In adulthood, we often mistake "leisure" (scrolling, consuming, zoning out) for "play" (creating, experimenting, laughing, engaging without a goal). Real play is active, low-stakes, and completely useless to your resume—which is exactly why we desperately need it.
This retreat is designed to help you rediscover your vibrant, creative, and fun-loving self while also providing a quiet sanctuary to slow down and balance your priorities. Together, we will provide solitary moments of meditation and journaling along with lively, collaborative, and creative group activities that remind you how to laugh, create, and connect. We believe the best breakthroughs happen in the spaces between—over a shared morning coffee, during an impromptu crafting session, or while laughing by the water. No strict agendas, just pure, nourishing connection.
You will leave this retreat with a clear understanding that play isn't a reward you have to earn after working; it is the essential maintenance that prevents burnout.
November 4 - November 7, 2027
This retreat is for you if…
You want to challenge the "do-it-all" pressure and swap exhausting societal expectations for sustainable, daily harmony.
You crave a balance of inner reflection and shared connection, and are open to exploring your thoughts through journaling and supportive group circles.
You are seeking practical tools to identify your true needs, learning to balance the demands of your daily life with your personal desires.
You value a mutually supportive ecosystem where you can offer empathy, receive encouragement, and honor strict group confidentiality.
You’re ready to stop pouring from an empty cup and finally embrace the truth that putting yourself first is the anchor to a balanced life.
You’re ready to put yourself first.
every retreat sponsored by awaken is developed and guided by the following three foundational pillars:
NATURE: Within nature, your body is able to find patterns and rhythm that allow for a sense of calm and clarity. In nature we can practice being present and mindful which allow us to increase focus and reduce the production of cortisol, a stress hormone. Grounding is a practice where an individual has a physical connection to the earth through activities like touching a tree, walking barefoot outside, smelling plants, and wading or swimming in water. Research suggests that grounding can help individuals decrease stress and enhance their creativity. During group sessions and afternoon activities, you will have time to practice grounding and learn techniques to be utilized in your daily practices.
NUTRITION: Good nutrition is vital to maintaining a positive mood and increasing cognitive function. Individuals may benefit from looking at their nutritional habits. Past trauma can affect your nervous system by remaining in survival mode. By looking at why we eat, what we truly enjoy, and what has influence over our relationship with food, we can begin to connect to internal body cues like hunger, fullness, and satisfaction. During group sessions we will help you identify and describe your internal body cues.
SELF-EMPOWERMENT: Through self-empowerment, you can begin to recognize unhealthy patterns. Patterns could include wanting to always please others, overextending yourself, putting yourself last, trying to keep the peace, seeking predictive outcomes, displaying addictive characteristics, and conveying low self-esteem. Once these patterns are identified, you can begin to set healthy boundaries, create time for self-care, and recognize your self-worth. Self-empowerment is vital in order to make positive decisions and to take action for yourself when it is needed. Self-empowerment is significantly correlated with your overall well being both for mind and body. Our group time will help you recognize your patterns and provide strategies to utilize daily.
What an amazing space to sit in front of the fire and relax!
lodging
Creating Balance for a Better You Retreat will be hosted at the World Famous Minnesuing Acres Resort nestled in the serene backdrop of the Northwoods. This private hidden gem borders the shores of Lake Minnesuing. What was once a private family vacation home is now available for small intimate gatherings.
To add to your comfort and privacy, participants of the Creating Balance for a Better You Retreat will be the only guests on the entire massive 200 acre lake front property.
The following amenities will be provided throughout your stay:
Kayaks and Paddle Boards that can be used in the lake
Two indoor swimming pools, sauna, indoor hot tub, and outdoor hot tub
Workout center
One lane bowling alley
Nine hole executive golf course
Pool table
Shuffleboard
Foosball
Dartboard
Wood burning fireplace in the main lodge and screen house
Outdoor fire pit
Mountain bikes for use on groomed trails
Hiking trails
Tennis court/Pickleball court
Basketball court
All Rooms Feature:
Private Bathroom with Shower
Desk and Seating Area
King or Queen Size Bed
Deluxe Linens
Premiere Bathroom Amenities
High-Speed Internet
Individually Controlled Thermostats
Blow Dryer, Iron and Ironing Board
Keurig Coffee Maker and Bottled Water
Our itinerary and activities have been carefully curated to provide our participants with the most meaningful and transformative experience possible, but should you choose to skip an activity you are more than welcome to do so. This retreat is all about you and your personal empowerment. We do encourage you to leave phones and other electronic devices in your room during the day to enhance your experience with us.
itinerary
Thursday:
3:00-4:00: Check In
4:00-5:00: Introductions/Tour of the Grounds
6:00: Dinner
7:15-8:00: Welcome Group
Free Time
Friday:
7:30-8:00: Meditation
8:00-9:00: Breakfast
9:30-11:30: Play Lab (activities curated to spark your creativity)
12:00-1:00: Lunch
1:00-3:00: Free Time
3:30-4:30: Yoga
6:00-7:00: Dinner
7:00-7:30: Fireside Chat (sharing laughs by the embers)
Free Time
Saturday:
7:30-8:00: Sound Bath
8:00-9:00: Breakfast
9:30-11:30: Play Lab (activities curated to spark your creativity)
12:00-1:00: Lunch
1:00-3:00: Free Time
3:30-4:30: Afternoon Activity (Forest Bathing/Ornitherapy)
6:00-7:00: Dinner
7:00-7:30: Fireside Chat (sharing laughs by the embers)
Free Time
Sunday:
7:30-8:00: Breathwork
8:00-9:00: Breakfast
9:00-10:00: Group Wrap Up
10:00-11:00: Checkout
Cuisine
All meals, hor d’oeuvres, and snacks will be skillfully prepared by the in-house chef. Every meal will be flavorful, healthy, and carefully planned to nourish your body and mind during this life changing event.
