Journey Inn
Retreats

Couples MassageMeditationOther WorkshopsHosting Your Group

 

Our active, demanding lives have us in a spin. Performing our many roles of employee, employer, partner, parent, and others we may easily forget that there is more to life. How can we have so much, yet feel so tired and empty?

 

 

We need antidotes to our extreme busyness, rest stops to restore ourselves to review and enhance our lives. Participation in a retreat is one such detour from our fast lane. John Huffaker and Charlene Torchia create, organize and lead workshops that include themes and teachings of our natural world, personality, creativity and many others.

 

The Artist's Way Class Series

Julia Cameron's popular, inspirational book, The Artist's Way, gives creatively blocked people hope and help for freeing their creativity. For some people, though, completing the book's 12-week program alone is a daunting prospect. They buy the book, but never start or finish the work. The author recommends participation in a supportive group as a way to approach this challenging, rewarding work.

The purpose of these classes is to provide consistent support and encouragement for doing the work of The Artist's Way. The group meets every four weeks at Journey Inn, one three hour meeting for each four sections of the book and an initial orientation session. The facilitator will be a guide, sharing his and others' experiences of working with The Artist's Way. See our Calendar for the latest schedule of upcoming groups.

Facilitator: John Huffaker, M.A., is a Licensed Psychologist and Life Direction Coach in practice for over 25 years. He has completed The Artist's Way with his own group and has facilitated many The Artist's Way support groups. As a counselor and coach, John helps people clarify and realize personal and professional dreams and goals. His creative interests include photography and writing.

Other Workshops

Coming Soon

 

Couples Massage Classes

Enjoy the art of giving and receiving comforting, relaxing and healing massage with your partner. Learn seated, clothed massage techniques that can be done anywhere.

  • Develop confidence and skill in giving massage
  • Take time to enjoy your partner in a new way
  • Learn pain and stress relief techniques
  • Increase circulation and immune system functioning

Classes include: learning techniques for therapeutic massage & acupressure for: head, neck, shoulders, hands, feet, and back, as well as other relaxation and energy connecting exercises.

Weekend workshops are presented throughout the year, or bring your own group of friends for a fun and educational weekend experience. See our Calendar for upcoming class and retreat schedules.

Massage Class Teachers: Charlene Torchia, a massage & energy practitioner with over 20 years' experience, and John Huffaker, a Licensed Psychologist with over 25 years' therapy experience. John and Charlene have been teaching couples massage through massage workshops, classes and weekend retreats for over a decade. They now run Journey Inn, an eco-retreat.

 


Meditation

Coming Soon!

Seasonal Retreats

Through discussion, ceremony, interaction with nature, creative expression, movement, meditation, journaling and guided imagery, participants reflect and focus on their Self-care and life direction. Group and solo time are both part of the experience. The ultimate objective of retreat is to shift focus from the outer to the inner world, the place where we feel, dream, create and heal.

These guided weekend retreats provide a space and time to discover the inner awareness and practical tools that can be brought back home. Participants depart retreat refreshed, with new perspectives and possibilities for their lives.
For a schedule of upcoming retreats, check our Calendar. Customized retreats can be created for your private group.

 

 

Labyrinth Retreat – a walking meditation

Journey Inn is home to a 60’ diameter, seven-circuit outdoor labyrinth.
Circular paths take you on an inner journey. Approach the labyrinth as you would an oracle or as a vehicle for connecting with your inner self.

The retreat begins with a gathering at Journey Inn, where a space is created to ponder life issues and to create an intention for your labyrinth journey.

Next, time is spent creating sacred spaces in the four directions-

  1. North/earth/body
  2. East/air/mind
  3. South/fire/spirit
  4. West/ water/emotion

...then, we begin a labyrinth walk. Afterwards, there is ample time for journaling and reflection, as you integrate insights and impressions from the walk.

 

Spa Days

Bring your mother, daughter, husband or a group of friends for a spa day or weekend. Receive a life-enhancing service – choose: a massage, body wrap, deep tissue bodywork, natural facials, hot stone therapy.

Learn how to make your own natural facial scrubs, masks and moisturizers for your skin type.

Enjoy a creative activity: choose from making customized aromatherapy bath/massage blends, collage & journaling, mosaics, journal bookmaking and more.

The day can include: hiking, meditative labyrinth walks, resting in hammocks, bird watching, biking.

Create your own customized day (great for birthdays, showers, gifts of appreciation) or sign up for a scheduled weekend event.

 

Practitioners:
Charlene Torchia, massage & energy therapy practitioner
Faira Torchia, massage therapy, deep tissue, body wraps
Micaela Torchia, Aveda-trained esthetician, artist
and other local practitioners

 

Living Naturally: Using Nature's Wisdom as a Guide for Self-Care - Workshops For Women

Find balance in your busy life. Learn to use nature's wisdom, the seasonal cycles and an inner focus to reduce stress and enjoy life more deeply. Work with guided imagery, journaling, energy exercises, ritual, discussion, creating sacred space and more.

 

Retreat Hosting

Journey Inn is an ideal getaway location for your small, private group.

Located 1 hour southeast of St Paul, Minnesota, the Inn is accessible and a pleasant country ride along the Great River Road.

There are many wonderful nearby restaurants.

There are two meeting locations:

A small house (The Cottage) that includes:

  • A tiled-floor living room meeting space with a woodstove, air conditioning, and attached dining space with kitchen (fullyequipped), library, gift shop
  • An office/writing/meditation room
  • Massage room with attached spa bathroom
  • Common bathroom with shower

This meeting space can accommodate 15 seated participants or 8 yoga practitioners.

  • Small business work groups
  • Yoga & Meditation groups
  • Women’s Groups
  • Church Groups
  • Environmental Groups
  • Artist Workshops
  • Small workshops and more…..

At the Inn there is a common space shared by overnight guests – The Center Room. It includes – dining banquet table, sitting area, woodstove, air conditioning and ceiling fans, beverage buffet with small refrigerator, concrete floors with wool rug, outdoor porch & patio.

This meeting space is only available if all 4 guest rooms are reserved. It accommodates 15-20 seated participants.

Breakfast & snacks are included. The meeting room & kitchen of the Retreat house can also be used. We will post your event on our website calendar. Call for availability and rates. 715-448-2424

 

^TOP^

Charlene Torchia & John Huffaker, Proprietors
W3671 200th Ave | Maiden Rock, WI 54750
Ph: 715.448.2424 | email: info@journeyinn.net