SACRED PAUSE
RECOVERY RETREAT FOR WOMEN
Reclaim rest. Reconnect with yourself. Remember who you are.
There comes a time when your body, your spirit, your heart—all whisper the same thing:
It’s time to pause.
Not because you’re broken.
Not because you need fixing.
But because you are ready to reconnect to yourself in a deeper way.
This is your invitation to retreat and take a Sacred Pause.
This is a healing retreat for women and non-binary individuals seeking recovery, reflection, and deep inner peace. This is a 4-night, 5-day experience of rest, embodiment, and radical self-care on the land at Stowel Lake Farm—an organic retreat centre on Salt Spring Island, BC (territory of the Hul'qumi'num and SENĆOŦEN speaking peoples).
This is your invitation to slow down, to soften, and to remember that you get to be held, too.
What Awaits You at Sacred Pause:
This is more than a getaway. It’s a return to the truth of who you are. Without the noise. Without the responsibilities of home. Without expectations.
Over the course of our five days together, you’ll experience:
Twice-daily yoga, taught through a trauma-informed lens
Evening sharing circles that foster deep connection and belonging
A powerful and healing breathwork ceremony
A guided sound healing journey that will
Farm-to-table vegetarian meals grown and prepared with love from the land
Quiet, nourishing time to reflect, journal, walk, rest, and simply be
Everything we offer at retreat is an invitation—not a requirement. You are welcome to participate in as much or as little as you feel called to. This is your space to honour what you need, moment by moment.
Who This Retreat is For?
These retreats are designed for women and non-binary individuals in or seeking recovery—however you define it.
Recovery can mean healing from:
Anxiety, depression, or burnout
Codependency, perfectionism, or people-pleasing
Loss, grief, or heartbreak
Chronic stress or chronic illness
Disordered eating or substance use
Overworking or under-nourishing yourself
Or simply a lifetime of putting everyone else first
We honour all pathways and definitions of recovery. You don’t need to explain why you’re coming. If your body is asking for a pause—you belong here.
Please note: These retreats are alcohol- and drug-free spaces, out of deep respect for those healing from substance use.
You’ll be Held by Women Who Walk the Path
Taryn Strong (me!) and Dawn Nickel (my mother!), are the co-Founders of the SHE RECOVERS® Foundation. We have been hosting these healing retreats since 2012 (hosted over 65 retreats!). Together, we bring decades of lived and professional recovery experience, compassionate facilitation, and deeply embodied wisdom.
Each retreat is facilitated with care, integrity, and the belief that every woman is her own best healer—she may just need the right space to remember that truth.
A portion of all proceeds is donated to the SHE RECOVERS® Foundation to support recovery programming for women around the world.
What’s Included in Your Retreat:
4 nights of comfortable accommodation at Stowel Lake Farm
Daily gourmet vegetarian meals + snacks, tea, and coffee
Morning and afternoon trauma-informed yoga practices
Evening sharing circles
A guided breathwork ceremony
A restorative sound healing experience
Ample time for rest, reflection, and connection with the land
Loving support from experienced facilitators and a community of like-hearted women
Our Venue and Second Home:
Stowel Lake Farm – Salt Spring Island, British Columbia
Tucked away on the wild and beautiful West Coast of Canada, Stowel Lake Farm is more than just a venue—it’s a healing sanctuary. A place where the pace slows, the air feels softer, and the land welcomes you like an old friend.
Set on over 100 acres of organic farmland, forest trails, and ocean-kissed sky, this is a place where you can truly exhale. You'll wake up to the sound of birdsong, sip tea by the garden, and walk barefoot on sacred ground. Every meal is lovingly prepared with fresh produce grown steps away from your table. Every corner of this space is infused with care, intention, and the quiet wisdom of the land.
The yoga studio opens up to the orchard. The walking paths wind through trees and fields. There are nooks for solitude, and wide-open spaces for connection.
Stowel Lake Farm is our second home—a place where healing happens not just in circles and ceremonies, but in the in-between moments: under the trees, around the dinner table, and in the silence of your own heart.
You’ll be held here. By the earth. By the space. By the people.
And by yourself.
What Past Guests Say:
“I’ve never felt so well nourished inside and out as I do on A Sacred Pause Retreat. Dawn and Taryn are absolutely the best hosts; each bringing their individual and shared life experiences. Taryn’s yoga is healing and I’m always surprised with what is revealed while on the mat. Dawn’s humour and empathic energy is feeds my soul. The sacred grounds, food and community are only a few reasons why I will always return to Salt Spring Island Retreat.”
— Robin W
“I am not skilled enough with words to describe the experience at the farm. This was my third retreat there - the minute I step off the ferry, I breathe easier. The food is absolutely spectacular. The staff could not be more welcoming and lovely. Taryn and Dawn are their own kind of magic - there is plenty of space for alone time or for soulful, meaningful conversations that involve no BS or small talk - right to the guts. This is not an easy trip to make from NY but it is beyond worth it and fills me up every time. Do not hesitate if you are on the fence.”
— Colleen K
“Absolutely incredible and life changing experience. Already booked for next year. Thank you for being such amazing women and providing such a loving, all-inclusive community for women to heal.”
— Jessica R
UPCOMING DATES:
August 6-10, 2025
SACRED PAUSE RETREAT [1]
August 13-17, 2025
SACRED PAUSE RETREAT [2]
September 24-28, 2025
SACRED PAUSE RETREAT [3]
Important Policies
All prices are in US dollars.
Please confirm your retreat dates in your calendar before you book! Retreat deposits are strictly non-refundable, no exceptions will be made
Under special circumstances only, approved by the Facilitators, your deposit may be transferred (1x) to a future Salt Spring Island retreat date (within a one-year period). An admin. fee of 50% of your deposit will be applied to the transfer, e.g. $250 may be eligible for transfer.
Final payment of your retreat is due 60 days prior to retreat start date.
If you cancel 31 – 59 days before your retreat start date, you will forfeit 50% of your final payment amount. The remaining 50% may be applied to a future Salt Spring Island Retreat within a one-year period.
If you cancel 30 days or less before your retreat start date, you will forfeit your entire retreat payment.
You must agree to this policy in the Participant Info section in order to complete your registration.