Mindful Connections Retreat

Join us for a restorative two-day retreat in the heart of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley

October 24-25, 2026

Hosted at an intimate private setting in Broadway, Virginia, where nature, thoughtful hospitality, and meaningful conversation come together to create a truly restorative experience.

Step away from the pace of everyday life and reconnect with the wisdom, resilience, and presence that already reside within you.

Guided by Elizabeth Shoop and Natalie Kerr, you'll experience science-informed, experiential practices designed to deepen self-awareness, strengthen authentic connection, and cultivate lasting well-being.

Meet your retreat leaders

Retreat Leader

Natalie Kerr

Natalie is a social psychologist and professor at James Madison University, where she studies social connection and loneliness. She is co-author of the book Our New Social Life: Science-Backed Strategies for Creating Meaningful Connection. She designs soulful programs for people who want to cultivate deeper connection in their lives.

Retreat Leader

Elizabeth Shoop

Elizabeth creates transformative spaces for healing, self-discovery, and growth. With a holistic and trauma-informed approach, she integrates mind-body awareness, mindfulness-based practices, and embodiment coaching to guide individuals and groups toward greater presence, resilience, and emotional well-being.

Since 2021, we have been hosting weekend retreats driven by our passion for sharing the life-enhancing concepts and practices that resonate with us, including mindfulness and authentic connection. We are fully engaged in every aspect of the retreat, cherishing our guests and embracing our roles as your "guides alongside." While we have backgrounds in counseling and psychology, this retreat does not offer professional counseling or therapy.

We are simply two friends thrilled to share what inspires us with others!

~Liz and Natalie

Casual comfort- close to home

Nestled among the rolling hills of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, Timber View offers a peaceful setting intentionally designed for rest, reflection, and meaningful connection. Surrounded by mature woods, open skies, and scenic countryside, the property invites you to step away from the pace of everyday life and settle into a slower rhythm.

Throughout the weekend, you'll enjoy welcoming gathering spaces, peaceful places for solitude, and the beauty of autumn woven into every part of the experience.

Just a 25 minute drive from Harrisonburg, you'll feel a sense of relaxation settle in as you approach the private enclave of serene landscape and surrounding forest.

Thoughtfully prepared spaces—both indoors and out—invite conversation, contemplation, and moments of genuine rest. We look forward to welcoming you into this special corner of the Shenandoah Valley.

"The retreat was soul-nourishing and deeply enriching-- I feel that I've grown as a person from our time together. Liz and Natalie were the perfect leaders to foster deeper connections in a group setting."

"From the beginning, the Sacred Connections Retreat felt warm, caring and safe, even though I didn't know any of the other participants. Over the course of the weekend, we connected deeply and genuinely. I left with a greater sense of belonging and peace."

"As a result of this retreat, I feel completely free, as if a burden has been lifted off of my shoulders. I can now move forward with the challenges of my life authentically."

Ready to join us? Click here!

What's Included?

We provide our retreat guests with numerous opportunities for interaction, growth and renewal. However, we invite you to personalize your weekend experience by engaging at a level that suits your comfort and aligns with your individual needs and desires.

Connection Circles

Intentionally held spaces where individuals come together in authentic presence, deep listening, and mindful relating, fostering a sense of belonging, healing, and spiritual connection.

Transformational Breathwork

Let Natalie guide you into a state of clarity, release, and renewal, using conscious breathing to unlock stored emotions and cultivate a profound sense of inner peace.

Guided Mindfulness Practices

Gentle instruction for any experience level, fostering presence, relaxation, and self-awareness through breathwork, meditation, and gentle movement in a supportive community setting.

Silence and Solitude

Experience the restorative power of silence and solitude in a natural setting, allowing space for deep reflection, inner stillness, and connection to the rhythms of the earth.

Mindful Movement

Slow, mindful movement and breath-centered practices, promoting relaxation, flexibility, and inner balance in a supportive and nurturing environment.

Nourishing Meals

Enjoy a generous offering of fresh, nourishing cuisine, thoughtfully prepared on-site to support your well-being and enhance the retreat experience.

Retreat fee - $349

Lodging not included

Your registration includes:

Two full days of retreat programming,
nourishing meals,
guided mindfulness practices,
expert facilitation,
a retreat journal,
movement sessions,
refreshments, and
all retreat materials.

Traveling from out of town? We'd be delighted to recommend nearby hotels, charming inns, and vacation rentals to help you find accommodations that fit your preferences and budget.

Sample Weekend Schedule

(Subject to Change)

Saturday

Self-serve breakfast

Morning yoga and mindful movement

Connection Circle

Transformational Breathwork Session

Lunch

Connection circle

Silence and solitude

Connection circle

Dinner

Evening guided activity

Fireside gathering

Sunday

Self-serve breakfast

Transformational breathwork

Connection circle

Lunch

Closing circle

Adjourn

Ready to join us? Click here!

Q and A

Q: Why should I attend this retreat?

A: If you crave more connection to yourself, to others, or nature, you should join us for Mindful Connections 2026!!

This weekend is designed to provide safe and comfortable space for you to:

Make new friends (or reconnect with old friends)
Practice stillness and quiet that allows you to re-center and root deeply into your most authentic self-expression
Soak up the healing power of natural elements

You'll come away feeling more connected, cared for, and centered on the things that matter most to you!

Q: What IS mindfulness, anyway?

A: Mindfulness is defined as the intentional act of focusing on the present moment, without judgment. It is a powerful practice that boosts self-awareness, alleviates stress, and builds emotional resilience through heightened awareness and thoughtful responses. We will lead you through gentle meditative practices designed to help you slow down, discover tranquility, and connect with what is most important to you. We designed these practices with beginners in mind, but seasoned meditators will feel at home as well.

Q: Is this a spiritual retreat?

A: Though the retreat is focused mostly on the art and science of mindful connection, we’ll also share some insights from a variety of sources and traditions. You don’t have to ascribe to any particular religion, or have any certain beliefs, to benefit. We share these insights simply to convey the message that we’re all part of a greater whole.

Q: What if I don't want to do one of the activities?

A: We welcome our retreat attendees to customize their weekend experience according to their needs and desires. You can adjust any activity to suit your level of comfort and energy. You will never be pressured to participate in anything you don't want.

We do encourage you to attend the circle gatherings, as this is where we dive deeply into our core concepts of mindfulness and connection. But even within those discussions, you're welcome to pass or choose your level of sharing and disclosure.

Q: What if I feel awkward or nervous?

A: Spoiler alert! It is absolutely normal and typical for our attendees to feel a little, or a lot, apprehensive and self-conscious before the retreat. Here are some important things to know:

We recognize that awkwardness is an inherent part of becoming more open and vulnerable. So, we welcome it! We guarantee that you will not be the only person who experiences awkward moments, and we promise to support you through the discomfort, which is short-lived, and often a doorway to a new level of connectedness.
We lighten the atmosphere with our motto; "We're all weird!" And by weird, we mean mysteriously unique or fantastic. We can't wait to discover the mystery of you! We create a comfortable space to be your unique, fantastic self!
We will teach you about the "liking gap" - and show you scientific proof that people like you more than you think!

Q: How do I register?

A: We handle the registration process individually, so reach out to us using the contact form below, or email elizabeth@elizabethshoop.com

We will reach out to you directly to complete your registration.

Q: How many people will be at this retreat?

A: In order to maintain a high quality of interaction, connection and programming, we intentionally keep our group small. No big rows of chairs for us! We meet in a circle to create a safe and personal container for open, authentic conversations. Typically, we welcome between 10 and 15 guests at each retreat.