Wellness Day Retreat: Self-Care, Art & Healing

Wellness Day Retreat: Self-Care, Art & Healing:

Support Ukrainian community aid

Join us for the Fourth Annual Women’s Wellness Day Retreat Fundraiser on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, for a transformative day dedicated to self-care, unity, peace, gratitude, and community support.

Set YOUR intention for the day and join us for an amazing day of SELF-CARE, connection, creativity, and healing as we sit, share, eat, and celebrate in community with our wonderful facilitators and fellow attendees.

Arrival & Sign-In: 9:30 AM–9:45 AM
Opening Ceremony: 10:00 AM sharp

This special retreat, hosted by the Elgin County Ukrainian Community (ECUC), offers a beautiful opportunity for Canadians and Ukrainian newcomers to connect, share stories, celebrate different cultures, and build a vision for a peaceful future.

Taking place on United Nations Day, October 24, this year’s retreat celebrates inclusion, cultural connection, friendship, and our shared hope for peace. It is also an opportunity for Ukrainian newcomers to build meaningful connections and feel supported as they build their lives and communities in Canada, while continuing to stand with those affected by the war in Ukraine.

What to Bring

Please come prepared for a full day of wellness, creativity, and comfort:

• Water bottle
• Yoga mat
• Drum — if you don’t have a drum, please bring a rattle, shaker, or sticks for the drum circle.
• Blanket or shawl for comfort
• Scarf to cover your eyes, if you feel this will help you relax and Go Within

Food & Community Sharing

This year, we invite you to participate in our communal meal. Please bring a salad or dessert to share, made with love and gratitude, as we nourish one another and celebrate the gift of being together.

We will also have samples of traditional Ukrainian food from Alla Perogies Restaurant in Strathroy and The Ukrainian Restaurant in Aylmer.

For the fourth consecutive year, we are collecting recipes from Ukraine to create a special cookbook. Bring a recipe from your region of Ukraine so we can add it to the collection and preserve these wonderful traditions for our community.

Event Highlights & Facilitators

Experience a day of rejuvenation, creativity, movement, and connection with a dynamic group of local experts from Ontario, along with special Ukrainian facilitators joining us from Toronto, London, and surrounding communities.

Movement, Meditation & Wellness

• Brittany Roselle — Opening Ceremony to help us set the tone for the day; one-on-one sessions with readings; and Shakti movement to close the day.
• Peggy Phillips — Opening Ceremony welcome and a drum circle exploring the Seven Teachings and the heartbeat of the drum.
• Patricia Maki & Ann Nace — Morning Qigong movement and mindfulness practices for calm and inner balance. Patricia Maki will facilitate personalized Guiding Star sessions and mini Reiki one-on-one sessions.
• June Ross — Qigong techniques as part of the morning movement session, along with an opportunity to sign up for a one-on-one chair massage.
• Kelly Horvorka — Restorative yoga practice.
• Yuliia Chapkailo (Toronto) — Kriya Yoga breathwork and movement.
• Christine Quayle Daer — Ageless Grace, a chair-based program suitable for those with mobility restrictions, along with an information session on PIA.
• Michelle Kujawa — Closing the day with beautiful vocalization and singing bowls.

Art & Creation

• Aleksandra Makovska — Group collaborative art experience.
• Mary Intven Wallace, Art Therapist — Art session focused on Thanksgiving and gratitude.
• Iryna Koval — “Rock the Soul” mandala art (afternoon only).
• Iryna Poliakova — Gratitude wreaths.
• Yumi Walters & Akiko Yamada — Origami and traditional Japanese calligraphy (SHODO).
• Laura Williams — Motanka doll making.

Special Sessions

• Alla Perogies — “The Art of Cooking”. Learn how to make perogies in a hands-on, tactile, and mindful activity as you create each perogie to perfection! Samples will also be served at lunch. (10 spots available).

• Alisa Sulemanova – Introduction to ‘LILA (Leela) game ‘. An ancient 2,000-year-old Indian self-knowledge and transformation board game.

Advance registration is required.
40-minute session.

One-on-One Support On Site

• Iryna Koval — One-on-one sessions with a Ukrainian psychologist (morning only).

Supporting a Vital Cause

All funds raised will directly benefit the Elgin County Ukrainian Community (ECUC). Your support helps ECUC assist Ukrainian newcomers as they build their lives and communities in Canada, while also providing humanitarian aid to families and communities affected by the war in Ukraine.

Every ticket purchased helps us come together to sing, pray, connect, and hope for PEACE and an end to the nightmare in Ukraine.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our generous sponsors, including Amino North America Corporation, Dr. Ian Begg, and ECUC supporters who provide financial support through fundraising throughout the year.

Reserve Your Spot

This promises to be a day of deep connection, healing, gratitude, creativity, and community.

Everyone is welcome! Ukrainian newcomers are especially encouraged to bring their Canadian friends, colleagues, and supporters so we can continue building bridges between cultures and communities.

For questions or inquiries, please contact Patricia Maki at tp_maki@icloud.

Saturday, October 24th

10 am – 4 pm est 

@ 135 Wellington St, St. Thomas, ON

Spaces are limited. Please Register for this event HERE!!