RECEIVE: A Restorative Retreat for Mind, Body & Nervous System
Slow down. Rest deeply. Reconnect with yourself.
You spend much of your life giving.
Giving your time. Giving your attention. Giving your energy.
And while there’s beauty in that, it can be easy to forget that you need care, too.
So much of your life is spent caring for others. This weekend is an opportunity to experience what it feels like to be cared for.
This restorative nervous system retreat is an invitation to step away from the demands of daily life and remember what it feels like to receive, rest, and be nourished.
You’ll learn practical ways to better understand and support your nervous system while creating space for reflection, restoration, and deeper self-care.
Whether you’re seeking renewal, greater clarity, or permission to slow down, this weekend offers a space to reconnect with yourself and return home feeling refreshed and more grounded.
You don’t have to be burned out to give yourself a pause.
You may be someone others count on. You’re thoughtful, caring, and self-aware, but sometimes your own needs get pushed to the bottom of the list.
RECEIVE may be especially meaningful if you:
- Give easily, but find receiving surprisingly difficult
- Are tired of always pushing through
- Often know what everyone else needs before you know what you need
- Long to feel more grounded, connected, and at home in your body
- Crave meaningful conversation, time in nature, and space to simply be
- Want to make more room for your own needs
Held by Nature
Nestled in the peaceful beauty of the North Georgia mountains, approximately 90 miles north of Atlanta, Elohee provides a beautiful setting to slow down and settle into a gentler rhythm.
Early April is one of the most beautiful times of year here. The mountains come alive with fresh colors, everything is bursting with new life, birdsong returns, and everywhere you look the landscape invites renewal.
Imagine beginning each morning with mountain stillness. Walking forest trails beneath blooming dogwoods. Sharing leisurely meals around the table. Journaling with a warm cup of tea. Gathering around the fire as evening settles in. Ending the day with practices that invite your nervous system to unwind.
For a few days, you get to step away from the pace and demands of everyday life and let nature become part of your restorative retreat experience.
A Restorative Weekend
The rhythm of the retreat is intentionally spacious, creating room for your nervous system to settle, soften, and restore.
Delicious, nourishing meals will be prepared for you throughout the weekend, giving you one less thing to plan, manage, or think about. You can simply sit down, enjoy your meal, and receive.
You won’t be rushed. You won’t be over-scheduled. You won’t be asked to push beyond your limits.
You’ll have opportunities to learn, practice, connect, and reflect, but also spacious free time. Saturday afternoon is intentionally yours. You might hike Elohee’s beautiful spring trails, linger over a cup of tea, or schedule a massage or Reiki session. Or you might simply enjoy the luxury of having nowhere else to be.
For one weekend, you don’t have to carry so much. You get to simply arrive and allow yourself to receive.
A New Way of Relating to Yourself
Through accessible nervous system education grounded in Polyvagal Theory and gentle experiential practices, you’ll learn to better understand your responses to life and meet yourself with greater awareness, compassion, and care.
By the end of the weekend, you’ll leave with:
A deeper understanding of how your nervous system responds to everyday stress
Greater awareness of what your body needs to feel grounded, calm, and connected
Increased self-trust and confidence in responding to life’s inevitable stressors with steadiness and self-compassion
More capacity to notice moments of joy, peace, awe, and connection in everyday life
Your Weekend at RECEIVE
A weekend with room to breathe.
Schedule subject to change.
Friday
- 3:00 – 4:00 pmArrival and check-in
- 5:00 – 5:45 pmWelcome and connect, opening
- 6:00 – 7:00 pmDinner
- 7:30 – 8:30 pmCommunity circle and intention setting
- 8:30 – 9:00 pmEvening Deep Rest practice
Saturday
- 7:00 – 7:45 amSunrise meditation, gentle pranayama, and grounding morning movement
- 8:00 – 9:00 amBreakfast
- 9:30 – 11:00 amUnderstanding Your Nervous System
- 11:00 – 11:30 amEmbodiment practice
- 12:00 – 1:00 pmLunch
- 1:00 – 4:00 pmFree timeHiking, resting, journaling, massage, Reiki, or simply being.
