Climate Emotions Retreat

You are invited to a day of care and connection that allows us to get in touch with all of our climate feelings in a safe, nurturing environment. There will be gentle outdoor yoga, forest walking, guided meditation, and facilitated discussion that will allow us to share our pain and our wisdom and, above all, show us we’re not alone.

This is for you if . . .

• You sometimes struggle with eco anxiety, grief, anger, despair, or other difficult emotions connected to the climate crisis and its intersecting injustices.
• You find it hard to find the time and space to process these feelings.
• You want to meet other people who share your concerns.

Let's take a break from the demands of our daily lives, and give ourselves the time and space to focus on something bigger, to care for ourselves and each other. While this won’t cure your eco-distress, we’ll validate and explore difficult feelings, practise self-regulating activities, and work on expanding our window of tolerance so that we can remain informed and engaged without being as overwhelmed.

Location: Erin, Ontario, the traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, just over an hour northwest of Toronto. This 25-acre private property has been lovingly stewarded by our hosts for over 30 years and has been a place of both activist organizing and refuge. Whenever I set foot there, my body sighs with happiness. (It’s also a great example of residential solar power and heat pump wizardry.) Our gathering will take place outside, weather permitting, or inside the meeting barn in case of rain. Carpooling may also be available.

Price:This event is by donation. Suggested minimum donation is $30. If that's not realistic for you, that's okay, give what is realistic. After covering our minimal costs, remaining funds will be donated to Indigenous Climate Action, which, among its other great work, helps promote restorative decolonial practices and tools for Indigenous activists.

Accessibility: Unfortunately, this property is not an accessible space. There are a few stairs to the meeting barn, and the bathrooms are not wheelchair accessible. The yoga class will be a gentle class suitable for beginners and can be replaced with more forest time if yoga really isn't your thing. The forest walk is on maintained trails and is over rolling hills.

Food: We'll provide snacks, but please bring your own bagged lunch.

COVID protocols: This event is only open to people with two or more COVID-19 vaccinations. If you're feeling ill before the event, please stay home. Tickets will be fully refunded.

An important note: Our facilitators are not therapists. That being said, the structure and content of these discussions is informed by the work of mental health professionals and other climate psychology experts. If you are in the deep end of climate grief (feelings of doom or despair that prevent you from doing regular daily activities), more support, like a climate-aware therapist, could be essential.

Technology: We’re retreating from the rest of the world, and that includes our phones. We ask all participants to have their phones on silent and out of sight for the day.

We welcome people of all genders, sexualities, racial or cultural identities, and ages to participate. Attending this event indicates an agreement to treat all fellow participants with care and respect.

To keep this group intimate, attendance will be capped at 10 people.

Everything will be done outdoors, weather permitting.

9:30–9:45 Welcome

9:45–11:30 Group discussion: Investigating climate feelings

11:30-12:15 Silent forest walk

12:15-1:00 Lunch

1:00-2:00 Group discussion & reflection: Internal and external activism

2:00-3:00 Yoga & meditation with certified yoga teacher Tamara Grossutti

3:00-4:00 Group discussion & reflection: Imagining a future

4:00-4:30 Closing

“I have attended multiple climate emotion retreats with Jen Knoch and have taken new things from the experience every time. Being in a group of like-minded people who echo your thoughts and anxieties was refreshing and relaxing in a way I did not expect. Even better is hearing about all the amazing ways people are doing their part to make our planet and communities a better place, from small acts of kindness (or rebellion!) to large-scale collective action. Anyone who worries about climate change, eco-politics, and the future of our planet would benefit from this retreat.” — Jessica

“Grateful to have spent a beautiful day among the trees with lovely folks to reflect upon climate change, on the larger forces that perpetuate the problem, and on taking small steps toward big change and re-connection. Consider Jen’s day retreat if you’re grappling with these feelings and want to feel hope.” — Amanda

“I attended this beautiful day retreat in Erin, Ontario, where eight of us got together to share our feelings about the climate emergency. It was the sort of talk session I didn’t know I needed. Hearing other people’s perspectives on the matter, their hopes and fears and dreams, is something we don’t do enough in person these days, especially in a world where big tech is introducing even more ways to distance ourselves from each other.” — Ashley

"Thank you so much for hosting a rejuvenating retreat on that gorgeous September day. I appreciated the open, gentle and generous energy you helped foster that day. It left me feeling very warm, inspired and cared for." — Samantha

Also check out other Health & Wellness events in Erin, Workshops in Erin.