I’ve been meaning to write this blog post for a while since I took a group of women to Costa Rica on a healing adventure. It took me a while to process all the good that happened and of course life got a hold of me as soon as I landed back home. There were moments on this trip that I had to literally pinch myself because it was exactly what I put on my manifestation list 2 years prior. I wanted to get a group of women together in a beautiful place to connect, share vulnerably, heal, have fun, and make lasting friendships. Our first group session began at Tabacón Resort. We were surrounded by tropical plants and a river and rain that would downpour at just the right moment symbolic of the release that would happen in each of us. When I walked into the outdoor bamboo studio… my jaw dropped and tears welled in my eyes. I couldn’t have dreamed of a more perfect moment then this and it was just the first day!
Over the next 6 days together we shared openly about childhood wounds, divorce, loss, body shame, disembodiment, trauma and more. We soared over a sacred rainforest, walked over hanging bridges, hiked an active Volcano, jumped off a 500ft ledge, practiced embodiment and became more alive. Oh and we had the best Costa Rican guide named Catalina. She taught us all about Costa Rica, the land, the people, the coffee and shared her own healing journey with us. She’s leads groups on tours in Costa Rica and is building her own wellness center using biodynamic material. She’s amazing! Follow her on Instagram @catalinaelizondo.cr.
When you gather women HEALING HAPPENS! In my therapist’s opinion, group therapy is significantly underrated. There is something invaluable about this type of healing. Not only does individual healing occur but a certain healing occurs on a group level that allows us to have a corrective experience and feel less alone in our pain.
To honor these brave and beautiful women I won’t go into any more detail of their stories but with their permission I would love to share some photos of the moments that changed my life and maybe theirs as well. 😉
I brought my best friend and embodiment coach Meghan Incorvia @risephoto.co with me to offer healing photography sessions!
One of these beautiful souls DeAnn @deanndillard.realestate posted to her Instagram about her experience in Costa Rica saying:
“A few times in life an opportunity comes along, and for some reason, you know in your heart you need to take it. You may not know why, or all of the details but for some reason you know you need to do this…. this was the situation on the trip I took to Costa Rica.
A few months back I received an email from a gal I hardly knew. It said she was organizing a trip to Costa Rica. I usually go through and delete emails pretty fast without opening them. For some reason this one caught my eye. When I opened it and read further, it said this was an all Women’s spiritual healing trip. I said out loud, I am SO DOING THIS!
I had never been to Central America and I didn’t know these women. I was already travelling 1-2 times a month and questioned if I should take the time off. As I thought about it over the next few weeks, my gut said I NEED this trip.
Right before the trip I was having a very hard few weeks. Anxiety was ruling me. My sister had just suddenly passed away. She was on life support and had no brain activity and no chance of surviving. This was the exact situation I went through with my daughter Hannah. It was like reliving her accident all over again. I wasn’t feeling it, but I went forward with the trip because I knew I needed to be there.
Costa Rica was the trip of a lifetime for me. I came back a different woman. I feel lighter, more grounded, enlightened, empowered and free. The women I met were all so incredible. They were all in different stages and situations in their lives, struggling, learning, working on their own shit, loving and supporting one another. It was like no other group of women I have ever spent time with. I am so very thankful to have forged these new relationships. We had some amazing healing sessions where I discovered things about me I did not know, and where I released things I no longer need.
Trust your gut. If you are drawn to something, listen to your soul. Your inner guide is telling you, you need this.”
The Salvatura Hanging Bridge Tour was epic!
This moment for me for was healing! Because of my anxiety I developed a fear of heights but this year I’ve taken that back and doing things I never thought I could do like super-womaning on the longest zipline in Central American and the Tarzan swing (Click HERE to watch that). After I did this I felt like my whole identity shifted…. I was high on adrenaline and conquering fears that I said,” I’m not the same as I was before, I am now someone who does these adventurous things!”
Goddess Cata our fearless guide in all her glory! Photographed by Meghan Incorvia of Rise Photo.
The Arenal Volcano was one of the most spectacular things I’ve ever seen. You can do a very easy hike around the base of the Volcano and see all sorts of animals and end up on these tree hammocks.
I have to mention the coffee! Ah the coffee was so so good and plentiful.
During this exercise we faced our insecurities about our bodies and outed that SHAME! We validated the negative messages that we have learned about our bodies and told each other the THRUTH and washed it all away in the water together. It was moving and magical.
Sally shares her experience here:
“I am so grateful that I decided to book this trip with Chrissy Powers to Costa Rica. I had been looking for some kind of retreat and I knew that I would be in good hands with Chrissy on this healing adventure. What I did not know was how profound and incredible this trip would be for me. The support and sisterhood that I felt and continue to feel as a result of this amazing group of women is unmatched. We laughed, we cried, we held space for our authentic selves to be vulnerable, validated and truly loved. I never could have imagined that something like zip lining in the jungle could be so transcendent and freeing for my soul! The luxury accommodations, food and guide service were also fantastic, I loved that everything was planned out for us. I would say that this is a once in a lifetime experience but there is no way I’m only doing this trip once! Pura Vida! ”
This trip was a dream come true and the start of many more to come.
IF YOU WANT IN ON MY NEXT HEALING RETREAT IN EITHER JOSHUA TREE OR SEDONA FILL OUT THE BOX BELOW:
I hope to see you soon!
With Healing & Hope,
Chrissy
