Unmasked retreat was a profound and transformative four-day experience for me. For the first time, I created a mask representing a shadow part of myself and brought her to life through performance. As someone with a background in dance, performance and mask making, I was surprised by how vulnerable this felt. The final performance was one of the most raw and intense experiences I’ve ever had on stage.

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Through this process, I touched deep childhood wounds that I felt ready to face and begin healing. It took time to integrate everything afterward, but I can now see how this experience helped me move through certain patterns in my relationship. I’m experiencing a meaningful shift with my partner—feeling more connected, more open, and more appreciative of what we have.

 

There was also so much beauty and play throughout the retreat. I loved the exercises inspired by clown school, being in nature, and the process of dancing and embodying seven colors and then painting them. Exploring how to take the stage and connect with an audience while staying connected to my own body was especially valuable to me.

 

I deeply appreciated Esther’s wisdom, her insights into the organs through the lens of Chinese medicine, and her ability to hold the group with grace, warmth, and a smile. Witnessing the other women’s expression, vulnerability, authenticity, and depth was moving, and I’m grateful for the connections we made.

 

Even the meals felt like part of the care woven into the retreat. The nourishing food Esther cooked for us, and the time we spent gathering around the table, brought such sweetness to the experience.

 

I left with a deeper understanding of myself and an experience that continues to unfold in my everyday life. Thank you, Esther, for holding a space where so much of me could be felt, expressed, and seen.