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SPICE: Spiritual Program for Individual and Couple Empowerment


  • Spirit in the Desert 7415 E Elbow Bend Carefree United States (map)

SPICE: Spiritual Program for Individual and Couple Empowerment

A one-of-a-kind research-based, spiritual empowerment program that utilizes mindfulness, neuroscience, storytelling, and experiential exercises to infuse more calm, health, and joy in your relationships and in the world.

The Spiritual Program for Individual and Couple Empowerment (SPICE) Retreat is for individuals and couples seeking more meaning and purpose in their lives and relationships. Whether you’re floundering, fine, or fabulous, SPICE aims to bring you to the next level.

SPICE will inspire an attitude of non-judgment, curiosity, and open-heartedness as a means toward healthier relational interactions and connections. Through intention, attention, and attitude, individuals will be better able to cultivate acceptance of self and others, and a sense of relational empowerment and strength can blossom. 

Each lesson will include an introduction, guided practice, neuroscience section, storytelling, experiential activity, and a summary. This will be an interactive workshop. For example, there will be time for movement and stretching during each lesson and regular breaks.

Mindfulness practices, neuroscientific teaching, narrative storytelling, and experiential exercises that are specifically related to the areas of Faith, Family, Forgiveness, Fitness, Food, Finances, and Fun will be utilized.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, December 9

  • 3:00p Check In

  • 5:30p Dinner

  • 6:30p Spirituality and Mindfulness – What do the terms mean for you? Learn their significance and power to change your life and relationships.

  • Break

  • 7:45p Faith – Learn why faith in yourself is essential to your well-being, and how it impacts your faith in other people.

Saturday, December 10

  • 7:00a Yoga (optional)

  • 8:00a Breakfast

  • 9:00a Family – Learn the importance of social connectedness and come to embrace a mindset of interconnectedness with the greater world.

  • Break

  • 10:45p Forgiveness – Discover how forgiveness benefits your mental and physical health, and its healing powers for your relationship.

  • 12:00p Lunch

  • 1:00p Fitness -This lesson will focus on the numerous health benefits of movement and proper rest.

    • Following this lesson, you will enjoy 30 minutes of quiet time to explore the beautiful grounds

  • 3:00p Food – Mindful eating will be taught in this lesson, and we will engage in a mindful eating exercise.

  • 5:30p Dinner

  • 7:00p Evening Social, snacks provided

Sunday, December 11

  • 8:00a Breakfast and Check Out

  • 9:00a Finances – Mindful spending and money management practices will be promoted, and my favorite story of all stories will be shared.

  • Break

  • 10:45a Fun – Solidify the weekend learnings with lessons related to the importance of play, including play in the bedroom, and engage in a fun, creative activity with your partner.

  • 12:00p Lunch

COST

Price per person:

  • One person, private room : $415 per person

  • Two people, two in a room : $350 per person

  • Three people, three in a room : $300 per person

  • Four people, four in a room : $280 per person

  • Commuter, includes meals w/o room : $245 per person

Price includes: Three days of programming, two nights lodging and 6 meals (2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners). Guests may arrange with Spirit in the Desert to arrive early and depart late for an extra fee.

All are welcome to this Desert Sojourn Retreat at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, Arizona!

Juliene “Julie” Lemon, PhD, LMHC is the owner of Cedar Rapids Therapy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and the creator of the Spiritual Program for Individual and Couple Empowerment (SPICE), a relationship education program. She’s a constant seeker of all things well-being and a believer that relational satisfaction is the key to health and “The Good Life.” She’s been a practicing mental health counselor for over two decades and completed her PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy. Julie strives to share her experience and knowledge to bring greater wellness to individuals, couples, families, and the greater world.