Orit Krug | Somatic Trauma Retreats https://oritkrug.com/ Wed, 06 May 2026 20:13:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Trauma and Somatic Therapy Retreats for Women Ready to Reclaim Safety and Confidence https://oritkrug.com/trauma-somatic-therapy-retreats-women/ Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:04:46 +0000 https://oritkrug.com/?p=13129 The post Trauma and Somatic Therapy Retreats for Women Ready to Reclaim Safety and Confidence appeared first on Orit Krug | Somatic Trauma Retreats.

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Trauma and Somatic Therapy Retreats for Women Ready to Reclaim Safety and Confidence (Updated 2026)

By Orit Krug |

If you’ve spent years doing therapy, journaling-tips, meditating, or trying every self-help method under the sun — and you still feel yourself tighten, freeze, or panic in relationships — you are not broken. You are human.

Because here’s the truth: the part of you that flinches at distance, that bristles at criticism, that panics when a partner goes quiet… that part is just trying to protect you. Your body has learned patterns of fear and self-protection over years, maybe decades, and it’s responding long before your mind can intervene.

You can understand your patterns intellectually, but understanding isn’t enough. Real safety happens in the body. Real attachment healing happens in the nervous system.

Why Somatic Work is Different

Most people try to think their way out of fear. They try to reason, to control, to prepare. But trauma isn’t stored in thoughts — it’s stored in sensations: the tightening in your chest, the hollow in your stomach, the buzzing in your head.

Research shows the body carries implicit memory through movement, posture, and physiological responses, even without conscious awareness (American Psychological Association). Trauma doesn’t need your permission to show up — it will always show up in your body first.

Somatic therapy meets it where it lives. It doesn’t fight it. It doesn’t try to “fix” it. It invites your body to move through it, to experience safety, and to feel what connection can actually feel like — for the first time, maybe ever.

What Somatic Therapy Feels Like in Practice

Imagine this: You start moving your body in organic, unplanned ways — a sway, a stretch, a step, a breath you didn’t know you could take.

Suddenly, your chest tightens. Your stomach knots. Your mind whispers, I can’t do this. This is too much.

And yet… instead of reacting as you always have — tensing, shutting down, running — you notice it. You stay. You let your body move with the sensation.

Around you, women move too. They mirror you without words, without judgment. Their presence says: “You are safe. You are allowed to feel this.”

And something shifts. The fear doesn’t disappear, but it stops controlling you. The nervous system learns a new rhythm: notice, breathe, move, connect. That knot in your stomach is no longer a prison — it’s a teacher.

This is exactly what Lisa experienced at the Zion Retreat in February 2025:

“At first, I felt closed off and guarded, but by the end of the retreat, I felt accepted, stronger, and loved. Since then, I’ve been able to slow down and discern what I truly need in relationships, instead of letting my fears around intimacy decide for me. I’ve come to understand that my childhood pain doesn’t define me—and that taking things slowly doesn’t mean I’m broken. The mirroring practice, though hard to drop into at first, ended up being incredibly powerful and helpful – it helped me feel accepted for who I am.” – Lisa, Zion Retreat, Feb ’25

And Kellie at the Sedona Retreat in April 2023 felt the liberating power of moving her body in front of others and being fully accepted:

“As I began to move more freely at the retreat, I learned that it was safe to take up more space. I felt more confident to express myself in different ways for the first time since childhood. Doing this movement in front of others and being accepted is a very freeing feeling and created a feeling of empowerment within me. Seeing others accept my movement helped me to accept myself. This is a feeling I now carry in my body wherever I go.” – Kellie, Sedona Retreat, Apr ’23

Their experiences illustrate something most nervous systems have never fully learned:

  • Feeling fear and staying present
  • Being seen in vulnerability without rejection
  • Moving through emotion instead of getting stuck in it

Over time, their bodies begin to learn something new:

  • That the sensations they once feared… were actually safe to feel.
  • That they didn’t have to react immediately.
  • That they could stay, breathe, move — and let the wave pass.

And even more importantly, that they could be seen in those moments and still be met with acceptance, support, and connection.

This is how attachment and trauma healing happens at the nervous system level. Not by convincing yourself you’re safe — but by experiencing, again and again, that you are.

Choosing the Right Trauma or Somatic Therapy Retreat

Not all retreats are created equal — and you want one that truly feels right for you. Healing isn’t one-size-fits-all, so take the time to ensure the retreat fits your needs, pace, and nervous system.

Here’s what to look for:

  • Connection with the facilitator: You want to feel safe, seen, and supported. A brief call or conversation before you register can help you know if the facilitator’s style resonates with you.

  • Room to breathe: Healing takes time. Look for a schedule that isn’t packed from morning to night — you'll need space to reflect, process, and integrate each experience.

  • Somatic, body-based focus: Trauma isn’t just in your mind. Movement, breath, parts work, or relational exercises allow your body to learn safety and connection in a way talk therapy alone often cannot.

  • Small group size: Intimacy and trust grow in smaller circles. There should be enough people present to feel supported, but not overwhelmed.

  • Integration time: Look for retreats that include periods to rest, journal, or quietly reflect — it’s in these moments that the nervous system consolidates change.

Choosing a retreat this way ensures it’s not just another weekend away — it’s a space where you can feel truly safe, witnessed, and ready to transform old patterns into embodied security.

Ready to Experience Deep Healing?

If your body resonates with this, it’s already telling you it’s ready. Even if your mind hesitates, notice how your body responds to movement, presence, and connection.

A trauma or somatic therapy retreat gives your body permission to finally release old patterns, take up space safely, and feel fully seen. Learn more about upcoming retreats and the science behind somatic therapy.

👉 Explore upcoming retreats and apply

somatic retreats

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The Best Attachment Healing Retreats for Women Ready to Feel Secure in Love (Updated 2026) https://oritkrug.com/best-attachment-healing-retreats-women/ Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:00:43 +0000 https://oritkrug.com/?p=13106 The post The Best Attachment Healing Retreats for Women Ready to Feel Secure in Love (Updated 2026) appeared first on Orit Krug | Somatic Trauma Retreats.

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The Best Attachment Healing Retreats for Women Ready to Feel Secure in Love (Updated 2026)

By Orit Krug |

If you’ve done years of personal growth, therapy, or inner work — and still find yourself feeling anxious, triggered, or afraid of losing connection — you’re not alone.

You might understand your patterns.
You might know where they come from.
And yet, in certain moments, your body reacts before you can stop it.

The overthinking.
The tightness in your chest.
The fear that something is about to go wrong in your relationship.

It can feel confusing — especially when part of you knows you’re safe.

This is the nature of attachment wounds. They don’t just live in your thoughts. They live in your nervous system. That’s why healing them often requires more than insight alone.

Why Attachment Wounds Don’t Heal Through Insight Alone

You can understand your attachment style deeply and still feel reactive in relationships. That’s because attachment patterns are formed through repeated emotional experiences, not just beliefs. Over time, your nervous system learns:

  • when to brace
  • when to hold back
  • when to fear losing connection

These responses become automatic. So even when your adult self knows better… your body still responds from a much older place.

Real healing happens when your nervous system experiences something different — not just when your mind understands it.

What Is an Attachment Healing Retreat?

An attachment healing retreat is an immersive experience designed to help you:

  • feel safe in connection
  • process emotional patterns through the body
  • experience new relational dynamics in real time

Rather than just talking about your past, you engage in somatic and relational practices that allow your body to:

  • release stored emotional patterns
  • feel what safety and connection actually feel like
  • build new responses from the inside out

This is what makes the work feel different — and often more lasting.

Signs You May Benefit From an Attachment Healing Retreat

You might not call it “attachment wounds,” but you may recognize yourself in some of these patterns:

  • You feel anxious or preoccupied in relationships.
  • You worry you’re “too much” or “not enough.”
  • You overanalyze interactions or replay conversations in your head.
  • You feel triggered by distance, tone, or subtle shifts in connection.
  • You struggle to fully relax, even when things are going well.
  • You crave deep connection but feel afraid of it at the same time.

Many women who attend retreats are already high-functioning, self-aware, and deeply committed to their growth. They’ve done therapy, journaling, meditation — and yet their body still reacts automatically.

For example, our client Lauren constantly braced for stress in her relationships. Her mind knew she was safe, but her chest tightened and her stomach knotted whenever she felt even a hint of distance from a partner.

Through the work at our somatic retreat, she began to notice these patterns in real time, allowing her body to release tension and experience connection without panic. She realized she could be both present and safe — something her nervous system had never fully learned.

The women who come are not new to healing. They’re simply ready for a deeper shift — one that includes the body and nervous system, not just the mind.

How Somatic Work Helps You Feel Secure (Not Just Understand It)

Most people try to change their reactions by thinking differently. But in moments of trigger — when your chest tightens, your stomach drops, or your mind starts racing — your body is already responding before thought can catch up.

This is because emotional memories and trauma responses are stored in the nervous system and body, not just the mind. Research in trauma psychology shows that the body can hold implicit memory through sensations, movement, and physiological responses, even without conscious awareness (Source: American Psychological Association).

At the retreat, we work directly with these responses. You begin moving your body in organic, unplanned ways — not choreography, not performance, just following what your body naturally wants to do. Almost inevitably, sensations surface: tightness, hesitation, a wave of emotion — fear, grief, or the urge to freeze. These are the same sensations that show up in your relationships, usually triggering anxiety or shutdown.

Here, instead of reacting automatically, we slow it down. I guide participants to notice the moment the body wants to panic, brace, or escape, and instead gently stay with the sensation — moving through it, step by step, breath by breath. Other women in the group mirror and witness you nonverbally, creating a field of safety and acceptance.

This is exactly what Bev experienced at the Zion Retreat in February 2025. Through somatic parts-work, she began to respect her body and allow herself to feel safely. Vulnerability became profoundly healing.

