Rest and Receive™ Pacific NW 2024 At-A-Glance

Columbia River Gorge

November 15-17, 2024

Rest and relax in stunning beauty, enjoy gentle adventures, and revitalize your mental, emotional, physical, and soulful health.

Early Bird Discount Rate: $2,500

Place $1000 deposit by September 1, 2024 or
pay in full by October 1, 2024 to secure early-bird price.

After October 1 – Full Price: $2,800

Last Date to Register: October 21, 2024

Rest and Receive™ Pacific NW 2024

All-inclusive women+ retreat to restore and cultivate your personal power through rest, movement, and nourishment. We’ll rest at the stunning Skamania Lodge in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Our time together will be a balanced blend of relaxation and activity, designed to help you recharge physically, mentally, emotionally and soulfully.

Croatia Bay

Embrace Moderation and Enjoy Deep Relaxation

Rejuvenate your whole-self in 3 restful days, immersed in the stunning beauty of the Columbia River Gorge.

We plan long-weekends. We look forward to them. Sometimes we travel to them. We wake up early for them. We fill our days with cool things to do while there. We feel the need to take advantage of every minute we’re away from daily obligations, right? But does any actual relaxing happen?

Rest is vital for our mental, emotional, physical, soulful health, and inner healing.

With Rest and Receive™, you are taken care of from arrival to departure at Skamania Lodge, WA and throughout our leisurely journey together in the stunning Columbia River Gorge.

This retreat guides you to intentionally enter and consistently remain in the states of restoration and cultivation of your personal power through rest, movement, and nourishment. Some adventure takes place, too!

Surrounded by lush forests and overlooking the Columbia River, this setting is ideal for exploring the idea of moderation. We’ll enjoy restful time in Skamania Lodge’s serene environment, with nourishing meals from local ingredients, cozy accommodations, and luxurious amenities.

Special guest Theresa Conti will lead us on an intentional, gentle hike, and offer her wisdom and support from a perspective of a busy executive with numerous life pivots, which have taught her the power of slowing down and resting.

We’ll experience mindful movement sessions and tips for stretching and strengthening with Stephanie O’Donnell-Peters, who will also offer mini massages to deepen your sense of relaxation.

Your Courageous Being guide Ivana Polonijo will show you several easy-to-implement techniques and practical exercises to cultivate inner harmony in support of a magnificent life you love living.

We’ll bring it all together in a very special keynote by Anna Maria Ponzi on the phenomenally important skill of moderation. Maria will couple her presentation with wine tasting inclusive of tips and suggestions for deep wine savoring.

As we close out the experience, we will provide you with easy-to-use tools for harmonious living beyond the retreat.

Croatia Lake

The Essentials

A Breakdown of This Rest and Receive™ Event

November 15–17, 2024

Columbia River Gorge

Skamania Lodge, WA

This Retreat Includes:

  • Accommodations: 2 nights at Skamania Lodge nestled amongst tall Douglas Fir trees of the Columbia River Gorge.
  • Meals: all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and snacks are included + a special wine tasting.
  • Activities: Retreat teachings, workshops, guided morning movement practice, guided hike, wine tasting with an educational component, and keynote by Anna Maria Ponzi, former owner, CEO and past president of Ponzi Vineyards.
  • Gifts: Carefully curated gift bags upon arrivals and departure + a treasure-hunt winner prize.

Excluded from Cost: Transportation to and from Skamania Lodge, travel insurance, personal and shopping expenses, incidentals, gratuity, alcoholic beverages other than wine, and cost associated with add on trip (with lunch) to Hood River on Sunday afternoon.

Need Help Strategizing on How to Make This Retreat Work with Your Needs?

We are here for you! Before our retreat begins, we will help you prepare with a Zoom session for Q&A, trip checklists, and an opportunity to meet your fellow Rest and Receivers. We provide guidance on travel arrangements, packing lists, health preparation, and more. We can also help brainstorm and plan any add-on trips you’d like to do before or after our retreat.

Secure Your Space with Early Bird Pricing $2,500

Register before 9/1/24:

Pay in Full before 10/1/24:

The Retreat Program

Tentative Day-by-Day Overview

Day 1: Friday, November 15

  • Arrivals to Skamania Lodge
  • Casual gathering throughout the afternoon
  • Programming starts at 5pm: Opening Circle
  • Group dinner
  • Free time, encouragement to rest

Day 2: Saturday, November 16

  • Morning movement with Stephanie
  • Breakfast
  • Hike (gentle, with mindfulness) guided by Theresa  
  • Lunch
  • Afternoon workshops led by Ivana
  • Keynote: “Four-Ounce Pour” with Anna Maria
  • Group dinner with wine tasting
  • Dance time! 

