CHICAGO, IL
Soften & Receive:
A One-Day Yoga & Mental Health Retreat
THE DEETS:
SATURDAY, 2.8.25 | 10 AM - 6 PM
📍ALTAR Community
2518 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
EARLY BIRD TICKET: $200 (limited availability, valid thru 12.31.24)
STANDARD TICKET: $230
RETREAT SCHEDULE:
10:00 am - 10:15 am Check In + Workshop Sign Up (first come, first serve)
10:15 am - 10:45 am Opening Ceremony
10:45 am - 11:45 am Gentle Morning Flow + Energizing Breathwork
12:00 Pm - 1:30 pm WORKSHOP 1
A: The Compassionate Self: Exploring Inner Harmony Through Yoga & Therapeutic Approaches
B: Essential Oils & The Nervous System: Science and Stress Release
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Lunch (plant-based) + Playtime
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Embody Yoga: Practices for Mental & Emotional Healing Info Session
2:45 pm - 4:15 pm WORKSHOP 2
A: Somatic Resourcing: Unlocking Your Body’s Wisdom
B: Essential Oils & The Nervous System: Science and Stress Release
4:30 pm - 5:15 pm Sound Bath
5:30 pm - 6:00 pm Closing Ceremony
What's included:
✔️ All-levels morning flow + breathwork
✔️ Two specialty workshops that prioritize your mental health
✔️ Sound bath
✔️ A customized essential oil roller (for those participating in the Essential Oils & Nervous System workshop)
✔️ Plant-based lunch and hot tea available throughout the day
✔️ Access to licensed mental health professionals & private processing rooms
✔️ Welcome bag with wellness goodies and exclusive discounts to continue your yoga practice
✔️ Yoga mat rental
✔️ A community of like-hearted individuals that prioritize mental wellness
Meet Your Space Holders
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Emma Weissburg
RETREAT HOST, RYT-500
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Madeleine Brown
ESSENTIAL OIL EDUCATOR, RYT-500
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Bianca Rivera
LCSW, RYT-200
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Kelsey Weissburg
LSW, SENSORIMOTOR PSYCHOTHERAPY LEVEL I CERTIFIED
A note from your host ~
Hi there— I’m Emma! I’m a 500HR registered yoga teacher, trained on the sacred island of O’ahu, Hawai’i, dedicated to sharing deeply transformative practices that nurture your mental, emotional, and energetic well-being.
Yoga, beyond its physical benefits, offers profound opportunities to care for your mental health. It’s a powerful tool to add to your self-care toolkit, guiding you back to your most authentic self time and time again.
In combination with mental health frameworks, such as Internal Family Systems (IFS) and somatic experiencing, the Soften & Receive retreat offers a non-judgmental, supportive space where participants can explore their inner ecosystem with curiosity and compassion.
Led by a dedicated team of yoga instructors and licensed mental health professionals, this retreat is grounded in the belief that well-being stems from both personal care AND community support. Our hope is to create an accessible opportunity for participants to experience the healing power of yoga retreats — without needing to invest thousands of dollars or travel to faraway destinations.
Participants will explore mental health practices, discover new tools for nervous system regulation, and deepen their yoga practice. Through experiential workshops, mindful movement accessible to all bodies, and meaningful conversation, we aim to build a more connected community that prioritizes mental wellness.
We live in a society that tells us to do more to be more. This retreat is a radical opportunity to shift out of hustle culture and grant yourself permission to soften, receive, and embrace yourself exactly as you are.
It would be an honor to hold space for you on this sacred day of collective healing.
With gratitude,
Emma
RETREAT HOST, RYT-500
FAQs
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Yes, a plant-based lunch is included in the ticket price. Hot tea will also be available throughout the day. Please bring your own snacks to supplement your fuel.
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Totally okay! No prior experience is necessary.
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Yes! Be sure to sign up for one of the “Essential Oils & the Nervous System” workshops to make your own roller.
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We will have designated “Processing Rooms” available throughout the day. These are private, closed-door spaces available for you to take a moment to yourself. Our licensed therapists will also be available to support you if you prefer to process with a professional.
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All good with us. It’s a lot to be around people for a full day, and we get that. We will have a designated Zen Space where you can chill and space out until you feel ready to join the programming again.
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Yes! Please be sure to register for the retreat with the recipient’s name & email.
Workshop
Line-Up:
The Compassionate Self: Exploring Inner Harmony Through Yoga & Therapeutic Approaches
This interactive workshop led by Bianca Rivera (LCSW, RYT-200) and Emma Weissburg (RYT-500) invites you to step into the role of the compassionate and curious observer. We utilize Internal Family Systems (IFS), a psychotherapeutic model, to explore and nurture the different “parts” of your inner self such as your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. By understanding the roles of these parts, you’ll learn how to harmonize interactions between them, creating a greater sense of inner alignment and ease.
In this workshop you will:
Explore your Big Self and small self
Learn about the principles of Internal family Systems (IFS) therapy and how it can enhance your yoga practice on and off the mat (and vice-versa)
Engage in reflective exercises and discussion
Be guided through a “get to know your parts” meditation
DISCLAIMER: This workshop is designed for personal growth and is not a substitute for therapy. If you are managing severe mental health conditions (e.g., active paranoia or delusions), consult your provider before participating.
Essential Oils & the Nervous System: Science and Stress Relief
“Essential Oils & the Nervous System: Science and Stress Relief” explores the connection between essential oils and the nervous system, led by Madeleine Brown (RYT-500). In this workshop, you will learn the basics of the nervous system and discover the science behind how essential oils can help regulate the body’s stress response and promote emotional balance. You will learn how essential oils interact with the nervous system to reduce stress, enhance relaxation, and improve mental clarity. You’ll also have the chance to create your own personalized essential oil blend tailored to your needs, and leave with the knowledge and tools to incorporate essential oils into your daily wellness routine.
Somatic Resourcing: Unlocking Your Body’s Wisdom
“Somatic Resourcing: Unlocking Your Body’s Wisdom” is an empowering workshop led by Kelsey Weissburg (LSW), exploring the deep connection between our bodies and our mental and emotional well-being. Together, we’ll uncover how the body holds experiences from the past and access the unique insights it offers. Through mindfulness and somatic practices, we’ll experiment with posture, movement, and awareness to understand how emotions and thoughts manifest physically and learn practical ways to resource ourselves. This workshop will help you reconnect with your body as a source of strength, balance, and self-understanding.
Questions?
Contact Emma at emmaweissburgyoga@gmail.com
Meghan S.
“I felt super comfortable and at ease with Emma almost immediately. She was clear about the intention and focus of our time together, and led with compassion. The space was inclusive, safe, and provided a sense of comfort to explore the divine feminine.”
Kelsey J.
“I’m so glad I got to experience Emma’s teaching! Emma is amazing! I seriously felt an emotional release during one of the poses. I love what Emma said about how our bodies communicate with us through sensations and not words so we have to become aware.”
OUR PARTNERS