- 4:00 – 5:30 pmResponding to Your Nervous System’s Needs
- 6:00 – 7:00 pmDinner
- 7:00 – 8:30 pmFire circle
- 8:30 – 9:00 pmEvening Deep Rest practice
Sunday
- 7:00 – 7:45 amSunrise meditation, gentle pranayama, and grounding morning movement
- 8:00 – 9:00 amBreakfast
- 9:30 – 11:00 amIntegration and closing
- 11:00 – 11:15 amGroup picture
- 11:15 am – 12:00 pmSelf-care time and packing
- 12:00 – 1:00 pmLunch
- 1:00 – 2:00 pmDeparture
Everything is optional and you are encouraged to listen to your own body, energy, and inner guidance throughout the weekend.
Why I Created RECEIVE
Over the years, I’ve watched so many thoughtful, caring, self-aware people struggle with making space for themselves.
They know they need rest. They may even know a lot about self-care. And yet, slowing down can feel so difficult when there’s always something else to do, someone else to care for, or something that feels more important.
I’ve also seen what can happen when people finally step away from the demands of everyday life. With space to breathe, reflect, rest, and reconnect, they often begin to hear themselves more clearly and notice what their bodies have been trying to tell them.
I’ve seen how powerful it can be simply to have the time and space to come back to yourself.
I’ve experienced this in my own life, too.
I’ve always felt most connected to myself in nature. That connection took on new meaning for me in the summer of 2020.
It was just before school was about to start again after the initial COVID shutdowns. So much uncertainty was in the air, and everyone seemed to be carrying a heightened level of stress. During that same time period, I was deeply immersed in studying Polyvagal Theory and learning more about how our nervous systems respond to our environments.
We were invited to stay with friends at their home on Mobile Bay.
And almost as soon as I arrived at the water, I noticed something happening in my body.
My nervous system began to settle. The tension I had been carrying for months began to soften within moments. My breath deepened. I felt myself exhale in a way I hadn’t even realized I needed.
I wasn’t thinking my way into relaxation. My body was responding to the environment around me.
That experience changed the way I thought about rest, not simply as something we do when we’re tired, but as something our bodies can experience when we have the right conditions.
Years later, I experienced that same sense of settling when I came to Elohee.
I attended a retreat here in 2025, and I remember noticing that shift almost immediately as I drove into the mountains. As the road narrowed and the landscape changed, I could feel myself beginning to settle before I even arrived. That experience was part of what made me know I wanted to bring RECEIVE to Elohee.
My work with nervous system awareness and Polyvagal Theory has given me a powerful lens for understanding experiences like these. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with me?” we can begin asking:
“What’s happening in my nervous system, and what might I need right now?”
That shift can bring greater curiosity, compassion, and self-trust.
That’s what I want to offer through RECEIVE, a weekend where you learn about the nervous system, and an experience where you have the space to notice and support your own nervous system in real time.
A place to learn, breathe, move, rest, connect, spend time in nature, enjoy nourishing meals, and experience what it feels like to have fewer demands placed on you.
That’s why I created RECEIVE. And that’s why Elohee felt like the right place to bring it to life.
RECEIVE is an invitation to step away for a little while, to let yourself be cared for, reconnect with yourself, and remember what it feels like to receive.
Your Retreat Includes
- Two nights of accommodations at Elohee Retreat Center
- All retreat meals, from dinner on Friday through lunch on Sunday
- Practical, experiential nervous system education grounded in Polyvagal Theory
- Guided mindfulness, gentle breathwork, restorative movement, embodiment practices, and Yoga Nidra
- Community circles, meaningful conversation, and a fire gathering for reflection and renewal
- Spacious free time to hike Elohee’s beautiful trails, visit the tea house and gift shop, enjoy a massage or Reiki session, journal, or simply rest
No previous experience with yoga or meditation is necessary. This retreat is trauma-informed and designed to meet you where you are. All offerings are invitations and you’re encouraged to honor your body’s wisdom, your energy, and your unique needs throughout the weekend.
