ROOTED IN
Movement
A R T O F S T I L L N E S S I N F L O W
>> Lee Holden
2025 Winter
Issue 004
Dream it.
Lead it. Live it.
There’s a rhythm to this issue
— one that hums beneath every story.
You’ll feel it in the pages that follow: the
pulse of a drum in Ghana, the hiss of
steam from a Finnish sauna, the slow
exhale of a forest in Japan. It’s the
rhythm of belonging — that ancient
reminder that, wherever we go, we are
still connected.
When we first began shaping Traditions Without
Borders, I wanted to explore what happens when
we carry ritual across time zones and oceans. What
happens when a traveler lights a candle in a strange
kitchen, or a retreat leader borrows an ancient
practice with reverence instead of appropriation? What
happens when we realize that tradition isn’t static,
but alive and breathing through us, changing with us,
moving wherever we move?
I’ve spent more than thirty years living and working
around the world — writing books from beaches in Fiji,
cafes in Florence, forests in New Zealand. The longer
I travel, the more I’ve learned that true sustainability
isn’t just about where we plant our feet, but how we
show up. Every place has its heartbeat, its rituals, its
way of remembering what matters.
When we slow down enough to listen,
we don’t just visit a culture… we let it
transform us.
In these pages, you’ll meet writers,
retreat leaders, and artists who are
reimagining what tradition means.
You’ll step into kitchens in Costa Rica
and Cleveland, walk mist-covered volcanic paths in
the Azores, feel the echo of soul food Sundays and
the hush of ritual circles in New Zealand. Together,
these stories remind us that heritage isn’t a passport
stamp. It’s a practice — one that can be renewed
wherever we are.
So as you read, I invite you to pause. Light something
small — a candle, a memory, a curiosity — and ask
yourself: What rituals are you carrying forward? Which
ones are ready to evolve?
Because tradition isn’t about holding on to what was.
It’s about listening for what’s ready to begin again.
Here’s to the stories that keep moving and to the magic
that connects us all, without borders.
new spark
Stillness is the
Amy Civica | Bryony Catherine Rogers | Cassandra Shuck |
Catherine Kontos | Charlotte Tweed | Crystal Adair-Benning
Denise Ropp | Eugenia Pantahos | Gina Malavassi | Kara James
Kristina Bucaram | Kylon Colinet | Teresa Xhale |
Tiffany Nicole Tharpe
DISCLAIMER: The content in RetreatBoss Magazine is for informational purposes only. The
views expressed by contributing authors, interviewees, and advertisers are their own and do
not necessarily reflect those of RetreatBoss. We do not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of
any advice, opinions, or services mentioned. Readers should conduct their own research before
making decisions based on the content within this publication.
R Magazine is more than a publication, it’s a gateway to transformation,
cultural immersion, and holistic well-being. Designed for retreat
seekers and those drawn to travel, self-discovery, and personal
growth, R Magazine brings the retreat experience to life through
inspiring stories, expert insights, and curated recommendations
that explore the world’s most transformative retreats, wellness
practices, and cultural experiences. It also serves as a trusted
resource for retreat leaders, facilitators, and wellness entrepreneurs,
offering industry trends, strategies, and success stories to support
those shaping the future of retreats. More than a magazine, R is
a movement—bridging the gap between seekers and creators,
fostering a global community where well-being, exploration, and
purpose thrive.
Contributing Writers
OUR MISSION
Crystal Adair-Benning
Editor In Chief
Fritz Colinet
Creative Marketing Director
Retna Media
Layout Design
linkedin.com/in/catherinekontos
linkedin.com/in/fritzcolinet
linkedin.com/company/retna-media
linkedin.com/in/crystaladairbenning
Founder
Catherine Kontos
Contents
Table of
FE AT URE
46
Rooted In
Movement
12
Why Rituals Still
Rule Retreats
Kara James
33
Christmas
Champagne Punch
24
Gathered in
Grace
Tiffany Nicole Tharpe
18
Heart and
Healing
Bryony Catherine Rogers
30
Greece: A Dream
Destination
Eugenia Pantahos
22
Costa Rican
Tamales
Gina Malavassi
28
Holiday Travel
Like a Pro
Kylon Colinet
53
RetreatBoss Magazine
Music
Playlist
58
Food As Light In
The Dark
Amy Civica
38
Keeping Traditions
Alive Abroad
Charlotte Tweed
34
Redesigning
Rituals
Denise Ropp
46
Rooted in
Movement
Catherine Kontos
54
Traditions
Reimagined
Crystal Adair-Benning
37
Traditions
Without Borders
Cassandra Shuck
42
Terceira Where
Time Slows
Teresa Xhale
64
FullyRaw
Coconut Ceviche
Kristina Bucaram
60
Beyond the
Itinerary
ft: Sahara Rose De Vore
66
DeCoding the
Jerk In You
ft: Jennifer K. Hill
12
Rituals Still Rule Retreats
Why
PICTURE THIS:
A group huddled around a campfire centuries ago, swapping
stories, breaking bread, and reconnecting with what matters.
ast forward to today, a group gathered in a
boardroom (or a beachside villa), journals open,
energy buzzing, waiting for the retreat leader to
guide them into reflection.
