Nature-based & Soul-centric
With Dr. Stéphanie Marchal and Sarah Frizelle
August 2026 in Victoria, BC
Presence with Breath, Body, Emotions, and Thoughts with Greater Clarity and Kindness
This 5 days course offers a supportive and enchanted diving into mindfulness meditation in the context of the natural world, with guides Stéphanie Marchal and Sarah Frizelle, both accredited Wild Mind Practitioners (Animas Valley Institute graduates), and long-time meditators. Together, we will explore how to be present with our breath, body, emotions, and thoughts with greater clarity and kindness, while becoming aware of our deeper motivation and support.
Each day will include guided practices, teachings, and time for questions and reflection. You’ll learn foundational skills such as:
- coming into the present moment
- seeing things as they are
- working skillfully with emotions
- cultivating compassion and a wise, steady heart
- allowing yourself to be held by nature and the World
We also explore how mindfulness can support us in meeting the challenges of our lives—and the world—with greater awareness and care .
Some sessions will include time outdoors, inviting the natural world—sounds, sights, and quiet sitting—to support and deepen our practice as well as deeper explorations of our relationship with nature.
This is a fully catered retreat. We’ll oscillate between formal sitting practices, nature centred mindfulness experiences, some deeper invitation to connect to wilderness and there will be some mindful work times in the kitchen or garden (about 90 min a day).
Please contact us for more information.
About the Leaders
Stéphanie Marchal
Dr. Stéphanie Marchal is a wilderness personal guide, and studied with Animas Valley Institute and Francis Weller among others. She works with people toward recovering their wholeness, uncovering their gifts, and applying these in their lives and for the good of their community. She has experienced wilderness as a powerful ally in these tasks.
She is also a registered psychologist working in Victoria, BC. Her practice focuses on relationships, attachment, trans-generational trauma and transitions/transformations.
Sarah Frizelle
Sarah Frizelle is a counselor in private practice in Victoria BC who offers wholistic counselling to individuals, couples and families. She has worked with individuals in roles of educator, psychotherapist and wilderness guide for over 25 years, sometimes combining all three roles in nature-based therapy or eco-psychology with individuals and groups.
Sarah works to support positive personal, family and cultural level changes. She embraces transformative learning and is dedicated to unleash the creative gifts and potential of people to heal and transform, in support of creativity, collaboration and innovation.
They take care to light the path
Stephanie and Sarah are skilled guides who are offering a journey into one’s wild psyche that is not to be missed. They take care to light the path, yet are not afraid to let you wander yourself as you discover the gifts which await. A truly important offering at this critical time in our collective human story.
~ Participant: T. J.