November 12 Wellness by the Water Retreat

We hosted our September Wellness Retreat in beautiful Waleska Georgia. On September 11th we were joined by 10 outstanding heroes from all branches of the Armed Forces that proudly represented their branch. It was a beautiful Georgia day but our hearts were in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. 

For many of us it was the first time in 20 years that we did not spend glued to the television set reliving the events of that day. For a minute as our hearts and the world around us went silent we honored the memory of the thousands of Americans lost that day and the thousands we have lost since then. 

It was a day filled with honor, respect, and wellness. We learned the benefits of healthy eating, mindful journaling, yoga and even had time to take a walk around the farm and enjoy its beauty.

It was September 11th and on that day we all made it home as Humble Warriors.  

We gathered for our third in person Day of Wellness! Just gathering is a welcomed treat and logistical feat during this pandemic era. On October 10th in the tranquil and arty Let It Be Yoga (LIBY) studio, women veterans and fire fighters participated in a retreat to explore wellness practices together. Studio owner—Chanda Ross, shared “May you find the day to be truly healing.” Strong coffee, tea, and a warm oatmeal bake filled with seasonal fruit welcomed these wonderful women as they arrived in the rain, one by one and in buddy teams that carpooled.

We gathered for our third in person Day of Wellness! Just gathering is a welcomed treat and logistical feat during this pandemic era. On October 10th in the tranquil and arty Let It Be Yoga (LIBY) studio, women veterans and fire fighters participated in a retreat to explore wellness practices together. Studio owner—Chanda Ross, shared “May you find the day to be truly healing.” Strong coffee, tea, and a warm oatmeal bake filled with seasonal fruit welcomed these wonderful women as they arrived in the rain, one by one and in buddy teams that carpooled.

Soon laughter and masked chatter filled the studio as we completed icebreakers and introductions that resembled distanced speed dating. One consistent observation is that like minded “warrior women” need very little encouragement to connect in person. The women participated in a yoga and mindfulness workshop as well as a gentle yoga practice. For many, this was their first exposure to yoga. A Navy veteran shared that it was nice to be able to ask questions and to keep the yoga gear which would allow her to practice in her home.

 As lunch neared, they learned about the MANY benefits of eating a plant-based diet. The capstone to learning was eating a hearty whole food, plant-based lunch sponsored by Kaiser Permanente—an insurance company with a ‘Prevention’ mindset. 

Since 20-minutes of sunshine provides more Vitamin D than any food source, we headed out to Harris Shoals Park in Watkinsville, GA with full bellies for a nature hike. After what seemed like a week of rain, the sun blessed us for a beautiful and comfortable nature experience. We crossed shoals, bridges, boardwalks, and one brave woman even used the outdoor bathroom. The rest of the group commented that “those days were over!” 

Back at the studio, each participant selected their own journal and completed a gratitude journaling session. Serene silence swept the studio as pens and pencils made entries to specific prompts. A surprise birthday cake and song celebrated Humble Warrior’s 2nd birthday as well as our mentor—Fire fighter Michele Ice’s--birthday. We ended the program with everyone sharing her personal gem—a treasured takeaway from today’s retreat. Water bottles were filled, and a snack was provided for the road trip home as echoes of “I wish we had more time; let’s do this again; and thank you” were heard. So thankful that we gathered!  

Be sure to visit the website for Let It Be Yoga Studio. They have amazing resources, classes, and a blog! We are so grateful to them for all they offered us and for what they bring to the entire yoga community. 

On September 12, Humble Warrior hosted our second one day retreat at Forever Farms, a picturesque horse farm in Waleska, Georgia. Owner and gracious host--Steve Hopson shared that we were living out his deceased wife Melissa’s dream in having the venue on property. Melissa Hopson was a certified instructor through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International and she provided equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals. Eight amazing female veterans and first responders from Georgia and South Carolina  joined us for a day of rejuvenation, revitalization, and relaxation. 

With active social distancing measures in place, participants arrived onsite and settled in safely. As they connected over a hearty plant-based breakfast, the women warriors exchanged introductions and shared fun facts about themselves. Due to generous donations from angel donors (many of our readers, like you!), each participant received a Humble Warrior bag filled with resources for yoga, journaling, and daily wellness as well as swag items including handmade masks, yoga bags, and a daily devotional. 