Not included
- Transportation to and from Elohee
- Optional massage or Reiki sessions
- Personal expenses
Investment
Space is intentionally limited so that the retreat can remain intimate and spacious.
All prices are per person and include two nights of accommodations, retreat meals, and all RECEIVE retreat experiences.
Early registration: save $75 when you register by October 31, 2026.
Choose the accommodation that feels right for you:
For double-occupancy accommodations, each guest registers separately.
A 40% deposit is due at the time of registration. The remaining balance is due two weeks before the retreat.
Registration, payment, accommodation selection, and dietary information are handled through Elohee’s secure registration system.
Please review Elohee’s registration and cancellation policy before completing your registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I’m nervous about coming?
It’s completely normal to feel a little nervous, especially if you’re coming alone or this is a new experience for you.
You don’t need to arrive knowing anyone, feeling comfortable with retreats, or knowing exactly what to expect. My intention is to create a warm, welcoming environment where you can settle in at your own pace.
Can I come by myself?
Absolutely. You do not need to bring a friend or know anyone else attending.
In fact, coming on your own can create a beautiful opportunity to step outside of your usual roles and simply experience the retreat for yourself.
Do I need to have experience with yoga or meditation?
No. All practices are accessible and offered as invitations. You can participate at the level that feels right for your body and your experience.
Do I have to participate in everything?
No. There is no expectation that you participate in every activity. Rest, solitude, and unstructured time are part of the retreat. You’re encouraged to listen to your body and your own inner guidance throughout the weekend.
What if I need alone time?
That’s completely okay. The spaciousness of the retreat is intentional. During free time, you might hike, journal, have tea, explore the property, rest in your room, or simply enjoy being somewhere beautiful without needing to accomplish anything.
You are welcome to take the space you need.
Optional massage or Reiki services can be booked separately through Elohee.
Is this group therapy?
No. RECEIVE is a retreat, not group psychotherapy. There will be opportunities for meaningful conversation, reflection, and connection, but this is not a therapy group and you will never be expected to share anything you don’t want to share.
Is this for women only?
No. RECEIVE is open to people of all genders, and everyone is welcome.
What if I have dietary restrictions?
Elohee can accommodate most dietary restrictions. You’ll provide your dietary information during registration.
What should I wear?
Comfortable, casual clothing that allows you to move, rest, and spend time outdoors.
Bring layers for cool spring mornings and evenings, comfortable walking shoes, and anything that helps you feel cozy.
Will there be Wi-Fi or television at Elohee?
Elohee is intentionally designed as a place to unplug. There are no televisions or Wi-Fi at the retreat center. Reliable cell service is available through AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.
What are the accommodations like?
Elohee offers several comfortable accommodation options, including private rooms with shared or private bathrooms, as well as double-occupancy rooms with either two twin beds or one king bed. You’ll choose your preferred accommodation when you register.
How does registration work?
When you’re ready to reserve your place, you’ll click the registration button on this page and be taken to Elohee’s secure registration page.
Elohee handles registration, payment, accommodation selection, and dietary information.
You don’t have to wait until you’re exhausted to rest.
You can decide that it’s time to step away for a little while.
To breathe. To reconnect. To be cared for. To receive.
I’d love to welcome you to RECEIVE.
About Christina
Christina Russell, LPC, has spent nearly 25 years as a psychotherapist helping people reconnect with themselves. A longtime meditation practitioner and yoga teacher, her work blends mindfulness, body-based approaches, neuroscience, and compassionate presence to create restorative experiences that are both grounded and deeply nourishing.