A Meditation Retreat for Moms
ROOTED STRENGTH
How to remember who you are
when life is too much.
April 30 - May 3, 2026
Life isn't hard because you're doing it wrong...
Life is hard because
you're doing so much!
Moms today are doing more than ever — raising kids, leading teams, managing homes, all while trying to keep your household emotionally afloat. No wonder you feel overwhelmed, or that you're doing something wrong, or you're just not as good as everyone else.
But let's be real. You're navigating workplaces that don’t always know how to respect you, relationships that expect more than they give, all while trying to parent your kids without making the same mistakes your parents did.
Of course your inner voice keeps asking, "Why can't I manage this better?"
You're not imagining it.
- There IS always more to do.
- There IS always someone who needs something.
- There IS always another 'little something more' being added to your plate.
And then there's the MOM GUILT.
- Lying in bed after a long day, mentally replaying the sharp tone you used during the morning chaos… even though you were running on four hours of sleep and carrying an entire week on your shoulders.
- Wanting a full day alone so badly it aches — not because you don’t love your kids, but because the weight of being the emotional anchor, the scheduler, the problem-solver, and the steady presence has piled up… and then feeling guilty for wanting the break.
- Standing in the kitchen after everyone’s asleep, staring at the empty lunch boxes and wondering how you’re supposed to be a present mom, a supportive partner, excel in your career, and still be a whole human… and feeling like someone is losing no matter what you choose.
This retreat creates a space where you get to stop. Just stop.
Pause.
And take that moment for yourself.
Not with judgment.
Not with shame.
But with support, insight, and compassion—so you can reset, recenter, and reconnect with what lifts you up.
Return to your life rooted, not reactive.
What This Retreat Will Give You
No More Mom Guilt
You'll learn how to free yourself from Mom Guilt. Not by pretending it doesn’t exist, but by learning how to unhook from it.
You’ll understand why guilt shows up, what it’s trying to protect, and how to quiet it so you're free to enjoy your life.
A Healthy Relationship with Anger & Resentment
You’ll learn what anger is pointing to, how to interrupt the “little bit more… little bit more… and now I’m snapping” build-up, and how to shift out of resentment without stuffing your feelings or abandoning yourself.
How to recognize overwhelm before it hits
Instead of jumping straight from “I’m fine” to “I’m done,” you’ll start to notice the early indicators—physically, emotionally, mentally—so you can respond before you burn out or explode.
Permission (and tools) to stop performing and start remembering
This is where you reconnect with your center.
You’ll practice anchoring back into who you are beneath the roles, the expectations, and the relentless pace of life.
This becomes your inner anchor, your inner refuge—steady, rooted, unshakeable.
Space to remember who you are in a world that asks so much
You’ll explore the question every mom quietly asks:
"How do I take care of everyone and all this... without disappearing myself?”
You’ll discover a way of living that supports your wellness, instead of draining it.
Practices and tools you can use the minute you get home.
You'll leave with mantra, meditations, and small, doable tools for everyday life—before school, after work, during the commute, in the hard moments—so the retreat doesn’t stay a nice weekend… it becomes a turning point.
This is a weekend to remember who you are —
no proving, no pretending, no permission needed.
About the Retreat
April 30 - May 3
Thursday 5:30pm - Sunday 2:00pm
Alton Collins Retreat Center
Eagle Creek, Oregon
Escape for the Weekend
Alton Collins is a beautiful secluded retreat center surrounded by giant firs and cedars. Leave the distractions of your daily life far, far away. Settle into a few precious days unencumbered by your ‘everyday responsibilities’ and let someone else cook you incredible delicious meals, plan the activities, and give you space to nurture your soul.
Make Connections
Throughout the weekend, there will be meditations, mantra, techniques, and activities to help you feel a deep connection with your Self and with other women. We are committed to creating a safe, non-judgmental, nurturing space where you will be appreciated and valued—just as you are.
Be Comfortable
It’s important to us that you are comfortable so we have lots of seating options for different body needs. You will have time for silence and reflection, relaxation and meditation, teaching and laughter, connection and discussion—with lots of breaks to enjoy chocolate, snacks, and the beautiful outdoors.
Be Well Tended
Our mornings begin with either pranayama, gentle yoga suitable for all levels, energization exercises to wake up and balance your energy body, or mantric sound chanting and movement. No matter your age, experience level or physical limitations, you will benefit while feeling tended and supported.
Become Wiser
You'll experience an affirming, nurturing, strengthening, and joyous retreat. You have a place in this beautiful circle of women! Return to your life fortified with new awareness and new skills to help you be the wise, compassionate, strong, unf*ckwithable woman the world, and your family, needs you to be.
Join a circle of moms who understand what
it's like to carry so much and still long
for meaning, calm, and joy.
Meet Caren
I've always been different. Not only was I one of only a few white kids in my catholic school growing up in Hawaii, I also had a deep love for whatever it was that existed beyond what I could see or touch in this physical world—not a normal thing for a kid to spend time thinking about, but I did.
I found deep comfort and spiritual connection from the aina, the Hawaiian word for the 'land'. It grew itself into my bones and wove a love for the god of my childhood into something less anthropomorphic but even more real. Being an outsider made a connection to spirit personal, essential, and real. The aina, love of spirit, and the tumultuous 60’s and 70’s with their "Peace, Love and Rock 'n Roll” anthems, formed me. At heart, I have always been a seeker, a mystic, who believes that goodness and love are real.
Over decades of career, marriage, mom, and now a grandmother and meditation teacher, I—like many of my generation—took for granted all the progress we'd made for women and minorities in this physical world. But here we are. The dream has come crashing down. It feels like those formative years that connected me to both the land—the earth—and spirit were preparing me for this moment.
The Earth Life is your Spiritual Life.
The Spiritual Life is your Earth Life.
Meditation has taught me to stand unshaken in the crash of breaking worlds. My hope is to share that wisdom with all women who are willing to be different, to walk the path of a meditator, and dare to believe we can make a difference.
Dana - A Spiritual Practice
We do everything we can to keep the price of our retreats affordable. To this end we price retreats to reflect our direct costs without any additional cost for Caren’s time preparing and leading the teaching. At the close of the retreat you will have the opportunity to give Dana—a donation/love offering—directly to Caren for the teachings you received during the retreat. We'll send more info on the practice of Dana in your pre-retreat communications.
Cancelation Policy
We know 'stuff' happens so here's our policy:
- Cancel before January 15 receive a full refund.
- Cancel between January 15 and February 15, receive a 70% refund.
- Cancel between February 15 & March 15, receive a 50% refund.
- No refunds after March 15.
If we have to cancel for any reason, you will receive a full refund.
Registration Options
We’ve recently updated our pricing model to more accurately reflect our increased costs and have, by request, also created a Benefactor option. Donating to our scholarship fund gives financial support to other women so they can attend the retreat. We appreciate you!
Please Note: Room rates listed below are per person and include three nights lodging with private bath, towels, linens and nine delicious meals.
PAYMENT PLAN
Single Occupancy
$1365
per person
$565 due at registration
$400 due January 30
$400 due February 28
PAYMENT PLAN
Double Occupancy
$1095
per person
$465 due at registration
$315 due January 30
$315 due February 28
Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, clarifications or inquiries.