“Soma & Soul was joyful growth!

Ash is clear, warm, wise. She provided an environment that allowed every soul to step out and connect. No time lost in our heads, but plenty of space for our hearts and bodies.

The lessons stayed with me long after, and thinking back to the weekend centers me with gratitude — 10/10.”

“This combination was really genius. The whole thing together was like psycho-emotional surgery. I felt like I was on aya for 6 days! It was just masterful—the way this was combined felt so safe despite any lack that I felt exploring certain things personally. The way everything was held and facilitated felt really good.I am so grateful—like major major.

My entire life is changing now. In a way that's been long hoped… I'm noticing a greater saturation of myself in my own body. And I have internalized a big bag of new tools. This retreat even clicked some things into place for the work that I want to do in the world!”

“This retreat was a wonderful time. The care put into the container was palpable and in service of opening. And the permission, ohhh so much permission to be and feel and open and experience and grow.

Ash’s facilitation was refined and inclusive and beautiful. I left this experience with new lasting connections, and I feel lucky to have said yes to this unique moment in time!”

I had such a nourishing, balancing experience.

The setting was beautiful, the people were emotionally mature, and I got to walk away with a clearer sense of my purpose and how that shows up in my body through movement and connection… the 6-days flew by!

“This retreat was a life changing experience for me. I had been to other Authentic Relating events before but this one was by far the most profound, healing, and meaningful—thanks to the people who were there, the skillful facilitation, the pairing with Contact Improv, and the time spent in Nature.

The facilitators created such a strong container that allowed for so much vulnerability and deep connection, and the pairing with Contact Improv, which is naturally so regulating and also encourages connection to one's body, brought a beautiful balance of mental and physical engagement. I can't say enough about how beautiful and profound the connection between Contact Improv and Authentic Relating is, with both encouraging and teaching such a strong connection to self and other. 

And because naturally intense emotions can arise when you are living and relating closely to 20 something people, it was so beautiful and healing to be able to co-regulate through platonic physical touch and dance and connection from 20 something amazing humans, and learn tools to honor self and other in the midst of those emotions.

I grew so much, experienced more joy and connection than I thought possible in a week, and made life long friends.  It is an experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

I got in contact with a part of myself that needed to be found. I had so many wonderful, profound moments.

I really got to see how I relate to myself and others… and as a therapist, I would recommend anyone to come to this retreat—there will be a profound shift in your soul.

“What a life changing retreat—by far my favorite.

It felt so good to be part of this group. This well-networked, healthy group. I felt more comfortable there from day 1 than any other retreat. And I felt like the best version of myself: I was self-expressed and seen and accepted and appreciated and loved—and I loved myself.

It was easeful and enjoyable to be present and embodied. The way the space was held from the beginning: humble, respectful, open. Following and honoring what's alive when needed and not always adhering to the schedule. Transparency over hiding. Empowering individuals and the group…

Most importantly, loving the people there helped me love aspects of myself. The one who is quiet, shy, suspicious. The one who speaks slowly. The one who struggles to take up space. The one who wants connection but doesn't know how to initiate. The one who is lonely. The one who doesn't know how to be vulnerable. The one who is insecure about being a beginner. The one who doesn't smile often, but shines so beautifully when they do smile.

I loved them all, and learned that all in me is lovable too.”

I am leaving feeling nourished and deeply grounded… I feel more confident taking up space. And more confident being close with others.

The 6-day time frame allowed for going deep and integrating everything this retreat offers—which is so much!

I had an idea of what I thought I would get out of this—and I got so much more.

“This retreat was a unique, magical, holistic movement and relating experience unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.I came in with CI experience and no AR experience, and instantly felt welcomed. The facilitators created such a generous sharing space, and navigated between vulnerability, joy, laughter, grief, deep feeling, and celebration with grace and consideration for the whole collective. I rejoiced in each dance, and can say with 100% confidence that I experienced a profound shift in my connection to myself, as well as a clarity around the kind of relationships I desire in my life.

Ash’s facilitation was honest and empathetic, and I felt that they were simultaneously a leader I could depend on and a peer I could relate to. That kind of generous leadership is rare, and Ash has that balanced capability in abundance.”

The space was held for personal transformational AND group connection. I felt so deeply held and seen by this group and the process. Highly recommend.

“My experience of this retreat was beautiful and deep. The practices and facilitation offered allowed for a felt sense of connection in the group, and this helped my body to feel relaxed and open, which brought a feeling of belonging. I whole heartedly recommend this experience to anyone who wants to feel more at home and welcome in their body, and I would Love to be immersed in this container again.”

