Join us for a four-day women-only retreat at Willow in South Newfane, Vermont. As the last leaves fall and the quiet season settles over the mountains, you'll be invited to do what nature does so wisely: slow down, draw inward, and rest deeply. This retreat is a safe space.
The Cozy Chrysalis Retreat is for women who are ready to release the weight of the year and settle in for winter. Guided by coach and tai chi instructor Amber Drebaum and Arlenea O'Keefe, we'll move together through four soft stages. Shed what you're done carrying. Wrap yourself in warmth and rest. Take Shape as you listen for what's quietly forming in you. Emerge rested, nourished, and pointed toward spring.
Our days will weave together group coaching, tai chi and qigong, walking meditations, and candlelight restorative yoga. We'll open with an intention ceremony and close with one too. In between there's room for the playful and the personal: small craft time, and a "share your gifts" evening where tarot cards, tea leaves, and whatever magic you carry are all welcome at the table.
Every practice is gentle, optional, and open to all levels, with no experience needed for any of it. Between sessions there's unhurried time to journal, wander the quiet woods, or nap. Warming, nourishing meals are shared in good company around a communal table.
Come wrap up the year. Rest deep. Emerge ready. You are welcome here, exactly as you are.
What’s Included
3 nights accommodations
delicious Indian and American-inspired meals
light fruit, snacks, and tea available throughout the day
coffee from 7am to 10am
gentle and restorative yoga, tai chi, and meditation practices
welcoming and closing ceremony
guided nature hikes and exploration
welcome gift and journal
community & connection
This retreat is open to 12 women. Instructors Amber and Arlenea focus on maintaining a safe space. Retreat Center owners Tom and Ravi will be on hand to prepare meals and support the retreat..
led by Amber Drebaum and Arlenea O’Keefe
Fee Options
Double Occupancy: up to 12 spots available for $1,160 each, inclusive of taxes and fees. You may book a room together with a friend or be matched with another participant by the retreat instructor. All rooms have two beds and one dedicated bathroom.
Single Occupancy: one spot is available for $1400, inclusive of all taxes and fees.
Fees include
Accommodations for three nights
Welcome dinner, three meals each full day, and brunch on departure day
Yoga and Tai Chi group class each day; yoga mats, cushions, clocks, straps and blankets are supplied by Willow
Other workshops and excursions are offered each day
A space to connect, make friends, and create memories to last a lifetime!
Payment schedule
A 50% deposit is due at booking.
The balance is due one month before the retreat start date.
Refund Policy
Please contact Amber Drebaum by email to discuss refund policy.
In very rare circumstances—such as a natural disaster or global pandemic—Willow may be required to cancel the retreat. If we cancel the retreatfor any reason, you will receive a full refund of all payments made to date.
The Schedule
everything is optional
Thursday
3-5pm Arrival
5:30-7pm Dinner
7:30-9pm Intention Ceremony
Friday
7-7:30am Gentle yoga (optional)
8-9am Breakfast, 8am-9am
9:30-11:30am Group coaching/tai chi
12-1pm Lunch
1:30-2pm Outdoor walking meditation
2:30-4pm Free time
4:30-5:30pm Craft station
6-7:30pm Dinner
8-9:30pm Share your gifts, campfire
Saturday
7-7:30am Qigong (optional)
8-9am Breakfast, 8am-9am
9:30-11:30am Group coaching with tai chi
12-1pm Lunch
1:30-2pm Scavenger hunt meditation
2:30-4pm Free time
4:30-5:30pm Connecting
6-7:30pm Dinner
8-9:30pm Candlelit restorative yoga
Sunday
8-9am Breakfast
9:30-11am Closing ceremony
11-12 Pack up and depart
As the last leaves fall and the quiet season settles over the mountains, you'll be invited to do what nature does so wisely: slow down, draw inward, and rest deeply
What to bring
Refillable water bottle
Comfortable clothes for yoga and tai chi
Day clothes for exploring, hiking and hanging out. Bring layers!
Walking and hiking shoes
Warm slippers or socks. Willow is a shoeless household. For those requiring extra
support, indoor-only shoes are ok
Headlamp or flashlight
Journal and something to write with
Necessary medication
Rain Poncho
Rooms and Amenities
Willow is a comforting and nurturing environment — furnished with a harmonious combination of custom contemporary and vintage furniture, rugs, artwork and crafts.
