We’re so excited that you’re joining us! Here’s everything you need to know in advance to prepare for a successful and enjoyable retreat for yourself and everyone.
What to Bring
- Walking Shoes
- You’ll be walking over grass, gravel, and soil on sloped , uneven, and sometimes slippery surfaces. Choose a comfortable, well-fitting pair of shoes with a secure, grippy sole that you won’t mind getting a little dirty.
- Comfortable Clothing for Movement
- Workshops include gentle movement in the morning, evening, and briefly throughout the day. You’ll want to wear something that will accommodate, sitting, lying down, bending, reaching, and stretching.
- Warm/Dry Clothing for Layering
- Some of our meditations and activities will be outdoors. Be prepared for cool mornings and evenings or inclement weather. If the forecast calls for rain, consider bringing a rain jacket and/or umbrella. If the weather is truly foul, we will vote whether to stay indoors or venture out.
- Spill-Proof Water Bottle
- We avoid the use of plastic whenever possible, and our refrigerator provides filtered water. Please feel free to fill your water bottle at any time.
- Spill-Proof Travel Mug
- If you wish to consume coffee or tea during classes, you are welcome, but we ask that you use your own spill-proof container. You are also welcome to drink from the unlidded mugs that we provide in the kitchen, dining room, or outdoors.
- Snacks
- Some snack items will be provided, but we also encourage you to bring your favorites, especially if you have food allergies or dietary preferences that you wish to adhere to. Sharing your snacks is optional and not expected.
- Yoga Mat
- We are in the process of building a collection of yoga mats for future Wisdom Weekends. Please bring your own, and if you have an extra one to donate, please bring it with you – we’d love to add it to the collection!
- Notebook or Journal
- Toiletries and Pajamas – if you are staying the night.
- Sleep Mask
- You may find some darkness helpful for meditations and/or catnaps.
- Favorite Pillow and/or Blanket
- You may find these comforting and supportive during classes and meditations, for napping, or sleeping when staying the night. We offer a wide selection of pillows and blankets for overnight guests, however, you may prefer to bring your own.
- Meditation Cushion (optional)
- Your favorite blanket, folded into a square, may also serve as a meditation cushion.
- Swimsuit and Towel – if you’d like to use the hot tub.
Values That Guide Our Conduct
- PARTICIPATION – Your participation in activities and conversations adds to the experience for everyone, but is not required. You are encouraged to stretch yourself outside your comfort zone, as stretching is how we grow.
- BOUNDARIES – You have the right to decline to participate in any activity that feels too uncomfortable for you or contrary to your deeply held personal beliefs. Any firm boundaries that you express will be honored and respected by the group and facilitators.
- DIVERSITY – We welcome all women who want to share and learn, regardless of culture, religion, or spiritual beliefs. Please respect others and do your best to learn something from them, even when you disagree. Greater diversity grants greater wisdom to all of us.
- CONSENT – Always gain consent before touching any individual. We want everyone to feel safe and respected. At the beginning of the Wisdom Weekend when you introduce yourself, you are welcome to express whether or not you are open to receiving hugs or comforting touch during vulnerable moments. If you’re unsure about someone’s preference, please ask before touching.
- DISCRETION – We want all women to feel safe to express themselves. What happens at Star Fusion Ranch stays at Star Fusion Ranch.
- GRACE – Please avoid directly confronting individuals who may conduct themselves ungracefully or feel difficult to be around. First, look your experience of this person as an opportunity to examine what she may be reflecting within you. Second, allowing differences of opinion without judgement benefits everyone. Third, we highly recommend that you privately raise any concerns you may have with a host or facilitator.
- REST – If you are staying overnight in the house or on the property, quiet hours are 10:00pm to 6:00am. The kitchen and common areas of the house will be off-limits during this time. The exception is if you are struggling to sleep and want to try drinking some calming tea. You may quietly get some hot water from the dispenser at the kitchen sink. We also keep a nice selection of herbal teas at the beverage station.
- PRIVACY – Please do not enter guests’ bedrooms or the hosts’ bedroom without permission or invitation.
- TIDINESS – Please eat in the kitchen, dining room, or outdoors, and not in the main living room. If you wish to enjoy beverages in the living room, please use a spill-proof container such as a lidded water bottle or travel mug.
- CONSERVATION – We are mindful stewards of the land. Solar panels provide our power. We are caring with our water use. Also, we recycle what we can and do our best to avoid single use plastics. (We know it’s difficult because almost everything we buy comes wrapped in plastic. But we try.)
- NOURISHMENT – Saturdays include a potluck luncheon. Your registration form gives you an opportunity to let us know what you intend to bring to the potluck and inform us of any food preferences or allergies you may have. We will do our best to provide suitable options for breakfast, but what you choose to eat is solely your responsibility.
- RESPONSIBLE HEDONISM – The use of alcohol or cannabis at the end of the day’s activities is a personal choice that you are welcome to make for yourself, however, please consume responsibly. Disruptive behavior while intoxicated may be cause for dismissal from the retreat. Your sobriety before and during classes or meditations benefits everyone and is appreciated.
- SAFETY – Be aware that Star Fusion Ranch is situated within a rocky and sloped foothill woodland. The risk of slips, trips, falls, scrapes, splinters, or encountering wild animals and insects may be part of the experience. Move about carefully with intention and awareness. We will keep a first aid kit available in the event of any minor injuries.
- MENTAL HEALTH – If you are experiencing a mental health crisis (if you are having thoughts of harming yourself or others) please reach out to a licensed medical or mental health professional. Wisdom Weekends are not intended to replace the care, advice, or counseling of qualified professionals. If we feel you are in danger of harming yourself or others, we will call 911 to ensure safety.
- AGREEMENT – Please read and sign the waiver (link coming soon) to indicate that you have read, understand, and agree to these values and guidelines and willingly accept any risks that may come with participation and movement around the Star Fusion Ranch property. If you have not signed the waiver before your arrival, you will be asked to when you arrive. If you decline to sign the waiver, you are ineligible for participation and will unfortunately be dismissed from the retreat without a refund.
Cancellation Policy
This cancellation policy applies to the May Flower Moon and September Harvest Moon Retreats only. Our cancellation policy is designed to minimize last-minute cancellations and give us time to fill vacated spots before the retreat(s).
- You may cancel with notice more than 60 days in advance of the retreat and receive a full refund.
- You may cancel with 30 – 59 days advance notice and receive a 50% refund.
- You may cancel cancel with less than 29 to 14 days notice and receive a 25% refund.
- If you cancel with less than 14 days advance notice, there will be no refund.