“I attended this retreat at a crucial transition time in my life. I had NO idea what I was getting myself into, but when I signed up, I KNEW I had to be there. A friend at the time mentioned I should look into Authentic Relating, that I was already practicing it on my own. I didn't know what I was practicing was "a thing" until I stumbled upon this retreat. And while I had a dance practice too, I was very new to Contact Improv.

When I saw the unique combination of of this retreat, I trusted my gut YES and applied immediately. I returned home from the retreat with my heart blasted open, a deepening and thriving relationship with AR & CI, and heartfelt relationships that I continue to tend.”

“This retreat was more than I could’ve ever hoped for. Participating alongside my partner was the cherry on top, and SO valuable to the future of our relationship. It truly solidified our union. Thank you.”

“I came away with a clearer acceptance of how I retreat into my self as a way of living and presence that is so independent — at best, solitary and restorative and on the flip side, walled off and alone, and that — there is a wholly different stage of inhabiting presence that I can step into that allows an unfolding of walking in the world and being—with others.

Ash provided an invitation to explore modes of being in centered presence while moving through disruption or flow, dancing or shaking or being still, with yourself, with others, alone, and together.

As a facilitator, Ash is incredibly skilled in the art of creating space, drawing the lines of respect and safety and compassion for all to pick up and move within, allowing for freedom of movement, play, and utterances bold or quiet deeply heard and held.”

“Ash's grounded presence makes leaning in feel right. The clarity of my outcomes make the work worth while.

I would recommend this experience to anyone looking to ground and center for a more impactful life.”

“I’ve spent much of my life as the person who holds space for others, so being on the receiving end of that dynamic was a refreshing change. Ash is a skilled facilitator who held the group closely enough that I felt safe, but never so tightly that the spontaneity got squeezed out.

It was purposeful without feeling contrived, and moments were allowed to unfold on their own. Experiencing that balance firsthand reminded me that safety and freedom don’t have to compete; often they make each other possible.

I expect this to ripple into my work and relationships in quiet, practical ways. I’m listening more fully, rushing to fill silences less, and thinking about how to offer others the same mix of structure and openness that Ash modeled.

If you’re on the fence, I would absolutely recommend both the workshop and Ash. It was an excellent use of time and resources, and you’ll be in capable hands.”

“If you’re curious, befuddled, or frustrated about what happens energetically between you and others, and ready to look at your part, I cannot recommend Ash’s workshops more strongly. Weaving together somatics, breathwork, communication philosophies and other magical arts,

Ash introduces new skills and most importantly fun, insightful experiments for us to apply these approaches in the everyday, for an experience that comes alive beyond the sum of its parts.

Their facilitation is ego-less, playful and inviting, so they meet people where they are at, and every aspect of the experience is intentionally considered (elite playlists, come ready to dance). I always leave feeling cared for, connected to myself and the group, and expanded.”

“Ash is an amazing facilitator. The Soma & Soul workshop is done with so much care; you’re supported to engage comfortably and courageously wherever you are in your life’s journey.”

“Ash lets the teaching teach.”

“Thank you for this weekend. I didn't know really what I was walking into and even when I was uncomfortable and stretched, you created a supportive attuned space that could hold it. And whoa did that discomfort being highlighted and fully felt make me evaluate some things.

This weekend was like a mirror being held up in which others gently shared things that I had no awareness of. And hearing others struggles and joys made me feel seen and a part of. The level of honesty and connection forged between strangers in a relatively short period of time was only possible because of your presence, skills, and openness to create that supportive energy.

Thank you and the two big things I will take home are that I will pay attention to the inherent wisdom and signaling in my body more, and that I want to create this level of connection and presence in my established relationships.

Dance with life itself!”

“As someone who has served in the retreat space, I can affirm that Ash is a skilled facilitator. She brings compassion, inspiration, playfulness, and patience into her offering. There’s a beautiful way that she invites you to step more fully into yourself while nudging you towards your tender edge.

I attended this workshop with my partner and I know the ripple of this weekend together in this work will bring profound joy and peace to our relationship and our home.”

“As someone who has been overwhelmed by empathy, tried to take on the burdens of others, and generally been responsible for what isn’t mine: the exercise about mutual connection was radical for me.

I have intellectually been learning how and why to hold on to myself when connecting with others, but this taught me how it felt.

Now I know what it feels like. Thank you. Many things were valuable, but this was the transformative skill I needed.”