Different setting, same human instinct. We’ve always had
rituals of gathering. Retreats are simply today’s version of
sitting around the fire, a modern way to slow down, reflect,
and share experiences that strengthen connection.
And here’s the overlooked truth: rituals aren’t just warm
and fuzzy traditions. They’re growth strategies in disguise.
Rituals Build Connection Across Borders
13
“leaders who design intentional
rituals, not just schedules,
create experiences people want
to come back to...”
Every culture has them, from Japanese tea ceremonies to Irish
storytelling nights. Rituals create a shared rhythm that dissolves
differences and builds community.
In a retreat setting, the same thing happens. Whether it’s a
morning check-in circle, a shared meal, or a closing ceremony,
those repeated practices transform strangers into community.
And community is what makes retreats not just memorable, but
meaningful.
Retreat leaders who design intentional rituals, not just schedules,
create experiences people want to come back to (and bring friends).
That’s retention and word-of-mouth at its finest.
Rituals Create Predictability (and Predictability Creates
Trust)
» Think about the rituals you expect in everyday life:
» Singing “Happy Birthday” before cake.
» Watching fireworks on the Fourth of July (if you’re American)
Even the small act of clinking glasses before a toast.
When rituals are missing, it feels…off. The same goes for retreats.
Guests may not articulate it, but they crave that sense of rhythm:
the morning meditation, the evening reflection, the consistent way
sessions start and end.
Predictability doesn’t mean boring, it means trust. And in business,
trust is the currency that grows everything else.
14
3 Rituals to Elevate Your Retreat
1. The Arrival Ritual
Don’t just hand guests a welcome packet. Think
candles, music, or a small symbolic gesture that says:
You’ve crossed into something special.
2. The Connection Ritual
Build in a consistent way for attendees to share — a
morning circle, a gratitude practice, or even a nightly
toast. These create bonds that outlast the retreat.
3. The Re-Entry Ritual
The end matters as much as the beginning. Send
attendees home with a closing ceremony and a follow-
up touchpoint that keeps the momentum alive.
Because let’s be honest: the best retreats aren’t remembered
for the snacks or the swag bags - they’re remembered for the
rituals that made people feel something.
The Growth Rituals Behind the Scenes
Growth has its own rituals too, and retreat leaders who treat
them as sacred see results.
Three I recommend:
1. The Follow-Up Ritual
Within 48 hours of a retreat, reach out personally
to every attendee. Not a mass email, a thoughtful
touchpoint that says, “I saw you, and I want to keep
supporting you.”
2. The Reflection Ritual
Every quarter, set aside time to review your numbers,
your client feedback, and your own energy. What’s
working? What needs to shift? Business without
reflection is just running in circles.
3. The Celebration Ritual
Too many leaders skip this one. Celebrate wins with
your team, your clients, and yourself. When growth
becomes a tradition, momentum follows.
These rituals aren’t glamorous, but neither is brushing your
teeth. Both keep things healthy.
Modern Retreats, Ancient Wisdom
At the end of the day, running a retreat is about more than
logistics, marketing, or even location. It’s about carrying forward
something ancient: the ritual of gathering, sharing, and creating
meaning together.
When you weave rituals into your retreat design and into your
business operations, you’re not just building a brand. You’re
creating a legacy.
So the next time you light candles at a welcome dinner, pass a
talking stick during a workshop, or open your laptop for your
Friday business review, remember: these aren’t small habits.
They’re rituals. And rituals still rule retreats.
VIEW THEIR FULL PROFILE ON RETREATMATCH.COM ------
Kara James is the founder of Elevate Growth
Consulting, where she helps service-based business
owners streamline operations and implement
customized solutions for business growth. With
expertise in automation, messaging, and offer
creation, she helps her clients build systems that
make running a retreat business smooth and successful.
15
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Reads
Bold Leaders
for
Top
18
Ritual as a Path to
Transformation
Heart &
Healing
or more than twenty-seven
years, I have lived and
worked at the crossroads
of ceremony, sound, and
leadership. My own journey began at
the Findhorn Foundation in Northern
Scotland, a spiritual community
nestled between sea and sky,
where I first led group song circles,
meditations, and the Transformation
Game. Those early gatherings, people
coming together to sing, listen, and
breathe as one, revealed something
profound: ritual isn’t a relic. It is
a living, practical way to awaken,
connect, and create real change.
Rooted Lineages and
Living Craft
My practice rests on a simple, enduring
foundation — Celtic tradition, a love
of the human voice, and a deep
respect for the rhythms of the Earth.
I grew up with a mother who planted
woodlands and celebrated the
turning of the year: solstices marked
by firelight, equinoxes by song, long
evenings under the Lancashire sky.
That inheritance is more than
nostalgia; it is a compass. It guides
how I create and hold space today
through retreats, circles, and
ceremonies that blend song, silence,
and story into one shared language.
Rooted Lineages and
Living Craft
20
Over the years, I
have trained in voice
facilitation, sounding,
energy healing, and
coaching, weaving
these disciplines into
a unified approach to
transformation. The
result is a practice
where art, structure,
and depth meet.
