The Magic of the Cushion Retreat 17.1.2025-19.1.2025
The Magic of the Cushion Retreat
Want to free yourself to write without inhibitions and self-criticism?
Do you want to learn how to deal with the highlights and pain points of your life using creative methods?
Are you hoping to find new resources within yourself?
Are you looking for a chance to inject new joy, enthusiasm and hope into your life?
Do you want to get away from it all in a gentle and warm company?
Would you like to indulge your senses in an idyllic setting?
If you answered yes, the January Retreat of the Word Keeper 17.1.-19.1.2025 is just for you!
The Magic of the Cushion Retreat is a two-day respite in the sensory stimulating and caring environment of the Patroon House in Pyhtää, located in the Stockfors Ruins area. On a retreat, you are just for you, with no strings attached. You can let your creativity blossom - or only just awaken - through rest, writing and visual methods. The main focus of this retreat will be on creative and nurturing writing, but we may also experiment with visual and embodied methods that are accessible and suitable for all.
The Magic of Calm Retreat will allow you to write about the highlights and pain points of your life, your hopes, dreams and dreams, using a variety of themes and stimuli. The retreat will use literacy therapy methods to help you explore your own life and emotions through creative exercises. Discussion and sharing of feelings, thoughts, experiences and texts are also an important part of the retreat.
The magic of the cushion on a retreat
you will find the joy and nurturing of creativity
free yourself to write about the highlights and pain points of your life without inhibitions and unnecessary self-criticism
you can trust your hopes and dreams and find new resources within yourself
experience the thought-clarifying and energising power of writing
recognise your own voice and personal style of expression
develop your imagination and perception
discover new resources within yourself, develop your self-awareness and discover your own strengths
encourage you to try new things and get new ideas
you get to play with words without the pressure to perform
enjoy the full treatment you deserve in the charming and dignified old Patronage House
if you wish, you can breathe in the peace of nature on the outdoor path leading from your manor house.
get encouragement and peer support from other participants
you are genuinely free of obligations and can focus on just being, without interruption
you don't need previous writing experience.
About previous retreats
I expected to gain a new perspective on myself through writing and art. This came true, I got a new perspective and I was liberated in a big way, I let go of the past. The retreat also confirmed that I love creative writing. I got more and more excited about it.
[I went home from the retreat] in a wonderfully serene mood, surrendered to all that was wonderful and immensely grateful, moved by tears and amazement. Driving home in the car, I had a good flow, as if I were in a bubble of goodwill. The retreat came at just the right time, moment and need, I was glad to give myself this new and wonderful experience.
Wonderful, necessary, restful, restful and balancing for the spirit and soul. Purifying.
Thank you again, the whole weekend was a wonderful magic, gentleness, love, wonderful and deep introspection ❤️🙏🏻.
Along with the work, you got to meet new nice - and younger - people!
I was hoping for new experiences. They did!
[I left the retreat with] a happy feeling, with new ideas and plans.
A calm descent into creativity.
Unbelievable!
A relaxing and at the same time very intense activity.
A great recharge before the working week.
Calmness achieved.
Shall we get to know each other?
What will happen at the retreat 17.1.-19.1.2025?
We will meet at Patruunantalo in Pyhtää on Friday evening at 17.00.During the evening we will get to know each other, get in the mood for the future and enjoy a dinner together.
Saturday is a workshop day. The programme will include creative and nurturing writing, and we will also get to try out physical and visual methods to suit everyone. There will be time for discussion, sharing and coffee. In the evening there will be an opportunity for a sauna and lots of fun.
On Sunday, we still had time to write and discuss. The retreat will end with lunch and a final get-together.
During the retreat, you'll get to do a variety of writing exercises that will help you discover your inner writer and get to know yourself better. We will use a variety of stimulating texts and objects as well as writing techniques and methods to help you.
An important part of the retreat is also the discussions between the participants. However, it is up to you to decide how much you want to share with others. Sharing is never compulsory.
The retreat is suitable for writers of all ages, including newcomers. All you need is an open mind, a notebook and pen or laptop, and casual clothes you feel comfortable in.
Retreat programme (programme is preliminary and will be finalised later)
Friday 17.1.
Arrival and accommodation from 17:00
17.30 Presentation of the Patruunantalo
18-19 to get acquainted and get in the mood for the weekend (writing exercise)
19.30-20.30 dinner
At 20.45-21.15 joint descent to rest
Saturday 18.1.
9-10 am - delicious breakfast
10.30-12.00 workshop
12.30-13.30 soup lunch
14-15.30 workshop
16-16.30 Coffee break
16.30-18.00 workshop
18.30-19.30 dinner
At 20-21 sauna and much more
At 21.30-22.00 common landing for rest
Sunday 19.1.
9-10 am - delicious breakfast
10.30-12 workshop
12.30-13.30 soup lunch
14-15 to get in the mood for the future (writing exercise)
Patruunantalo invites you to enjoy yourself
Retreat price
The price of the retreat is based on the breakdown below:
PROGRAMME
The programme is run by the Author. The price for the retreat programme is 237 € (incl. VAT). A non-refundable booking fee of 100 € is payable at the time of booking in case of cancellation. Sickness cases will be dealt with separately. The final payment of €137 is due 14 days before the start of the retreat.
ACCOMMODATION & DINING
Provisional accommodation has been reserved for participants at the Patronage House in Stockfors. The booking details will be forwarded to the Crown Estate by the Promoter. The contract for the purchase of accommodation will be concluded separately with the accommodation provider and the accommodation will be paid for on the spot. Further information will be provided at the time of registration.
Two days' accommodation and full board at the Patruunantalo costs €300 (incl. VAT) in a single room. If you wish, you can also share a room with another participant for €240.
The basic price includes:
- accommodation in a single room
- bed linen and towels
- hearty delicious breakfast
- soup lunch
- dinner
- continuous coffee and tea
- sauna and lots on Saturday evening.
The retreat is suitable for everyone and does not require experience in writing or other creative methods. There is room for 6-10 participants.
If you want to join, please click on the button below or send an email to annamari@sananhaltija.fi by 10.1.2025.
Hey you!
Welcome to a journey of discovery in your own life! I will help you discover the power of words, your own creativity and the courage to live your dreams.
Ten years ago, my own creativity was locked and my minutes were lost. Then I found myself, somewhat accidentally, in a creative writing workshop.
There, the instructor's simple and liberating writing exercises and listening presence worked wonders. Add to this the gracious and warm spirit of the group and my locks were unlocked. I felt like I was with my tribe, doing exactly what I was meant to do.
I discovered my own voice and the power of writing. But it was also the start of something much bigger.
As a result of that weekend, I studied first as a literary arts teacher at Snellman Summer University in Kuopio and then as a literary therapy teacher at a training organised by the Helsinki University Continuing Education Centre HY+ and the Finnish Literary Therapy Association. I am constantly developing myself and my skills, and I have just started a top-level course in the literary therapy training pathway, which trains literary therapists.
I've helped hundreds of people of all ages through live groups, workshops and online courses to unlock their creativity, strengthen their mental wellbeing, increase their self-awareness and find their strengths and their own way in life through creative and nurturing writing - without forgetting the joy of creativity and playfulness.
You too are warmly welcome on this journey to discover yourself and the words of your life.
Annamari
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