This retreat was created to support your Reawakening
This is a place where you can...
Feel what’s coming alive in you,
Nourish your body, & and soul
Embody your spring reawakening!
SAMPLE ITINERARY
*This is general itinerary. Timing & activities are subject to change
Thursday
4:00pm Arrival & Check In
5:00pm Dinner
6:30pm Opening Ceremony
Friday - Sunday
7:30am Morning Movement Practice
9:00am Breakfast
10:30am Free Time
12:00pm Lunch
3:00pm Afternoon Activity / Breathwork
5:00pm Dinner
6:30pm Evening Activity / Ceremony
Monday
7:30am Morning Movement Practice
9:00am Breakfast
11:00am Check out
ACTIVITIES & CEREMONIES
Everything is simply an invitation and we encourage you to make this retreat your own.
Opening/Closing Ceremony
Our opening ceremony will be a space to set intentions and introduce ourselves. While the closing ceremony will include a cacao ceremony and night of dancing, play and fun!
Morning Movement
Our days will start with a blended practice of gentle Hatha yoga, pilates and free flowing movement to open the body and the heart. It is an all level practice - designed for anyone to participate in.
Breathwork & Sound Healing
There will be daily Conscious Connected Breathwork journeys lead by Vela with live music. Discussions, reflections, sharing & singing will be optional before & after the journey.
Creative Expression
There will be opportunities to use art as a tool of integration and to have fun.
More details on the crafts we will offer will be in the "What to Expect" email.
THE NOURISHMENT
Food plays a powerful role in Reawakening
The body needs real, clean fuel to
stay grounded, open, and resourced.
Shani creates every meal with this
intention and understanding.
Her food is wholesome, locally sourced and seasonally inspired.
Each dish is like a big hug and is infused with so much love.
The meals are vegetarian, filling and deeply nourishing.
Sample Menu
BREAKFAST
Warm Cinnamon Chia Seed Pudding
Apple Raspberry Compote
Sprouted Maple Granola
Coconut Yogurt
Sunflower Toasties with Sprouted Nut Butter
Hardboiled Eggs
LUNCH
Wild Nettle Chantrelle Leek Mini Pies
Emerald City Soup w/ Sauerkraut
Quinoa Chimichurri Greek Salad w/ Pea Shoots
Farm Greens w/ Tahini Herb Dressing
DINNER
Coconut Veggie Curry
Madras Lentils
Red Jasmine Rice
Apple Ginger Chutney, Raita & Pappadums
Farm Greens with Maple Balsamic Dressing
DESSERT
Beet Brownies with Raspberry Compote
THE LAND
XENIA CENTRE is a 38-acre sanctuary on Bowen Island, BC dedicated to fostering healing, creativity and personal transformation. We will host our ceremonies and sessions in the Yurt and eat our meals and explore creative expression in the Lodge.
There are many treasures on the land to visit during free time - like Opa, the Labyrinth, Sanctuary and more.
To learn more about Xenia, CLICK HERE.
The accommodations are rustic and comfortable.
There are yurts, small cabins and rooms in the main lodge. To learn more about accommodations, CLICK HERE.
The options are shared accomodations where you will be roomed with members of the same sex.
Or private accommodations if you desire your own space.
THE COST
Price Includes
4 nights accommodation
11 Plant based meals
3 Breathwork Journeys
4 Movement Classes
Cacao Ceremony
Ecstatic Dance Session
Crafts, Activities & Discussions
$500 deposit due to secure spot
Remainder of payment is due by February 28, 2026
To prepare for your Reawakening, to go deeper and support integration...
we suggest enrolling in HUM Level 1
For more information on the course, CLICK HERE.
YOUR HOSTS
VELA CANTA is an Trauma-Informed Breathwork Facilitator and Guide who creates experiences that help people reconnect with themselves. Using somatics, breath, sound and other holistic modalities, she creates experiences that encourage relaxation and deepen presence. Drawing on her diverse training and personal journey, she supports people in shifting their perspective to see new possibilities and embody lasting change.
Reawakening comes to life during one of my favourite seasons of the year. When, after a long and sleepy winter, life begins to bloom again.
For the past five years, I’ve attended and co-facilitated retreats, and I never stop being moved by what happens when people step away from their everyday lives.
The land. The food. The people.
The simple act of retreating - it changes us.
This space wasn’t created to “do the work” or to fix anything.
While insight and healing often arise, they aren’t the goal.
The intention is simple - to reawaken to life through breath, movement, nourishment, love, art, music, and connection.
This retreat brings together the elements that have deeply changed my life. Giving me the opportunity to share...
space with you
people I love
a place that transformed my life
food that shifted my health
& medicines that have expanded my heart and consciousness.
Why?
Because I want you to experience what’s possible when you allow more love and light into your life.
SHANI CRANSTON has been nourishing Retreat guests since 2002 when she founded Milagro Retreats. Her culinary journey has brought her to incredible Retreat Centers in Mexico, Hawaii and B.C. where she honed her skills, creating plant based gourmet feasts. She believes that food is medicine and infuses locally sourced, seasonally inspired ingredients into her menus
In 2008 she birthed hOMe Grown Living Foods, which has graced the shelves of health stores across Canada.
Much of the produce served is lovingly grown on her land in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island.
Shani is deeply passionate about nourishing people on all levels and inspiring healthy living choices. Infusing hints of ancient wisdom with a splash of creative food goodness.
FAQ
Take the HSB Ferry to Bowen Island (Snug Cove) and it is a 5km drive to Xenia.
We are happy to arrange car pooling.
No - all are welcome! No experience required.
We encourage you to share this in the intake form when you sign up. That way we can set you up for success and help you feel comfortable with the experiences.
Comfortable layers as the temperature on Bowen can fluctuate. Bring outdoor shoes (the Yurt is a short walk from the Lodge to get to practice), a headlamp, water bottle, yoga mat and cozies for your breathwork journey.
Journal and anything else that would support your reflection.
There will be a more detailed email sent with a packing list and recommendations.
Yes - there is wifi in the lodge.
We recommend you unplug and use this time and space to journey inward and receive all that you can from the land, ceremonies and community.
If you are travelling with a companion, let us know and we will be happy to put you in the same room. We will bunk you with members of the same sex.
Full payment is due by February 28, 2026
Late payments will be charged an additional 3%
All deposits are non-refundable.
If you cancel on or before February 1, 2026 you may receive a refund of any payments made minus the non-refundable deposit.
If you cancel on or after February 15, 2026, no refunds will be issued, and the full balance is forfeited.
You may transfer your spot to another person with prior written approval. Transfers must be completed no later than March 1, 2026.
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
If you have questions