THE SOFTENING : An Embodied IFS Retreat for Healing Blame, Shame & the Inner Critic

Tuesday 21 July (6pm) - Friday 24 July (3pm) 
Little Earth, EarthSpirit Centre (near Glastonbury) TA11 6PE
Plus post-retreat online integration call: Thursday 20 August 6.30–8.30pm

Join Ruth Culver for this experiential retreat at the charming Little Earth Centre near Glastonbury, to explore shame, blame and the inner critic through Embodied IFS processes.

Specifically designed to help you listen deeply, and to be with your inner system with care, space, and skilled guidance, we'll use practices that support healing and connection, within a beautiful landscape that naturally invites ease, natural connection and gentle reflection.

Ruth's unique Drawing into Self method is a highly accessible yet profound approach that integrates Internal Family Systems with 'spontaneous scribbling' — a wonderfully liberating and calming way to discover and work with parts in our system.  No artistic talent is needed, or even desirable — this has nothing to do with art!  It helps us deepen connection and trust in ourselves and the wisdom of the body, and is also a wonderful method for working with your parts alone, so you will take home a skill for continued connection afterwards.

If you're seeking personal insights and healing, this retreat provides a compassionate environment for deeper self-understanding. We will also be supported by the magnifying power of the collective, to witness, validate and support as we share, digest and reflect in growing community, far beyond what one-to-one work can achieve. 

The retreat is intentionally limited to just 12 participants to allow for meaningful relationships and individualised attention, therefore early booking is recommended.

POST RETREAT SUPPORT
Following the retreat, you’ll be invited a Zoom integration circle held one month after the retreat to help you deepen and integrate your experience. This will take place on Thursday 20 August 6.30–8.30pm BST

WHO IS THIS RETREAT FOR?

This is deep-dive experiential (not a training) suitable for anyone who wants to explore their parts around blame, shame and the inner critic.  

• Participants are asked to have some familiarity with IFS, eg through personal therapy, IFS courses, books or podcasts.
• If you haven't worked with Ruth before, she will schedule a short Zoom conversation with you in order to meet in advance and answer questions.
• This retreat is not suitable for people who are in acute situations or undergoing psychiatric treatment. In joining you are making your own personal assessment that you can take emotional care of yourself.
• You are advised to schedule 1-2 gentle days after the retreat ends to digest and integrate your experience. You might also want to schedule an integration session with a therapist or bodyworker during the following week.

Ruth aims to actively work from a place of anti-oppression, cultural/neural/gender-diversity affirmation, and to uphold inclusivity, confidentiality and safety within her workshops.

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Little Earth offers a range of accommodation to suit various budgets and tastes, from single ensuite rooms to caravans in the garden and serviced glamping. (Click on each option underlined below for photos.)

Single ensuite:
Underneath Little Earth or in the adjacent Summer House 
Single: £1100 / Twin £850

Standard single:
Tynedale Caravan OR The Green Room : Single £900 / Twin £750 
Luna Delta Caravan : Single £800 
Use the nearby Little Earth shared bathroom. Tynedale Caravan has its own toilet.

Glamping:
Spacious furnished bell tent and yurt, with electricity. Camping field has hot showers and compost toilet (or use Little Earth bathroom). 
£850 single / Twin £700

Own Campervan:
The camping field has hot showers and compost toilets, plus there is the option to use the bathroom in Little Earth. 
£650

EARLY BIRD OFFER
£100 reduction on all prices if booked by 31 January

Cost includes home-cooked vegetarian meals, refreshments and three nights accommodation.
Vegan/gluten-free available at an additional fee of £10
Other special diets available (subject to confirmation) at an additional fee of £20

BIPOC SCHOLARSHIPS

As part of my commitment to being a better ally, I extend a warm welcome to people from the global majority, and aim for my workshops to be both inclusive and diverse. There are two BIPOC scholarships available for this retreat, offering a £150 welcome discount on your ticket price. To apply, simply tick the box at checkout. 

