Walking the LIGHT Path: December Grief Retreat & Trainings

This December, The Refuge at La Foret is honored to host a multi-layered collaboration with The LIGHT Movement, bringing together individuals, families, and professionals for a transformative week of healing, learning, and embodied practice.

At its heart, this gathering is about creating space for grief — in our bodies, in community, and in our stories — and discovering new ways to move with it. Whether you are seeking personal support, professional training, or a pathway into trauma- and grief-informed yoga teaching, there is a place for you here.

Below you’ll find three tracks that make up the whole LIGHT Retreat experience. All begin together with the Embodying LIGHT Retreat: A Somatic Grief Journey (Dec 5–7), and then branch into specialized trainings for those who wish to go deeper.

Embodying LIGHT Retreat: A Somatic Grief Journey (Dec 5–7)

This all-ages retreat is designed for individuals and families who want to explore their grief in a supportive, holistic way. Through somatic practices like yoga, breathwork, and movement meditation, along with creative workshops, art, storytelling, and panel conversations, participants are invited to connect with their bodies and each other.

You’ll find:

• Activities for children, teens, and adults

• Workshops led by grief professionals and non-profit partners

• Safe spaces for reflection, resilience, and connection

• Tiered pricing and scholarships to make this weekend accessible

-- [Register for the retreat here]

Beyond Words Training: Somatic Integration of Grief and Trauma (Dec 5–9)

For professionals and community leaders, the retreat extends into a 20-hour advanced training led by internationally recognized teachers Amy Pickett-Williams and Joann Lutz.

This track offers:

• Science of grief, trauma, burnout, and nervous system regulation

• Practical somatic tools: breath techniques, yoga, sound vibration, and acupressure

• Integration of social justice into somatic healing

• CE credits available for a wide range of professionals (counselors, educators, clergy, nurses, and more)

• Certificate of completion for all participants

-- [Register for the training here]

The LIGHT Path Yoga Teacher Training: Trauma & Grief-Informed Yoga (Dec 5–10 + ongoing through Nov 2026)

This extended program is for yoga teachers — or those called to become one — who wish to grow their skills in grief- and trauma-informed practice.

Your journey begins in person this December at La Foret:

• Dec 5–7: Embodying LIGHT Retreat

• Dec 7–9: Beyond Words Training

• Dec 9–10: Specialized YTT Modules

From there, the learning continues virtually through November 2026, with weekly evening sessions and monthly weekend immersions. Participants will complete a 200-hour training plus an additional 100 CE hours, equipping them with the science, somatic practices, and embodied tools to support others in navigating grief and healing trauma.

A few special notes for YTT participants:

• The first 20 hours of training overlap with the CE track (“double dipping” is encouraged!).

• Volunteers with LIGHT can receive $50 off tuition for every hour they serve, making this both a training and a practice in community care.

-- [Register for the YTT track here]

Scholarships & Accessibility

The LIGHT Movement and The Refuge are committed to accessibility. Every track has tiered pricing and additional scholarships available. Cost should not be a barrier to anyone who feels called to this work.

Come As You Are

Grief is tender, complex, and deeply personal. This December, we invite you to join us — whether as an individual, family, professional, or yoga teacher — to move, rest, learn, and heal together.

Register today and take your first step on the LIGHT path.