In Love with Language & Land:
a seasonal retreat series connecting to land, poetry & community.
This three-part retreat series (join us for one, two or all three!) is an invitation to slow down and listen to Land, to explore language through poetry, and to connect to the quieter wisdom within yourSelf.
Across three weekends in April, June, and September, we gather for two nights each season for meditation, forest walks, poetry, and gentle farm-based land offerings. Each retreat weaves community, land stewardship, and creative expression into a deeply connective experience, supported by nourishing vegetarian meals, guided exploration, and the simple accompaniment of birdsong.
In retreat with Śivani:
Join Śivani and the ‘Niwas team for a delightful weekend of poetry, connection, and getting our hand’s dirty as we listen to land. To learn more about Śivani’s teaching and journey see here.
Join us for 1, 2 or all 3.
April 24 - 26th - Preparing the Ground
June 12 - 14th (With special guest Dr Adam Walker*) - The Love of Language
September 25 - 27th
June Retreat Theme - The Love of Language
Poetry, presence, and expression
Summer calls for expression and connection. In June, we turn our attention to language - how it shapes meaning, relationship, and our sense of belonging. Through meditation, forest walks, poetry practice, and shared discourse, we explore the living nature of words and the ways they connect us to land, to one another, and to ourselves.
With a special contribution with Dr. Adam Walker, whose work centres on the love of language and its capacity to invoke spirit, we continue by moving with attention, curiosity, and care - deepening our relationship with language and with the voices, our own and others’, that shape how we listen, speak, and make meaning and purpose. To know more about Adam, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Come home and disconnect from the business of the world with simple spaces, and delicious food.
Immerse yourself in discussions centred around the “love and craft” of poetry, language, and literature, including a daily writing/contemplation prompt.
Reading Circle - we will have an evening poetry reading where you can share something you have written, or something you simply love written by someone else.
Experiance guided meditations and forest talks at the two standing stone portals.
Integrate the day with sauna and forest showers.
Participation Options:
Participants are welcome to join one retreat or all three. Each gathering stands on its own, while together they form a seasonal arc - moving from preparation, to expression, to harvest. Those who attend the full series are invited into a deeper continuity of practice, community, and relationship with land and language.
Retreating at ‘Niwas Ashram and Retreat Centre
in the heart of the East Kootenay Region, BC, within the unceded territory of Ktunaxa Nation and on the foothills of the Purcell Mountains stands the little retreat centre that everyone affectionately calls “home”.
ARRIVAL AND DEPATURES -
FRIDAY (arrival between 2-3pm in time for 3pm orientation) - Sunday 3pm.
You can drive or fly. If you choose to fly, please fly into Cranbrook Airport. Pick up and drop off can be arranged for $20 each person/each way.
Retreat Investment - $499 CAD + gst or ($1200 CAD + gst for all 3) - includes accommodation and meals.
To register or ask a question please email hello@sivanihowe.ca
Please have April, June or September retreat in the subject. Upon confirmation of your request and space avalible an invoice will be sent to you. Spots are confirmed upon receipt of deposit.
- Please note cc payments incur a 5% processing fee. Wires have a $25 fee.
Please see our T&C for retreats here.
For orientation please click here, and for our waiver please click here.
Remember: WeAre Members receive discounted rates*. (Click here for We*Are info)
* We*are Members are $299+gst per retreat.
More about Dr Adam Walker:
Dr Adam Walker (PhD, Harvard University) is a scholar and educator whose teaching has earned several awards of distinction from the Harvard College Office of Undergraduate Education. As a scholar, his specialty is English Romanticism. As a teacher, he is a "generalist," who teaches everything from Old English to postmodernism. He brings together his love for literature and his expertise as a university instructor.
About Versed~ Community: Dr Walker’s idea for Versed began with two very simple principles: (1) that great poetry should be accessible to everyone; and (2) that poetry is best encountered with other readers. As a first-generation college student, he wanted to make the study of poetry more affordable to readers who, like himself for many years, did not have access to the academy or a community of readers.