Wellness and Healing Retreat Program

Contenū understands the emotional impact a serious illness can play in the life of a patient and their caregiver. This retreat is designed for anyone with a serious illness, a caregiver of someone with a serious illness, or a healthcare professional, however, this specific retreat will focus on those with a cancer diagnosis or a caregiver of someone with a cancer diagnosis.

Our retreat is designed to bring rejuvenation and life to the mundane day. Our attendees are given a chance to interact with others in a safe environment, while creating a fun atmosphere for which to relieve stress in our attendees. During the retreat, you will be surrounded by medical professionals offering support, encouragement and tips for living life in a new way. The guest speaker, Dr. Beth Kitchin, will talk at during lunch about the role of nutrition in your healing journey.

We hope you can join us for a full-filled day of activities and community. This retreat will focus on health and wellness activities for the person with a serious illness, and their caregivers, with the aim of giving attendees a space to refresh, recharge, and relax.

Retreat Programming

Come and enjoy a day of health and wellness that include activities such as the following: (activities and programming are subject to change)

• Get Rhythm! with John Scalici: John facilitates high energy, empowering, and experiential therapeutic drumming programs for all types of individuals and groups. His passion lies in empowering others through an interactive rhythm experience.
• The Well Jar with Anne Lathan: Anne will provide delicious and healthy fruit-based popsicles (and share the recipes) during the hot Alabama day!
• Healing through Art with UAB Arts in Medicine (AIM): AIM brings an integrated approach to the healing process that addresses the needs of the whole person – mind, body, and spirit. Join the team in the following activities: (1) Story Circles – listening to a story in a shared group experience, (2) Listening Poet sessions help reduce burnout and enhance self-healing, and (3) an easy, small craft project that you can take home with you.
• Looking for a new way to move? Have you ever wanted to hula hoop but have been unsuccessful? Or have you always loved feeling like a kid inside a hula hoop? Join Robbie Lewis with Hoop for Fitness for a low-intensity Beginning Hoop Dance Class that will get you moving! Learn on and off-body moves using a larger, weighted fitness hoop designed specifically for you. Build coordination, flexibility, balance, and personality! The hoops are provided for class.
• Chair Yoga & Meditation: Enjoy the mindfulness practices of gentle chair yoga, breathwork, and meditation. These sessions are an opportunity to help alleviate the isolation that caregivers and those living with chronic illness often feel – to help reduce stress, depression, and anxiety by practicing some self-kindness and compassion. Each session will consist of gentle movements to help build strength, flexibility, and – perhaps most importantly – inner calm. Sessions are appropriate for all levels of physical ability and will involve movements seated in a chair and standing with support of the chair as needed.
• Massage Therapy will be available!: This is a gentle treatment that involves skilled touch to muscles and connective tissues. It promotes reduced tension to support healthy blood, better muscle function, and it decreases tension and pain. Massage is also good for mental health. People living with dementia often experience a heightened stress response which can lead to anxiety and depression. Evidence shows that massage therapy is an effective, non-drug treatment to lower stress levels and promote a sense of safety and general wellbeing.
• Spend some time on a leisurely boat ride on Lake Martin to relax or enjoy a session on fruit farming and gardening on the farm with the team from New Water Farms.