The art of unwinding
A Fall Retreat of Yoga, Pottery, Poetry, and Presence
October 23-25, 2027
Hosted by Becky Eschenroeder and Holly Zajur, we invite you to retreat with us in a safe, quiet space to rest, write, and play with clay surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. We’ve designed this intimate gathering to help you slow down and reconnect with nature, with your creative fire, and with the truest parts of yourself.
WHAT?
3-day, 2-night restorative immersion in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Root into the body: Begin each day with grounding yoga practices designed to open your heart, release tension, and prime your creative channels.
Clay Play: Through tactile pottery sessions, Holly will guide you into the meditative art of working with clay, learning to shape, soften, and let go while making tiny talismans.
Voice & Vision (Poetry & Journaling): Through guided journaling, poetry circles, and reflective prompts, Tara will help you excavate your inner landscapes, using language as a mirror for the soul. Poetry teaches us to listen closely—to what aches, what blooms, and what longs to be spoken.
Nourishing the vessel: Enjoy beautifully prepared meals that nourish both body and spirit, shared around the table in community.
Between sessions, you’ll have time to rest in hammocks, wander nature trails, warm in the sauna, plunge into cold water, or simply be.
WHY?
Do you feel stuck or blocked from your creativity? Drained or unmotivated? Are you looking for new hobbies, outlets for expression, or your creative community? Or are you just looking for more play and adventure in your life?
This retreat is designed to help you integrate creative wellness into your daily rhythm. Once you learn to see life as a creative practice, you’ll leave with tools and insights for emotional regulation, reconnect with your inner child, and cultivating resilience.
WHO is this for?
This retreat is for you if…
You are craving a soft landing place to unplug and reflect.
You long to reconnect with your creative fire.
You are navigating transition, grief, growth, or becoming.
You desire honest connection and sacred community.
You miss yourself.
You do not need to be an “experienced” artist, writer, or yogi to join. You simply need a willingness to show up exactly as you are—ready to play, feel, create, and listen.
WHEN?
Friday, October 23- Sunday, October 25, 2027
Check in is 3pm on Friday, February 13 and check out is 11am on Wednesday, February 18
WHERE?
Hosted at Wunderland Resort, an eco-adventure resort 30 min from downtown Asheville, NC. Wunderland Resort offers eco-adventure experiences & wellness amenities in the Blue Ridge Mountains. From fire-lit evenings to grounding trails, every nook and cranny is designed to inspire, and restore mind, body, and spirit. All guests have access to our wellness amenities that includes a sauna, refrigerated cold plunge & outdoor shower.
To get here: Wunderland is approximately half an hour east of Asheville, NC.
If you will be flying into the area, the closest airport is Asheville, NC (AVL). Wunderland is approximately 30 minutes from this airport.
Other nearby airports are Greenville, SC (GSP; ~1.5 hours) and Charlotte, NC (CLT; ~1.5-2 hours)
You will need to arrange your own transportation to Wunderland from the airport.
HOW & HOW MUCH?
To sign up, please fill out this questionnaire.
We will email you once your form has been reviewed and once confirmed you will have 24 hours to submit your payment via Venmo or Zelle.
Early bird pricing (through 9/23/26)
Single Cabin/Glamping Tent: $1148 (after early bird $1238)
Double Cabin/Glamping Tent: $808 (after early bird $888)
Camping Spot (pitch your own tent): $648 (after early bird $728)
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Daily lunch and dinner
Shared lodging or a tent camping spot
Gathering in circle with community
All-levels yoga practices
Guided meditations
Pottery workshops and clay instruction with Holly
Poetry circles and creative writing prompts
Journaling and reflective inquiry
Group discussion and authentic connection
Forest bathing walks
Spacious integration time
Sauna and cold plunge
Coffee, tea, water, and light snacks
Select materials and resources for continued creative exploration
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Airfare/Transportation
Gratuities for facilitators
Any additional nourishment
Any camping supplies
“My retreat with Holly and Preston was truly unforgettable. They were warm, inviting, and naturally gifted at creating a supportive space. We all left feeling deeply nourished by incredible food, nature, adventure, and a beautiful sense of community. It was the perfect blend of fun and meaningful inner work. I found myself looking forward to waking up each morning to meditate and journal on the yoga deck—practices I’m excited to carry into my everyday life.”
- Waves of Creativity 2025 Participant
Meet your Hosts
Holly Zajur
Holly is your creative wellness sidekick! A wellness educator, potter, and host of the How The Wise One Grows podcast, Holly has spent a lifetime exploring the intersection of art and healing. After discovering the transformative power of creativity and yoga during her own healing journey, she has spent the last 12 years sharing these practices.
Currently pursuing her Masters in Mental Health Counseling at William & Mary, Holly’s work is rooted in the belief that creativity is essential not just for artists, but for anyone navigating change, building something meaningful, or learning to trust themselves more fully. She believes that through creation, we reimagine what is possible, cultivate resilience, and build a more compassionate, connected world. As a Lebanese-Mexican-American woman, Holly is deeply honored to return to these roots and explore the vibrant art, nature, and culture of Oaxaca with you.
