SPRING (meets once a week for 10 weeks)

1. START BEING TRULY KIND TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS BY SETTING HEALTHY BOUNDARIES

FALL (meets once a week for 10 weeks)

1. TAKING BACK YOUR DIGNITY & MOVING ON: MASTERING THE ART OF UNCONDITIONAL FORGIVENESS

JANUARY~ HEART, BODY & TRIBE

Year’s Resolutions ~Positive Approaches: Common resolutions related to health, fitness, wellness or mental health tend to fail after a month or two, but what if you knew a different way? During this cultural-wellness retreat, you’ll learn to flourish by discovering centuries old cultural keys to greater wellbeing, more happiness and increased serenity. Focus will be on: 1) building a positive relationship with food and movement through French and Japanese practices and philosophies including discovering the value of bringing mindfulness into daily activities; 2) an introduction to Indian techniques that create peace of mind and revitalize your body by getting in touch with a deeper more elusive aspect of yourself through meditation; 3) a primer on making time so you’ll have room in your life to practice these health, fitness and de-stressing techniques. Yes, you heard us right, Sojo doesn’t believe the French get it right all the time —just most of the time. CULTURES: JAPANESE, INDIAN & FRENCH!

FEBRUARY~ SELF & HOME

Your Identity —A Signature Scent: The French have long understood that scent, emotion and memory are intertwined and incorporated that into their culture. So, this cultural-wellness retreat invites you to flourish by becoming inducted in the art of fragrance for home & body. Workshops will guide you to 1) find & express your identity, 2) understand how scents interplay with mood and health; and 3) create a signature scent. In France, many women use fragrance as an expression of identity and they come to be know by their scent… one whiff and you think of her! Several generations of women in my family adopted signature scents —Shalimar, Bellodgia… the smell of my grandmother is more moving and evocative than photographs when I miss her. A similar concept applies to French homes where smell lifts (or lowers) mood. The French may spritz linens with lavender to reduce anxiety and improve sleep, or discreetly add a few drops of “Odarome” (a mix of lavender, thyme, rosemary and eucalyptus essential oils) to the water after flushing to “cleanse” the air, learn about all this and more! CULTURE: FRENCH

MARCH~ SELF, MIND & BODY

TBD

Prioritizing Values for a More Satisfying Life

(more details to come)

CULTURE: SPANISH & FRENCH

APRIL~ HEART & SELF

Increase Everyday Joy —Wabi-Sabi Chez Vous: Release shame-bound needs, let go of emotionally charged material baggage and learn to create a stylish functional space that reflects your personality and aspirations thus elevating your mood and well-being every day. Architectural space is used differently around the world as a reflection of different cultural values and priorities with American homes tending to prioritize function and comfort. Step into the elegance and beauty you deserve. Learn a Japanese wellness approach for handling clutter, material accumulation and space that will free and inspire you. Work with two interior designers who have mastered the French and Japanese concepts of Simplexité and Wabi-Sabi to turn your home into fount of wellness, without breaking the bank. CULTURES: FRENCH & JAPANESE

MAY~ HEART, MIND & SELF

Empower Yourself -Vive la Différence: Know your value! Equity doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your femininity. Learn to lean into the beauty of womanhood while also commanding equity and respect. Learn the French philosophy of “se mettre en valeur“ -the seductive French take on beauty and how to highlight your features so you have a signature look that exudes the kind of character and charm that screams ATTRACTIVE! CULTURE: FRENCH

(SUMMER: Check out our week-long retreats in FRANCE!)

SEPTEMBER~ MIND & SELF

TBD

OCTOBER~ BODY, HEART & SELF

Raise Your Self Awareness ~Un remède de grand-mère! Begin getting back in touch with your emotions, thoughts, and physical needs, and start recognizing when you're straying from your authentic self through culinary herbs and herbal teas. Were you raised to be a “good girl” or told to be a “nice girl”? Your well-intentioned caregivers may have inadvertently taught you to abandon yourself in favor of social acceptance which can leave you feeling: unseen and unheard; possibly resentful and badly treated; or even, lonely in the company of others… Maybe you know how you are feeling inside but are stuffing or ignoring your emotions, desires and needs “for the sake of others.” Or maybe you’ve buried your authentic self and your emotional well-being under so much sugar and spice and everything nice that now you can’t reach it anymore. Herbs are integrated naturally into regular diets in old traditional cultures including that of France. Learn the ancient wisdom of herbs in three cultures while getting realigned and grounded in your feelings. Take home recipes to keep you mindful of the need to acknowledge suppressed instincts and greater wisdom for what those instincts are signaling in terms of realigning with your true Self. CULTURES: THAI, JAPANESE, FRENCH

NOVEMBER~ BODY, SELF & COMMUNITY

Mindful Eating for Greater Health & Community -À Table: Bring mindfulness and community into your life through the traditional food culture of France and Japan. Discover the art of French and Japanese flower arrangement, table setting and food presentation. Learn about the Slow Food Philosophy and how it benefits your mental and physical health. Explore nutritional concepts and meal planning according to the ancient wisdom of France AND Japan. CULTURES: FRENCH & JAPANESE