TENDING TO THE ALTER OF YOUR HEART: Heart centered practices to nourish and balance your mind, body, and spirit

August 21st-23rd, 2026

Join me for a retreat experience where we will learn practices and simple rituals to help us connect to our own hearts and to embrace the importance of self-care and self compassion. We will learn ways to befriend ourselves even in the midst of challenging emotions. In our time together, you will be introduced to concepts and practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as Ayurveda ,the sister science of yoga. Both of these traditions have a deep connection to the elements of nature and offer practical simple movements and daily lifestyle practices to help us come back to balance in our bodies, our hearts and our minds. We live in a very busy and often overwhelming world, and as women we often multitask and are expected to fulfill many roles and responsibilities , including caring for others. This can mean that we end up putting our own well-being and self care/ self devotion at the bottom of the long to do list.

During this weekend together, we will discuss some of the challenges of self compassion, self love and self-care, and the obstacles we find that prevent prioritizing our own needs. Through journaling, breathwork and gentle grounding yoga practices that connect to the energy of our hearts, we will find ways to bring more ease into our bodies and release stress that prevents us from connecting in a more loving way to ourselves and others. We will spend time in nature and practice simple Qi Gong movements. Qi means energy and Gong means skillful cultivation. We will release the stress that lives in our bodies and create space in our hearts and minds for doing the things that bring us the most joy..

Time in nature will be a big part of our experience together as we connect to the Earth, as well as the healing waters of Lake George surrounding us.

What you can expect :

● Gentle yoga practice accessible to ALL levels of experience and body types

● Simply yet profound Qi Gong exercises to help connect with the elements of nature and

to release physical and emotional stress

● Time in nature for guided forest bathing as well as creating a special altar from objects

in nature

● A guided releasing / letting go ritual with a bonfire

● Loving kindness, compassion based meditation

● Breathwork to balance your nervous system so you can have more access to rest and

ease.

● Journal prompts and free journal writing time

● Time to rest and connect with other women

● Practical skills and tools to take home with you to continue the essential practice of

honoring your heart and practicing self compassion on a daily basis

Cost for the weekend retreat, room, and meals is $580. Sign up by calling Wiawaka at 518-668-9690!

Cat Lynch Capowski LCSW, M.Ed. RYT 500 hr.

Website: www.catalystmindfulness.com

Email: info@catalystmindfulness.com

Contact: (917) 596-0405

Cat has been working as a social worker for the past 3 decades with a wide range of individuals, groups, and family systems. Her own long- term practices of yoga, Qi Gong, meditation, and breath work has deeply influenced how she lives and how she works with others. Cat has been integrating mind-body practices into her clinical social work and life coaching for many years and helps others to utilize coherent breathing, gentle yoga, and Qi gong to help regulate their nervous system and develop powerful tools for stress management. Cat recognizes that partnering with horses in equine assisted therapy and with nature in eco therapy allows for healing to occur in ways beyond traditional talk therapy. She uses the framework of the ancient science of Ayurveda to help people to find balance in their body, mind, emotions, and spirit with a holistic approach to daily routines and wellness. Currently Cat offers both Zoom and in person life coaching and therapy as well as Ayurvedic Mental Health and Wellness Coaching. She leads retreats and various workshops in the areas of honoring life transitions and new phases of growth, addiction and recovery, stress management and coping skills, self-care and setting healthy boundaries. Cat creates safe space for her students and retreat participants to engage in self-reflection with compassion and openness. She integrates gentle movement and yoga that is accessible and safe for all body types and experience levels. Her guided meditations and journal/writing prompts help to bring clarity and insight into the group and individual experiences. Cat recognizes the healing power of Nature and integrates the powerful lessons that Mother Nature has to offer all of us by spending time outside and guiding activities and contemplation time to connect with all five elements.