Where Women Gather…
Celebrating all of the incredible women of South Africa this August
Since the beginning of time, women have been entrusted to carry families, communities and environments while nurturing, healing and acting peacemakers in their villages and cities. Yet, society does not often nurture the emotional wellbeing or thriving of women, mothers and caregivers. In fact; we are pushed to do more, achieve consistently and function entirely in our head space, where we overthink, rationalise and become depleted, burnt out and empty.
Globally more and more women are recognising the power of women gathering with shared vision, solidarity, wishes or prayers. Women’s circles can provide a space to be seen, heard, heal and transform, possibly providing a reminder to balance our feminine and masculine energy, schedule in moments of stillness and shift out of our heads and into our heart space. Some circles and gatherings can also focus on elements like networking, sharing, skill-building, self-development but, above all else, serve as a connection point. Here are a few Women’s Circles, festivals and retreats inviting women to gather and find rejuvenation, reset and connect…
Global Sisterhood Circles
“Each time women gather in circles the world heals a little”, says energy coach and holistic practitioner Lisa. “The focus is on support, genuine connection, healing the feminine wounds of the past, embracing the true nature of divine female, releasing aspects of fear, shame and guilt and empowering women to shine and become allies both locally and globally.”
Lisa founded the Global Sisterhood in 2016 when she felt deeply called to facilitate a circle of women in north Cyprus for the first time on March 8th, for International Women’s Day. The sisterhood continues to gather at the time of the new moon each month, along with over 1 000 other community circles of women around the world, at that time, to meditate on powerful shared themes for the transformation of the community and the globe. There are now 15 000-plus circles around the world that gather and collectively focus their energy on healing and transformation.
For more details, to join their meet-up group, contact Lisa for New Moon Sister Circles and any holistic practices ranging including access consciousness, NLP coaching, Timeline Therapy® practitioner, hypnosis, qigong and tai chi amongst others. Lisa is currently based in Sitges outside Barcelona.
https://newlisalife.net/procedure/global-sisterhood-circle/
[email protected] for information on sisterhood circles and workshops, classes.
She Self Cares
“We are building a community to inspire purpose-driven lives in a safe space with like-minded women, just having fun while their body, mind and soul are being empowered,” says Bisi Emenanjo, executive self-care and wellness coach. “We believe in the power of women coming together to bring change, first and foremost to herself and the world around her.”
Launched by Bisi, healthcare practitioner and founder of the Ajo Wellness Group, She Self Cares is a platform for women to take control of their lives and engage in activities and ideas. The goal is to build a platform that encourages, educates and empowers women, while improving their overall wellbeing. This is achieved through wellness events, workshops and masterclasses that spark real insightful conscious conversations and connections while creating self-awareness and empowerment. They are building a community to inspire purpose driven lives in a safe space with like-minded women.
https://www.ajowellness.com/
Email Bisi Emenanjo and her team [email protected]
Women’s Happiness Retreat, Lamu, Kenya
This retreat is curated and run by Monika Fauth and is for all women who long for time and space for themselves in a divine place and who are eager to develop themselves to be more in balance, understanding of themselves and their connection with other women. “In this seven-day immersion course, we will guide you through powerful breathing techniques (taught by the Art of Living), bodywork, Yoga sound healing, one-on-one holistic counselling, exploring the feminine and masculine, massages and others,” says Monika.
“By helping women to create more energy and get inspiration, this retreat offers the unique opportunity to connect with yourself and the women around you.”
Husband and wife team, Banana Banana (Mohamed Ali Mbarak) and Monika, started the small boutique hotel Banana House & Wellness Centre in Shela, Lamu over 21 years ago. They work on a variety of other projects like Yoga, organising retreats, caring for the village and the environment. Banana loves parties and lots of fun. Their goal is that Banana House continues to be a home where people from all religions and cultural backgrounds can rejuvenate, recharge their battery, share and be inspired to take responsibility for our world and environment.
https://www.bananahouse-lamu.com/
Email Monika and team for more info on retreats in Shela [email protected]
Kilifi Wellness Festival, Kilifi, Kenya
Starting with a sound bath beneath the trees and finishing with a cacao ceremony at sunset, this year sees the fourth annual Kilifi Wellness Festival held from Thursday, 1.6.2023 to Sunday, 4.6.2023 (inviting males and females). Said to be one of Kenya’s most spectacular coastal towns, Kilifi, with its cliff-lined creeks, palm trees and baobabs alongside the water, is the home of the festival.
