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October 2-4, 2026Ember & Exhale: A Retreat to Ignite Your Spirit, Regulate and Renew
What to Expect
A gentle pause from the pace of everyday life. Our retreat is designed to help you slow down, soften, and reconnect with yourself — through grounding yoga, expansive breathwork, sound, and deeply restorative myofascial release.
Set within a space that invites both warmth and release, this experience is about tending to the body, calming the nervous system, and creating room to simply be.
Come as you are. Leave feeling more open, supported, and at home within yourself.
We blend guided moments, open exploration, and space to reflect—so the experience feels both focused and fluid.
Intentional Structure
Connection is a core part of the process. You’ll learn just as much from the group as from the content itself.
Collaborative Energy
Led by experienced guides who know how to hold space, encourage participation, and keep things moving with purpose.
Expert Facilitation
Our events prioritize comfort, safety, and respect—so you can show up as you are and fully engage in the process.
A Supportive Space
Through nervous system regulation practices like myofascial release (MFR), breathwork, yoga and sound bath, you’ll gently unwind stored tension from your body. In sacred fire circles, ceremonial cacao and reflective journaling, you’ll create space for emotional release and quiet insight. With plenty of unstructured integration time, you’ll have room to simply be - no pressure, no agenda, no performance. 
Day OneArrive & Meet
As everyone arrives, we take time to settle in, get comfortable, and begin connecting with those around us. The journey starts here.
Check-In3:30 pm
Opening Circle (soft welcoming and intention-setting)4:30pm
Dinner5:30pm
Flow Breathwork Session6:30-8:00pm
Evening Free Time, Optional Fire Gathering (a cozy space to unwind and connect)8:30pm
Deep Release & Restoration
Day TwoTogether, we pause to consider our goals, hopes, and direction. This is about aligning with ourselves and with the journey ahead. This is a chance to reconnect with what brought you here—your questions, your hopes, your turning points—and consider how they’ve shifted or deepened.
Morning Yoga (or sleep in)8:00am
Breakfast9:15am
Myofascial Release (MFR) Workshop 10:00 am - 12:00pm
Lunch12:00-1:00pm
Free Time - Integreation, optional private MFR treatment or Reiki (additional cost), 1:00-4:00pm
Ceremonial Cacao + Breakthrough Breathwork4:30-6:30pm
Dinner6:30pm
Fire Circle, hot tub, journaling (a beautiful evening for emotional release and connection)7:30pm
Day ThreeVisioning & Integration
We explore the possibilities beyond this moment, making space for growth, action, and forward momentum. As we end our time together, we honor the experience, the growth, and the connections made along the way.
Yoga (or sleep in)8:00 am
Breakfast9:30am
Breathwork + Future self Creative Visioning Workshop10:30-12:00pm
Lunch12:00pm
Sound Bath + Closing Circle1:00pm
Hugs, goodbyes and departure with a regulated nervous system and a softer heart2:30pm
What People Are Saying
“I felt so comfortable during my breathwork session, it definitely allowed me to tap into a part of myself I didn’t know existed, and I felt fantastic afterwards. I would recommend this to anyone!”
- Ariana, British Columbia
“I feel grounded and centered since our breathwork session yesterday morning. I’m still much calmer, even Zen!
I’m so grateful for the session with you, and to experience your work first hand! It was truly life changing. I look forward to another session, and I will be referring you to everyone I can think of!”
- Darren, Quebec
“I experienced my first breathwork session with Courtney. I had no idea this could have such a profound emotional impact. I went into it completely naive relying solely on Courtney’s expertise and she delivered!! I left feeling on a vibration higher than I have ever experienced. I will definitely be going back and highly recommend checking this out!”
- Heather, Ontario
Meet Your Facilitators
Courtney Marie
Courtney Marie is the founder of the Ember & Exhale Retreat, as well as a yoga instructor, holistic nutritionist, and breathwork facilitator. She brings a grounded, nurturing approach to every experience she leads, guiding participants to reconnect with their bodies and breath in a gentle, supportive way.
Throughout the weekend, Courtney will be your morning yoga guide and will lead all breathwork sessions — creating space for both movement and stillness as you reset, restore, and reconnect.
Carlee Pelkey MacDonald
Carlee is the founder of Happy Tree Yoga in Arnprior and a certified Yoga Teacher, Reiki Healer, and Meditation Facilitator. Her work centers on creating restorative, intentional spaces for deep healing and connection.
She is honored to collaborate with Courtney for the Ember & Exhale retreat, where she will guide a signature Sound Bath experience. This meditative practice invites participants to rest comfortably while being immersed in soothing sound waves from instruments such as crystal singing bowls, chimes, and drums — supporting deep relaxation and nervous system reset.
Heather MacMillan
Heather is a Fascia Alchemy trained Myofascial Release (MFR) bodyworker, boy-Mom to one, homesteader, willow grower and weaver and sourdough bread expert, living in the Ottawa Valley- near Cobden.
After the birth of her son she started a healing journey that had her exploring the disconnect she felt from her body. The past 2-3 years she has spent learning from other women, reconnecting with her body in many ways to resolve chronic pain and regain strength and leading herself through a big transition of closing down her decade+ long sourdough bread business and stepping into the role of bodyworker, self-bodywork teacher and Human Design guide.
Accommodations
Located on the serene shores of the Ottawa River near Westmeath, Wild Grounded Retreats offers a peaceful, nature-based sanctuary designed for restoration, renewal, and connection.
Surrounded by forest and water, the retreat invites you to slow down and settle into the rhythm of the land. During your stay, you’ll have access to beautifully designed, cozy cabins and shared accommodations that balance comfort with simplicity. Each space is thoughtfully curated to support rest and ease, with features such as fully equipped kitchens, inviting living areas, hot tubs, and river-view bedrooms crafted for deep relaxation.
Large windows and outdoor spaces offer panoramic views of the Ottawa River, allowing you to stay connected to nature throughout your stay. Whether you’re enjoying a quiet morning coffee, unwinding under the stars, or gathering in shared spaces, every element of the environment is designed to nurture calm, connection, and a sense of coming home to yourself.
Throughout the weekend, you’ll be served delicious, thoughtfully prepared vegetarian meals designed to support both energy and restoration. Each dish is made with wholesome, seasonal ingredients — focusing on fresh vegetables, plant-based proteins, and vibrant flavors that feel both grounding and satisfying.
Meals are crafted to be light yet nourishing, supporting digestion and overall well-being while complementing the practices of yoga and breathwork. Shared in a relaxed, communal setting, they offer not only physical nourishment but also a space to slow down, connect, and truly savor each moment.
