Now announcing: The Inner Compass Retreat, Navigating Your Nature through Art and Qigong- October 14-18th, 2026 on Whidbey Island!
The Inner Compass Retreat
Navigating Your Nature through Art and Qigong
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A 5-Day Facilitated Journey of Art, Qigong, Nature Connection, and Self-Reconnection​
​​October 14th-18th, 2026
​5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS
Where: Whidbey Institute
6449 Old Pietila Rd. Clinton, WA USA​​​​​​​​​​
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Our all-inclusive retreat features:
- Facilitated sessions​: qigong, art, nature connection -
- A natural setting with acres of trails, gardens and a labyrinth -
- Comfortable, peaceful lodging -
- Fresh, organic food, dietary options -
- Free time to explore, reset, relax -​
- Fire circles -
- Optional add ons, including use of a sauna -​​​​​
Retreat Details
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Who: Adults (21+) of all genders and bodies are welcome. Space is limited, and the group will be intentionally kept small to support meaningful connection and a shared experience.
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Facilitators: Led by Ava Larsen, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate & Nature Based Counselor alongside guest Medical Qigong Practitioner & Clinical Trauma Counselor
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Lodging: Comfortable on-site accommodations are available in both private and shared room options.
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Meals: The retreat includes dinner on Wednesday; breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and brunch on Sunday. Fresh, nourishing meals are prepared on-site, with dietary accommodations available. Please refer to the venue information below for details.​​
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Other policies:​
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We welcome participants of all backgrounds and levels of experience.
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You are always encouraged to listen to your body and participate at your own pace. All activities are optional, and rest is always welcome.
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This is a substance-free retreat. Participants are asked to refrain from alcohol and recreational drug use during the retreat to support nervous system regulation and group safety.
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To foster presence and connection, this is a device-free retreat during group activities. Phones and other devices may be used privately in your room but are asked to remain there during sessions, meals, and shared retreat experiences.
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More details, a packing list, and the schedule will be shared prior to the retreat.​​​​​
​As the vibrant energy of summer softens into the quiet wisdom of autumn, we invite you to step out of the pace of everyday life and into a weekend centered around rest, reflection, and renewal.
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Rooted in the seasonal shift of October and the Lung season in Traditional Chinese medicine, this retreat is an invitation to honour change, within the world around us and within ourselves. Autumn teaches us the art of slowing down, of releasing what we no longer need, and of returning to what is essential. Together, we will explore these themes through daily Dao Yin and Shaolin Qigong, guided nature-based mindfulness, forest bathing, creative art exercises designed to calm the mind and support creative flow, and experiential group practices that deepen presence and connection. This is a space to let the nervous system settle. To reconnect with the natural rhythms of the land, the season, and your own inner landscape.
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Set on the breathtaking beauty of Whidbey Island, this intimate retreat offers a meaningful balance of shared experience and quiet solitude. You’ll share nourishing organic meals, walk among old-growth trees, gather in warm community, enjoy a crackling fire under the stars, and also have spacious time just for you to rest, integrate, and simply be. You’ll return home feeling grounded, clear, and quietly renewed, more in tune with yourself and the season you’re moving into.
CANCELLATION Policy: A non-refundable deposit of $650 is required to secure participation in the Retreat. Full payment is due by August 15, 2026. Because the Retreat requires significant advance financial commitments, the following cancellation policy applies: • Cancellations received before August 1, 2026, will receive a refund of all amounts paid, less the non-refundable $650 deposit.
• No refunds will be issued for cancellations made on or after August 1, 2026, regardless of reason.
• Any outstanding balances remain due after August 1, 2026.
• Participants who can no longer attend are encouraged to transfer their registration to another individual.
• All registration transfers must be completed, and any dietary requirements submitted, no later than October 7, 2026.
• Participants must notify the Organizer as soon as possible regarding cancellations or transfer requests. As refunds cannot be provided after August 1, 2026, participants are strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance, including coverage for unexpected medical, travel, or personal emergencies.
