Sea Wolf Books
& Community Writing Center
Retreats
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Queering the Retreat: Writing & Yoga Practices for Queer, Trans & Nonbinary Folks
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Breitenbush Hot Springs, April 17-20, 2025
Nestled next to the Breitenbush River, near Mt. Jefferson in the Willamette National Forest, we would love for you to join us for a weekend of creative practices at Breitenbush Hot Springs. Please use the registration link (coming soon) for further details, including choosing your accommodations, meals, and any extras.
Writing:
In the writing component of this retreat, we will read short excerpts from contemporary queer authors including Melissa Febos, Justin Torres, Emme Lund, Saeed Jones, K.Iver, and other greats, and use creative prompts developed from their writing as inspiration for generating our own timely, new work. Open to writers of all genres and all experience levels, we will look at ways to queer the form in our writing, to write queer truths, and to experiment with voice, style and structure.
This workshop asks, How can we, more than ever, speak/write our most important stories, ones that give voice to essential and sometimes overlooked truths (even if writing fiction)? What does it mean to be a queer writer in these strange times we find ourselves inhabiting?
We will work together to create a safe and empowered space in which to explore queer writers, queer writing, and queer ideas. From a 1979 interview with James Baldwin in the New York times: “The bottom line is this: You write…knowing that literature is indispensable to the world. The world changes according to the way people see it, and if you alter, even by a millimeter, the way a person looks or people look at reality, then you can change it.”
Yoga:
The process of unfolding called Yoga provides some helpful structure as we dismantle heteronormative programming in our lives. The rich spiritual philosophies of Yoga do not adhere to gender norms or nuclear family frameworks but encompass the entire range of what is possible in our magical existences. Yoga is saying, “come as you are” and “start here, now.” Tantric philosophy posits the possibility that everything is holy, everything is sacred, and we are part of that always - an unrelenting truth.
Because this is not an easy life, we need to be keenly aware of ourselves and our capacities. From this knowing of our boundaries/capacity we can then reach out and be there for others the way that is best for all. Together we will journal, meditate, OM, move, rest, and breath. We will use our senses and tools from polyvagul practices to learn to self-soothe and practice other simple yet profound ways to shift states. Through readings, and hearing what is shared in the stories and reflections of others, we will fortify our queer identities as being very much normal, while also being sacred.
Other upcoming retreats:
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May. 2025, Sourcing the Self: Memoir and SomaYoga Retreat in Southern Oregon, Details TBA
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Sept. 2025, Creative Restoration: A Writing and Yoga Retreat at Breitenbush Hot Springs, Details TBA
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Jan. 2026, Resolve to Move, Resolve to Write: A Writing and Yoga Retreat at Summer Lake Hot Springs, Details TBA
ABOUT CHARLIE
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Charlie J. Stephens is a non-binary writer from the Pacific Northwest. Born and raised in Salem, Oregon, Charlie has lived all over the U.S. as a bike messenger, wilderness guide, high school English and creative writing teacher, and seasonal shark diver (for educational purposes only.) Always encouraged by their grandma and mom to write stories, putting pen to paper has long been a part of their life. They are a resident of Port Orford on the southern Oregon coast and the owner of Sea Wolf Books & Community Writing Center. Charlie’s short fiction has appeared in Electric Literature, Best Small Fictions Anthology, New World Writing, Original Plumbing, Feminist Press, and elsewhere. Their debut novel, “A Wounded Deer Leaps Highest” was published by Torrey House Press in April 2024. You can learn more about their writing life at www.charliejstephenswriting.com.
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ABOUT HEATHER
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Heather Carpenter is a 500hr E-RYT, LMT, doula, yoga studio owner, mother of 4, and singer/songwriter. Heather lives in Port Orford where she teaches yoga teacher trainings, weekly yoga classes and practices massage at her studio. She has been doing yoga since her teens and teaching for over a decade. Heather is passionate about continuing education and has studied with many talented teachers over the years. Her intimate knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology plus her love of somatics fuel her classes. She teaches to all levels and is skilled at adapting poses and classes in the moment for her students. Heather’s style is approachable and her love of yoga and the deep philosophical teachings behind it shine through in her classes.
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Here are some testimonials from our most recent retreats:
"I would whole-heartedly recommend this retreat to others! This carefully curated experience was a full-bodied, full spirited, joyful and restorative time for me this winter." Kat
"Heather and Charlie provided a safe and dynamic space for connection, expression and movement. Their affordable pricing and value made it an even better investment in the future me." Sara
"This was the most gentle and nurturing experience that allowed me to be present in my body, heart, and soul: to heal and just be." Heather
"Charlie and Heather shared their unique talents with generosity and joy, making it easy to access the most creative parts of myself." Kim
"I appreciated the efforts and forethought of everything Charlie and Heather provided, from the writing sessions to the yoga practice to all the delicious and nourishing meals." Jackie
"This was just what I needed: a reminder that the elements of this weekend are all within my grasp (yoga, writing, movement, nourishing food, rest, and good conversation.) Charlie and Heather have a way of providing comfort and healing to those around them and made such a great team." Alexa
Cancellation Policy: Cancel 3 weeks prior to the retreat and receive a 50% refund. After that, receive a 10% refund. We have very limited space on retreats and a lot of time/effort goes into organizing and booking them. Thanks for understanding.
Past Retreats
November, 2023: North Bend, Oregon: Creative Restoration and Writing Retreat
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January, 2024: Yachats, Oregon: Resolve to Move, Resolve to Write
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May, 2024: Crescent City, California: Mindful Nature
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September, 2024: Breitenbush Hot Springs, Oregon, Creative Restoration and Writing Retreat
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November, 2024: Summer Lake Hot Springs, Paisley, Oregon, Sourcing the Self
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