“Before the retreat, I was stuck in a frozen state—disconnected from my body and emotions, despite having plenty of head knowledge. The somatic parts-work helped me realize I’d been operating from my younger self, driven by fear and disconnection. As I broke free from the fear, I truly listened to and respected my body. Being vulnerable felt scary at first, but ultimately incredibly safe. The eye contact and mirroring were especially transformative, helping me feel deeply seen. The balance between structure and spaciousness was perfect. I honestly think it may be the best money I’ve ever spent—I just wish I’d done it sooner and would love to attend monthly.” – Bev, Zion Retreat, Feb ’25

Her experience illustrates something most nervous systems have never fully learned:

  • Feeling fear and staying present
  • Being seen in vulnerability without rejection
  • Moving through emotion instead of getting stuck in it

Over time, her body began to learn something new:

  • That the sensations she once feared… were actually safe to feel.
  • That she didn’t have to react immediately.
  • That she could stay, breathe, move — and let the wave pass.

And even more importantly: That she could be seen in those moments and still be met with acceptance, support, and connection.

This is how attachment healing happens at the nervous system level. Not by convincing yourself you’re safe — but by experiencing, again and again, that you are.

Best Attachment Healing Retreats to Consider

1. Somatic Attachment Healing Retreat (Orit Krug)

This retreat is designed for women who feel stuck in relationship patterns, crave deeper connection, and want embodied transformation. Through somatic therapy, movement, parts work, and relational exercises, participants are guided to experience safety, expression, and connection in new ways.

👉 Explore upcoming retreats

2. General Wellness Retreats

Focus on yoga, mindfulness, and relaxation. Supportive for stress reduction, but may not offer deep somatic trauma processing or attachment-focused healing.

3. Traditional Therapy Intensives

Deep psychological work, often conversation-based. Helpful, but usually lacks the body-based and relational practices needed for fully embodied change.

Ready to Feel Secure in Your Relationships?

If something here resonates, your body is telling you it needs deeper, embodied healing. A somatic attachment healing retreat creates space for old patterns to shift safely.

👉 Explore upcoming retreats and apply

somatic retreats

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an attachment healing retreat?

An immersive experience to heal relationship patterns via somatic and relational practices targeting the nervous system.

Do I need to know my attachment style before attending?

No. The focus is on your present lived experience, not labels.

Is this like therapy?

It can feel similar, but retreats offer a more immersive, experiential environment allowing faster and more embodied shifts.

Related Reads:

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Trauma Healing Retreat in Sedona: Release Body-Stored Trauma with Somatic Therapy https://oritkrug.com/best-trauma-healing-retreat-sedona/ Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:13:25 +0000 https://oritkrug.com/?p=12973 The post Trauma Healing Retreat in Sedona: Release Body-Stored Trauma with Somatic Therapy appeared first on Orit Krug | Somatic Trauma Retreats.

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Trauma Healing Retreat in Sedona: Heal Attachment Wounds Through Somatic Work

By Orit Krug | March 16, 2026

If you’ve been searching for a somatic therapy retreat, attachment healing retreat, or trauma therapy retreat, chances are you’ve already done a lot of inner work.

You’ve read the books.
You’ve gone to therapy.
You understand your patterns.

And yet your body still reacts.

One moment you feel calm and grounded. The next moment, anxiety surges through your chest, your mind starts racing, and you feel like you’re right back in the same old loop.

Many women tell me the same thing before they come to retreat:

"I know why I react this way… but I can’t seem to stop my body from doing it."

That’s because trauma and attachment wounds don’t live only in thoughts. They live in the nervous system.

Research and clinical work in trauma psychology show that overwhelming experiences shape the body’s stress responses — affecting breath, muscle tension, emotional regulation, and relational safety long after the original events have passed. (Source: American Psychological Association)

This is why healing that happens through the body can unlock shifts that insight alone sometimes cannot.

Why Somatic Retreats Can Create Breakthroughs

Daily life rarely gives us the conditions needed for deep nervous system change.

We’re busy.
We’re distracted.
We’re constantly pulled back into the same environments and relationship dynamics.

A somatic retreat creates a different container.

Instead of trying to manage your patterns while juggling everyday responsibilities, you step into a dedicated space where your nervous system can slow down and safely process what it’s been holding.

During retreat, we work with practices such as:

  • guided somatic awareness
  • parts work to understand internal protective patterns
  • movement and breathwork to release stored emotion
  • relational exercises that rebuild safety and connection

Over several days, something subtle but powerful begins to happen.

Your body starts to realize it doesn’t need to brace all the time.

Your breath deepens.

Your shoulders soften.

The nervous system begins learning safety from the inside out.

Why Sedona Is a Powerful Setting for Somatic Healing Retreats

Sedona has long drawn people seeking healing and transformation.

Some are drawn to the landscape.

Others to the quiet spaciousness of the desert.

Many come specifically because of Sedona’s well-known vortex sites, which people often describe as amplifying meditation, emotional release, and personal insight.

Whatever language you use for it, the environment itself tends to slow people down.

Participants often say they feel their bodies settle more quickly here than they do at home.

That shift makes it easier to access deeper layers of somatic work.

What the Somatic Experience Feels Like

One participant, Natalie, described the group sessions as something she had never experienced before.

During the Somatic Dance Therapy practices, she felt a level of freedom in her body that had been completely unfamiliar to her.

She talked about the power of being surrounded by other women who were equally open and authentic — the energy of the room becoming almost magnetic as everyone allowed themselves to move, feel, and express what had long been held inside.

Afterward she said:

“The Somatic Dance Therapy sessions were my favorite part. They allowed me to feel a sense of freedom that I have truly never felt. It was such a beautiful experience to be surrounded by other women who were being equally vulnerable and authentic. The energy of the sessions was truly magnetic. I felt that we were all able to connect with one another on a higher frequency. It felt like magic. The best way to describe it, for me, would be to say it was an out of body feeling. Super powerful!”

— Natalie, Sedona Retreat, Sep ’24

Moving Out of Freeze and Back Into Life

For others, the shift is quieter but just as profound.

Bev arrived at retreat feeling disconnected from her body and emotions. She described being stuck in a frozen state — intellectually understanding her patterns but unable to feel or move through them.

Through somatic parts work, she began recognizing how much of her life had been driven by younger protective parts shaped by fear.

As she slowly allowed herself to be seen by others in the group — through practices like eye contact, mirroring, and relational movement — something changed.

Instead of shutting down, her body started opening.

Afterward she shared:

“Before the retreat, I was stuck in a frozen state—disconnected from my body and emotions, despite having plenty of head knowledge. The somatic parts-work helped me realize I’d been operating from my younger self, driven by fear and disconnection. As I broke free from the fear, I truly listened to and respected my body. Being vulnerable felt scary at first, but ultimately incredibly safe. The eye contact and mirroring were especially transformative, helping me feel deeply seen. The balance between structure and spaciousness was perfect. I honestly think it may be the best money I’ve ever spent—I just wish I’d done it sooner and would love to attend monthly.”

— Bev, Zion Retreat, Feb ’25

How to Choose the Best Somatic Therapy Retreat

If you’re searching for the best somatic therapy retreat for trauma or attachment healing, it’s important to choose a space that truly supports your nervous system. When people come to this work, they’re often carrying years — often decades — of emotional patterns, protective responses, and deeply human longing for safety and connection.

The right retreat environment can make all the difference. Here are some qualities that help create a truly supportive and transformative experience:

  • Experienced facilitators trained in trauma-informed somatic work
    When you’re exploring vulnerable emotional territory, the skill and presence of the facilitator matters deeply. Look for someone with extensive training and real experience guiding people through body-based healing processes, not just someone who added a short somatic certification onto another modality.

  • A process-based structure rather than random workshops
    True transformation happens through a carefully guided process. Instead of a series of disconnected activities, a strong retreat builds step-by-step experiences that gradually help your nervous system move from protection into safety, expression, and integration.

  • Relational safety and small group environments
    Much of attachment healing happens in connection with others. Being part of a small, supportive group allows participants to feel seen, accepted, and understood—often creating corrective emotional experiences that the nervous system has been longing for.

  • A thoughtful application process
    If you can simply click “buy now,” it may not be the most intentional environment. Retreats that include an application or short conversation help ensure the group is aligned and that the experience truly supports your needs.

  • Integration time for nervous system processing
    Deep somatic work isn’t something to rush. Moments of reflection, rest, and gentle integration allow the body to absorb new experiences of safety, expression, and connection so the shifts can last long after the retreat ends.

When these elements come together, a retreat becomes more than a temporary escape from everyday life. It becomes a space where your body can finally exhale, your nervous system can experience new possibilities, and parts of you that have been waiting to emerge can begin to come forward.

Exploring Sedona Somatic Retreats

Ready to Experience a Somatic Retreat in Sedona?

If something in this article resonated with you, your body may already be recognizing what it needs.

Many women arrive at retreat after years of personal growth, therapy, and self-reflection—still sensing that something deeper in their nervous system is waiting to shift.

A somatic retreat creates the space to slow down, reconnect with your body, and gently release the patterns that have been living beneath the surface.

If you're curious about whether this experience might be the right next step in your healing journey, you can explore the upcoming retreats below:

somatic retreats

Frequently Asked Questions About Somatic Retreats

What is a somatic retreat?

A somatic retreat is an immersive healing experience that focuses on releasing trauma, stress, and emotional patterns stored in the body. Through practices such as movement, breathwork, parts work, and nervous system regulation, participants learn to process emotions directly through the body rather than only through conversation or intellectual insight.

How does a somatic therapy retreat help with attachment healing?

Attachment wounds often live in the nervous system and can show up as anxiety, fear of abandonment, or difficulty trusting others. A somatic therapy retreat creates a safe relational environment where participants can experience new patterns of connection, emotional safety, and regulation, allowing the nervous system to learn healthier attachment responses.

Why do people travel to Sedona for somatic retreats?

Sedona is widely known for its peaceful natural environment and vortex sites, which many people believe support meditation, emotional clarity, and personal transformation. Combined with guided somatic therapy practices, the Sedona environment can help participants slow down, reconnect with their bodies, and access deeper levels of healing.

Who are somatic retreats best for?

Somatic retreats are especially helpful for people who feel stuck in cycles of anxiety, emotional triggers, or relational patterns even after years of personal growth or therapy. Because the work happens through the body and nervous system, participants often experience shifts that feel more lasting and embodied.