What to expect during sessions
Qigong
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Dao Yin and Shaolin Qigong are mindful movement practices that combine gentle movements, breathwork, visualizations, sounds, and flowing sequences.
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These practices help you slow down, reconnect with yourself, and cultivate greater body awareness.
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Often described as a form of moving meditation, the focus is less on fitness or performance and more on being present in your body.
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Supports nervous system regulation and stress reduction.
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Helps release physical tension and improve mobility.
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Encourages a greater sense of grounding, energy, and overall well-being.
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Learn simple, accessible sequences that you can continue practicing long after the retreat ends.
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Build a sustainable practice you can return to whenever you need to reset, recharge, or reconnect.
Example Daily Schedule
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Morning
Qigong movements
Breakfast
Walk/forest bathing
Afternoon
Lunch
Guided Qigong meditations
Art or nature connection or combo
Evening
Dinner
Free time
Stargazing and Fireside Circle
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Art &
Reflection
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Process-Over-Product: Engaging with creative mediums purely for self-discovery, absolutely no artistic background required.
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All Materials Provided: High-quality art supplies will be waiting for you at the venue.
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Guided Integration: Time dedicated to journaling, solo reflection, and optional group sharing
Nature
Connection
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Guided Forest Bathing: Settle into the slow rhythm of the Whidbey Island woods through a structured Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) experience, using your senses to deeply connect with the natural world.
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Nature-Based Group Activities: Gather outdoors for collaborative, earth-centered group practices designed to foster shared connection and a sense of belonging.
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Mindfulness in Motion: Learn practical, nature-based mindfulness techniques that you can easily take home with you to anchor your daily routine.
Private Room
Accommodations, Meals & Amenities​​
$424.96/day
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Facilitation & Programming
$111/day
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Total Investment
$535.96/day​
($2,679.81)​
Pricing
Shared Double
Room
Accommodations, Meals & Amenities
​$283.31/day
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Facilitation & Programming
$111/day​
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Total Investment
$394.31/day
($1,971.54)
Please contact directly for a possible supported access rate!
Shared Triple
Room
Accommodations, Meals & Amenities
$212.48/day​​​
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Facilitation & Programming
$111/day​​
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Total Investment
$323.48/day
($1,617.4)
What's Included in Your All-Inclusive Wellness Retreat Investment​
Your retreat fee covers far more than accommodations. It is designed to provide a fully supported, immersive wellness experience from arrival to departure.
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✓ Comfortable accommodations for 5 days / 4 nights
✓ All freshly made meals, healthy snacks, coffee, tea, and refreshments
✓ Full access to onsite amenities and wellness spaces
✓ Daily guided wellness sessions including nature, qigong and art activities
✓ Professional facilitation and support throughout the retreat
✓ Carefully curated programming designed to help you rest, reflect, and reconnect
✓ A stress-free experience with all logistics and planning handled for you
Venue
A Place to Slow Down and Listen
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Set within 106 acres of protected forest, The Whidbey Institute is a sanctuary for presence, connection, and transformation. Our time together will unfold in The Commons and among the land's many natural gathering spaces. Enjoy fresh organic meals, rest in the warmth of Granny's woodland home, and wander through gardens, the labyrinth, and miles of forest trails. This peaceful setting invites you to reconnect with yourself, with nature, and with the simple beauty of being fully present.
Venue note, per Whidbey Institute:
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"We do our best to accommodate a variety of dietary needs; however, we cannot guarantee the absence of cross-contamination and may be unable to safely accommodate severe allergies or conditions requiring strict avoidance, including celiac disease.
While our property is not ADA accessible, we are happy to offer assistance with mobility around the grounds, including transportation by golf cart when available.
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All bathrooms on the property are shared. Some are located a short walk from lodging areas, while others are shared within lodging spaces."
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Get to Know Us
Facilitators:
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Ava Larsen, Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate, Nature Based Counselor, Mindfulness Informed Professional
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Featuring a carefully selected Guest Medical Qigong Practitioner & Clinical Trauma Counselor
Not included
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Transportation to/from Whidbey Island and Venue
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Travel insurance
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Gear required for comfort and time spent in nature