Past guests have raved about the quality of the food.
What is Included with Base Room Fee:
Daily Meditation
En-Suite Room (private bathroom within your room)
Daily Group time with Danna and Leeann
Folders filled with retreat information/material
Daily Breathwork
Yoga
Sound Bath
All amenities listed above (swimming pools, hot tub, sauna, golf, tennis, etc)
Forest Bathing/Ornitherapy
Meals/snacks/beverages
Awaken gift
Parking
Pre-retreat meet and greet
Post-retreat follow-up video
What is Available for an Additional Fee:
Shuttle from Duluth Airport
$85.00 each way
Therapeutic Massage: Pay directly to therapist
Retreat Swag
what is not included:
Travel Insurance
Alcoholic Beverages
meet your retreat leaders!
Danna and LeeAnn have years of experience running groups, trainings, and retreats. You will eat delicious, home cooked food, laugh at their constant ‘sisterly antics’, smile at the breathtaking views, and leave feeling accepted, understood, refreshed, and glowing. You will not want to miss this retreat!
DANNA LIVINGSTON-MATHERLY
Danna is certified in meditation, motivational interviewing, and Mental Health First Aid (MAFA) for both youth and adults. She is also certified as a breath coach, which will allow her to share techniques that will assist you with utilization of what breath technique will work best with what your body is telling you. Danna has a Masters of Science in Education and Instruction. She has spent almost two decades teaching Criminal Justice at a tech college and has lectured nationally at several universities.
She is a mother of five amazing girls, a wife, a daughter to two aging parents, and an educator. She knows first hand how easy it is to over-extend herself and deplete her energy. By setting reasonable boundaries and working to integrate the three pillars of Awaken, she is able to continue building balance in her life.
Danna enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and simple country living.
LEEANN WIESE
Dr. Lee Ann Wiese is a leader in the field of special education and has years of experience in changing undesired behaviors based on behaviorist theories. She is well versed in Cognitive Learning Theory and believes that behavior is influenced by both internal and external factors. In her professioal role, she mentors and coaches future and current special education teachers. LeeAnn has presented material on setting and reaching obtainable goals, is immersed in current behavior research, and is a leader in trauma sensitive instruction. She is a Nationally Board Certified teacher and has recently left her position as a University Instructor to return to her roots in the K-12 system as the Director of Special Education and Student Services.
Lee Ann clearly understands the importance of creating balance in life. While attending graduate school, she raised her children, helped her husband run an organic beef farm, worked full time, assisted her aging parents, and started Awaken.
Lee Ann is a mother of two amazing young men, lives on a farm, and loves spending time training her horse. She is passionate about cooking with organically, locally grown food, using all available ingredients provided in nature, and reconnecting with her spirit through the outdoors.
awaken support staff
Kerry Kowalik
Kerry Kowalik is a mother, wife, and health and wellness connoisseur. Currently a yoga instructor and trauma-informed somatic coach. As a somatic coach, she believes transformational healing is 80% body-based work and 20% mindset work. Acknowledging the body as a source of wisdom and intelligence can lead to sustainable and profound transformation and healing. Kerry has led dozens of individuals through movement, breath, and mindfulness to a place of awareness, curiosity, compassion, and acceptance. Kerry is always learning and leading by example. She is the embodiment of her work.
It is important to take time out of our busy lives and decompress. Kerry gives us a wonderful opportunity to do just that through her somatic practice. Connecting back into our bodies and utilizing our breath work can help nourish our bodies and release pent-up tension. Somatic practices encompass a series of movement forms that can be drawn together through their shared focus on body awareness through reflection on movement habits, opening up movement capacity, and developing self-directed or personal movement styles.
Elaine Bell
Elaine has been practicing massage therapy for almost six years. She brings a spa-forward, hospitality-driven approach to massage. Elaine enjoys music, her pets, and has recently opened her own massage studio, Beyond Gold Wellness Collective, in downtown Duluth, MN!
Lanae Rhoads
At Mix Cosmetiques, we believe beauty is most meaningful when it is created with intention. For more than 18 years, founder and cosmetic chemist Lanae Rhoads has been helping women discover products that celebrate their individuality rather than asking them to fit into someone else's idea of beauty. Every custom formula is thoughtfully crafted using plant-based, skin-loving ingredients chosen to nourish both the body and the senses. From perfectly matched mineral foundations to personalized aromatherapy blends, each experience invites women to slow down, reconnect with themselves and others, and create something uniquely their own. Rooted in the belief that self-care should be both luxurious and healthy, Mix Cosmetiques combines the art of formulation with the healing traditions of botanicals, empowering every woman to leave with not only a beautiful product, but also a deeper appreciation for the rituals that help her feel grounded, confident, and authentically herself.
Being the best you is a life long journey!
courtesy of Three Irish Girls photography