AuthenticLife

SHAKTI: A Women's Empowerment Co-Created Retreat

Dates: May 1–3 2026
Location: Auberge du Renouveau, Sutton, Quebec

Let’s spend a weekend immersed in the beauty of nature, igniting, expressing, and nourishing our creative power in all aspects of her body and voice!

Welcome to Shakti. In Sanskrit, Shakti refers to the primordial creative feminine energy- the dynamic force that animates all life.
In this co-created sanctuary, we will nurture a vast spectrum of feminine energy:

Her softness, her care, and her connectedness .
Her wisdom, her voice, and her righteous anger that brings clarity, strengthens boundaries, and restores justice.
Her creativity, her intuition and her transformative fire
.
We will cultivate confidence, to express what is longing to be seen and heard, and connect with fellow feminine leadership. This is a space to transmit our secrets, our skills, and our lived knowledge to empower ourselves and each other.
Who is Shakti created for? The leadership team of Shakti is composed of cis women and queer AFAB folks

. It is designed to unite people who have the lived experience of being raised in patriarchy with a female body, and to empower us to release internalized limitations. Cis women, trans women, and AFAB folks of all genders and sexual identities are welcome.
Nature & Restoration

We look forward to spending this beautiful weekend together in the forest at Auberge du Renouveau. The land offers an amazing mountain view , trails to hike, a private lake
for your first spring swim, and a sauna to relax and ground into your body
.
Workshops & Transmissions

Our weekend is anchored by workshops from professional teachers and leaders designed to transmit physical and relational skills. These sessions foster attunement, boundaries, and choice, cultivating embodied practice, creative expression, and emotional intelligence to connect us with our truth.

Body, Movement & Release
Nervous System & Emotional Release: Working with nervous system states of fight, flight, freeze, and fawn for regulation and emotional resilience

. Releasing social masks, cultivating safety and aliveness. With Shanthi Minor, D.O. (Coaching Your Nervous System)
Thai Massage Exchange: The art of slowing down and cultivating mindful touch. Ground yourself in the principles of Metta (loving-kindness) and presence. This is a practice of both giving and receiving—learning to feel good in your own body while offering care to another. With Shanthi Minor (OsteoMassage Teacher, Massage Therapist & Osteopath).
Contact Improv & The Female Body: Transmitting physical skills and exploring movement unique to our anatomy

. With Valerie Sabbah (Moment Collectives)
1-on-1 Skill Share: A dedicated space for peer-to-peer learning

, inviting you to transmit your unique magic and be witnessed in leadership, as well as to receive wisdom from others.

Consent, Desire, Presence & Intuition
Connecting to Desire and Confidence in Boundaries: Working with our intuition to know exactly what we do and don't want. Learning how to express our desires with confidence and receive them fully

With À Corps Consentants (Caro and Cachou)
Singing and Opening Our Hearts to connect with Divine Energy. With all our voices & the music of Helga Schleeh, Shanthi Minor, Martha Tremblay-Vilao
Morning Meditation & Energetic Alignment: Join us to gently cleanse and awaken your body and your consciousness. Through guided meditation, body awareness, energy and sound healing, we will set an intention for the day ahead! With Martha Tremblay-Vilao (Reiki Grand Master)


. With the Unbound Mistress Collective
Being Seen & "Showing Off" - We uncover ranges of expression innate to our beings, but hidden, often, under the cover of the need to appear as less than we are to earn the love of those not ready to receive us in our full splendor. We practice offering our extravagant selves - our greatness, our gorgeous displays, our heroism, our grace, our finesse. We practice receiving each other in this place. We dare to appear proud of who we are.

With Kristen Lewis (Dance, Performance, Creation).
Journaling: Connecting with our true purpose and deepest desires

Evening Flow: Open Movement

Friday and Saturday evenings will feature open movement space. This is time for Contact Improv jam, ecstatically dancing your heart out, music co-creation , and somatic impulse-driven play. Whether you want to jam, play, or simply move to the music, the space is yours.

Retreat Schedule coming soon!

The retreat space is open for arrivals from noon on Friday, and until 4 PM on Sunday. Plan to arrive early and stay late.

Presence

To support our nervous systems and deepen our connection, we a proposing a Digital Detox for the full weekend. We invite you to unplug completely to fully arrive in the space.
We will also practice Noble Silence every morning until 9:30 AM. This is a sacred, contemplative time to be with your own energy, sensations, and breakfast before opening up to the group.
A Co-Created Experience

Shakti is about shared leadership and community living. Your presence and participation are what make the retreat alive.
Opportunities to Co-Create:
Nourishment: We will make meals together!

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Skill Sharing: Facilitating short sessions , one-on-one labbing, intentional conversation topics during meals, or sharing live music

Registration & Exchange

Early Bird Tickets
(Prices increase by +$50 if tickets remain after March 15)

$325–425 (sliding scale): Double room or shared cabin (5 people)
(Only 17 spots available!)
$225–325 (sliding scale): Camping
(be prepared for cold nights!) or Commuter (no accommodations)
(Only 8 spots available!)
$425–525 (sliding scale): Single Room
(Only 3 spots available!)
Sliding Scale Guidance:

Please choose your tier with integrity. If you have financial means (savings, home ownership, travel budget), paying a higher rate allows us to offer the minimum price to those with systemic financial barriers. Thank you for helping us weave a diverse and accessible circle.
To Reserve Your Spot:

Send an Interac transfer to retraiteci@gmail.com