Most of the festival will take place at Salty’s Kitesurf Village on Kilifi’s stunning Bofa Beach. SUP classes will take place at Three Degrees South Watersports Centre and the dhow sail will happen on Kilifi Creek. The team is said to offer a plethera of movement styles, thought-provoking workshops, healing modalities and local products to curate a deeply nourishing experience. Expect vinyasa flow, meditation, breathwork, aerial, stress resilience, SUP Yoga, laughter Yoga, acupuncture, injury prevention, energy healing, yin, shamanic wisdom, hatha, cacao ceremonies, massage, tarot and oracle readings, dance, psychotherapy, nutrition, moonrise dhow cruise and more
Festival founders are Tamara Bitten, Sandra Liechum, Nywamwathi Gichau, Andrea Hartly and the festival runs annually so check the website for exact dates.
Blooming Circles
“I’m feeling a strong calling for us women all to unite and share and grow and heal together,” says Nicola Jackman. “In circles, (in this case online) we support ourselves, each other and our world to bloom simultaneously!” In these online blooming courses, Nicola teaches biomimicry-inspired resilience tools and the course is said to be for ‘caring women on a mission – ready to open up beyond their limiting anythings and unfurl into their fullest blooming selves’.
Nicola Jackman is a southern African, Zimbabwean, performance ‘heartist’ and impact producer dedicated to co-creating a joyful thriving world. With over 32 years of experience as a professional actor (‘heartist’), Nikki has also specialised in joy for 20 years, exploring numerous modalities including laughter, dance, play and improvisation; her passion is teaching and developing tools to support the sustaining of joy. Nicola has co-created the successful NPO, The UPliftment Programme, (which actively promotes emotional wellness programmes nationwide since 2003).
Email [email protected] for information on her next blooming course.
Getting to:
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways flights from South Africa to Barcelona (via Doha) start at R13 965. You have options to extend your stopover in Qatar and include thrilling solo female adventures such as desert safaris, souq visits and luxury hotel stays.
Where to Stay:
Le Meridien Barcelona
Nourish your mind and body at the Le Meridien, Barcelona and enjoy our Explore Spa Studio, an oasis in the heart of Barcelona. Perfect for solo female travel and breaks to slow down in the heart of a bustling city of rich heritage.
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/bcnmd-le-meridien-barcelona/overview/
Masia Sumidors, Catalonia
A traditional Catalan farmhouse nestled in the hills of Garraf Natural Park, on the outskirts of Sant Pere de Ribes, with open-air restaurant, eight rooms, a swimming pool. Relax, swim, hike or do Yoga. https://www.sumidors.com/
Banana House, Lamu, Kenya
Mind and body rejuvenation form part of our core here at Banana House. We offer various wellness opportunities for our guests and other visitors to Lamu to take part in. These include daily Yoga classes, guided meditations and access to Natural Lamu’s Beauty Spa. It also helps that we set our entire property up to invite moments of quiet reflection and relaxation.
https://www.bananahouse-lamu.com/
Salty’s Kitesurf Village, Kilifi
Saty’s Kitesurf Village is a sustainably and ethically run establishment on Bofa Beach, Kilifi. With beautiful tropical waters, calm lagoons and great waves out on the reef our Kitesurf centre, beach bar and restaurant are perfect for kite surfers and all travellers alike.
https://www.saltyskitesurf.com/
Mida Creek, Watamu
The Mida Creek is a luxurious, yet rustic boutique-style hotel located on the south side of Mida Creek in Watamu, Kenya, sitting on a small beach and benefiting from the cooling effects of its huge makuti roof. Additionally, the hotel has its own private swimming pool, bar, restaurant, gym and two sun terraces. Guests can enjoy paddling, boarding and eco-boat cruises on the creek as well as massages.
Lauren Manuel is a globally published storyteller, communications specialist and single mom of two magnificent young boys. Her podcast @wildandgrounded_ (found on Spotify and Itunes) shares accessible tools, habits and practices to help women and moms thrive through life, trauma and transition.
Lauren has hosted Women’s Circles (creative, movement, nature and storytelling) in Ireland, Spain and South Africa and loves holding the space for women to connect, gather and share their truth and stories. She is a dancer, movement experience facilitator and co-hosts retreats and solo female journeys globally with various practitioners. She is a level 1 certified Secret Sunrise facilitator as well as a certified joy facilitator with The UPliftment Programme – A Southern African NGO – using the arts to uplift emotional wellness. She is passionate about advocating for the way we, as society, can better support and uplift the emotional wellbeing of mothers and caregivers.
Connect with Lauren on her website: https://laurenm.co.za/ and on instagram @wildandgrounded_ and @thetravelmanuel and find out more about our upcoming Slow Escapes for Women in Kenya later in 2023.