Awaken Your Aliveness–A Women’s Retreat

Healing Through Movement, Sound and Self Expression

Led by Bani Aello, with Art Experience led by Gretchen Ettlie

Friday, October 2 – Sunday, October 4, 2026

Early Bird Discount — $25 off through August 15th

For thousands of years, people have turned to music, movement, rhythm, and the voice as pathways to healing, connection, and joy. Yet many of us have become disconnected from these natural forms of expression. This retreat is an invitation to rediscover their healing power—not as performances, but as practices that calm the nervous system, awaken the heart, release what has been held inside, and reconnect us with our most authentic, vibrant selves.

We will also offer morning Yoga, a Forest Immersion experience, an Art Experience, Qi Gong and Circle Work. The Yoga is Gentle and very accessible for beginners.

About Your Retreat Leader:

Bani Aello is a certified Yoga teacher with over 25 years experience in body work, completing her 500-hr yoga teacher training in 2012 through Open Sky Yoga, which is an Iyengar-style training. Since then, she has been teaching weekly yoga and meditation classes, helping people successfully reduce stress and anxiety from their daily loves. Bani is also certified to lead Journeydance. In addition she has completed the teacher training for Jon Kabat Zinn’s Mindfulness-based stress reduction course through the University of San Diego California Medical Center and became a Master Reiki Practitioner and has received several trainings in Sound Therapy. For the past several years, she has enjoyed teaching and facilitating meditation and personal growth sessions and workshops for various groups and individuals, bringing joy and well-being to her students and clients.

Gretchen Ettlie has been an artist educator since 2005, working with people of all ages. She says, “Working at an international school in Macau, China for over ten years gave me a new perspective. It’s been great to be back in Rochester, where I continue to share art experiences with people of all ages. I love to work with color and delve deeply into different materials. Getting ‘lost’ in this space of creation, I am developing my inner world, and have a dialogue with myself. This process itself becomes a meditation, a new space of thought and reflection.” 

Cost: $525. for a single room and $500 for a double. The Early Bird Special ($25 off) runs until August 15th.

To register: Visit https://baniaello.com/fall-retreat-2026

For more information, email Bani@baniaello.com with questions or call (585)957-6235