Our Origin Story: From The Giving Tree to The Giving Retreat
Many of us grew up with The Giving Tree, a simple story about love, giving, and devotion. As adults, we also see its shadow: a giver who gives until nothing is left. The Giving Retreat is the next chapter of that story. Here, we reimagine giving as a circle, not a sacrifice.
The Grown-Up Giving Tree
In The Giving Tree, the tree:
- Gives without limits
- Is never replenished
- Love is one-directional
- Ends depleted
At The Giving Retreat, we:
- Give from fullness
- Are continuously regenerated
- Let giving move in a circle
- Ensure no one is left empty
This is not the story of giving and going and burning out until you disappear. This is the story of giving because you are rooted, nourished, and whole.
The Giving Retreat
For each retreat participant, The Giving Retreat makes a $50CAD donation to a local initiative in our retreat destination and $50CAD to a Canadian women’s charity, supporting both the participant and women beyond the retreat.
In yoga, giving back isn’t extra, it’s foundational. Seva, or selfless service, has always been part of the practice. Each retreat includes a seva component in our host communities.
Giving Retreat Process
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Movement (daily yoga, pilates and somatic movement)
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Witnessed experiences (photoshoots, ceremonies, storytelling, magic)
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Mindfulness (meditation, breathwork, silence)
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Integration (Journalling, sharing, connecting)
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Purpose beyond self
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Embodied giving
Sacred Journeys,
Shared Healing
Every journey you take with us flows directly into the healing of others. We focus on retreats with built-in impact.
Santa Catalina, Panama
Ontario Wellness & Writing Retreat Fall 2027
THE IMPACT
$50CAD from each retreat fee is donated to Ovarian Cancer Canada, which provides support, resources and advocacy to the 3,000 people diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in Canada. Locally, $50 will be donated to and supporting nearby women's initiatives, providing supplies for a local school and volunteering for beach clean up!
THE IMPACT
$100CAD from each retreat fee is donated by The Giving Retreat to Interval House, which supports vulnerable youth and women in Muskoka. This retreat will include a bestselling author guest host to provide writing coaching, workshops and empathy in the process!
The Giving Retreat Muse
"Ashley’s Costa Rica retreat was honestly transformational. It felt magical in a way that’s hard to put into words. From the moment we stepped off the plane to the moment we returned home, every detail was thoughtfully handled and curated. As a busy mother, it was such an intentional gift to carve out time just for myself. Not having to think about cooking, cleaning, scheduling, or logistics allowed me to truly exhale. I felt completely taken care of, which is something I rarely allow myself to experience.
The setting was absolutely stunning, and Ashley’s teaching style is grounded, intuitive, and deeply supportive. I loved the 1:1 session with her. It added such personal depth to the experience. The yoga she guided us through, from vinyasa to yin and even pilates, brought variety to the week and days, while the generous free time gave space to rest and integrate. She also wove in so much lightness and fun, which made the whole experience feel balanced and alive. Most of all, I cherished the connection, both with Ashley and with the incredible women there. The sense of community felt authentic and nourishing.
Recovering from cancer, it was important for me to feel safe in my body and in the space around me, and I truly did. There was no pressure to be anything other than exactly who I was in that moment. Ashley creates an environment where you can show up as you are, be held with care, and gently reconnect with yourself. It was healing in ways I didn’t fully anticipate, and I will always be grateful for that time and for the incredible few days that she created, with her heart at the core of it. "
- Sarah, Ottawa