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Attachment Healing Somatic Retreat in Sedona https://oritkrug.com/attachment-healing-retreat-sedona/ Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:13:11 +0000 https://oritkrug.com/?p=12948 The post Attachment Healing Somatic Retreat in Sedona appeared first on Orit Krug | Somatic Trauma Retreats.

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Attachment Healing Somatic Retreat in Sedona

By Orit Krug | March 16, 2026

You might be exhausted from the loop of feeling safe one moment, then spiraling into anxiety the next. Sleepless nights, racing thoughts, and the frustration of knowing your patterns but still feeling trapped in them — it’s relentless.

A somatic retreat, like our Sedona attachment healing retreat, is designed to help you step out of these cycles and experience real, felt change in your body.

Maybe your heart races when someone doesn’t text back. Maybe you wake up at 3 a.m., replaying conversations that happened months ago. Maybe you know your story on a cognitive level, but your body is still reacting like you’re back in survival mode.

I see you. I know how utterly draining this pattern feels. You’ve done therapy, read the books, meditated, journaled — and part of you wonders, “Why do I still feel this way?”

This is where attachment wounds show up — not just in thoughts, but in your nervous system and your body. The body remembers long before the mind does.

Research shows that early attachment wounds can shape the nervous system’s response to stress, leaving the body in a chronic state of alert even after the threat is gone. These patterns are stored in muscle tension, breath holding, fight/flight responses, and relational triggers. (NIH on attachment and physiology)

If you’re tired of knowing but not feeling different, you are not alone — and you are not broken.

The Somatic Process: Feeling Transformation in Your Body

When you arrive at the retreat, the process is gentle but profound.

You start by noticing your body, feeling where tension, constriction, or fear lives. You may recognize old patterns — your chest tightening, your stomach knotting, your muscles bracing. This isn’t a problem to fix; it’s information.

Through parts work, you meet the protective parts of yourself — the anxious, skeptical, or critical voices — and the vulnerable parts they’ve been guarding. You allow them to exist, acknowledging their purpose while gently inviting change.

With movement, breath, and guided release, your body begins to do what your mind has tried to force for years: release. You feel fear, tension, or grief rise up, and instead of running or pushing it away, you move with it, let it flow through your nervous system, and gradually feel your body settle into safety and freedom.

This is exactly what Kim experienced at the Sedona retreat in October 2023. She had spent years constantly bracing for the next stress. Through somatic practice, she felt her body gradually unfold, her breath deepening, her heart opening. After the retreat, when we caught up, she :

“It was liberating to feel so safe to move my body and express myself freely. I searched for so long for a way to feel more at home in my bones, and the Sedona retreat was a turning point for me. I feel confident and empowered to take up space, whereas before I was constantly anxious and stayed small.”

Similarly, Tali, who attended the Spain Retreat in September 2025, experienced profound shifts:

“It was life-changing to finally embody the confident, secure, powerful woman I always knew I could be. Through the somatic parts work, I realized that this version of me could also be a nurturing, loving presence for my younger, wounded parts – and that shifted everything. I came home with the confidence to pursue a relationship I’d been too scared to try because of old insecurities. I feel proud of who I am now. I carry the loving energy from the retreat with me every day, and it reminds me that I can become anything I choose.”

By weaving awareness, movement, and relational processing together, our somatic retreat allows the nervous system to learn safety and integration from the inside out. It’s not just a moment of relief — it’s a lasting rewiring that you can feel in your body, your breath, and your confidence.

Why Sedona is the Perfect Place for Somatic Healing

Sedona’s landscapes and famous vortexes create an environment where the nervous system can truly settle. Standing on red rock, breathing the desert air, feeling the energy of the vortexes, your body begins to release tension almost unconsciously.

You notice your chest opening, your breath deepening, your shoulders relaxing. The environment amplifies the work, supporting grounding, expansion, and presence in a way that everyday life rarely allows.

What Makes an Attachment Healing Retreat Different?

Attachment wounds often form in relationship — and they also heal in relationship.

Many people come to this work after years of therapy, self-reflection, and personal growth. They understand their patterns intellectually, yet still feel their nervous system react in moments of closeness, conflict, or vulnerability.

An attachment-focused somatic retreat creates the conditions where your nervous system can begin experiencing connection differently. Instead of trying to “fix” your reactions, the retreat gently helps your body discover new possibilities for safety, expression, and trust.

Several elements make this kind of retreat especially supportive for deep attachment healing:

  • A trauma-informed facilitator with deep somatic training
    Attachment healing often touches very tender places in the nervous system. Experienced guidance ensures the work unfolds with care, pacing, and respect for each participant’s boundaries.

  • A rhythm that allows the nervous system to settle
    Rather than packing the schedule with constant activity, a well-designed retreat creates spaciousness. Moments of reflection, integration, and rest allow emotional shifts to land more deeply in the body.

  • Experiential practices that engage the body
    Somatic movement, breathwork, and parts work help participants move beyond insight alone, allowing the body to release long-held emotional patterns and experience new ways of responding.

  • A supportive group environment
    Being witnessed with compassion can be profoundly healing. Many participants find that the sense of connection and acceptance within the group becomes one of the most transformative parts of the retreat.

  • An intentional and inclusive space
    Retreats that welcome women of diverse backgrounds, abilities, ages, and neurodiverse experiences create a container where everyone can feel respected and supported in their healing journey.

What Healing Can Look Like At A Somatic Retreat

Because this work happens through the body and nervous system, the changes often show up in everyday life in subtle but powerful ways.

Participants frequently describe feeling more grounded, more connected to their emotions, and more able to navigate relationships with openness rather than fear.

Jayme, who attended the Sedona Retreat in October 2023, shared how meaningful the experience was for her:

“For the first time, I allowed myself to cry openly, even in the presence of women I had just met. I was met with so much love and acceptance. I know now that I am lovable and deserving of kindness! The Somatic Dance Therapy sessions were especially impactful, gently pushing me outside my comfort zone and integrating deep growth. Since coming home, I’ve felt more stable and less reactive, especially with my kids. The retreat created a profound shift in how I feel in my body and live my life – I feel more playful, more alive, more loved!”

— Jayme, Sedona Retreat, Oct ’23

Experiences like this reflect what many women discover during somatic retreats: when the nervous system finally feels safe enough to open, new patterns of connection and self-trust begin to emerge naturally.

Instead of temporary insight, the changes become embodied — showing up in how you relate to yourself, your emotions, and the people you love.

Explore Upcoming Somatic Retreats

If you’re ready to step into deeper healing, explore upcoming somatic retreats designed to guide your nervous system, emotions, and body toward safety, freedom, and wholeness.

These retreats combine process-based somatic therapy, relational support, plus beautiful, unique, natural environments to help you release patterns stored in your body and step into a new way of being.

somatic retreats

Related Sedona Somatic Retreat Resources

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Best Somatic Healing Retreat in Sedona for Trauma Release https://oritkrug.com/best-somatic-trauma-retreat-sedona/ Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:21:36 +0000 https://oritkrug.com/?p=12937 The post Best Somatic Healing Retreat in Sedona for Trauma Release appeared first on Orit Krug | Somatic Trauma Retreats.

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Best Somatic Healing Retreat in Sedona for Trauma Release

Introduction

If you’re searching for a somatic therapy retreat in Sedona, you’re likely looking for something more than a wellness getaway.

Many women arrive here after years of personal growth, therapy, or healing work. You may have gained insight into your patterns — yet in your body, something still feels unresolved.

This is where a process-based somatic therapy retreat like ours becomes transformative. Instead of simply talking about your patterns, we guide you to move, sense, and process trauma directly in the body, creating shifts that stick. The Sedona landscape, with its famous vortexes, amplifies this work, supporting grounding, expansion, and nervous system regulation.

Why Our Sedona Retreat Is Different

Trauma and stress are stored in your nervous system as patterns of tension, hypervigilance, or emotional shutdown. Simply understanding them intellectually is rarely enough.

Our retreats use a step-by-step, process-based approach:

  • Embodied awareness – noticing sensations, tension, and protective patterns in the body.
  • Parts work – identifying the internal protectors and vulnerable parts that influence reactions.
  • Guided release – moving, breathing, and allowing emotions to flow safely through the nervous system.
  • Integration practices – somatic reflection, journaling, and relational exercises to carry the shifts home.

Participants often describe the experience as a deep exhale: instead of fighting their inner experiences, space opens inside their body, and the nervous system begins to settle.

Through this process, women begin to:

  • Release inner struggle and tension
  • Access wholeness and alignment
  • Expand freedom in movement and expression
  • Reconnect with vitality that may have felt out of reach for years

Sedona: Healing Enhanced by Vortex Energy

Sedona is not just beautiful — it’s energetic. Many visitors are drawn to the vortexes, areas believed to amplify energy flow, meditation, and personal transformation.

During retreat exercises — whether moving, standing in stillness, or processing emotion — the vortex energy can make it easier to:

  • Feel grounded and safe in your body
  • Access clarity and inner guidance
  • Expand your capacity for presence and emotional freedom

Many women report that working with the natural energy of Sedona makes their nervous system feel supported in a way that everyday environments rarely allow.

A Real Retreat Experience: Kellie’s Story

For Kellie, who attended the Sedona Retreat in 2023, the experience became a turning point in how she related to her emotions and her body.

Before arriving, she had spent years in therapy and personal growth work, yet anxiety and emotional overwhelm still appeared automatically in her body.

Through process-based somatic exercises and guided parts work, Kellie began moving through fear and tension that had long lived beneath her awareness. Instead of pushing them away, she stayed present, supported by the group and facilitation. Gradually, the fear opened into grief, release, and eventually a sense of lightness.

By the end, Kellie described feeling lighter, more confident, and unexpectedly playful. Parts of herself that had been hidden behind protection and tension were able to reemerge.

Experiences like Kellie’s are why many people begin searching for a somatic trauma healing retreat rather than traditional therapy alone.

