The UNLEASHED Retreat has been postponed because Gwen has been invited to give a TEDx talk in the Dominican Republic shortly after these dates! If you’re interested in being notified when we reschedule, email gwen@gwengordonplay.com 

Let loose, connect deeply, fall in love, and bust a gut as you unleash your playful true nature!

SIGNS THAT IT’S TIME TO UNLEASH:

Are you a slave to your task list? Always trying to achieve something, improve yourself, or get it right? Have you gotten a little spiritually constipated? Does the thought of playing with abandon make you stutter? If so, it’s time to UNLEASH!

By combining improvisational theater, sound, song, movement, new games, and stuff we make up on the spot with spiritual practice you’ll get the chance to bring more play to your spiritual life and more spirit to your play. Together we’ll explore how to:

  • Leave the Proving Ground behind and leap into the boundless freedom of play
  • Shift from the Compass of Oy to the Compass of Joy
  • Follow the “YES!” trail
  • Instigate play when it’s needed
  • Bring play into difficult areas of life
  • Play with the obstacles to play
  • Open to our unbounded, playful true nature

A GLIMPSE OF EARTHRISE RETREAT CENTER

PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA

 

 

“What we are doing here is so important, we better not take it too seriously.” – Suzuki Roshi

 

 

Testimonials

“I loved it. I felt that the material was brilliantly woven through the weekend while using some skillful play activities. Your facilitation was amazing, as well as your natural gift and passion for the topic.”

A. Young

Mediator

“Wow, thank you! Gwen, the weekend was just the beginning of letting down my guards to be totally accepting of myself and others in play. Thanks for modeling spontaneous funness for us all.”

P. Buttner

“I now have a framework that turns all of the universe, all of the world, and all of my daily life challenges into opportunities for play. There is a joy of living inherent in this approach, and it resonates with me on the deepest level.”

J. Chernow

Therapist

“For me the weekend was an intense experiential masterpiece. I only wish we had more time.”

A. Willis

Mother

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to heal myself in this way. I hope you see how majestically you enabled us all to rest in a place of safety and explore inside of loving arms. I will see play and light in new places now. This retreat is something I will never forget.”

A. Ginsberg

HR Director

“I laughed. I cried. It was better than CATS.”

Anonymous

Your Chief Mischief Maker

Gwen Gordon started her career as a mischief maker building Muppets for Sesame Street. After getting her masters degree in philosophy Gwen became obsessed with the evolutionary significance of play and couldn’t stop writing, teaching, and playing about it. She created play programs for the Coaches Training Institute, IDEO, and the Shift Network, joined the faculty at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology and Holy Names University and facilitated retreats at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Kripalu Center and Esalen Institute. She does fearless impressions of pea soup coming to a boil.

 

The UNLEASHED Retreat has been postponed because Gwen has been invited to give a TEDx Talk in the Dominican Republic shortly after these dates! If you’re interested in being notified when we reschedule, email gwen@gwengordonplay.com 

Have some questions? 

WHAT IS THE EARTHRISE RETREAT CENTER?
EarthRise is a beautiful retreat center run by the Institute of Noetic Sciences on 25 acres of golden hills laced with trails. You can walk a labyrinth, soak in a hot tub, enjoy spectacular views. Learn more HERE!

ARE MEALS PROVIDED?
Yes, we’ll have scrumptious meals with options for almost all your dietary restrictions made by the EarthRise chefs. Here’s what they say about their food. “Local ingredients are the inspiration for our cooking and include luscious organic fruits and vegetables, free range poultry, hormone-free meat and dairy products, and extraordinary cheeses. We use organic produce from local farmers and our own permaculture garden whenever possible. Our chef draws upon flavors and techniques from around the world to create a diverse cuisine with alluring flavors.”

HOW ARE THE ROOMS SET UP?
The rooms are simple and comfortable. Unless you request a private room, you will have one wonderful roommate. You can choose your roommate or be delightfully surprised (bring earplugs). You can learn more HERE!

HOW DO I GET THERE?
Petaluma is 1 hour from the SF Airport. If you’re coming from out of town you can get a shuttle to Marin from the airport (for $20) when you land and we’ll arrange a shuttle to the retreat center from there. If you’re driving, we’ll send you directions. It’s easy!

HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL THERE BE?
You’ll have between 8-15 playmates, enough time for each person to get personalized attention and enough playmates for a good (gentle) pillow fight.

WHAT'S THE SCHEDULE?
Here’s a basic schedule. Activies are top secret! 🙂

 

 

Friday

4-6PM Arrival

6:30 Dinner

8:00 – 10:00 Evening program

Saturday

7 – 8 Morning practice

8 – 9 Breakfast

9:15 – 12:00 – Morning program

12:30 – 1:30 – Lunch

1:30 – 2:30 – Free play time

2:30 – 6:00 – Afternoon program

6:00 – 7:30 – Dinner

7:30 – 10:00 Evening Program

Sunday

7 – 8 Morning practice

8 – 9 Breakfast

9:15 – 1:00 – Morning program

1:00 –2:30 – Lunch