator at the Coyote Moon venue where you can put anything you want kept cold. We will all eat lunch together there on Saturday and Sunday. There will be drinking water available, so please bring a water bottle.
We will be entirely on the ground, experiencing the horses from there! Please scroll down to view the video explaining horse + human collaboration.
We will provide a detailed list when you register, but generally, bring layers so you're ready for any type of weather (and wind), a hat, sturdy shoes or boots, a light portable stool or chair, backpack or bag to hold journal and water bottle, and a blanket or yoga mat for sitting on the ground at certain times. Bring your own meals and a water bottle.
Yes, please see our list of resources at the very bottom of this page.
If we cancel this retreat, your money will be fully refunded. If you cancel after the retreat is confirmed and paid, no refund will be given. Vendors and facilitators must still be paid, even if you don't attend.
We recommend travel insurance to protect your investment in the event you are unable to attend.
Lori Sortino has 30 years of experience in facilitation with training in The Circle Way, The Art of Hosting, Leading Meetings That Matter, Community Weaving, Conversation Cafe, Open Space, Social Presencing Theater, U-Theory, and more. She has facilitated in professional, social, and personal growth settings. She has co-hosted women's circles with Andreea and others over the years and participated in the Wisdom Council training and practice with Glenna Gerard and Acalia.
Additionally, Lori is a certificated energy therapist, a professional photographer, and an artist. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother.
Lori lost her mother and a grandson in 2023 along with surviving lymphoma cancer that same year. Her first grandson died in 2018.
"There are many significant losses in my recent past. The way on is through; leaning on others, talking about my experiences, and listening to others' experiences. This heals my heart and helps me return to myself and find my way forward."
Andreea Petruse was born in Eastern Europe and became a political refugee in 1990. This experience among many others led her to a passionate and honest exploration of human suffering. She has spent her life peering deeply into the nature of crisis , adversity, and loss, which has culminated in both discovering and developing a rich array of restoration methods for the past twenty years. She has a private somatic therapy practice (education2thrive.com) primarily focused on alleviating trauma, grief and conflict, and serving individuals, couples, and groups. Her passion is not only to facilitate healing but to also offer empowering internal frameworks that last a lifetime.
“ Life is never without loss, and learning how to honor and find meaning and resilience through this experience is something we can offer each other through unique connection in community. Answering an early life call to be a source of comfort and healing for others while overcoming my own challenges and pain, continues to inform my work but also how I meet loss in my life. Experiencing a recent series of significant personal losses as well as sitting close with the inherent grief inside change and transition, has only strengthened the belief that we truly heal in togetherness.”
from Keeping Still
Pablo Neruda
Flag Ranch is about 60 acres with rolling hills, pastures, a creek, and oak trees. Below are a few photos of the venue. Note that in spring it's green and in fall it's brown. There are photos from both seasons below.
The video below talks about horse and human collaboration; the experience of being with a horse in the present moment and learning about ourselves. It requires the foundation of respecting the horse as the sovereign being it is, and practicing an open mind and open heart.
Pixie Lighthorse
A healing journey broken down into bite-sized pieces that readers will return to repeatedly, finding new treasures each time.
Available in audio book on Audible and Spotify.
Jan Warner
Try some of the many solo rituals gathered here, such as letter writing, meditating, intentional emoting, grief walks, and the 10-minute grief encounter.
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