Avery’s Story: Moving Out of Survival

Avery, from the Redwood Retreat in July 2024, shared:

“I’ve been in survival mode since birth. This retreat helped me feel truly relaxed and safe for the first time in my life. I was scared it wouldn’t work, but I can confidently say I’m moving through the world with more calm, and I’m so grateful for the impact it’s having on my everyday life.”

Through nervous system attunement, relational connection, and movement-based practices, Avery experienced what it felt like to finally let her body feel safe — a shift she carries into every day.

How to Choose the Right Somatic Therapy Retreat

When looking for a retreat, these elements are essential:

  • Experienced, credentialed facilitators trained in trauma and process-based somatic work. Make sure they have at least 2 years in somatic training and real-client experience (weekend certifications are very common these days!)
  • Slower, integrated retreat structure that allows space for reflection and nervous system processing
  • Thoughtful vetting process – if you can just click “buy,” be cautious. The best retreats require an application and ideally a short call to ensure the retreat meets your needs. This allows you to ask questions and ensures a safe, supportive group dynamic.
  • Body-based, experiential focus – not just discussion or mindfulness, but guided movement, breathwork, and parts work
  • Community & connection – relational safety amplifies transformation
  • Inclusivity – women of all backgrounds, abilities, ages, and neurodiverse experiences should feel welcome

The Transformative Power of Process-Based Somatic Work

Many women find retreats to be turning points in their healing journey. They notice:

  • A calmer, more grounded presence
  • More connection to their body and emotions
  • Increased openness in relationships
  • Greater self-compassion

Because the work happens in the body and nervous system, these shifts tend to last long after the retreat ends.

Browse Related Resources

If you want to learn more about somatic therapy retreats and how they help women process trauma, check out these resources:

Explore Upcoming Somatic Retreats

If you feel ready to deepen your healing, explore upcoming somatic therapy retreats designed to create a safe, supportive, and transformational environment.

These retreats combine neuroscience-backed somatic therapy and relational support to help you reconnect with your body, release stored stress, and move through trauma with lasting integration.

somatic retreats

Related Sedona Somatic Retreat Resources

The post Best Somatic Healing Retreat in Sedona for Trauma Release appeared first on Orit Krug | Somatic Trauma Retreats.

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Finding the Best Somatic and Trauma Therapy Retreats for Women https://oritkrug.com/best-somatic-trauma-therapy-retreats-women/ Tue, 10 Mar 2026 21:45:29 +0000 https://oritkrug.com/?p=12868 The post Finding the Best Somatic and Trauma Therapy Retreats for Women appeared first on Orit Krug | Somatic Trauma Retreats.

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Finding the Best Somatic Therapy Retreat for Women

By Orit Krug |

You Might Be Ready for a Retreat

Maybe you’ve been feeling stuck.

Maybe you’ve done years of therapy, personal growth work, or other healing practices—but something still feels unresolved. Something you understand intellectually hasn’t fully clicked in your body.

This is often how women know they’re ready for a somatic therapy retreat or trauma therapy retreat. You’ve grown a lot, yet there’s one puzzle piece missing—the piece that finally makes it all feel whole, embodied, and real.

A retreat is a space where you don’t need to “fix” yourself or have it all figured out. You can arrive exactly as you are, with every part of you: the curious, messy, tender, or fearful parts you usually hide.

Many women describe the moment they realize they’re ready for this deeper work.

For Kellie, who attended the Sedona Retreat in 2023, the retreat became a turning point in how she related to her emotions and her body.

Before arriving, she had spent years doing personal growth work and therapy, yet she still felt caught in cycles of anxiety and emotional overwhelm. Intellectually, she understood where her patterns came from. But in her body, those patterns still felt automatic.

During the retreat, something shifted.

Through somatic exercises and guided emotional processing, she moved through waves of fear and anxiety that had long lived beneath the surface. Instead of pushing them away, she learned to stay present with them. Supported by the group and the facilitation, those feelings gradually opened into grief and release.

By the end of the retreat, Kellie described feeling lighter, more confident, and unexpectedly playful. Parts of herself that had been hidden behind protection and tension began to emerge again.

Experiences like Kellie’s are why many people begin searching for a somatic trauma healing retreat rather than traditional therapy alone.

Why Somatic Therapy Works for Trauma Healing

Trauma isn’t only stored in your mind—it also lives in your body and nervous system. Research in trauma psychology has shown that the body plays a central role in how traumatic experiences are processed and healed.

(National Institutes of Health)

A somatic therapy retreat or trauma therapy retreat helps you access parts of yourself that may have gone unseen or neglected, whether from childhood experiences, difficult relationships, or internal self-judgment.

After accessing these parts, you are gently guided to move with them through body awareness, breath, and movement.

Many women describe the experience as a deep exhale.

Instead of fighting against their inner experience, they feel space opening inside their body.

Through this process, you may begin to:

• let go of inner struggle

• feel a deeper sense of wholeness and alignment

• safely expand how you move and hold your body

• access freedom and vitality that may have felt out of reach for years

Because this work happens in the body—not only the mind—it often creates changes that feel lasting and deeply integrated.

What Makes a Trauma Therapy Retreat Truly Transformative

The best somatic therapy retreats for women aren’t jam-packed with activities.

Healing requires space.

Too many scheduled sessions can keep your mind busy and prevent your nervous system from settling.

Instead, the most effective retreats create:

• slower-paced days

• space for reflection and integration

• gentle guidance rather than pressure

This unhurried rhythm allows emotional insights and nervous system shifts to deepen naturally.

The best retreats also include:

• experienced, credentialed facilitators trained in trauma and somatic therapy

• safe, gradual nervous system work

• a supportive group environment

• integration support after the retreat

Many participants notice meaningful changes after a retreat.

For Avery, who attended the Redwood Retreat in July 2024, the retreat became the first time she truly felt safe and relaxed in her life.

Before the retreat, Avery described living in a constant state of survival. From early childhood onward, she had been hyper-aware, tense, and on edge—always preparing for the next challenge or threat. Even with personal growth work and therapy, that underlying vigilance never fully lifted.

During the retreat, Avery experienced something profound.

Through guided somatic practices, gentle movement, and emotional processing exercises, she felt her nervous system gradually release its constant alert. Instead of resisting the tension and fear she had carried for years, she was able to stay present with it. Supported by the group and the facilitators, she discovered what it felt like to be grounded, calm, and safe in her own body.

By the end of the retreat, Avery described a sense of relief and gratitude. For the first time in her life, she felt she could move through the world with more calm and presence, carrying the retreat’s lessons into her everyday life.

Stories like Avery’s show why many people begin seeking a somatic trauma healing retreat: the work goes beyond intellectual understanding, reaching the body and nervous system where lasting healing happens.

How to Choose the Right Somatic Therapy Retreat

If you’re searching for the best somatic therapy retreat or trauma healing retreat for women, it helps to look for a few key factors.

Legitimate Credentials

Some practitioners claim somatic training after short workshops. Look for facilitators with professional licensing, extensive training, and supervised clinical experience.

Gradual, Safe Work

Healing happens when the nervous system feels safe—not pushed. The retreat should honor your body’s pace.

Body-Based Focus

A true somatic retreat prioritizes embodied experience rather than only discussion or mindfulness practices.

Community and Connection

Many breakthroughs happen through safe connection with others who are also exploring their healing journey.

Inclusivity

Women of all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and neurodiverse experiences should feel welcome and supported.

Vetting & Application Process

If you can simply click “buy” and join a retreat online without any conversation or application, that can be a red flag. Healing work—especially somatic or trauma-focused work—requires careful consideration of whether the retreat environment, facilitator, and community will truly support you.

Look for retreats that require an application, and ideally, a brief call with the facilitator. This allows them to ensure the retreat is a safe fit for you and your nervous system, and it gives you the chance to ask questions about the process, structure, and support. A thoughtful vetting process sets the stage for a deeper, safer, and more transformative experience.

What the Retreat Experience Can Feel Like

Many women describe retreats as a turning point in their healing journey.

Instead of feeling stuck in patterns they’ve worked on for years, something finally shifts at a deeper level.

If you’re curious what the experience is actually like, you can read more about what a typical day at the retreat looks like.

Participants often report feeling:

• calmer and more grounded

• more connected to their body

• more open in relationships

• more compassionate toward themselves

These shifts can continue unfolding long after the retreat ends.

FAQ

How intense is a trauma therapy retreat?

The process is gradual and guided. You remain in control throughout the experience, and expansion happens safely without overwhelming your nervous system.

Do I need prior therapy experience?

No. Whether it’s your first retreat or you’ve done somatic work before, the retreat supports your pace and needs.

Can anyone attend?

Women of all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and neurodiverse experiences are welcome.

Will the benefits last after the retreat?

Yes. Many women report continued integration after returning home as their nervous system processes and incorporates the experience.

Take The Next Step

You don’t have to carry trauma alone. The best somatic therapy retreats offer a supportive, guided, and embodied way to reconnect with yourself, release long-held tension, and access parts of yourself that have been waiting to be seen.

We encourage you to explore our upcoming retreats and find the experience that fits your pace, needs, and intention for growth.

Learn more and explore our next somatic retreats here.

somatic retreats

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What Happens in a Somatic Therapy Retreat? A Full Day Walkthrough https://oritkrug.com/somatic-retreat-experience/ Mon, 09 Mar 2026 19:41:34 +0000 https://oritkrug.com/?p=12830 The post What Happens in a Somatic Therapy Retreat? A Full Day Walkthrough appeared first on Orit Krug | Somatic Trauma Retreats.

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What Happens in a Somatic Therapy Retreat? A Full Day Walkthrough

By Orit Krug | March 10, 2026

What a Day Feels Like at a Somatic Trauma Healing Retreat

Many people wonder what actually happens during a somatic trauma healing retreat. Unlike traditional retreats that focus on constant activities or packed schedules, this retreat is intentionally designed to support your nervous system. The structure allows space for reflection, deep therapeutic work, and integration.

Instead of rushing from session to session, the rhythm of the retreat invites you to slow down and reconnect with your body, your emotions, and your inner experience.

Throughout the day, the mountains, cliffs, or other open landscapes naturally support this process. Nature provides a powerful backdrop for healing, allowing your nervous system to settle and your awareness to expand.