Day 3: Sunday, November 17

  • Morning movement with Stephanie
  • Breakfast
  • Closing circle + final shares
  • Departures from Skamania Lodge
  • Optional add-on trip to Hood River, OR for lunch, shopping and sight seeing


About the Four-Ounce Pour Keynote:

Anna Maria Ponzi will take us on a journey to better understand the importance of living intentionally. In The Four-Ounce Pour, Anna Maria presents her life in wine as a framework to inspire us to slow down and create more meaning in our daily lives. She illustrates how intentional actions can create longer, healthier and more enriched lives.

In her keynote, Anna Maria addresses:

• Why the ‘all or nothing’ concept is so damaging and the benefits of balance

• The importance of living a life of purpose

• The health benefits to making connections and building relationships

• How intentional decisions create significant impact in both our daily and professional lives

Church in Croatia
Church in Croatia

Reserve Your Space

You can pay the full retreat price all at once, or send a non-refundable registration deposit to hold your space. Register before due date for early-bird price: make deposit by Sept 1, or pay in full by Oct 1.

Place Your Non-Refundable Deposit ($1,000):

Pay in Full ($2,500 – Early Bird):

About Your Guide

Ivana Polonijo

Courageous Being Founder + Chief Soul-utions Officer

Ivana merges a Ph.D. in Social Anthropology, and 15+ years in finance, with bioenergetics and inner work training in Energy Codes® and Inner Bonding®. She has faced and overcome many stresses, from childhood challenges to civil war, immigration, divorce, and single parenthood, all while building a demanding academic and corporate career.

As the founder and Chief Soul-utions Officer of Courageous Being, she empowers women+ to embody their magnificence in all aspects of life. Through daily inner-work and regular rest, she maintains her joyful spark and composure.

Ivana is a Croatian native and has traveled internationally since the age of 14 throughout Europe, North America, Hawaii, Nepal, Peru… This rich lived experience coupled with anthropology background positions her as an exceptional retreat guide.

Ivana Polonijo

About Our Special Guest Presenters

Ivana Polonijo

Theresa Conti

Theresa Conti started Sunwest Pensions in 1998 and sold it to July Business Services in 2023. She holds many designations, including a QKA with ASPPA, APR with NIPA, CPFA with NAPA, and an ERPA with the IRS. Theresa frequently volunteers with industry associations such as NIPA and WIPN, writes for Plan Consultant Magazine, and speaks at industry conferences. She serves on the boards of Junior Achievement of Arizona and the Fountain Hills Community Foundation. Currently, Theresa co-hosts the podcast “Step into the Pivot,” works as a Business Coach for TPA Business Owners, a Life Coach for women in the retirement industry, and provides Leadership Training.

Ivana Polonijo

Anna Maria Ponzi

Anna Maria Ponzi, former owner, CEO, and past president of Ponzi Vineyards, takes audiences on a journey to understand the importance of living intentionally. Her keynote, The Four-Ounce Pour, uses her life in wine to inspire slowing down and creating meaning in daily life. Anna Maria was instrumental in establishing Oregon’s Willamette Valley as a renowned wine region. She grew her family winery from a garage operation into a global brand and sold it to Bollinger Champagne in 2021. She currently farms her vineyard, issimo, supports the wine industry, and consults through her firm, amponzi & company. She co-founded the non-profit Anthony’s Circle to support foster youth in Oregon.

Ivana Polonijo

Stephanie O'Donnell-Peters

Stephanie is an experienced yoga teacher with a demonstrated presence in the health wellness and fitness industry. Skilled in therapeutic massage, in addition to yoga, she is a strong community and social services professional, she founded and leads Massage & Yoga Portland, a local spa and wellness space, where her team offers therapeutic massage tailored to specific needs, full body spa services, fun add-ons, cupping, yoga classes, self-care workshops, strength sessions, and one-on-one individualized sessions to help clients move more effectively and efficiently toward their wellness goals.

