A woman I know {who happens to be a mom of two young boys, runs her own successful business, manages her household, and is always actively engaged in her community} asked me over the weekend about coming on my Wellness Retreat in May. 

She KNOWS she needs it; she's exhausted, depleted, hanging on by some thin, thin threads {and still managing to kill it at life}. But it happens to fall at a what will be a particularly busy time of year for her. She explains to me that she's afraid to commit...

...because there are so many other needs: because her family will need her, because her business will need her, because... because... because. 

And I could just FEEL her. I KNOW her because I am her. And many of us are her. It seems nearly impossible to carve out time from our lives {from the things we love, care about, and are invested in} for our lives {for our emotional, mental and physical wellbeing, for our joy, for our connectedness to others, to simply remember who we are}.

The thing is, there will always be something to fill that time. Something can always use our attention and time and energy. And, what's also true is that if our child/children needed something, we'd put it all down for them. If our partner needed something, we'd put it all down for them. If our dear friend, our extended family, our community needed something... you get the idea.

The truth is, that's a wonderful, wonderful quality. And yet...

...until we are able to value ourselves like we value everything else, we are operating on incredibly thin ice. Until we are able to commit to ourselves {in whatever way we can, however that might look}, we are teetering on the edge of collapse, of not being able to be fully present in these lives we love so much. And, I might add, we're feeling pretty horrible in the process.

If this feels true to you, I'd encourage you to commit to some time for yourself {small and/or big amounts of time}, lock it into your calendar, and follow through. Like your life, and all the things you care so deeply about within it, depended on it. 
 

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For those of you asking the slightly different, though very much related, question: "how did I get here?" I've got something coming down the pike for you!

Many of us are starting to question our path, our purpose, our direction. We've taken all the "right" steps, checked off all the "right" boxes, followed the mythical Life Instruction Manual to a T. And yet we have arrived in a place where we no longer feel anything like we thought we would or like the people we know we are.

If this feels familiar, you'll want to jump on my list for You 2.0: an online program kicking off in early January uniquely developed for you and others feeling the same way that will help you remember who you are, get super clear on what you want, and create a path to get you there. Join me and a cohesive and supportive group of others who are ready for the next and best version of their lives.  

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ALSO (and perhaps one of our most important acts of self-care): MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO VOTE TOMORROW, NOV 6th!! If you're not sure where to go or what to bring or what the rules are, you can find everything you need to know here. Please encourage others to do the same. It's up to us.
           

, always.
Ellie

*PS: If ever there's anything in my emails that feel useful, supportive or encouraging to you, please consider sharing with a friend or loved one who you think would value it as well. Your people are my people so please feel free to share the love. 

**ALMOST FULL**
 

Annual Wellness Retreat

{yoga, meditation, coaching}

May 16-19, 2019

Bliss Farm & Retreat  

{www.blissfarmandretreat.com}

Barnardsville, North Carolina

This year's retreat will include morning and evening meditation + twice daily yoga classes; group coaching around your own personal commitment to wellness; ample opportunity for quiet, relaxation, and meandering through the 50+ acres of meadows and woods.  To provide additional opportunity for introspection, quietness and mindfulness, we will be incorporating morning silence each day until after meditation and breakfast are complete.

Pricing & Accommodation Options*:

Pricing includes all meals, accommodations, and retreat activities.
 

Private Accomodations

>>B&B rooms (private rooms in main house with shared bathroom)

• $885 (“Mrs. Kay’s” double bed) BOOKED

• $845 (“World Traveler” - twin bed) BOOKED

Shared Accomodations**

>>Cabins: The OSA & The Bali Bliss

(each has one queen bed downstairs + 2-3 queen/twin beds in loft; shared bathroom)

• $785 - queen bed BOOKED

• $685 - queen bed in loft

• $645 - twin bed in loft BOOKED
• $645 - twin bed in loft

• $785 - queen bed

• $645 - twin bed in loft

• $645 - twin bed in loft 
   

>>Bell Tents (“glamping” style tents with shared bathroom) ALL TENTS ARE BOOKED

• $485 - twin bed

• $545 - double bed

Deluxe Wellness Add-On Package: $600 {ONLY 2 LEFT}

>>Private Group Salt Cave Session in Asheville (https://ashevillesaltcave.com) from 4-5pm on Thursday

>>One 60-minutes on-site Massage or Reiki Session

>>One Wellness Coaching Session w/Ellie (30 min) during the retreat - create meaningful and accessible self-care goals for post-retreat wellness

>>Follow-up Wellness Coaching Session w/Ellie (30 min) via Zoom after the retreat - accountability/check-in coaching call

*you can view cabins and B&B rooms at http://www.blissfarmandretreat.com/book-accommodations/

**if you are interested in sharing a cabin with a particular person, please let me know. Both deposits will need to be received within 24 hours for the space to be held, otherwise it will go to the next person on the waitlist.

Booking, Payment & Refund Policy:

Retreat & Accommodations:

In order to secure your accommodations and space on the retreat, a $250 non-refundable deposit must be received immediately. Your balance must be received by COB March 30th and is non-refundable.

Deluxe Wellness Add-On Package:

Due to scheduling requirements, a non-refundable $200 deposit must be received by COB November 30th. Your balance must be received by COB March 30th and is non-refundable.

To Book:

Please email me at ellie@ellieburke.life with a first and second choice accommodation request. I will fill accommodations on a first-come-first-serve basis and will do my best to give you your first choice. If you would like to include the Deluxe Wellness Add-On Package (also available on a first-come-first-serve basis as spaces are limited), let me know as well. Once I receive your information I will send you an invoice to be paid online or via check.

Yoga @ The Broad

Tuesday, 8:30-9:15am (womxn only)
Thursday, 9:30-10:30am (open to all)

Enrollment options (for both Tuesday and Thursday morning classes):
1) 4-week ($70) & 8-week enrollment ($125) - email me for more info on enrollment
3) drop-in, reserved ($20) - email me here with the dates you'd like to reserve
4) drop-in, space, permitting ($20) - just show up!

I will send a short email to yoga students ONLY, at the beginning of each week with the number of spots available in class that week. If you'd like to be on that list and aren't already, please email me to opt-in! Please note that all enrollments and reserved drop-in fees are non-refundable.