Below is a look at how a typical day at the retreat unfolds.

Morning — Arriving Into the Day

Mornings begin gently. You wake up in the quiet stillness of the nearby landscape, surrounded by crisp, fresh air and the subtle sounds of nature. Instead of jumping immediately into structured activities, the morning is intentionally spacious.

Breakfast is slow and nourishing. There is no pressure to perform, reflect, or process anything immediately. This time allows your nervous system to settle naturally.

Many women find that simply being in this environment begins to shift how their body feels. When the nervous system slows down, deeper emotional awareness often becomes more accessible.

You may spend the morning:

  • enjoying breakfast with other women at the retreat
  • sitting quietly with coffee or tea
  • taking a gentle walk outside
  • noticing sensations in your body
  • allowing thoughts and emotions to arise naturally

This slower beginning helps create the foundation for the deeper therapeutic work that takes place later in the day.

Midday — Somatic Therapy in Nature

One of the unique aspects of this somatic therapy retreat is the integration of nature with body-based trauma healing. During the day, you'll explore the local landscape through a somatic-based hike.

This is not a strenuous hike or performance-focused outdoor activities. Instead, it is an intentional experience designed to support nervous system regulation and embodied awareness in nature.

Nature plays an important role in trauma healing. Research in psychology and neuroscience suggests that time in natural environments can support emotional regulation, stress reduction, and improved mental well-being. (American Psychological Association)

During these experiences you may:

  • walk slowly through forest trails
  • pause to notice your breath and physical sensations
  • connect with the natural environment around you
  • observe emotional responses as they arise

The goal is not exercise or achievement. It is reconnection. Many people who experience trauma become disconnected from their bodies. Somatic practices help restore that connection in a safe and supportive way.

Afternoon — Deep Somatic Therapy

The afternoon is where the deeper therapeutic work of the retreat begins. Somatic therapy focuses on how trauma lives in the body and nervous system. Rather than only talking about past experiences, this work invites you to notice what is happening inside your body in the present moment.

You may begin to sense emotions, memories, or protective responses that have been quietly living beneath the surface. Often these are parts of yourself that learned long ago how to protect you. When these parts are gently accessed in a safe environment, something powerful happens.

Instead of pushing them away or analyzing them, you are guided to slow down and be with them. Through careful guidance, you begin to move with what your body is expressing. Small movements, shifts in posture, breath, or gesture often emerge naturally.

Many women describe this moment as feeling like a long exhale or a deep sigh of relief moving through their body. The body begins to release tension that may have been held for years. As you stay present with these experiences, something deeper often unfolds:

  • a sense of space where there once felt like inner pressure
  • compassion toward parts of yourself that were struggling
  • the feeling of welcoming these parts back into wholeness

Rather than fighting against your inner experience, you learn how to move with it safely. This process also allows your nervous system to explore new ways of moving and holding your body. Many trauma responses create patterns of contraction, protection, or restriction in the body. As these patterns soften, the body naturally begins to experiment with expanded movement, breath, and posture. Over time this creates a powerful shift.

Instead of feeling trapped in old responses, you begin to experience a sense of freedom and flexibility in how you move through the world. For many people, this is the feeling they have been searching for during years of healing work: a sense of wholeness, acceptance, and ease within themselves.

Hope, from the Sedona Retreat, Sep ’24, said:

“The retreat guided me through a healing emotional journey—from fear and anxiety, to grief and release, and finally to confidence and playfulness. I felt deeply supported and safe to fully feel.”

“Since then, I’ve noticed more ease and confidence in being myself, especially in relationships. My higher self is leading more often, and all parts of me trust that I’m my own primary caregiver. This shift has brought real relief.”

“My favorite part was the Somatic Dance Therapy sessions – I felt exposed yet safe, spontaneous, open, joyful, and fully alive. The mirroring practice and parts work especially helped me connect more deeply with myself and others in ways that felt transformative.”

Evening — Integration and Reflection

Evenings are designed for integration. After a full day of experiences, the nervous system needs time to settle and process what has occurred. Dinner is a time for nourishment and gentle conversation.

Following dinner, the evening is intentionally open. You might spend this time:

  • journaling about insights from the day
  • sitting quietly outside under the stars
  • connecting with another retreat participant
  • resting and allowing your body to relax

This slower evening pace allows the body to integrate the emotional and physical experiences from earlier in the day. Integration is a crucial part of trauma healing.

Without time for reflection and rest, deep therapeutic work can become overwhelming. The retreat structure ensures that your nervous system has the support it needs to process and absorb the work you are doing.

Group Connection and Shared Experience

Another important aspect of a trauma healing retreat for women is the experience of being in a supportive group. Trauma can often create feelings of isolation or disconnection. Experiencing healing in the presence of others can help restore a sense of safety in relationships.

During the retreat, you share space with women who are also exploring their own healing journeys. Conversations may happen naturally during meals, walks, or quiet moments together. These connections often become one of the most meaningful parts of the retreat experience.

Many women describe feeling:

  • deeply understood by others
  • less alone in their experiences
  • supported in ways they had not previously experienced

The goal is not to force vulnerability or group sharing, but to create an environment where connection can emerge naturally.

“I experienced powerful breakthroughs—moments where I dropped my guard and connected deeply with the women around me.”

“I realized we all have inner protectors and barriers, but beneath them, we all crave authentic expression and connection without fear or judgment.”

“This helped me break free from years of social anxiety & isolation.”

“I also felt safe honoring my need for alone time, which reminded me that I’m not trapped. This was a key part of healing old trauma.”

“Since returning home, I’ve felt more open to social interaction and have been actively choosing connection.”

– Patti, Redwood Retreat, Jul ’24

After the Retreat: Continuing Integration

The impact of a somatic trauma healing retreat often continues long after the retreat itself ends. Because the work focuses on the nervous system and embodied experience, many people notice shifts that continue to unfold over time.

You may find that after the retreat:

  • you feel more connected to your body
  • emotional responses become easier to understand
  • relationships begin to feel different
  • you experience greater self-compassion

Healing is rarely a single moment of transformation. Instead, it is a gradual process of reconnecting with parts of yourself that may have been overlooked or protected. The retreat provides a space where this process can begin or deepen in a supportive environment.

Is a Somatic Therapy Retreat Right for You?

People often seek out a somatic therapy retreat when traditional approaches to healing have not fully addressed what they are experiencing. You may feel drawn to this type of retreat if:

  • you have done therapy but still feel stuck in certain patterns
  • you notice strong physical reactions during stress or conflict
  • you want to reconnect with your body and emotions
  • you are seeking deeper healing in a supportive environment
  • you want to combine therapy with time in nature

A retreat provides dedicated time and space to focus on your healing without the distractions of everyday life. For many women, this immersive experience allows breakthroughs that would be difficult to access in a weekly therapy setting.

Join a Somatic Trauma Healing Retreat

If you feel called to explore healing through body-based therapy in nature, one of our retreats offers a supportive and intentional space to begin.

We carefully consider each application to ensure the retreat is the right fit for you, the group dynamic supports your process, and you feel safe engaging with the somatic work.

Participants are women committed to their own growth, creating a safe, gentle container where you can explore, feel, and transform.

When you join, you’ll have access to guided somatic therapy, nature-based practices, and loosely structured integration time. You’ll also receive resources to continue your growth at home and follow-up guidance to integrate the shifts you experience.

The retreat offers space for reflection, movement, and connection — everything your nervous system needs to process and embody the work deeply.

somatic therapy retreat

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Prepare for a Somatic Therapy Retreat: A Transformative Experience for Women https://oritkrug.com/prepare-for-somatic-retreat/ Mon, 09 Mar 2026 13:21:41 +0000 https://oritkrug.com/?p=12772 The post Prepare for a Somatic Therapy Retreat: A Transformative Experience for Women appeared first on Orit Krug | Somatic Trauma Retreats.

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Prepare for a Somatic Retreat: A Transformative Experience for Women

By Orit Krug | March 9, 2026

A Different Kind of Therapy Retreat

If you’re considering a somatic trauma therapy retreat, chances are you’ve already done meaningful personal work.

You may have spent years in therapy.

You may have read books about trauma or relationships.

You may understand your patterns intellectually.

And yet something inside may still feel unresolved.

This is incredibly common. Healing does not happen only through insight or understanding. Trauma often lives in the body and nervous system, which means it must also be processed there.

A somatic therapy retreat creates the conditions for that deeper work to happen.

Instead of fitting healing into a short weekly session, you have the time and space to slow down, listen to your body, and experience yourself in a completely different way.

Surrounded by the vast landscapes of our beautiful location, you step out of everyday pressures and into an environment designed for nervous system safety, presence, and transformation.

Why Somatic Therapy Works for Trauma Healing

Traditional therapy often focuses on thoughts, memories, and stories.

Somatic therapy works differently. It focuses on how experiences live in your body.

When difficult experiences occur, the nervous system can store them as patterns of tension, emotional shutdown, hypervigilance, or anxiety. Even when you understand the past, your body may still react as if those experiences are happening in the present.

Trauma research summarized by psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk shows that trauma is often stored physiologically in the body rather than only cognitively.

Somatic therapy helps you notice:

  • subtle sensations
  • emotional impulses
  • protective responses
  • areas of tension or collapse

By gently working with these body-based experiences, you allow the nervous system to process what has been held for years. The result is often a feeling many people describe as coming home to themselves.

Take Tali, who attended the Spain Retreat in September 2025. When she arrived, she carried uncertainty about whether she could be both confident and nurturing toward her younger, wounded parts. Through guided somatic parts-work, she began to embody the secure, empowered woman she had always imagined while also offering love and attention to parts of herself that had long been neglected. Over the retreat, Tali noticed subtle shifts in her body and energy: her posture softened, her breathing deepened, and she felt a newfound ease in expressing herself.

By the end of the retreat, she realized she could approach new relationships with curiosity and trust rather than fear. Returning home, Tali continued to feel the impact: she carried the retreat’s loving energy into daily life, noticing that friends and her partner responded to her calmer, more grounded presence. For Tali, the retreat was not just an experience, but a lasting internal transformation that continues to shape how she inhabits her body and her relationships.

