Awaken the Stories Within

What stories are held within your body, waiting to be spoken? During this transformative six-day immersive retreat at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, you'll discover how the wisdom of somatic practice and creative expression can unlock narratives that shape your life. Led by Lisa Weinert, founder of Narrative Healing, this healing workshop weaves together gentle movement, breathwork, trauma-informed mindfulness, and contemplative writing to help you access stories buried beneath conscious awareness. Rather than beginning with pen and paper, you'll start with your body itself—learning to recognize how untold narratives live in your breath, posture, and the way you move through the world.

This is not a typical writing workshop. Weinert's unique background as a publicist, editor, and yoga therapist converges with cutting-edge research in narrative medicine to create a container where healing and creative expression become inseparable. You'll practice wholehearted listening within community, develop a sustainable writing practice rooted in embodied awareness, and learn why the stories we tell ourselves matter—not just as creative endeavors, but as pathways to wholeness. Throughout the week, trauma-informed practices ensure you move at your own pace, honoring what arises without pressure to perform or produce.

On Thursday, special guest Jamia Wilson—an acclaimed writer and activist—joins the program, bringing additional perspective and inspiration to the collective journey. By the retreat's end, you'll return home not only with newfound writing skills, but with a deeper relationship to your own narrative power and the transformative potential of embodied storytelling.

What to Expect

This six-day healing workshop integrates structured daily practices: gentle somatic movement, guided breathing exercises, and mindfulness meditation create the foundation. From this grounded place, you'll engage with creative writing prompts designed to access stories held in the body rather than the thinking mind. Small group discussions, dyadic listening practices, and community circles build meaningful connection while you witness and are witnessed by fellow seekers. Lisa Weinert offers personalized guidance rooted in both healing wisdom and literary craft, helping you recognize patterns in how you speak about yourself and your life. The atmosphere balances gentle accountability with spaciousness—there's no "right way" to do this work. You'll leave with practical tools for a writing practice you can sustain, a clearer understanding of your own narrative patterns, and the felt sense that your stories matter.

Venue & Logistics

The retreat takes place at Omega Institute, a renowned healing and education center in Rhinebeck, NY, nestled in the Hudson Valley. The program runs for six full days (August 16–21, 2026). Wear comfortable, layered clothing suitable for gentle movement practice. Omega provides accommodations and vegetarian meals on-site. If you have accessibility needs or questions, contact Omega directly when registering.