None at all. The yoga is accessible, non-competitive, and focused on connection — not performance. This retreat is for real people, not yoga pros.

You’ll experience a blend of yoga, relationship-focused workshops, and experiential activities designed to deepen your connection. This retreat is designed to help you completely unplug from your daily routines, providing a secluded, tranquil environment where you can focus entirely on each other, away from distractions. Through intentional yoga sessions, expert-led relationship workshops, and guided experiential activities curated to deepen your connection, the retreat is designed to foster deep emotional intimacy and support communication.

No. While we offer yoga and mindfulness, they are grounded in real, practical relationship work. You’ll be supported, not overwhelmed. 

The retreat is non-religious and grounded in mindfulness, emotional presence, and authentic connection. Yoga and reflection practices are offered in an inclusive, non-dogmatic way.

No. Group connection is an important facet of the retreat experience and group sharing is highly encouraged, but your privacy and comfort are respected at every step. You’ll always have a choice in how much you share of your mind, body, time, and energy.

Yes – and! Some couples may come to this retreat feeling stuck, disconnected, or unsure. Whether you’re facing relationship challenges or simply want to grow closer, you don’t need to have it all figured out — just be open to the process. This retreat offers tools, insights, and exercises intended to support intimacy, connection, and relational awareness.

 That’s a perfect reason to come. This retreat isn’t just for couples experiencing challenges — it’s for anyone who wants to grow closer with intention and deepen what’s already strong.

That’s common — and totally okay. Many couples arrive with one partner unsure. The retreat is designed to be welcoming, non-pressuring, and supportive of where you’re both at.

The number of participants varies slightly by retreat and by date, but we tend to shoot for a group of 8-12 people and limit the number to 16 people.

People may join us from all over the world, however, most retreat participants will be coming from the Southern California regions. Our retreats are LGBTQ+, kinky, ace/aro, expansive relationship, and neurodivergent-friendly and our facilitators are trained in inclusive, affirming relationship work.

We’ll plan group dinners and day trips for those who want to join, but we also respect people’s space if they need some time alone or to integrate retreat teachings, it’s all part of the retreat experience!

Most couples choose to arrive the day before the retreat begins so they can settle in and ease into island time. Lodging check-in is usually around 4PM, and check-out is between 10AM–12PM. You’re welcome to head home anytime on the final day, though many guests stay an extra night to unwind.

This couple retreat is NOT a form of individual, relational, couple, or group therapy and it is NOT a substitute for counseling, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, mental health care or substance abuse treatment. This retreat cannot be used in place of any form of therapy. The retreat facilitator is not acting as a mental health counselor or medical professional. Health insurance companies will NOT cover or reimburse you for any retreat costs.

This retreat is not designed to support couples experiencing acute distress or situations that require ongoing therapeutic care. Couples already in a form of couple/relationship therapy may consult with their therapist as to their suitability for the retreat.

We want to make sure this retreat is the right fit for you and your relationship.
Schedule a free 20-minute discovery call to ask questions, learn more, and explore whether this experience aligns with your goals as a couple.

The REEP was created by a relationship and intimacy professional and licensed therapist. The REEP includes workshops and experiential activities designed to support couples in exploring and deepening their connection. Workshops content includes a mixture of research-based psychoeducation, skills-acquisition, and reflective prompts and exercises. Workshops also include experiential exercises, as couples and as a group, and opportunities for group sharing.

Grounded in the expertise of a relationship and intimacy specialist and licensed therapist who has supported many couples in reconnecting and deepening their bonds, the REEP provides couples with the evidence-based information and practical skills needed to bring research into real-world relationship moments. These tools are often difficult to apply when couples try to use research-based psychoeducation on their own or even with the help of a therapist, coach, or mentor.

The REEP workshops are strengthened by experiential learning and guided activities rooted in interpersonal neurobiology and co-regulation practices. This approach allows partners to move beyond theory and experience the communication, presence, and connection tools in a supported, hands-on way. These concepts are presented in an educational and experiential way, rather than a clinical or therapeutic context.

REEP also includes meaningful group sharing opportunities. Connecting with other couples who share a commitment to cultivating deeper, more intentional relationships can be one of the most powerful and transformative aspects of a retreat. These shared reflections create a sense of community, validation, and mutual encouragement that amplifies the learning and helps couples integrate the skills more fully.

The itinerary intentionally includes ample time for couples to spend time enjoying the Island, integrating information from retreat workshops, or just enjoying some much needed down time. There will also be optional activities available for those who wish to spend more time with the group.