Healing in Nature Changes the Experience

The locations we choose to host retreats is highly intentional.

Nature has a powerful regulating effect on the nervous system. Wide landscapes, natural sounds, and fresh air can help the body shift out of chronic stress responses.

Walking through towering trees or sitting quietly near water often makes it easier to notice what is happening internally.

Many people find that emotions surface more naturally in this environment because the body feels safer and more grounded.

At this retreat, nature becomes part of the healing process. Movement, sensory awareness, and stillness in nature help you reconnect with your body in ways that everyday environments rarely allow.

Meeting the Parts of Yourself That Have Been Waiting

One of the most meaningful parts of somatic therapy is discovering the inner parts of yourself that have been waiting for attention.

These parts often developed during times when emotional needs were not fully met.

Perhaps you learned to hide certain feelings. Perhaps you became the strong one. Perhaps vulnerability did not feel safe.

Over time, these parts can become disconnected from your awareness, yet they continue influencing how you feel, react, and relate to others.

During the retreat, you will begin to notice these parts through your body.

You might sense sadness, fear, anger, or tenderness that has been quietly waiting underneath the surface.

Instead of pushing those experiences away, somatic therapy helps you meet them with compassion and presence.

Many people describe this moment as deeply moving. Parts of themselves that once felt ignored or rejected finally experience something different:

  • They feel seen.
  • They feel safe.
  • They feel accepted.

This is where real integration begins.

What Transformation Often Feels Like

Transformation at a safely structured somatic retreat rarely looks dramatic from the outside. It usually feels quieter and more profound.

You might notice:

  • your breathing becoming deeper
  • tension releasing from your body
  • emotions moving through without overwhelm
  • a sense of warmth or openness toward yourself

You may experience a big emotional release. Many times, the change is subtle but powerful, like an internal shift from struggle to ease.

Because these changes happen through the body, they tend to stay with you. You are not just learning something new. You are experiencing yourself in a different way.

The Role of Community in Healing

Many women arrive feeling unsure about doing emotional work around others. They especially feel scared to "big ugly cry" around others. That hesitation makes sense. Vulnerability can feel risky, especially when showing emotions led to more pain in the past.

Yet something remarkable often happens when a group of people gathers with a shared intention for healing.

Over the course of the retreat, you may find yourself:

  • feeling understood without needing to explain everything
  • witnessing others share experiences similar to your own
  • offering compassion and receiving it in return

This kind of environment can reshape how you experience connection. Parts of yourself that once felt unacceptable begin to feel welcomed. Many participants leave feeling that the relationships formed during the retreat were among the most meaningful they have experienced.

The Experience Continues After the Retreat

One common question people ask is whether the experience fades once they return home. In many cases, the opposite happens.

Because the work happens through the body, the shifts often continue unfolding after the retreat ends.

You may notice yourself responding differently to situations that once triggered stress or conflict. You may feel more connected to your emotions and needs. Sometimes the first people to notice the difference are the people close to you.

One example is Lisa, who attended the Zion Retreat in February 2025. When she left her house, before retreat, she felt lost. She questioned her worth and whether her authentic self could ever truly be loved, despite all the effort she put into earning love.

Upon arriving in Zion, she met a group of women whose unwavering love and empathy showed her that authenticity is the strongest path to real love. Over the next 72 hours, she built deep connections that proved she is deserving of support and care.

She returned home not only stronger, but with powerful tools to nurture and honor herself.

Friends and family often notice these subtle shifts too—how you carry yourself, how your energy feels softer, more confident, more present. The somatic work you do on retreat stays with you, gradually transforming your daily life in ways you might not even realize at first.

Friends and family often notice these subtle shifts too—how you carry yourself, how your energy feels softer, more confident, more present. The somatic work you do on retreat stays with you, gradually transforming your daily life in ways you might not even realize at first.

Who This Retreat Is For (And Who It’s Not For)

This retreat is for people who have already done a lot of inner work and still feel like something hasn’t fully clicked yet.

Maybe you’ve done years of therapy. Maybe you’ve read the books. Maybe you understand your patterns intellectually. And yet something inside still feels stuck.

Many forms of therapy work primarily with the mind. Insight is valuable. But lasting change happens when the nervous system experiences something different.

At this retreat, the work happens in your body, not just in conversation. Through guided somatic therapy experiences, you begin to access parts of yourself that may have been unseen, unsupported, or pushed away for years. These parts often formed early in life when your nervous system learned how to survive difficult moments.

Instead of trying to fix those parts, we help you meet them with presence, safety, and compassion through the body. This often creates the shift people have been searching for.

People who benefit most from this retreat tend to be:

  • Therapists, coaches, and healers
  • Highly self aware people who still feel stuck
  • People healing attachment wounds
  • People who want deeper connection with themselves and others
  • Anyone ready for embodied healing rather than just intellectual insight

No matter who you are, it's most important to be open to the entire process. You don’t need to know what will unfold. You don’t need to figure anything out. Often people discover that the retreat gives them exactly what they need, even if it’s not what they expected.

Women from many different backgrounds attend this retreat. The space welcomes people of different cultures, identities, ages, abilities, and neurodiverse experiences. The intention is to create a community where you can show up authentically and feel respected as you are.

Frequently Asked Questions

How intense is the retreat?

Somatic therapy at this particular retreat is guided gradually and carefully. You are always encouraged to move at a pace that feels safe for your nervous system. Nothing is forced. If something feels like too much, we can slow down the process immediately.

Do I need experience with somatic therapy?

No experience is necessary. Some participants are new to somatic work, while others have spent years exploring trauma healing. You are welcome wherever you are on your journey.

Do I need to be physically fit for the hikes?

No. The nature walks and hikes are gentle and accessible. The focus is awareness and presence rather than physical challenge.

Will I be able to integrate this experience at home?

Yes. Because the work happens through embodied experience and relational connection, many participants find the shifts naturally carry into their everyday lives.

An Invitation to Experience Something Different

Healing rarely happens by forcing yourself to change. More often it begins when you slow down enough to truly listen to what your body and inner world have been trying to tell you.

A somatic trauma therapyretreat offers the time, safety, and support for that listening to happen. And when people reconnect with themselves in that way, something remarkable often unfolds.

They stop feeling quite so stuck. And they start feeling more like themselves again.

Step Into Transformation

Check out our Somatic Retreats!

We carefully consider each person who applies, because this retreat is about creating a space where you can truly show up and feel safe. We want to make sure you’re ready for the somatic work, feel supported by the group, and are aligned with the energy and vibe of everyone attending.

When you join, you’ll be surrounded by women who are open, curious, and committed to their own growth — so you can take the time and space to explore, feel, and transform without worry.

This retreat offers a rare opportunity to slow down, attune, and reconnect deeply with your body, your inner self, and a supportive community, creating transformations that last long after you return home.

somatic therapy retreat

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What to Expect At A Somatic Therapy Retreat https://oritkrug.com/what-to-expect-somatic-retreat/ Mon, 09 Mar 2026 10:58:21 +0000 https://oritkrug.com/?p=12741 The post What to Expect At A Somatic Therapy Retreat appeared first on Orit Krug | Somatic Trauma Retreats.

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What To Expect at a Somatic Therapy Retreat

By Orit Krug | March 9, 2026

Arriving As You Are

You do not need to arrive calm, grounded, or “ready.” You can come messy. You can come with the parts of you that feel confused, hopeful, scared, curious, or uncertain. You can bring the parts you usually hide from others. The parts you have not felt safe showing before.

All of you is welcome here. What matters most is that you arrive present with whatever is true for you in that moment and open to the experience that unfolds.

Often people discover something surprising about retreats like this: you do not always get the retreat you imagine or expect. But you often receive the retreat you truly need. This space allows your nervous system to soften enough to meet parts of yourself that may have been waiting a very long time to be seen.

What Makes a Somatic Therapy Retreat Different

Many people who attend a somatic healing retreat have already done a lot of personal growth work. They may have tried:

  • Traditional talk therapy
  • Self-help books
  • Mindfulness practices
  • Relationship coaching
  • Other healing retreats

Those approaches can be incredibly valuable. But many people still feel like something hasn’t fully clicked yet. Somatic therapy focuses on how experiences live in the body, not only in thoughts or stories. When healing includes the body, people often access emotions, memories, and inner parts that were difficult to reach through conversation alone.

Retreats create the conditions for this work to unfold more naturally because you are temporarily removed from everyday stress and responsibilities. Nature, community, and intentional therapeutic support allow deeper layers of experience to surface safely.

What a Typical Day Feels Like

Morning: Moving Slowly and Listening to Yourself

The day begins gently. Wake up slowly, have breakfast, and simply spend time being with yourself. There is no agenda, no pressure to journal, move, or figure anything out. The invitation is simply to:

  • Nourish your body
  • Take in the beauty of the surrounding nature
  • Notice what you feel
  • Allow your nervous system to settle naturally

Later in the morning, we gather for a somatic therapy–integrated hike. Being in nature often makes it easier for the body to relax and become more present. Movement and sensory awareness help participants notice subtle emotions and sensations that may otherwise stay hidden during everyday life.

Afternoon: Accessing the Parts That Have Been Waiting

The afternoon is spent back at the retreat home. We begin with lunch and spacious time to rest.

You can nap, sit outside, receive a massage, or simply enjoy quiet time.

Later, the group gathers for a guided somatic therapy session.

This is where deeper therapeutic work often unfolds.

Through intentionally guided somatic experiences, you can begin to access parts of yourself that have not received attention or care for many years.

Sometimes these parts developed early in life when emotional needs were not fully met. Other times they formed later through difficult relationships or life experiences.

Very often, people realize these parts have also been neglected by their own self-criticism or survival strategies.

During the session, you’re gently guided to be and move with these parts. Movement often feels like a huge sigh of relief—creating space for what’s been held inside. As these parts are seen, loved, and acknowledged, the inner struggle softens.

You begin to feel a sense of wholeness, compassion, and acceptance arise from within. Letting go of tension while exploring new ways to inhabit your body creates a freedom many people with trauma have been searching for for years.

