Nourishing the self and sparking connection through art and movement in the wild.
Movement
We value movement as a way to ground the mind and honor the body’s wisdom. Through embodied movement and conscious breathing, you will release tension and find a fluid connection to your own physical rhythm. These sessions are designed to help you feel fully present, balanced, and at home in your own skin.
Art Making
We believe that creativity is a natural state of being, not a skill to be mastered. Through a blend of collaborative group projects and guided individual exercises, you’ll learn to quiet your inner critic and observe the world with fresh eyes. This practice invites a sense of play and discovery, leaving you with a tangible reflection of your inner landscape.
Community
We are dedicated to fostering shared, supportive spaces where every person feels seen and welcomed. By gathering in nature, we create a unique opportunity for authentic connection with like-minded souls. You’ll experience the quiet magic of a group where individual journeys are celebrated and a collective sense of belonging is found.
Women’s Day Retreat
June 13, 2026 • 10am-4pm • $85
Ojai, CA
Grounding
We begin with the body. Led by Lauren, this session of embodied movement and conscious breath helps us create and cultivate space for curiosity, exploration, and safety to express and feel what’s present. By moving and breathing together, we open ourselves to a deeper connection within as well as the world around us. This work gently grounds us into the present moment and prepares our nervous systems for the creative work ahead.
Play
Creativity is often feared because of the blank page, so we start by tackling it together. Through a collaborative group art exercise, we engage in structured play. This low-pressure, shared project allows you to find your creative bravery through the support of the group.
Nourishment
Lunch is a local, fresh feast enjoyed in the shade. We bypass the standard professional small talk in favor of prompts designed to spark the kind of deep and meaningful conversations that nourish the spirit as much as the meal nourishes the body.
Individual Flow
After a gentle walk and meditative breathwork, we transition into the quiet heart of the day. Marisa will lead you through a guided individual exercise using earth minerals and gold acrylics to paint your internal landscape. This is a dedicated window of introspection where you can integrate your personal insights onto the canvas.
The Harvest
We’ll wrap up the day by sharing a few reflections and taking a look at what everyone created. It’s a chance to witness the work before we head out. We’ll finish things off by closing the circle with one last collective breath.
Join us for a nourishing day of movement, creativity, connection, and rest in a serene outdoor space in Ojai. Through guided practices, thoughtful conversation, and time in nature, we’ll create space to slow down, reconnect, and feel inspired.
Limited spots
Before you join us
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Before you join us *
Have a question? Email us at hello@makemoveretreat.com
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Located in the peaceful hills of Ojai, CA at the Krotona Institute of Theosophy, this gathering will take place among beautiful gardens and serene natural surroundings. We’re delighted to be hosting at this special destination, known for its quiet atmosphere and thoughtful community spaces. Please note that Krotona is a meatless location, and all food served on-site will be vegetarian.
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- Light snacks and water available throughout the day.
- Access to shared art supplies. We will be using acrylics and earth minerals (paints, brushes, and tools).
- A small canvas to create on and take home.
- Paper and additional materials for open creative exploration.
- A relaxed, thoughtfully curated outdoor space to make and move at your own pace. -
- You’re welcome to bring a packed lunch. Please note that Krotona Institute of Theosophy is a meatless space, so only vegetarian meals may be brought onto the grounds.
- You’ll also have the option to purchase a vegetarian meal from Frontside Cafe through us. We’ll organize both the ordering and pickup for the day of the retreat. -
- A yoga mat or lightweight blanket for use on the outdoor ground
- Extra drinking water to stay hydrated
- Sunscreen and a hat for sun protection
- Comfortable clothing you can move and create in
About Us
At Make & Move, we believe restoration happens when movement and creative expression come together. Blending Lauren’s background in yoga and mindfulness with Marisa’s experience in fine art and travel, we create experiences that nurture both inner connection and exploration.
We believe nature and supportive community create space for curiosity, belonging, and renewal, where the experience is just as much about connecting with yourself and others as it is about the art you make or the way you move.
Meet Lauren Pieri
Lauren is a 200-hour certified yoga teacher passionate about creating spaces that invite people to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and move from a place of presence rather than pressure. Through slow embodied movement and grounding breathwork, she offers practices that support nervous system care, body awareness, cultivating peace from within, and a softer connection to self.
Her connection to movement and the body began early in life as a competitive gymnast, though over time it evolved into something far more healing and intuitive. Yoga became a place she turned to during seasons of grief, uncertainty, and change — movement became her medicine.
After experiencing a life-altering loss, Lauren felt called to share the practice that had supported her so deeply. Through movement and mindful exploration of the body, she learned how to tend to her inner world and gently soften the old wounds and patterns we often carry within us. She believes the body holds deep wisdom, and hopes to offer spaces where others can feel grounded, safe, and more at home within themselves.
Meet Marisa Garcia
Marisa is a designer, artist, and lifelong creative with a deep love for nature, travel, and meaningful connection. For over 10 years, I’ve worked across textile and digital design, creating thoughtful experiences rooted in empathy, storytelling, and intention. Creativity has always been more than just work for me. It’s how I process the world, stay curious, and connect more deeply with myself and others.
Nature is the place I always return to to fill my cup and come back into alignment. Some of my clearest moments of inspiration have come from time spent outdoors, whether near the ocean, in the mountains, or simply slowing down enough to notice the colors, textures, and rhythms of the natural world. As an artist and experienced solo traveler, I’ve found that stepping away from routine creates space for clarity, creativity, and a deeper sense of self.
My creative practice is deeply connected to the earth and the environments around me. I love working with natural materials, earth minerals, and tactile mediums that help me feel grounded and present. For me, art is a way to slow down, trust intuition, and reconnect with what feels real.
