An Escape to Wild Heart Spirit Heart Retreats

I arrived in Tulameen, B.C. on a sweltering summer afternoon. My car’s air conditioning had long given up, my phone’s signal was flickering, and the buzzing anxiety of being “disconnected” from the world lingered as I pulled into the driveway of Wild Heart Spirit Heart Retreats. I was there to write about the experience. But as I stepped out of my car and into the calm embrace of this hidden oasis, I decided to set aside the assignment mindset and fully surrender to the moment. That choice would change everything.

Nestled in the wild, natural beauty of the Similkameen Valley, Wild Heart Spirit Heart is more than a retreat—it’s a sanctuary. Every inch of the property, from the hummingbird-shaped Calliope meeting room to the chakra gardens and koi pond, feels intentional and alive. The cottages are thoughtfully curated—charming, cozy, and bathed in soft, feminine energy. As a personal trainer accustomed to living in a world where strength often overshadows softness, I was surprised at how naturally the “pretty” seeped into my spirit. For the first time in a long time, I felt my feminine side awakening, not in resistance, but in reverence.

A Circle of Strangers, Now Sisters

In the Calliope room—named for the tiny hummingbirds that flit by daily—three strangers, myself included, gathered for our first circle. Our guide and host, Susan Turner, radiated a calm, grounded presence that made it easy to open up. Her vision for the retreat was born not from a business plan, but from deep inner listening and divine guidance. She spoke of co-creating the space with nature, listening to what wanted to be built, and allowing spirit to shape each element.

Her passion was evident as she led us through the sacred spaces: the chakra garden, the koi pond, the whimsical telephone booth, and the light-filled Healing Center. There was a quiet reverence in how she moved through the property—as though every rock and flower held a story. And indeed, they did.

“My mission is to raise the vibration of humanity—for the well-being of people, animals, and the Earth,” Susan shared, her words as gentle and powerful as the retreat itself.

Healing Through Connection

During my stay, I experienced one of Susan’s intuitive healing sessions—a personalized journey within the Healing Center. The space itself is serene, filled with natural light and calm energy, encouraging a deep release. It was here that I first noticed my tension unraveling, the urgency of everyday life softening into presence.

Later, a group Sound Bowl Session deepened that release. The resonance of the bowls echoed through our bodies, a reminder that healing isn’t always something we “do,” but something we allow.

Meals became another kind of ritual. Each plant-based dish was lovingly prepared by Zuzana Fajkusova, a holistic health coach and co-founder of Active Vegetarian. Before each meal, Zuzana would explain the ingredients and intention behind the dish, inviting us to savour the flavours as part of our healing. At first, it felt like a luxury. By day three, it felt like a necessity. The act of slowing down and honouring food as nourishment for both body and spirit became one of the most unexpected gifts of the retreat.

Zuzana’s philosophy is deeply rooted in connection—between ourselves, our food, and the Earth. As she says:

“When we nourish our bodies with clean, life-giving foods, we begin to remember our place within nature’s rhythms. Healing starts there.”

Movement and Stillness

Each morning, we were invited to yoga with Nikki Lefler, Zuzana’s partner and fellow health coach. The walk to the studio took us past a coral of curious goats—a whimsical welcome that never failed to make us smile. The yoga space, a reimagined barn filled with light and warmth, felt sacred. Nikki’s classes were gentle but grounding, emphasizing connection, self-acceptance, and the stillness that reveals what’s already within us.

“To share love and light through yoga,” Nikki told us, “is to remind people they are already enough.”

And somehow, between the goats, the stretching, and the soft voice guiding us, I believed it.

Forest Bathing—with Goats

One of the most memorable experiences was Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing. We walked quietly through the woods with Susan, Nikki, and three baby goats—yes, goats. It was their first time joining, and perhaps ours as well in this way. We paused by trees that “called” to us, sat in silence, and even asked them questions. It may sound odd, but it felt profound.

When I settled near my chosen tree, all three goats came and laid down beside me. Susan later remarked that they seemed drawn to me. Watching them, I thought of my own children—their curiosity, their presence, their need for connection. Somehow, in that quiet, leafy moment, I felt an inexplicable sense of being seen, not just by the goats or the women around me, but by the Earth itself.

We ended with Douglas Fir tea, brewed from fresh fir tips Susan had gathered. It tasted wild, woodsy, and real. Like the forest itself was sharing its essence with us.

Leaving Changed

By the time we sat with our feet in the koi pond on our last day, the three of us who’d arrived as strangers now laughed like old friends. Wild Heart Spirit Heart had done something profound—not just by healing, but by reminding us of what we’d forgotten: that beauty is healing, presence is sacred, and we are never truly disconnected.

As I returned home and settled into a new city, I carried those lessons with me. I now prepare meals with intention, sit at a small table where I can see trees outside my window, and remember to breathe. To listen. To savour.

Wild Heart Spirit Heart isn’t just a place. It’s a remembering. A return. A gentle, radiant call back to your truest self.

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Meet the Women Behind Wild Heart Spirit Heart:

• Susan Turner – Intuitive energy healer, wildlife documentary filmmaker, and author.
• Zuzana Fajkusova – Plant-based holistic health coach, author, co-founder of Active Vegetarian.
• Nikki Lefler – Yoga teacher and co-founder of Active Vegetarian.
• Sharon Anderson – Certified aromatherapist focused on the therapeutic use of essential oils.

2025 Retreat Dates:

June 14: 1-day retreat
June 19-22: 3-night retreat
June 26-July 1: 5-night retreat
July 10-13: 3-night retreat
July 17-22: 5-night retreat
August 28-September 2: 5-night retreat
September 11-14: 3-night retreat

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