Melanie, who attended the Spain Retreat in September 2025, arrived carrying a long-standing fear of being forgotten. She held a tightness in her chest that never fully left. At first, she was hesitant to allow herself to feel, worried that the emotions would be overwhelming. But as the session unfolded, she was guided to move with her younger, anxious parts—stretching, swaying, and even laughing through some of the tension. Melanie described it as a physical exhale, as if her body could finally release what had been stuck for decades. By the end, she felt a deep sense of security in her own presence.

Returning home, she noticed she could be more vulnerable with loved ones, and she finally experienced trust and intimacy in ways she had previously thought impossible. Her body remembered the safety and freedom she had felt on retreat long after the weekend ended.

Through the body, you begin to feel, meet, and reconnect with these unseen parts.

Instead of pushing them away or analyzing them, the process allows these parts to finally experience something many have been longing for:

  • Presence
  • Compassion
  • Acceptance

As these parts begin to feel seen and loved, something shifts internally. The struggle inside softens. You feel more whole, more connected, and more alive.

Evening: Integration Through Rest and Connection

Evenings are intentionally spacious. You can “put your feet up” and relax as our personal chef cooks dinner for us, followed by unstructured time.

Some people relax quietly. Others talk with new friends. Some take walks under the stars or simply enjoy the quiet of the surrounding nature.

These moments of natural connection and shared humanity often become one of the most meaningful parts of the retreat experience.

The Power of Healing in Community

One of the most surprising aspects of retreats is how quickly deep connections form.

Many participants arrive feeling unsure about being vulnerable around people they have just met. Yet something powerful happens when a group of people gathers with shared intention for healing and growth.

Participants often experience a level of acceptance and non-judgment that feels rare in everyday life. Over the course of the retreat, people frequently form bonds that feel incredibly meaningful. Many describe the group as becoming one of the safest spaces they have ever experienced.

This kind of connection can restore something many people did not even realize they had lost:

Faith in love.

Faith in belonging.

Faith in their own worth.

Why the Experience Lasts After the Retreat

Many people wonder whether retreat experiences fade once they return home. Because the work happens through the body, it tends to stay in the body rather than just as an idea. You may notice:

  • Different, calmer responses to stress
  • Emotions that feel more manageable
  • A stronger connection to yourself and others

Take Bev, who attended the Zion Retreat in February 2025. Before retreat, she felt frozen and disconnected from her body, even though she had plenty of head knowledge about her emotions.

During the somatic parts-work, Bev was guided to connect with her younger self, the part that had been operating from fear for years.

At first, being vulnerable felt scary—but the structured exercises, eye contact, and mirroring helped her feel deeply seen. By the end, she described feeling lighter in her body, more present, and able to respond to life rather than reacting out of old patterns.

Back home, Bev noticed subtle but powerful changes: she could hold herself in moments of stress with more ease, her relationships felt more balanced, and friends commented on a new confidence and grounded energy in her presence.

Friends and family often notice these subtle shifts too—how you carry yourself, how your energy feels softer, more confident, more present. The somatic work you do on retreat stays with you, gradually transforming your daily life in ways you might not even realize at first.

Ongoing Support After the Retreat

The retreat experience does not end when everyone leaves!

We remain connected through a shared group space where we can continue supporting one another as you integrate what you experienced.

However, the most important part of post-retreat integration is not the group chat. It is the deep embodied experience of acceptance and connection that you carry home with you. When you experience being fully seen and welcomed by others, it can shift how you relate to yourself and others, long after the retreat ends.

The somatic work we do is so profound that new patterns and ways of being continue to integrate for at least 3–6 months after returning home.

Frequently Asked Questions

How intense is the retreat?

The process is always guided gradually and carefully.

You will not be pushed beyond what feels safe for your nervous system.

The pace is continually adjusted based on each person’s comfort level.

If you reach your limit, the process can pause immediately, continuing slowly and gently if you choose. This avoids overwhelm or shutdown that can sometimes happen when therapeutic trauma work moves too quickly.

Do I need prior therapy experience?

No. Some participants have years of therapy experience, while others are exploring this kind of work for the first time.

The retreat environment supports you wherever you are in your healing journey.

Who is this retreat for?

This retreat is designed as a women’s trauma healing retreat and welcomes adults from many different backgrounds and life experiences.

Participants may include women of different cultural identities, gender expressions, ages, neurotypes, and physical abilities. The intention is to create a space where you can show up authentically and feel respected and supported as you are.

Do I need to be physically fit for the hikes?

No. The hikes are designed to be gentle and accessible. You are always encouraged to move at your own pace and listen to your body.

Final Thoughts

Healing rarely happens through forcing yourself to change.

More often, it begins when we slow down enough to truly listen to what our bodies and inner parts have been trying to tell us.

Retreat spaces like this offer the time, safety, and support for that listening to finally happen.

When you begin reconnecting with yourself in that way, something remarkable often unfolds. You stop feeling quite so stuck. And you start feeling a little more like yourself again.

Step Into Transformation

Check out our upcoming retreats!

We carefully consider each person who applies, because these retreats are about creating a space where you can truly show up and feel safe. We want to make sure you’re ready for the somatic work, feel supported by the group, and are aligned with the energy and vibe of everyone attending.

When you join, you’ll be surrounded by women who are open, curious, and committed to their own growth — so you can take the time and space to explore, feel, and transform without worry.

These retreats offers a rare opportunity to slow down, attune, and reconnect deeply with your body, your inner self, and a supportive community, creating transformations that last long after you return home.

External resources for context and credibility: Psychology Today - Trauma, Healthline - Somatic Therapy, NAMI - Trauma

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A 3-step guide to navigate New Relationship Energy without sabotaging your relationships https://oritkrug.com/new-relationship-energy/ https://oritkrug.com/new-relationship-energy/#respond Wed, 23 Aug 2023 16:57:18 +0000 https://oritkrug.com/?p=10108 A 3-step guide to navigate New Relationship Energy without sabotaging your relationships By Orit Krug  | Aug 23rd, 2023 New Relationship Energy is often exciting and enjoyable, but it can also be highly stressful and triggering. Whether your ENM journey means having multiple sexual partners, romantic partners, or both, it’s crucial to [...]

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A 3-step guide to navigate New Relationship Energy without sabotaging your relationships

By Orit Krug  | Aug 23rd, 2023

New Relationship Energy is often exciting and enjoyable, but it can also be highly stressful and triggering.

Whether your ENM journey means having multiple sexual partners, romantic partners, or both, it’s crucial to learn about New Relationship Energy (NRE) that can come on quickly and intensely at the start of any new connection. NRE is also known as the infatuation period or the honeymoon phase. Especially when you’ve been in a long-term monogamous relationship, and you meet someone new, it’s wildly invigorating and exciting. At the same time, it may cause distress.

The intensity of NRE can be overwhelming when you experience it. Even with positive feelings of infatuation, it can feel like your body and mind are in overdrive. NRE can also trigger anxiety and abandonment fears, especially if your partner is having NRE for another partner.

When I first experienced NRE, after 10 years of monogamy with my current partner, I felt like I was losing my mind. I couldn’t stop thinking about my new love interest. My body experienced low-level anxiety ALL the time. When I finally confessed to my husband that I felt this way, he said, “You’re experiencing New Relationship Energy.” 

When I heard that there was a term for my experience, and a scientific explanation behind it, I felt immediate relief. This is what I’d like to share with you, too.

The science behind why New Relationship Energy feels so intense.

NRE is strongly correlated with a neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Dopamine is a “feel good” chemical that’s typically released in the brain when we eat something delicious, achieve a goal, have sex, connect with others emotionally, and experience other events that are deeply satisfying to our biological beings. 

Dopamine can truly feel like a drug, and there are actual illegal and legal substances that boost dopamine, which can be addictive. This is why love can feel like a drug! More dopamine usually makes us crave even more dopamine. When we spend time with a new partner, and it feels amazing, we want more, more, more. These new relationships can feel euphoric and give us such a great natural high.

However, with a new partner or love interest, we can also feel mildly to majorly uncomfortable with insecurity, or feeling like we don’t have enough of their affection or attention – no matter how much we’re getting from them. This is because the rise of Dopamine usually co-occurs with the decrease of Serotonin. Serotonin is also a feel-good chemical associated with feeling satisfied and content. While the rise of Dopamine says, “Give me more,” the decrease of Serotonin says, “I don’t have enough. I’m not satisfied!” This is why NRE can feel so incredible and distressing at the same time.

Common NRE challenges that can potentially sabotage your relationships

NRE, or infatuation usually feels strongest within the first month to 6 months; however, it can last a lot longer depending on the relationship, and how often you see your new partner. In this phase, you may find your new partner unflawed – seeing them exclusively for their great qualities and ignoring any imperfections. This probably happened when you first started dating your long-term partner (if you have one), but tapered away over time as you built a more secure attachment and accepted their growing edges. 

This can cause some guilt or discomfort as you swoon over your new partners and ask, “Wait, why don’t I feel this way about my current partner anymore?” or “Why am I getting so much more excitement and pleasure with my new partner? Does this mean my current relationship isn’t meaningful anymore? Is it dead? Am I supposed to be with this new person instead?” It’s easy to fall into these questions when your new partner is also infatuated with you, giving you extra attention and affection, compliments, gifts, or anything else you may not regularly receive from your long-term partner anymore. It may seem concerning that your new partner gives you “more” than your current partner.

These concerns and thoughts can also occur when you witness your partner experience NRE with their new partners. You may struggle with feeling or thinking:

“My partner has a new crush, and doesn’t seem present with me.”

“My partner is so excited about their new partner… I wish they were that excited about me.”

It’s important to remember that, despite NRE with new partners, our current relationships are still meaningful and fulfilling. Our existing partnerships, especially long-term ones, have been an integral part of our lives, growth, safety and identity. My husband and I have been together for over 10 years; but sometimes with NRE it’s easy to forget just HOW MUCH we’ve been through together. We have supported and chosen each other every day, through our best and worst. It can be easy to forget how much our partners truly know us, accept us, and love us unconditionally.

