As the facilitator of this retreat, I am excited to invite you to a unique and transformative retreat designed to help you release the grip of control and embrace the freedom that comes with surrender. This retreat offers an opportunity to reconnect with your true self, reduce stress, and cultivate a sense of peace and balance in your life.

Why Release Control?

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the need to control every aspect of our lives. Yet, research has shown that excessive control often leads to anxiety, burnout, and strained relationships. By learning to release control, we can experience:

  • Reduced Stress & Anxiety: Letting go of the need to micromanage frees up mental space and calms the mind.
  • Improved Relationships: Releasing control fosters trust, compassion, and understanding, allowing deeper connections with others.
  • Increased Creativity & Flow: When we stop trying to control every outcome, we open ourselves to new possibilities and solutions.
  • Emotional Balance: By releasing control, we give ourselves permission to feel and respond authentically, reducing emotional volatility.
  • A Sense of Freedom: Ultimately, letting go of control creates room for spontaneity and joy, helping us live in the present moment.

What to Expect at the Retreat

Throughout this retreat, you’ll participate in guided mindfulness exercises, group discussions, and personal reflection activities designed to help you explore and release your need for control. You’ll also enjoy meditative yoga sessions to help relax your body and mind, fostering greater awareness and flexibility. To further enhance your experience, we will have a professional masseuse available, offering soothing massages that will help release physical tension and promote deep relaxation. When combined, yoga and massage create a holistic approach to releasing control:

  • Physical Relaxation: Yoga stretches and strengthens the body, while massage directly targets muscle groups to relieve tension.
  • Mental Relaxation: Both practices foster relaxation through breathing techniques and mindfulness, which reduces mental stress and encourages the release of rigid, controlling thoughts.
  • Emotional and Psychological Relief: Together, yoga and massage provide a deep sense of emotional release, allowing individuals to confront and let go of limiting beliefs, control-related anxiety, and stress.

You will leave feeling rejuvenated, empowered, and equipped with tools to maintain inner peace and release control amidst life’s challenges.

About the Facilitator: Jazmin Guy

As a licensed mental health therapist with expertise in both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and integrative healing practices, my approach is centered on supporting individuals in achieving mental, emotional, and physical well-being. I blend evidence-based therapeutic techniques with holistic modalities to help you create lasting change, heal from past experiences, and cultivate a greater sense of inner balance.

With a background in five years of practice, I work with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and life transitions. I use CBT to help clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns, build healthier coping strategies, and develop practical solutions for overcoming life’s challenges. In addition, I incorporate holistic methods such as mindfulness, energy healing, meditation, and aromatherapy to address the root causes of emotional distress and promote deep healing on all levels—body, mind, and spirit.

I believe that true healing requires a holistic approach that honors the connection between the mind, emotions, and body. By combining the best of modern psychology with ancient healing traditions, I empower clients to find clarity, improve self-awareness, and develop a deeper connection to their inner wisdom. Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, heal from trauma, manage difficult emotions, or simply feel more balanced, I offer personalized therapy and coaching sessions designed to support your journey to optimal well-being.

Retreat Schedule

Day 1: Understanding Control and the Journey to Release

Morning Session:
Welcome & Intention Setting (1 hour). Opening circle to introduce the retreat, set personal intentions, and create a safe space. Brief discussion: What does control mean to you? Guided mindfulness exercise to center and ground participants.
Workshop: “The Roots of Control” (1.5 hours). Explore the psychological, emotional, and social origins of control issues. How control shows up in our lives: perfectionism, anxiety, relationships, etc. Understanding the difference between healthy control (self-discipline) vs. unhealthy control (micromanaging, fear-based behaviors).
A slower-paced Restorative Yoga (1 hour): A restorative practice with plenty of props, such as bolsters and blankets, to support deep relaxation. Focus on releasing physical and mental tension.

Afternoon Session:
Group Reflection & Sharing (1 hour): Participants will share personal stories and experiences of how control has impacted their lives.
Exercise: Releasing the Grip (1 hour). Guided journaling activity: When have you felt the need to control? What is the fear behind it? Participants reflect on moments when they held onto control too tightly and what they learned from it.
Relaxation Activity: Mindful Body Scan & Stretching (30 mins). Grounding practices to relax and release physical tension.
Therapeutic Massage (30 mins): Schedule each participant for a 30-minute soothing massage. This can be an opportunity to let go of physical tension, and release any emotions stored in the body.

Evening Session:
Group Sharing (1 hour): Share key insights from the day’s workshop and activities. Discuss challenges participants anticipate in releasing control and fears that arise.
Guided Meditation: Releasing Control (30 mins). A meditation session focused on letting go and trusting the flow of life.

Day 2: Tools for Letting Go and Cultivating Trust

Morning Session:
Workshop: “The Power of Surrender: Letting Go of Control” (1.5 hours). Introduction to the practice of surrendering control in daily life. Tools to cope with uncertainty, anxiety, and fear of loss of control. Teaching self-compassion, trust-building, and embracing vulnerability.
Partner Work: Trust-Building Exercises (1 hour). Participants pair up to engage in simple trust-building activities (e.g., guided trust fall, sharing fears, letting go of a personal item). Focus on practicing letting go of expectations and allowing others to show up for them.

Afternoon Session:
Creative Expression: Art or Journaling Session (1 hour). Guided exercise where participants create an art piece or journal about their relationship with control. What does control look like to you? What would it feel like to let go?
Group Reflection & Circle Sharing (1 hour). Reflection on the exercises and how participants are feeling about letting go. Share realizations and personal growth in a supportive, non-judgmental environment.
Closing Session: Letting Go Ritual (30 mins). A symbolic ritual where each participant writes down what they want to release (fear, anxiety, perfectionism) and then safely burns or releases it (e.g., by throwing it into a fire, tossing it into water, or tearing it up). Each person shares one intention or affirmation for embracing flow and trust in the future.
Final Meditation & Group Reflection (1 hour): Final meditation on surrendering control and trusting life’s unfolding. Closing circle where each participant shares their experience and sets intentions for the future.

Registration and Lodging

The retreat cost is $333. Lodging is a suggested $60/night per person in addition to the program fee. Financial support is available on a first-come, first-served basis (click here for more information).

To register, first reach out to Jazmin via email (click here), or by phone at 269-218-0013. Once you have registered and paid for the program with Jazmin, contact GilChrist to reserve your cabin using the online registration form (or by calling the main office at 269-244-1130 with any questions). More details regarding cabin logistics will be provided via email upon registration. See the complete GilChrist FAQs for more information about the facility.

Space is limited! Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your relationship with yourself and others. I am honored to support you on this journey to healing.