Hello friends,
We've recently returned from a magical long weekend at the Yuba River. Where time slowed way down and nature, her glory and ours were on full display. I can still feel the shimmery ripples of beauty, depth, love and wonder in my awareness, in my heart and in my movements day to day. Again I reminded of the power of retreat and the pause. How much more restoration can happen when there is a held space, where we clearly state and welcome in our intentions, and give space to breathe life into them.
This retreat was about Rewilding, and coming home to our innate feminine wisdom. Through connecting our feeling bodies as women, and letting ourselves feel! Regulation is beautiful and important and so essential, so that we can feel our full range: our joy, our rage, our quiet grief, our wonder, our peace. Not to suppress our fullness. And to be in community, and co-regulate together, it's incredibly special. To each carve out time to be together, in heartful awareness, is such a deep, deep privilege and relief, really. Somatic, yoga and meditation practices are all very powerful to sustain us as we move to our own rythm day to day, and yet the coming together in community, there is a magic and nourishment that only comes through the togetherness. We simply can not walk this path alone, or stay in connections that feel like shallow waters. If we want to satiate the soul and keep reconnecting to our aliveness, (I've found) community is where it's at.
We named our intentions to feel our deep feminine wisdom, the parts of us that already knows and doesn't need to read or research more, or ask around for other's opinions, about whatever it is. What would it be like to give voice to that part of you?
We named our intentions to really listen and immerse with nature, to let in the nourishment of her beauty, and our own. And we named our intentions to welcome in friendship, with ourselves and one another. Deepening in community and connection is something I hear so many of us naming as important, something we desire, and yet it's vulnerable, it takes courage, intention and effort! This seeking and deepening in friendship. Making bids for love, and presence, not sure how much availability another has.
Deep, connected, nourishing friendship is essential for all of us, I think. And yet how does that happen with moves, jobs, schedules, capitalism at work? It makes sense to me that so many of us are craving more of it, as living in a home with 4 walls and one unit families is not the way humanity has done it for most of time. For thousands of years, women have been together. Cooking, prepping, tending the village and the family. As much as we may enjoy some of our modern luxuries, it's far from the way our nervous systems crave, which is steady, deep, regular, easeful connection with other humans and women.
Monthly Retreat Group: An Exploration in Somatics, Nature & Art for Women
On that note! I'm excited to share that inspired by many of you continuing to ask for more ways to deepen in practice in community, I have created a 6 month container called An Exploration in Somatics, Nature & Art for Women. This small group of 9 will meet monthly. And as I have opened this group to those on my last retreat, there are 4 spaces open, and I'm inviting my small group here connected to my personal newsletter to join.
The intention with the small group and meeting monthly is that we have time to continue to build safe, supportive relationships with ourselves and each other, over time. I know there is a reason people make great friends on retreat and in trainings, because we know the intention of space, it is held and contained, and we can trust opening to that (even just a little). I trust this group gathering will support all of us to come home to ourselves even more, and set the foundation for beautiful connections and friendships to come.
Each time we meet, I will guide about 75 minutes of practice - a check in, a nature meditation, a couple somatic practices that we can then take with us and practice throughout the month, and then have time for sharing. Depending on the month, we'd then spend the rest of the time doing a couple fun partner exercises, singing or dancing to a song or two, and have time to causally connect. For the Sundays which will be a little longer, I am thinking we will have at least one amazing dance party, and one day of crafting with tie die and one other creative art.
Gathering dates:
Sunday July 20, 2pm - 5pm - at one of my favorite gathering spots in Mill Valley.
Monday August 25th 6pm - 8:30pm - my house, outer Richmond
Monday Sept 29th 6pm - 8:30pm - my house, outer Richmond
Sunday October 26 2pm - 5pm - Nature location in SF or possibly Marin
Monday November 16th - 6pm - 8:30pm - my house, outer Richmond
Sunday December 14th - 2pm - 5pm - - my house, outer Richmond
*The hope with joining this group is that you can prioritize these gatherings whenever you are able, and can plan to join at least half, if not all.
The cost is $399 - $699. I welcome you to contribute at the rate you are able. I value being able to offer sliding scale rates because I know how vast this financial terrain, and varies for each of us, and I trust that where we can give a little more we do, and when we need a little more we can graciously receive, without worry on either end.
This is my first time creating something of this kind, and something I've know I've wanted to create for a long time, so please feel free to ask me about anything that may not be answered here.
One note: If deeper connection to yourself and community is something that could really nourish you, maybe even change your life in the way you relate with humans in your life, join! I personally can't think of something more impactful in my personal life than nurturing my sense of belonging to self and in relationships. If you can't make one or two gatherings, please don't let that keep you from joining.
To join: Please let me know Wednesday June 18th, and please confirm with a zelle payment to me (973) 879-7367 / Julianne Aiello.
A few other updates:
Friday June 20 5:30pm Ocean Beach - Please join my dear friend Magalà and I for Summer Solstice gathering called Embodying El Sol. I think it will be warm, sunny, and I know it will be a super vibrant, joyful, full of life gathering!
We would absolutely love to see you, your friends, your fam, and anyone and everyone you want to bring. Our quarterly gatherings typically have around 100 people, and it is powerful to be together in these thresholds, transitioning from one season to the next with ritual, meditation and movement together.
Wednesday June 25th 6:30pm at Purusha - New Moon Breathwork & Soundbath
Join us for a special New Moon edition of our Emotional Release Breathwork & Sound Healing Journey — a sanctuary to slow down, turn inward, and release. The new moon invites us into stillness, mystery, and deep listening — a powerful portal for emotional clearing, renewal, and planting seeds of heartfelt intention. You’ll be gently led through a journey of holotropic breathwork — a rhythmic, conscious breathing practice accompanied by evocative music and optional bodywork. This process supports non-ordinary states of awareness, where insight, release, and healing can unfold. As the breath softens and integration begins, you’ll be immersed in a restorative sound bath of crystal singing bowls, gongs, and sacred instruments — soothing the nervous system and harmonizing your energy. We’ll close with grounding somatic practices and a sharing circle, creating space to reflect, connect, or simply rest in the quiet potency of the new moon.
Kauai is on the Horizon! November 7th to 12th.
I will likely be leading a retreat here, at a gorgeous private sanctuary on the North Shore. November is a great time to get away and nourish yourself before the holiday and winter season. Below is the beach that is 5 minutes walking from the property. More to come here, but feel free to reply and let me know if you're interested, I always love to hear from you.
Lastly, my regular classes are:
Sundays 10:30am Baker Beach
Tuesdays 8:15am - Strength @ Purusha
Tuesday 5:30pm Hellman Hollow
Fridays 12:30pm Hellman Hollow
I look forward to staying connected on this journey with you!
Many blessings always and in all the ways
Julie