Last weekend here at Jubilee Suites we had the privilege of both hosting and participating in a unique wellness retreat focusing on meditation and poetry writing. Augusta Kantra of Fairhope and Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer of Colorado teamed up for a weekend called Silent Reflections: A Meditation and Writing Retreat to Awaken the Heart. The program was designed for everyone- no experience required in either meditation or poetry writing- and 23 other guests attended the retreat and filled all our suites for the weekend.
Our meditation leader was Augusta Kantra, a principle at Center for Calm Living in Fairhope. She is a licensed professional counselor and registered yoga teacher at the 500hr level. Our poetry workshops were conducted by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, an acclaimed American poet listed in the Colorado Poets Center directory of poets associated with that state. She has achieved several honors for her work.
We started the weekend Friday night with a lovely meal and a workshop which included an explanation of ‘noble silence’. Each of us was encouraged to bring a muse, a source of inspiration for us, to share it with the group. We all surrendered our electronics for the weekend and conducted ourselves in complete silence. I think we all felt, after an initial feeling of something resembling panic, what freedom that was!
All the participants were local women and Jim and I made quite a few new friends in our adopted hometown of Fairhope, AL. It was a sweet time of peacefulness, rejuvenation, and silent reflection as we took part in poetry writing workshops led by Rosemerry and guided meditation sessions led by Augusta. At this busy time of year, it was a welcome respite from our sometimes stressful preparations for the happy holiday season.
Our caterers outdid themselves! When we weren’t writing or meditating, we were enjoying delicious and healthy food provided by Sunflower Cafe, Jeffrey Lowther, and Shelli Saleeb. A big hug and special thanks to my husband Jim and also Jeffrey Lowther for their care of us this weekend. Because they handled the administrative end of things, including the serving and cleanup of all five meals, I was able to relax and take part in all aspects of the retreat. As a bed and breakfast owner, it was quite freeing to relax with other people enjoying this incredible property we get to call home.
Jim and I love to share the tranquility and peacefulness of Jubilee Suites with our guests. What better place to hold a silent retreat than in our fresh new suites overlooking Mobile Bay with its sparkling waters and sensational sunsets each evening. It was gratifying to see the women make themselves at home here, spread out all over the property to meditate and write, and take some time out of their busy lives to simply focus inward and relax.
Special thanks also to all the women who signed up for the weekend and all the wonderful reviews they’ve written about our property and our 7 individual suites. Thanks too for Augusta and Rosemary putting on such an amazing weekend for all of us. Because it was so successful, they’ve already booked 4 more retreats for the next 2 years. Augusta tells me some of them are already half filled. Contact Augusta Kantra if you’d like to reserve your spot in one of her upcoming retreats.
If you’re a yoga instructor or wellness provider, I hope you’ll consider holding a yoga or wellness retreat here at Jubilee Suites. If you’d like more information, feel free to contact us with any questions.