No. Although REEP introduces evidence-based concepts and skillsets that are commonly used in relationship therapy or coaching, it is not a form of individual, relational, couple, or group therapy. REEP is not a substitute for counseling, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, mental health care, or substance abuse treatment, and it cannot be used in place of any form of therapy.

While the retreat may include activities that support emotional awareness, connection, and personal insight, the facilitator is not acting as a mental health counselor or medical professional in this setting. This program is educational and experiential rather than clinical, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace therapy or medical care.

Activities included in the retreat package typically include educational and experiential workshops designed to support and deepen your relationship, including concepts from interpersonal neurobiology that help couples understand how nervous systems shape connection. You will also enjoy relationship-enhancing yoga classes (Vinyassa, partner yoga), mindfulness and grounding exercises, and guided group sharing.

Optional activities may include group dinner plans, partner dance classes, and other specialty offerings for couples who want to spend additional time connecting with the group.

We offer several yoga classes in the retreat package, including light Vinyassa flow and partner yoga. These classes are designed to support connection through movement, breath, and co-regulation, and they incorporate principles of interpersonal neurobiology to help partners understand how their nervous systems influence closeness and communication. All classes are suitable for every level, including first-timers.

Yoga classes are an intentional aspect of the retreat package and they are designed to aid in deeply connecting with your partner. To get the most out of the retreat experience, it is recommended that participants engage in yoga classes to the best of their abilities. However, participation in the yoga classes or any retreat activity is not a requirement. 

Yoga mats will be provided for official retreat yoga activities only. Please bring your own yoga mat if you plan to do yoga on your own. Also, you may be able to use a beach towel as a yoga mat!

We offer limited discounts when available. We cannot guarantee discounts for activities, experiences, or rentals offered by third party vendors.

We have not included flights, accommodation, or travel arrangements into the retreat package since we have people joining from all over the world and they may want to stay at a hotel, airbnb/vrbo, the condos at Hamilton Cove, or even on their own boats! The destinations we travel to have international airports with direct flights from many locations. 

Travel to Catalina Island from the mainland is available via a 1-2 hour ferry boat ride, a 15-30 minute helicopter ride, or by flying your private plane to the airport on the Island. Some even take a group jetski trip to the Island! If you take a boat, you will port directly into the city of Avalon. Some hotels provide baggage pick-up from the port as a service to those staying with them. If you arrive via the airport, you will need to take a taxi to get to your hotel, condo, or airbnb/vrbo. 

For travel inside the city of Avalon, there are taxis, E-bike rentals, and golf cart rentals available, but the city of Avalon is quaint and highly walkable. Some hotels and condos offer complimentary use of a golf cart with your stay. 

Most hotels and vacation rentals are just a short walk from the ferry terminal, and many offer baggage storage before check-in and after check-out. The Hotel Metropole provides complimentary baggage storage, and while there is no shuttle, taxis are available and the walk from the ferry terminal to the hotel is about five minutes. Guests arriving by helicopter will need to take a taxi or local transportation. Avalon also offers an on-demand rideshare called COAST, with point-to-point rides anywhere within city limits starting at two dollars per rider.

We offer limited discounts when available. We cannot guarantee discounts for accommodations or travel arrangements offered by third party vendors.

Most will want to arrive at the LAX airport in Los Angeles, the John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana, or the Long Beach Airport (LGB) in Long Beach. From the airport, you will most likely need to take a taxi or ride share service to a connecting airport (multiple locations), heliport at the Queen Mary Terminal in Long Beach, or ferry boat terminal (multiple locations). 

The time it takes to get from the airport location of your choice to a connecting airport, heliport, or ferry boat terminal varies widely. Long Beach Airport (LGB) is often the most convenient airport to travel from if your destination is Catalina Island.

We intentionally do not include dinners in the retreat package so you have the freedom to explore local restaurants or enjoy a quiet evening on your own rather than feeling obligated to join the group. The areas we visit have fantastic dining options, and over time we have discovered many wonderful spots. We prefer this approach rather than eating at the hotel with a pre-set menu every night, and it is also more cost-effective for you.

Nutritious snacks will be provided throughout the retreat. We take all dietary needs and allergies seriously, and will do our best to accommodate them. If you share specific dietary requirements in advance and we are not able to meet those needs, we will let you know ahead of time so you can make your own arrangements.

Hotel breakfasts offer a wide variety, including eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, yogurts, breads, pancakes, cheeses, nuts, and vegan or gluten-free options. There is also a convenient supermarket in town.

Local restaurants offer many choices, including Mediterranean-inspired dishes, salads, fresh fish, meats, vegetables, pastas, and legumes. Most places can accommodate dietary needs, and delicious food is always a highlight of the retreat!