Tara Eschenroeder
Preston Slaughter is a retreat leader, educator, photographer, and founder of Richmond-based nonprofit L.O.C.A.L. Adventures, where she helps youth explore mindfulness, creativity, and connection to the outdoors. As a Wilderness First Responder, she has completed numerous multi-day wilderness trips, including leading a 23-day expedition down the Grand Canyon, and has spent years exploring remote landscapes on foot, skis, and river. Her teaching style blends calm, grounded leadership with playful curiosity, creating spaces where people feel safe, seen, and inspired to explore their edges.
This Oaxaca retreat marks her 12th retreat and second international experience, reflecting her passion for creating spaces where people can slow down, reconnect with themselves, and build practical toolkits for stress management, breath awareness, creative expression, and mind-body connection. She is also the co-founder of AWAKEN Retreats, a yoga and backcountry adventure retreat company. She enjoys paddling, biking and hiking in the James River Park System.
🌈 Imagine Your Day 💭
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Each day begins with optional guided meditation and journaling, followed by movement practices.
Think: automatic writing prompts and creative visualization techniques.
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You’ll be treated to three nourishing and balanced meals prepared by a private chef.
Think: ceviche, mole, and tuna carnitas tacos
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Everything is optional.
You will always have the option to unwind and recharge in your own way, whether you choose to rest, explore the beach, or immerse yourself in the culture of Oaxaca.
For those looking for more adventure, optional excursions will be available.
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We will gather daily for creative practices designed to awaken and ignite your inner artist.
Think: water colors in nature and black clay pottery
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1. What’s included in the retreat?
The retreat includes 6 days and 5 nights of accommodation at El Triángulo, 3 meals a day prepared by a private chef, daily guided meditation and movement practices, and creative workshops. Please see the What’s Included section of the website for the full rundown.2. Is this retreat suitable for beginners or people who aren’t “artistic”?
Absolutely! Whether you’re a seasoned artist or someone who’s just beginning to explore creativity, this retreat is designed for all levels.3. What if I don’t have any experience with mindfulness or yoga?
No problem! Our mindfulness and yoga practices are designed to meet the needs of the group.4. What kind of accommodation can I expect?
El Triángulo is designed to be as low impact on the environment as possible. There is no air conditioning, but there are very good fans and a nice breeze, and weather in February is very moderate.
Water is precious in Mazunte, for that reason we are using dry composting toilets. One composting toilet can save approximately 6600 gallons of water a year. Hot water comes from solar powered heaters.
5. What should I bring?
A full packing list will be provided for all participants.6. What is the weather like?
In February, Mazunte is warm and dry. The sun is very strong during the day but the temperatures will drop slightly at night, comfortable for sleeping. Average daily highs are in the 80s and lows in the 70s.
7. Can I come solo?
Yes! This retreat is a wonderful opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and build meaningful relationships while also taking time for yourself.8. Accessibility?
El Triángulo is at the top of a very steep hill with uneven terrain. With that being said, there is an option to drive straight to the door of the retreat center and once you are there, it is relatively flat ground. If you have questions about accessibility please reach out to us directly. -
Listen to your intuition. Trust yourself to know what is right for you. And if you have questions, we are here to help.
You don’t need to be “creative” to join.
It’s okay to need rest. Everything is optional.
The Oaxacan culture is unmatched. You will experience vibrant art, tasty food, and rugged coastlines.
Waves of Creativity retreats offer a unique community of like-minded creatives to support and cheer you on.
It’s okay to come without expectations. Allow yourself to let go of the pressure to “achieve” a specific outcome during the retreat.
If you're still unsure, take a moment to ask yourself: What could this experience unlock for me? Whether it’s creativity, inner peace, or a sense of community, sometimes stepping into the unknown is the first step.
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Oaxaca is a state on the Southern Pacific Coast of Mexico. It is known for its capital city, Oaxaca City. We highly recommend visiting Oaxaca City before or after the retreat if you are able. The entire state is covered with hidden gems of exquisite nature. Fun fact: all Mezcal originates from the state of Oaxaca.
We will be staying in Mazunte, a small beach town along the coast of Oaxaca, about a 5 hour drive from Oaxaca City.
Mazunte is a backpackers paradise with tons of cute coffee shops, local vendors, and restaurants. It small town along a string of beautiful coastal towns.
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Full refunds (but for the $600 non-refundable deposit) are available before August 1, 2026. Cancellation requests must be sent to holly@connect-wellness.com by August 1, 2026.
Any cancellation request made after August 1, 2026 cannot be accommodated for any reason.
**We highly recommend travelers insurance through Allianz for your trip to cover emergency medical, baggage delay, travel delay, trip cancellation, etc. Please use this link and agency ID: F214808 when booking and let Holly know if you have any questions.
“I loved everything about this retreat. The flow of the days was the perfect balance of activity, movement, art, and spaciousness. I loved that everything was optional, so I could create the schedule that felt best for me each day. Holly and Preston are intuitive space-holders and worked together beautifully. Trying different types of art, adventures, and movement each day was so freeing and powerful. I would 10000% do this retreat again.”
- Waves of Creativity retreat participant, Kelsey