Step into a space created entirely for you.
Nestled in nature as spring breathes itself back to life, Emergence is a retreat where the world's demands fall away, where something long dormant in you is given permission to stir, to soften, and slowly, to rise.
Emergence is a 3-day, 2-night women's retreat designed for those who feel something stirring inside them.
A version of themselves that has been quietly waiting beneath the surface.
It is not a retreat from life.
It is a return to it.
To you.
What Awaits You
Arrival: Friday, April 23, 2027 at 2 PM. We begin at 4 PM.
Departure: Sunday, April 25, 2027 at 2 PM
→ Yoga & movement: Morning vinyasa flows to awaken and expand, and candlelit restorative practice each evening to soften and release.
→ Breathwork & meditation: Grounding breath practices to arrive fully in the body. Guided meditation to quiet the noise and listen inward.
→ Women's circles: Candlelit, held, and sacred. A space to speak honestly and be heard fully by other women who understand.
→ Nature & creative arts: A guided mindful walk to witness emergence in the natural world. An expressive watercolor workshop with no skill required, only willingness.
→ Sound bath: A live candlelit sound journey with crystal bowls, to carry you deep beneath the surface of yourself.
→ Nourishing meals: Wholesome, seasonal food shared around a table. Slow mornings, unhurried lunches, warm evenings. Nourishment as care.
What Becomes Possible
When you give yourself permission to pause, to be held, and to simply receive, this is what opens up:
→ Release of the patterns, the pressure, and the quiet exhaustion of holding it all together
→ A body that feels lighter, more open, and supported in a way it has not been in a long time
→ Reconnection with the version of yourself that has been quietly waiting to surface
→ A steady, quiet energy that does not disappear the moment you return home
→ The experience of being truly witnessed and held by a circle of women who understand
→ A sense of belonging, to yourself and to a small community of like-hearted women
→ Rest reclaimed as sacred. Not something you earn, but something you simply receive
→ A renewed, grounded feeling and something new you carry forward that is unmistakably yours
NO yoga or meditation experience needed. Emergence is for every woman who feels the call.
EMERGENCE
From within the stillness, something stirs.
What does it mean to emerge?
Like a seed held in dark soil through a long winter, there is something in you that has been gathering. Gathering strength, gathering courage, gathering readiness. Spring is the season of breaking open. Of green shoots pressing through cold ground. Of life insisting on itself.
Emergence is a retreat built around that moment. The tender, electric space between dormancy and bloom. You will not be rushed into anything. The space is held for you, the conditions created, and what rises is entirely yours.
Warmth. Stillness. Circle. Breath. Movement. Creativity.
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
This is more than a retreat.
It is a return. It is a recalibration.
A slow, deliberate unfolding of something that has been waiting all winter long.
Emergence is your invitation to receive, fully, simply, beautifully.
Wondering what a retreat with Melba is like? Here is what participants are saying:
Melba’s retreat was simply amazing. The location in the Georgia mountains was beautiful. Melba’s thoughtful preparation wove a relaxing schedule of yoga, group discussion and activities, self-reflection, and self-care opportunities. I was exhausted when I got there from being a caregiver to an aging parent and wasn’t sure what I would feel like at the end. Melba’s guidance led me to renewed belief in myself with new confidence and courage to prioritize taking care of myself through physical, mental, and spiritual practices.
—2024 attendee
I didn’t know what to expect walking into my first yoga retreat. I craved time to reconnect with myself, but leaving my family and responsibilities behind felt a little selfish. Still, I listened to my gut—and I’m so glad I did.
From the first circle, something shifted. What began as a room full of strangers quickly became a space of trust, vulnerability, and connection. I felt seen, supported, and surrounded by genuine love.
Between grounding yoga flows, delicious meals, quiet moments, and deep conversations, I found exactly what I didn’t know I needed: peace, clarity, and a new soul family.
When the weekend ended, I wasn’t ready to leave—but I left with a full heart and lasting connections. Take the “selfish.” We all deserve time to fill our own cups—and mine was overflowing.
—2024 Attendee
The Yoga Retreat was one of the highs of the year!
