Awakening the Spine, Spirit, and Senses | August 2026
There are moments when learning, land, and community come together in a way that feels both intentional and inevitable. The Cape Breton Island Energy & Arts Immersion Retreat, taking place in the third week of August 2026, is one of those moments.
This retreat was born from years of collaborative teaching, movement practice, energy exploration, and a deep love of Cape Breton Island — its music, its people, and its natural rhythms. It is an invitation to step out of daily demands and into a living, breathing classroom where movement, sound, art, and energy medicine guide us back to ourselves.
A Retreat Rooted in Embodied Wisdom
At the heart of this retreat is a simple but profound idea:
true learning happens when knowledge is embodied.
Throughout the week, participants will explore layered practices that weave together:
- Touch for Health Five Element Theory
- The Spiritual Essence of the Spine
- Tai Chi and gentle movement
- Dance and rhythmic expression
- Sound healing and frequency awareness
- Intuitive painting
- Trauma-informed somatic practices
- Nature-based integration and community connection
Rather than teaching these as separate disciplines, the retreat allows them to interact, inform, and deepen one another, creating a rich environment for personal insight, skill development, and restoration.
The Spine as a Gateway to Awareness
A central theme of the retreat is Spine Resonance — understanding the spine not only as a structural support, but as a vibrational and energetic axis connecting body, mind, and spirit.
Through movement, sound, awareness, and creative expression, participants will explore how the Five Elements live within the spine and influence vitality, emotional regulation, intuition, and resilience. These concepts are drawn from Touch for Health, BioEnergetic Wellness, and years of interdisciplinary teaching, offered in a way that is accessible, experiential, and practical. You can learn more in the “About” section for Dr Michelle Greenwell.
Creativity as Medicine
Art, music, and movement are not added extras — they are essential teachers.
Participants will engage in intuitive painting, sound baths, dance, and spontaneous music experiences as pathways for insight and integration. These creative practices help bypass the thinking mind, allowing learning to land in the body and nervous system.
Whether you identify as an artist or not, creativity becomes a tool for listening, processing, and expression.
Trauma-Informed, Gentle, and Inclusive
This retreat is designed with safety, choice, and nervous system regulation at its core.
Trauma-informed movement and sound sessions focus on gentle unwinding rather than force, honoring the body’s innate intelligence and pacing. An introductory exploration of Therapeutic Touch (TT) will also be offered, including simple practices that can be used for personal self-care and within families.
No prior experience is required. All practices are adaptable and invitational.
Learning Through Land and Community
Cape Breton Island is not just the setting — it is part of the teaching.
From Tai Chi in community halls and art studios, to beach walks, farmers’ markets, shared meals, music, and dance, the retreat unfolds across Mabou, Inverness, Creignish, Judique, and the Cabot Trail. These experiences ground learning in place, culture, and relationship.
Community becomes both container and catalyst.
Who This Retreat Is For
This retreat welcomes:
- Wellness practitioners and facilitators
- Movement teachers, energy workers, and body-based therapists
- Artists and creatives seeking renewal and inspiration
- Individuals navigating transition, stress, or burnout
- Curious seekers drawn to holistic, embodied self-care
The group will be intentionally sized to support connection, reflection, and meaningful exchange.
An Invitation
This is a retreat for those who value depth over speed, experience over explanation, and connection over isolation.
You will leave with:
- Practical tools you can use in daily life and professional practice
- A deeper understanding of your own energy and body
- Renewed creativity and vitality
- A sense of belonging that extends beyond the retreat itself
Registration details, accommodation information, and the full retreat outline are now available in the shop.
✨ Spaces are limited, and early registration is encouraged.
Stay tuned as we shine a light on the presenters for the week, their incredible neuroarts backgrounds, and the special activities that will highlight each day on Cape Breton Island.