The Ember & Ash: Reflect, Create & Build Community Through Art & Yoga
Sat, November 7, 2026, 11:00 AM (AST)
About this event
Welcome to The Wild Presence: The Ember & Ash
Are you ready for a transformational release? This 2-Day Retreat will take us on a journey of creation, play, and movement exploration, where we will spend time in nature and culminate with a cleansing communal fire ritual. This overnight experience serves as the final Wild Presence gathering of 2026, and is designed to bring the mindfulness practice and creative confidence we have honed throughout the year into a truly celebratory moment!
Over the months of May, June, August, September and October we will play together through intuitive frames that will include group and solo work; yoga, art-making, journaling, being in nature and breaking bread together. In November we will culminate our learnings in a transformative weekend retreat held at Brigadoon Village, on Aylesford Lake.
Participants are encouraged to register for one or multiple dates throughout the year - every session will be different, exploring varying themes along the same objective: to shed the noise of daily life and tap into our wild presence.
What is The Wild Presence?
The Wild Presence is a Workshop and Retreat Collective led by Art Therapist and Conflict Transformationist MC Pace (MA, Ex-AT, BFA) & Yoga Teacher and Movement Specialist Lisa Surette (RYT 200) to create space for creative human-to-human connection and relationship.
We have observed a desire for folks to want to come together in an inclusive community capacity to collaborate and share in play. Utilizing our unique backgrounds as practitioners, we want to create opportunities for joy, kindness and acceptance in a dark world.
We do this by leading with a beginners mindset, as well as a profound respect and admiration for what each one of us brings to the table. Our greatest skills are leading with vulnerability, authenticity and generosity - as well as a brevity and lightness that allows laughter and play to shine through the most challenging work! By staying rooted in authenticity and embodied connection, we create radical transformation together.
These all-inclusive 1-Day Workshops will create space for:
Guided Somatic Yoga: a gentle, grounding practice suitable for all levels. We’ll focus on rooting into the body and opening up the channels of expression.
Intuitive Art-making: no "artist" credentials required. We use mixed modalities to explore our internal landscapes; focusing on the process rather than a finished product.
Guided Meditation & Reflection: Sacred space to find presence in the moment; to set and share intentions for the year ahead; to witness and be witnessed in a community collective.
Community Connection: Building safety, practicing joy and supporting meaningful connection within a group of dynamic individuals.
Additionally, every participant will be provided with:
A welcome gift: a pen, journal, plus a selection of locally curated items to enjoy.
Saturday Evening Fire Ceremony: We will host a bonfire and commune over the flames - releasing anything and everything we need to let go of! Spending time with ourselves and one another: laughing, enjoying and relaxing.
A fully catered meal experience: Brigadoon provides fully catered lunch, dinner and breakfast for the duration of our stay. You will be able to inform us of any dietary needs, and they will be accommodated. PLEASE NOTE, OUTSIDE FOOD IS NOT PERMITTED.
PLEASE NOTE: registrants must bring their own sleeping bag or sleeping linens for this event.
Booking & Cancellation Policy
This workshop experience is a standard rate of $680, however we do offer a sliding scale option.
We encourage registrants to select the ticket price that best reflects their affordability.
If you would prefer to pay in cash or e-transfer, please email the.wild.presence@gmail.com to arrange your registration.
A $100 deposit is required to secure your spot and is non-refundable.
If you request a cancellation 10+ days before the event, 50% of the total rate will be refunded.
Any cancellation requests within 10 days of the event are non-refundable.
If you have any questions at any time, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at the.wild.presence@gmail.com, at any time.
“To be whole. To be complete. Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from.” Terry Tempest
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to have Yoga experience to take this Workshop?
Absolutely none! This is a space for exploration, and is open to all levels of experience. Blocks, bolsters, straps, and chairs are available for support, and cues will be provided with a full range of options for every ability.
Do I need to have Art skills to participate in this Workshop?
None whatsoever! We live by the belief that creativity is inherent in all of us. The only thing you will need to bring is your open and playful mind - no artistic credentials required.
Will this event be indoors or outdoors?
This event will be held primarily indoors. Weather permitting this event will take us outdoors to spend some time in nature. This may look like a walk, or just sitting outside. Please bring layers and seasonal items such as sunscreen and hats for warmer months, or warm socks for cooler months.