—2024 Attendee
Attending the retreat for the first time was more profound than I ever expected. I arrived emotionally drained, burdened by guilt, and weighed down by a heaviness I couldn’t shake. I hoped for a shift—any shift—and I found so much more.
From the moment I arrived, the space felt grounding and safe. Nature, the sessions, the stillness, and the energy of the group began to soften something within me.
By the end, it was as if a fog had lifted. I felt lighter, clearer, and more connected to myself. The retreat reminded me of the power of stillness, presence, and being with myself without judgment. I left feeling renewed and deeply grateful.
—2025 Attendee
Embarking on my first yoga retreat was a transformative journey that awakened my inner resilience. Melba's expert guidance inspired me to reclaim my self-assurance, unlocking unprecedented confidence and courage to prioritize my holistic well-being. The majestic Georgia mountains setting was a serene sanctuary that nurtured my mental and spiritual growth. Melba's meticulous planning crafted a soothing schedule of yoga, hiking, and downtime, while the delectable cuisine brought us together, fostering profound connections and conversations in the most incredible way.
-2025 Attendee
Melba’s retreat was mentally, spiritually, and physically rejuvenating. Every detail—from the meditations and affirmations to the yoga and sound bath—was thoughtfully curated. It was a beautiful space to heal, reset, and reconnect. Forever grateful!
—2025 Attendee
Accommodations and Pricing
The Thanksgiving House was the original structure at Elohee. With six bedrooms and four bathrooms, it sleeps up to thirteen people. It offers two community rooms with fireplaces, a kitchen and dining room, as well as a meditation/yoga room. The outdoor patio has a fireplace and overlooks a 100-foot waterfall and a small pool.
The Thanksgiving House is nestled in a niche of the Rich Cove Forest, which supports a wide range of trees and plants. Red maple, oak, basswood, and poplar are only a few of the types of trees growing here. Spring wildflowers and medicinal herbs flourish here. Mosses and rotting logs make the damp forest floor suitable for a wide variety of salamanders, and it is one of the most diverse ecosystems found outside the tropics.
The Thanksgiving House is situated next to a 100-ft waterfall, and about a 10-minute walk from Bald Mountain. It has 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 indoor fireplaces, 1 outdoor fireplace, and a meeting space that comfortably fits 10-11people.
(from Elohee)
This is an All-Inclusive Retreat (see what’s included below):
Queen Suite (queen bed, private room, shared bathroom)
Single Occupancy: $1250
Double Occupancy: $950/person (must book alongside another guest, must share a bed)
Double Room (twin bed, shared room, shared bathroom)
$900/person
Triple Room (twin bed, shared room, shared bathroom)
$850/person
King Suite (king bed, private room, private bathroom)
Single Occupancy: $1450
Double Occupancy: $1150/person (must book alongside another guest, must share a bed)
What’s Included:
3 days/2 nights accommodations in the Thanksgiving House.
Twice daily yoga and meditation offerings
All meals per day made with fresh, local ingredients (most special diet requirements can be accommodated)
Tea Service throughout the day
Free Unlimited Wi-Fi Access
Guided hike and access to multiple hiking trails, including waterfalls and streams
Use of the naturally-filtered pond at the top of Bald Mountain
What’s Not Included:
Transportation to and from Elohee
Spa treatments and/or Reiki Sessions (you can book these through Elohee)
Optional Excursions
Ready to Reserve Your Spot?
A $300 deposit is required to reserve your space. This deposit is non-refundable, non-exchangeable, and non-transferable.
Once your deposit has been received, you will be sent a Retreat Agreement via email within seven (7) business days. This agreement will confirm your selected room once it has been signed and returned. Please review and submit it by the requested deadline, as your registration is not considered complete until the signed agreement is received.
If the agreement is not returned within the specified timeframe, your space may be released to another participant.
Full payment is due by March 19, 2027. Payment plans are available upon request. Reservations made after this date require full payment at the time of booking.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to me, Melba, at amalieyoga@gmail.com. This is especially helpful if you are booking alongside family or friends.
ABOUT YOUR YOGA RETREAT LEADER
Melba Payan
RYT 500, YACEP, Somatic Life Coach