Where ritual becomes
not just sacred, but
accessible.
Equinox, Eclipse, and the Moment
of Alignment
Ritual, at its heart, is rhythm. The
steady drumbeat beneath our changing
lives. Three of my most meaningful
retreat experiences have centered on
the Equinox: the moment of balance
between light and dark.
In these gatherings, the voice becomes
both instrument and medicine.
Participants enter a field of shared
resonance, where stillness supports
insight and collective sound opens the
heart. Guided song, mindful movement,
and embodied presence replace
performance with connection.
In 2025, something extraordinary
happened. The timing of my Equinox
retreats aligned with both a lunar and
a partial solar eclipse. I hadn’t planned
it that way but as the celestial patterns
revealed themselves, I understood the
synchronicity. Each retreat became a
container for reset: a symbolic and literal
illumination of what had been hidden.
Participants described the experience
as a turning point. A recalibration of
purpose and energy that continued
long after they returned home. In
truth, that’s what ritual does. It reminds
us that transformation isn’t always a
breakthrough. Sometimes it’s a slow
unfolding, a softening toward what’s
next.
The Quiet
Architecture
of Ritual
A well-led ritual is the quiet engine
of transformation. It doesn’t rely on
spectacle. It relies on attention.
Retreats should focus on three pillars:
listening, safety, and presence.
» Listening allows what’s needed to
emerge. The human voice, whether
sung or spoken, becomes a guide
carrying emotion, story, and release.
» Safety ensures that every participant
can meet themselves fully. Clear
boundaries, consent, and optional
participation create trust.
» Presence transforms a group of
individuals into a community. When
intention is shared and attention
deepens, ritual becomes a vessel
for collective healing.
The elements may vary — song,
movement, silence, or firelight — but
the structure remains constant: open
with reverence, move with awareness,
close with gratitude. That rhythm, once
established, helps participants feel
anchored even as they step into the
unknown.
The Language of Space and Sound
I prefer retreating in places that breathe:
near the sea, within woodlands, or in
interiors that calm the senses. Every
setting becomes part of the ceremony,
chosen not for luxury but for resonance.
Sound is the thread that runs through
it all. The human voice raw, imperfect,
and unguarded is a sacred instrument.
It vibrates emotion into the body,
transforms fear into frequency, and
calls the soul forward. In that sound,
belonging begins.
Through song, breath, and shared
silence, participants remember that
ritual is not about belief. It’s about
embodiment. The work is sensory, not
conceptual. Touch, tone, scent, sight,
and movement combine to make
meaning tangible.
When done well, ritual feels both
ancient and immediate: a remembering
of something you never learned, yet
have always known.
Tradition and Transformation
Rituals, at their best, balance lineage
with innovation. They honor the wisdom
that came before while allowing space
for modern expression.
My own work draws from Celtic and
Earth-centered traditions, shaped by
21
VIEW THEIR FULL PROFILE ON RETREATMATCH.COM --------
Bryony Catherine Rogers is a Voice Empowerment
Coach, Sound and Energy Alchemist, and award-
winning poet. She leads high-frequency voice-centered
retreats in the UK and New Zealand, guiding women
toward authentic expression, grounded wellness, and
embodied transformation.
what I’ve learned in Māori settings in New Zealand and from
the Natural Voice Singing community. But the truest teachers
are always the participants — the women who arrive open,
curious, and courageous, bringing their own stories to the
circle.
Each retreat becomes a living thread in a larger tapestry of
healing bridging ancient practices with contemporary needs.
The emphasis is never on perfection, but on participation:
showing up, being seen, being heard.
When Ritual Becomes Renewal
One of the most rewarding parts of retreat hosting is
witnessing how ritual continues to ripple outward. After
retreats, participants often share how a single weekend
reshaped their sense of self.
One woman wrote, “The weekend of our retreat was a game-
changer. I returned to the challenges and joys of life feeling
renewed, revitalized, and resourced. The vocal practices
help me orient toward joy, ease, and fulfillment — every
single day.”
It’s in those moments that I’m reminded: transformation
doesn’t need to be dramatic to be profound. The change that
lasts is usually the one that hums quietly beneath the surface.
Ritual as Invitation
Ritual helps us heal old wounds and imagine new futures. It
invites us to listen deeply to the Earth, to each other, to the
voice within that says, begin again.
Every ceremony is, in essence, a map guiding participants
through transition, honoring lineage, and helping them find
clarity and courage to move forward.
Stepping into a retreat space is already an act of intention.
It says to the universe: I am ready to change. I am willing to
grow.
Ritual focuses that intention. It amplifies it. And in doing so, it
reminds us that transformation is not something bestowed.
It’s something remembered.
When we gather in sound and stillness, when we honor what
is sacred in ourselves and each other, we participate in one
of humanity’s oldest and most powerful traditions.
We remember that healing is not a moment. It’s a rhythm
and it’s one we were all born to sing.
22
TAMALES
Costa Rican
A Custom of Generosity, Family, and Tradition