We provide comfortable overnight accommodations in double occupancy rooms. All rooms have dedicated ensuite or hall baths. We are outfitted with all the comforts of a typical guest house — linens, blowdryers, individually controlled heating and air conditioning. Our mattresses, pillows and furniture are exceptionally comfortable. Our soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions are organic. We support local craftspeople by supplying Willow with handmade and high quality goods — everything from lamps to rugs have been made by hand. You will feel very much at home.
The Colonial Revival main house offers open living space on the first floor: a grand foyer with sitting area and library, a spacious and light-filled living room with fireplace, a sunny veranda, a dining room, and a 14-person yoga studio painted in soft colors of the willow tree. The studio is fully outfitted with yoga mats, cushions, straps, blocks and blankets.
Meals
Meals are provided throughout the retreat, including dinner on arrival day, 3 meals each full day, and brunch on departure day.
Our menu is Indian, Tex-Mex and American-inspired vegetarian dishes with balanced proteins, fats and carbs. Our meals are healthy, filling, and made of local organic and natural ingredients. Please let us know at registration if you prefer vegan or gluten-free options. Please let us know if you have any food allergies. We cannot accommodate last minute requests during the retreat.
Coffee is served with breakfast at no charge. Tea is available all day at no charge.
Espresso, cappuccino, and fresh-pressed juices are available for purchase throughout the retreat. A menu of options will be posted in the dining room. Charges will be added to your account and billed at the end of the retreat.
Meet our cats
Willow is home to two sweet and friendly cats, Bear and Scratch. They love our guests and they absolutely adore being petted. But we ask that guests not pick them up. Too much of that and they will become stressed little souls.
We do our best to keep cats out of the guest rooms so that people with allergies can comfortably stay with us. Please help with this by discouraging the cats from entering or napping in your room.
Want to stay longer? Extend your retreat experience!
Willow encourages retreat participants who wish to stay in the area longer to book rooms or book the treehouse on nights before and after the retreat at sharply reduced rates. Extended bookings include a hearty continental breakfast.
Individual rooms are $150-375/night for up to two people. A discount of 10% automatically applies to bookings of 3 or more nights.
Traveling to Willow
Willow is located in the beautiful and quintessential village of South Newfane (population 300), a satellite of Newfane (population 1,700). We are located 20 minutes northwest of Brattleboro, 20 minutes northeast of Wilmington, and 20 minutes east of Dover and Mount Snow.
By car:
From Brattleboro, take Route 30 north about 9 miles. Go left on Depot Road where the West River and Rock River meet; travel 2 miles on Depot Road until you cross a small bridge over the Rock River; go left on Dover Road through the village of Williamsville; after passing through Williamsville you will cross a covered bridge. Willow is exactly 1.2 miles on your left. If you come to a stop sign you have gone 300 feet past our driveway.
From Wilmington, take Route 100 north toward West Dover about 3.5 miles. A half mile past the River Valley Market, take a right on East Dover Road; travel 1 mile. Take a right on Dover Hill Road; travel 8 miles on Dover Hill Road and E Dover Road (they are continuous) until you reach a 3-way stop sign in the village of South Newfane. Willow is 300 feet past the stop sign on your right.
By train: the daily Amtrak Vermonter stops in Brattleboro as it travels from Washington DC to Montreal and back. You can pick it up in New York, Hartford, Springfield to the south or in Montpelier to the north. Taxis are available in Brattleboro or Willow’s owners will pick you up in Brattleboro on the Vermonter’s arrival at 5pm (note this is after check in time).
By plane: Travelers may find Hartford (BDL—64.4 miles, 90 minutes) and Boston (BOS—85.7 miles, 2 hours 20 minutes) to be most convenient. Other nearby airports to check are Rutland VT (RUT, 55 miles, 1 hour 20 minutes), Manchester NH (MHT—85 miles, 2 hours), Albany NY (ALB—73 miles, 1 hour 40 minutes), and Worcester MA (ORH, 81 miles, 1 hour 50 minutes).
A note on driving: We are located in rural Vermont! You may have spotty cell service in areas throughout our area. Be sure to set your GPS before leaving from home. Set it by typing our business name “Willow Vermont Retreat” into your search bar. Please don’t use our address, as most GPS engines get rural addresses wrong. But don’t worry one bit, just remember this: following our guidance will land you safely with us; following Google to our address will lead you 4 miles off target.