Fall Renewal Women’s Retreat in Marshall, NC: October 9-12, 2025

Yoga steadies the mind, facilitating self-discovery, clarity and personal renewal. It teaches us the importance of returning to our center again and again. With steady practice, we learn to feel subtle sensations within the physical body, notice habitual thought patterns within our minds and recognize the emotions that arise through the observation of both. This awareness allows us to stay present, curious and authentic in our relationship to life.

Join Michelle for a 4 day / 3 night retreat on the enchanted grounds of Bend of Ivy Lodge. Experience a peaceful, contemplative and comfortable space for movement, healing and connecting with yourself.

Surrounded by the serene mountain setting of Western North Carolina, the retreat is designed to provide balance between activity, stillness, inner exploration and group connection. You will be immersed in the practice of yoga, including Refined Flow and Restorative yoga classes, guided breathing practices, Yoga Nidra meditation and sound healing to soothe your body and mind. Throughout each yoga practice, Elizabeth Williams of Illumina Sky Healing Arts offers gentle, hands on assists using fascial awareness and Craniosacral techniques to reveal deeper layers of comfort in the body. Guest facilitator Kaitlyn Wong offers a meaningful and informative workshop about optimizing wellbeing through nutrition, while Cheri Dinsmore rounds out the weekend by leading us on a journey through Bend of Ivy's spiral nature labyrinth. On site CranioSacral, massage and energy work appointments can also be scheduled during free time.

You will be nourished with delicious local, organic meals, surrounded by 63 acres of lush hiking trails made for long walks and introduced to new, like-minded friends. All experience levels welcome and encouraged to join.

Weekend activities include:

o   Daily Refined Flow Yoga Classes

o   Pranayama + Restorative Yoga

o   Yoga Nidra

o   Crystal Singing Bowl Sound Healing

o   Facilitated Labyrinth Walk

o   Optimizing Well Being with the Power of Nutrition Workshop

o   CranioSacral, Massage, Energy Work and Reflexology Appointments Available during Free Time

o   Relaxing by the pond

o   63 Acres of Trails for Daily Hikes

o   Nourishing Meals provided by Chef Katie Fiore of Fioreously Delicious

The Facilitators

Michelle Befus, ERYT-500 and Continuing Education Provider

For over 20 years, Michelle has studied movement, breath and balance; earlier as a professional ballet dancer and as a yoga teacher today. Her accessible, grounded classes integrate anatomical precision, thoughtful vinyasa transitions, breath awareness and intelligent sequencing. Michelle’s articulate, down-to-earth approach educates and inspires, offering techniques that facilitate healthy movement patterns and elevate mind-body awareness.

Michelle offers teacher trainings, retreats, group and private classes and sound baths in Black Mountain North Carolina, online, and at various retreat centers across the United States.

Cheri Dinsmore, RN, BSN

With over 35 years of experience working in healthcare, Cheri’s nursing career has included intensive care, homecare, managed care and most recently working in a holistic wellness center. She has an appreciation and respect for many forms of healing, having been influenced by both western and eastern practices. As a Reiki Master, Cheri believes in the mind/body connection and our ability to heal ourselves. Her practice has expanded into working with flower essences that address emotional healing and well-being.

Elizabeth Williams, LMT, RYT-200, LE

Founder of Illumina Sky Healing Arts, Elizabeth Williams is a massage therapist, bodyworker, yoga teacher, lightworker, intuitive, and Reiki Master. She has cultivated her craft of bodywork and energetic modalities over a period of 30 years. Her main practice, however, is holding space for people to do their own healing. 

Elizabeth’s philosophy as a healthcare provider is to always remain a student, both of her discipline and in deepening her understanding of her client’s needs. This doctrine has enabled her to apply a unique blend of techniques, with a decidedly holistic perspective. The modalities she most often uses are CranioSacral, energy work, reflexology, massage, meditation, yoga and ceremony*. Learn more about Elizabeth at www.IlluminaSkyHealingArts.com

Kaitlyn Wong, RDN, LD

Kaitlyn is a registered dietitian with her own private practice, Beyond the Plate Nutrition and Wellness, where she provides virtual individualized full-spectrum nutrition counseling. She served as a faculty member with Community South Osteopathic Family Medicine Residency, primarily in charge of educating physicians and providing outpatient medical nutrition therapy for patients throughout the lifespan. In addition, she specializes in sports performance, and works with the University of Indianapolis’ athletic department as their team dietitian. Other relationships include her latest partnership with Indy Lactation Care serving pre and postnatal families and The Hot Room Indianapolis where she teaches hot power yoga and inferno Hot pilates. She is also featured monthly on Fox TV in Indianapolis’s IndyNow. Learn more about Kaitlyn at www.beyondtheplaterd.com

Lodging & Tuition

This retreat is limited to 18 people and includes all yoga classes, meditations, sound healing and workshops, 9 nourishing meals, 4 days / 3 nights lodging and taxes.

Private Room with Shared Bath: $1600

Private Loft Room with Shared Bath: $1450

Double Room with Shared Bath: $1300 per person

Studio Apartment (sleeps 3 or 4) with Private Bath and Kitchen: $1300 per person

Private rooms are limited and reserved on a first come, first served basis 

Nonrefundable deposit of $350 will secure your space. Balance due 09/01/2025 

Registration

Please contact Michelle Befus at michelle.befus@gmail.com. She will provide instructions and a registration form.
                                        
Refunds/ Cancellations

Refunds offered minus a $350 administration fee. After 09/01/25 refunds will only be granted if your space can be filled with a new participant. Should Michelle or Bend of Ivy cancel the retreat for any reason, a full refund will be offered.
 
Questions

Contact Michelle Befus at michelle.befus@gmail.com