The participants then enjoyed a yoga workshop which explained the different types of yoga and benefits of each type.  They were then invited to experience an outdoor yoga and meditation practice overlooking the peaceful pasture magnified by the beauty of a late summer morning in Georgia. 

A plant-based lunch was provided by Terrill McFarland, Deputy Director of Military Health Programs of Kaiser Permanente. We send a big THANK YOU to Kaiser! The afternoon kicked off with a ‘Benefits of Plant-based Eating’ workshop that ended in a robust discussion. The participants were given information on the body’s pH spectrum before enjoying a nature-centric activity on the farm.  Since 20-minutes of sunlight is a great source of Vitamin D, some of the group headed outside for some sunshine. Some chose to stay inside and enjoy the solitude offered as they looked out at magnificent horses. 

They returned indoors for an ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ workshop where they selected an individualized journal and writing instrument and were given evidence based information on how to develop an attitude of gratitude through journaling as well as the benefits of being more grateful while being given gratitude-centric entry prompts.  The participants journaled and many shared their entries showing how they were learning as they journaled. The attitude of gratitude grew during the session.

Before the participants departed, they gathered for a group photo…6 feet apart and wearing handmade face masks! They learned about the many ways to stay connected to our nonprofit by visiting and ‘liking’ the Humble Warrior Wellness & Yoga (public and private) Facebook pages and by subscribing to our website in order to receive our monthly newsletter and wellness blog. Air hugs were given, water bottles filled, and each participant grabbed a trail mix snack for the journey home excited to put into practice what they learned. We are truly blessed to share our wellness modalities with such amazing women as a thank you to them for their service.

Everyone who completed the retreat was invited to join the Humble Warrior Wellness & Yoga Graduates Facebook page where they have access to greater resources and free classes. We hope you join us at one of our upcoming Day of Wellness Retreats!

On June 13th, Humble Warrior hosted our first in-person wellness retreat of 2020. A spirited group of women first responders and veterans gathered at a serene lake house on beautiful Lake Lanier, GA to explore a full day of wellness. With active social distancing measures in place, participants arrived onsite and settled in safely. As they connected over a hearty plant-based breakfast, the women warriors exchanged introductions and shared fun facts about themselves. Due to generous donations from angel donors (many of our readers, like you!), each woman received a Humble Warrior bag filled with resources for yoga, journaling, and daily wellness as well as swag items including handmade bracelets, motivational magnets, and a daily devotional. 

The morning session began with an introduction to yoga and meditation workshop followed by an all-levels yoga class on a 2-story wooden dock with a sunshade sail. Butterflies, dragonflies, and a curious trio of Mallard Ducks checked in on the ladies as they practiced postures. Lunch was a hearty plant-based boxed meal and the opportunity to reflect and journal about their morning experiences. The ladies spread out across the lakefront property. Some found a cozy corner in the loft or a chair on the covered porch. Others found solace outside on one of the many patios, decks, and the dock. One new mom found a private chair and ottoman to pump breast milk onsite. Each woman had the freedom to relax and just be nourished.  Shelley, a retired US Army veteran, was reminded that “My time is valuable, and I should treat it as such.” 

The afternoon kicked off with a ‘Benefits of Plant-based Eating’ workshop that ended in a robust question and answer session. Since 20-minutes of sunlight is a great source of Vitamin D, the group headed outside for some sunshine and water play. The women had the option of kayaking, swimming, paddle boarding, or hanging out on the dock or covered deck. They returned indoors for an ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ workshop where they selected an individualized journal and writing instrument, and learned how to journal and the benefits of journaling before they were given gratitude-centric entry prompts. 

Before the women departed, they gathered for a group photo…6 feet apart and wearing handmade face masks! They learned about the many ways to stay connected to our nonprofit and creating a lifelong community. Air hugs were given, water bottles filled, and each woman grabbed a trail mix snack for the journey home excited to put into practice what they learned. Grace, a firefighter, summed the experience up as she shared that “Change can start with small things. It doesn’t have to be a big ordeal.” Humble Warrior agrees that collective small changes can make a BIG difference!