It’s normal to forget this with the rush of NRE. It’s common to feel an infatuation with your new partner that you don’t feel nearly as much or as often with your current partner. As a result, you may unintentionally neglect or feel disappointed with your long-term partner. When you or your partner are going through NRE, it’s important to check in even more with how each of you are feeling and address any insecurities. You can also celebrate what you’re enjoying about your new person, share what you’re learning within your new relationship, and use all of that to grow and deepen your love with your current partner.

A 3-step guide to navigating New Relationship Energy in a healthy way.

New Relationship Energy can make us behave in ways that aren’t aligned with our true needs, boundaries, or values. The overwhelming feeling of excitement and attraction can make us want to drop everything else in our lives to engage more with our new partner.

As a general rule, DO NOT make any serious decisions while you’re in NRE. Most online resources advise not to make any decisions for 2 years:

  1. Don’t decide to move to your new partner’s location.
  2. Don’t decide to leave your current partner for your new partner.
  3. Don’t bend your boundaries for your new connection in a way that’s going to be unhealthy for you. (i.e., a date that goes until 2am with your new partner, when you have to wake up at 6am with your child, is okay once in a while. But if you do it week after week and you’re struggling from lack of sleep – don’t do that!)
  4. Don’t bend boundaries within your current relationship either. You may really want to see your new partner more, but if that cuts into the time you’ve already dedicated to your current partner, then you’re probably slashing your boundaries due to NRE. 

When you have these urges, remind yourself that you’re on a powerful drug and tune back into what your rational, grounded self would do. On that note, here’s a 3-step guide to navigating NRE without sabotaging your relationships:

1. Make a list of your boundaries in work, life, and relationships.

This will be your golden list while in the midst of NRE. Since it’s so tempting and easy to drop our boundaries when we’re experiencing NRE, we can benefit from as many written reminders as possible.

For work:

  1. Is it beneficial or healthy for you to communicate with partners during your work day? If you’re texting your new partner all day, every day, it’s most likely sabotaging your production and focus. Maybe you have a firm boundary not to text or call between 9am and 5pm, unless there’s an emergency. You may set a boundary to text only during your lunch break, or only 2-3x during work. Personally, I’ve let NRE intrude my entire work day for months at a time, and it wasn’t healthy for me or my business. I now have a loosely set boundary not to get carried away with texting during work hours.
  2. Will you take off work to see your partner? Are you willing to spontaneously play hooky or do these days need to be planned in advance? If you’re in a long-distance relationship, you may schedule a few work days every once in a while to take an extended visit with your partner. Perhaps you have a limited number of days each month you’re willing to take off in order to invest time into your new relationship. Maybe you don’t let NRE interfere with your work life at all. Since my husband’s partner lives across the country, he’s been taking off 2 days every 1-2 months to see her. It seems to work for him now, but I also see that it’s stressful for him to take too much time off work. Perhaps his NRE is affecting his judgment! Or maybe he’s just, like, YOLO – work is work, it’ll be fine.
  3. [If applicable] Is it a wise idea to collaborate with your new partner on a project or business idea? Generally, I HIGHLY encourage you to make a firm boundary to NOT mix your relationship with business until you have been together for at least 2 years (which is the same time it takes to build a secure attachment, according to Jessica Fern of Polysecure). But if you simply can’t resist, then at least make SOLID boundaries that separate your work and your relationship within the project and business you are pursuing together. For instance, you may set a boundary that you don’t talk business during your weekly date night.

For life:

  1. What are your top 5 core values in life? List them on a piece of paper, a note in your phone, or sticky notes on your mirror! It’s important to remind yourself of these DAILY while in NRE. For instance, is it one of your core values to spend an hour a week connecting with friends? NRE could make you want to spend every free moment with your new partner, which could potentially make you push your friend-time to the side. Is it essential to prioritize alone time in nature once a day? If so, you may have to turn down a spontaneous phone call with your partner that would interrupt this time. It may feel very hard to say no, but it is actually the healthiest for you and all of your partners to maintain your values and boundaries during the early stages of a new relationship.
  2. Speaking of values, write down beliefs and philosophies that strongly resonate in your body and soul. For instance, if you are passionate and dedicated to saving the environment, what are some daily or weekly practices that contribute to this cause? Are you still practicing them or are you giving away the time to your new relationship? It’s better to stick to your values from the start of a relationship rather than feeling lost, empty, or resentful after months have gone by and you’ve invested so much of your identity and time into your partner.

For relationships: 

  1. In your current relationships, how much time do you ideally want to spend quality time together? What is your current agreement? This can always shift, but it is generally a wise idea to know what kind of time you want to spend with current partners.
  2. How much time is important for you to spend with family members, friends, or other relationships? Does that amount of time change even with the addition of more partners?
  3. How much time do you want to spend with a new partner? What feels healthiest for you? Is it the same amount of time you’d want to spend with them once you’re more established in your relationship? Maybe you know it’s healthiest for you to move slower with new partners, so you may decide that seeing them once every 2 weeks is enough for now. But in a few months, you might consider seeing them once a week or more.

Writing all of these down on paper in a clear and concise way can help you easily revisit them and ground in your values as you float away with sensations of NRE. It will also help you communicate your needs and boundaries to all of your partners.

2. Identify body sensations associated with NRE.

Since NRE often comes with overwhelming sensations, it’s important to get comfortable with them inside your body. The intensity of your heart racing, feeling weak in the knees, and other sensations can make us do rash things in an attempt to regulate these feelings. 

What sensations do you typically feel when you experience an intense rush of NRE? Make a list of all the ways you feel them in your body.

In my experience, my breath gets more shallow. I have tingles all over my head & body. I have an overall buzz through my body. While it feels really good, it often feels like I have to DO something with that energy. Truthfully, all I want to do in those moments is tell my new lover, repeatedly, how crazy I am about them. But even when the NRE is mutual, that’s not always the healthiest thing to do. 

Instead of reacting to these sensations, we can be in command of them and how our bodies can respond in the healthiest way. Here’s how:

  1. Whenever you feel a rush of NRE, identify the strongest sensation in your body.
  2. Close your eyes and visualize the attributes of the sensation, such as color, texture, movement, and size.
  3. Allow your body to naturally respond to this sensation. For instance, if you feel butterflies in your stomach, you may feel a natural instinct to rub your stomach in a circular motion with your hands (Do not overthink this, there’s no right or wrong).
  4. Keep allowing your body to organically move with the sensations of NRE (instead of fighting against them, pushing them away, or needing to resolve them).

Here’s a free guided movement meditation if you need help with this process.

3. Regulate nervous system responses.

When we intentionally tune into the sensations of NRE and then allow our bodies to move with it, we give our bodies the support it needs through the intensity of feelings. When we regulate these sensations, we lower the risk of making rash decisions on NRE. Instead of NRE being something we must react to, we learn to sit or move with it in our bodies. Oftentimes, when I’m experiencing intense NRE, I put on high-energy music and dance. It helps me celebrate the euphoria while also releasing some of the anxiety.

For many of my clients, they become very distracted and have a hard time focusing on work. This can intrude on a necessary aspect of life. NRE can take our minds in many different directions. It’s extremely effective to ground back into the body at this time.

What does your body naturally want to do to regulate? This is not a question for you to answer with your mind. I highly encourage you to practice the meditation (or 3 steps) above to truly start listening to your body and what it needs. This will make it so much easier. 

The practice of identifying & moving with NRE sensations can help, especially with anxious attachment tendencies, where we often need someone outside of us to make us feel reassured or safe. When you become comfortable with uncomfortable feelings inside your body, you begin to trust yourself that you are safe, no matter what you end up fearing or feeling. Even if you fear abandonment, rejection, and hurt. You know you can handle the difficult emotions and move through them. This isn’t only helpful through NRE, but it’s crucial in all phases and conflicts of relationships.

What to do if your partner is experiencing NRE

If your partner is the one experiencing NRE, know that this is a time where you may feel extra sensitive and insecure. Don’t let your feelings define WHO you are, as this is just a temporary phase. It’s normal to need more self-care, reassurance, and support at this time. How can you find extra support so that you can support your partner through this magical time? If you were so excited about a new relationship, you would probably want your partner to celebrate this with you. Of course it’s normal to share some doubts and console each other through them, but generally I imagine you would not want to dampen their excitement. Get whatever support you need – whether it be therapy, a support group, or something else.

Whether it’s you or your partner going through NRE, be kind and gracious to yourselves. Try to avoid making any meaning of ANYTHING. If your partner is having more satisfying sex with their new partner, for example, it does NOT mean that they’re not as attracted to you. 

Come back to the scientific reasoning vs. the emotional stories. The dopamine is working in favor of them having more exciting sex with a new person. We know this, right? That’s part of the reason we go on this journey! 

Instead of making unnecessary meaning about why this is happening, use it to your relationship’s advantage. What specifically about your partner’s new sexual dynamic are they enjoying? What would they love to bring back in with you? This isn’t going to be an easy discussion. It’s likely to bring up insecurities, but you and your current partner are so strong that you can work through and come out even stronger, more connected, and more in love.

And, if you or your partner need specific boundaries during the NRE phase, such as not sharing certain details about your new relationship, or asking to spend more time together, then do that. Ask for what you need and let your partner ask for what they need, knowing that these boundaries will continue to evolve as you each get comfortable and confident with this phase of new relationships.

Join our somatic retreat for polyamorous folks navigating trauma

The latest trauma research consistently shows that trauma gets stored in the non-verbal parts of our brain and body. If you’ve been in therapy or seeking support for a while, but you still feel that trauma is hijacking your nervous system & body’s responses, this is NOT your fault. A somatic, embodied approach is necessary to process & release trauma. Talking can only get us so far.

I am co-facilitating a Poly Retreat with Dedeker Winston (co-host of Multiamory Podcast), where we will be using somatic therapy practices to help you integrate and embody the ability to deeply love yourself and your partners through your poly journey. Our neuroscience-backed practices are effective in processing traumas, working through current non-monogamy challenges, and deeply celebrating your incredible & courageous journey of practicing open love!

Click here to learn more about our next Poly Somatic Healing Retreat!

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