What Is a Retreat — Really?
I’ve spent much of my life attending and facilitating retreats.
My first was a leadership retreat in middle school,
where student leaders from across British Columbia
gathered in rustic cabins to learn, reflect, and grow.
I still remember the conversations
the clarity
the feeling of being surrounded by people
who cared as deeply as I did.
That’s when I learned something important:
When people gather in an intentional space,
something shifts.
Not because it’s dramatic
Not because it’s trendy
But because stepping away from everyday life
creates space to see yourself, your mission
and your life
with greater clarity
What this retreat IS
Intentional
Fun
Structured in a way that support growth
A pause - not to run from life
but to return to it more awake & inspired
What this retreat is NOT
Spiritual bypassing dressed up as ceremony
Chasing emotional highs
A place where someone else heals you
A weekend escape from your real life
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
Everything is simply an invitation and we encourage you to make this experience your own.
Opening Ceremony
To meet one another, set intentions, and arrive fully.
Morning Movement
To bring awareness back into your body so you can listen to it.
Honest Conversations
To explore what’s currently leading your life and what you want to lead it instead.
Conscious Connected Breathwork
To integrate the mental work, recalibrate your nervous system, and reawaken the body.
Cacao Ceremony
To soften, connect, and open the heart.
Art & Nature Exploration
Play-based, non-verbal integration in the forest, by the ocean, on sacred land.
Free Time
Because rest, joy and play are vital parts of integration.
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
Private Accommodation
$2299
SOLD OUT
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.
My intention in hosting this experience is simple
That something in you comes alive
That...
Possibilities are born
New friendships emerge
Wisdom is shared
You remember who you are beneath the noise
And you leave not “changed”
but reawakened to the life that is already yours.
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