The Rest and Receive™ Experience

Ivana Polonijo

Kristin A., Washington / USA

“Attending Rest & Receive was transformative! The serene & beautiful setting, incredible food, activities, and most of all the fantastic group of like-hearted attendees with Ivana as our articulate & knowledgeable guide…all helped me unwind, connect with & learn about myself. I felt refreshed, re-inspired, connected to new friends, and eager for the next one.”

Ivana Polonijo

Helen M., Oregon / USA

“Rest and Receive was such a wonderful journey! There was a plan and plenty of free time, there were amazing group activities, and time for me to wander on my own. We all got along so beautifully, and gave each other the space and the support we each needed. The locations were spectacular!
I came home feeling fulfilled, rejuvenated, and deeply connected to myself. I highly recommend!”

The Beauty of the World

Courageous Being Rest and Receive™ retreats enable our attendees to let go of busy culture, deeply rest and restore. Return recharged and in a positive mindset. From mini self-guided retreats, to one-day, three-day or full-on international destination retreat experiences, we offer a variety of options to suit your needs. Each retreat is thoughtfully designed to provide you with the space and activities that promote true relaxation and rejuvenation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s Included in the full retreat package?

  • Your own room for 2 nights at Skamania Lodge
  • All meals – breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Wine tasting
  • Mini massage
  • Welcome packet and gift bag
  • Guided movement practices: morning movement as well as a beautiful mindfulness-infused hike
  • Retreat teachings, easy-to-use resources, workshops
  • Special Keynote “Four-Ounce Pour” with Anna Maria Ponzi

What’s not included?

  • Transportation to Skamania Lodge
  • Travel insurance
  • Gratuity
  • Personal and shopping expenses
  • Alcoholic beverages other than wine
  • Add-on trip to Hood River, OR on Sunday afternoon: we will guide you, and can help with transportation, but ask that you cover your own lunch expense

Do I need to pay full price when I reserve my spot?

No, we only require a non-refundable deposit for the retreat upon registration ($1,000). The last date to register is October 21, 2024

 

What is the retreat price breakdown?


Early Bird Pricing: $2,500

To Secure Early Bird Pricing:

Pay $1,000 deposit by September 1, 2024 or
Pay $2,500 in full by October 1, 2024

After October 1 Full Price of the Retreat: $2,800

Deposit required at time of registration: $1,000

Last Date to Register: October 21, 2024

Last Date to Make Your Payments: November 5, 2024

We are bound by the non-refundable restrictions from our vendors. The registration deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. Extended payment plans are an option, so if you are called to come and finances seem daunting, contact us and we’ll help you plan and proceed.   

Do you have payment plans?

Yes, they are an option. We do not offer them on the website, but if money and payment are the only things preventing you from signing up for this retreat, please email us, and we’ll work with you to find a solution.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

We cater to various dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. You can let us know your preferences by emailing grow@courageousbeing.com.

Is this event suitable for someone who is new to retreats?

Absolutely! Our mini-retreat is designed to be welcoming and accessible for everyone, whether you’re a retreat veteran or a first-timer.

Do I have to participate in the hike, morning movement, and/or workshops?

We encourage you to join us for all portions of the retreat, and especially the circle time, workshops, keynote, and the meals. The emphasis is on recharging, however, so we understand if you choose to relax by yourself instead of joining us for the hike or morning movement practices. The nature and lounge areas in and around the Lodge are splendid. 

What happens if it rains?

The November weather in Columbia River Gorge is typically amazing, but we do have a beautiful indoor space available full time, so the entirety of the event will go on rain or shine.

Is there a dress code?

No – come as you are. Comfortable, casual clothing is encouraged, so that you can feel relaxed and at ease. Do bring some hiking clothing (especially shoes), and we also encourage you to bring something you love to wear for our dinners, particularly the Keynote, which will be followed by a mini dance party!

What should I bring to the retreat?

Bring anything you need to feel comfortable outdoors. A pair of comfortable hiking shoes is highly recommended. Layers are a good idea because it can get chilly in the evening. Anything that makes you feel relaxed and comfortable is welcome, like favorite slippers or a relaxing book. That’s it! We’ll provide everything else, including food, drinks, and all necessary materials for activities

Reserving Your Space

You can pay the full retreat price all at once, or send a non-refundable registration deposit to hold your space. Register before due date for early-bird price: make deposit by Sept 1, or pay in full by Oct 1.

Place Your Non-Refundable Deposit ($1,000):

Pay in Full ($2,500 – Early Bird):