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

• £150 non-refundable deposit payable on booking
  
• 2nd payment 28 March, final balance due 14 May
• Early Bird and/or BIPOC reduction are deducted from the balance payment. 

DRAFT RETREAT SCHEDULE

Tuesday
6.00pm - arrivals
6.00pm - supper
7.00pm - opening circle
9.00pm - optional yoga nidra

Wednesday
7.30am - optional TRE*
8.30am - breakfast
9.30am - workshop
1.00pm - lunch
2.00pm - free time
4.00pm - workshop
6.00pm - supper
7.00pm - workshop
8.30pm - optional social

Thursday
7.30am - optional TRE*
8.30am - breakfast
9.30am - workshop
1.00pm - lunch
2.00pm - free time
4.00pm - workshop 
6.00pm - supper
7.00pm - workshop
8.30pm - optional social

Friday
7.30am - optional morning movement
8.30am - breakfast
9.30am - workshop
12.30pm - lunch
1.30pm - final circle
3.00pm - departures

Ruth will be assisted by a small team of IFS-trained professionals, including Rachael Culver Dodds, who will be offering IFS-informed TRE* sessions.

ABOUT RUTH CULVER

Ruth Culver is Certified and Level 3 trained in IFS, and specialises in somatic and creative integrations. She offers experiential workshops and trainings both online and in-person, and also works individually with adolescents and adults in Brighton (UK).

Her interest in trauma, attachment and resilience led to the creation of the The Survive/Thrive Spiral infographic, which maps together IFS and Polyvagal Theory. It is used by mental health professionals and individuals across the globe, and can be downloaded free from her website in a wide range of languages.

Ruth has also devised two other IFS integrations: Drawing into Self: a method for doing IFS though guided intuitive drawing, and IFS Constellations: a method for doing IFS through the somatic group resonance process of constellations.

Ruth has been a guest on a number of podcasts including IFS Talks and The One Inside, and has been published in The International Journal of Trauma. She is currently creating a certified training course for Drawing into Self. 

TESTIMONIALS

“Ruth is an amazing IFS practitioner and human being. She is so skilled at what she does and brings love, kindness, patience, clarity and humour to her workshops. More than highly recommended."

"Ruth cultivated a heart opening, safe bubble where magical healing ensued. I highly recommend her workshops to anyone who is looking for a transformative experience."

"I have just attended one of Ruth Culver's residential courses. It was a profound, intensely moving and healing experience. Ruth's compassion and professionalism was truly awesome to observe as she held a safe space for the group to work."

"Having just attended one of Ruth’s residential courses, all I can say is WOW. Not only is Ruth professional, but she is so incredibly insightful and knowledgeable bringing such warmth, kindness and an almost magical knowing."

THE VENUE

Address: EarthSpirit, Peak Lane, Compton Dundon, TA11 6PE

Little Earth is part of the much-loved EarthSpirit Centre — a unique, award-winning venue (Sustainable Business of the Year). 

Set in beautiful surroundings, and known for its peace and tranquility, the centre's wild garden is home to rare orchids and surrounded by rolling Somerset countryside, with walks from the doorstep and views to Glastonbury Tor (well worth visiting before the retreat begins).

EarthSpirit is well known for its tasty and nourishing home-cooked food, prepared by the in-house chef.

TRAVEL

For detailed travel options via plane, train, bus and car, see https://www.earthspirit-centre.co.uk/getting-here-1

TRAIN: The nearest train station is Castle Cary (25min drive to EarthSpirit)

CAR: We will be in touch about ride shares when possible, in order to respect the environment.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS

If the event has to be cancelled by us you are entitled to a full refund. Please allow 7 days for admin and bank transfer.

UNTIL 45 DAYS BEFORE

• A refund is available, less £150 non-refundable deposit.

LESS THAN 45 DAYS BEFORE

• If the event is sold out, we can put your ticket back on sale and will issue a refund if it sells (less £150 non-refundable deposit).

We highly recommend your taking out your own travel insurance in case you are unwell and unable to attend, or in case the event has to be cancelled.