SUNDAYS FOR HERSELF Experience -Chicagoland Women

Keely, Chicago, July 12

When I arrived, I felt scattered, curious, and open. By the end of the day, I felt deeply grounded, fully present in my body, and clear on the next steps that would move me forward. One of my biggest breakthroughs was realizing how much I need structure and ritual in my daily life to stay centered and aligned.

Katherine, July 12th

I arrived feeling present—mentally, physically, and emotionally ready to fully embrace the purpose of the retreat. I came with the intention of releasing, finding more presence, and remaining open to whatever was meant to unfold. One of my biggest takeaways was realizing how powerful true stillness and silence can be. Just 25 minutes had such a profound impact. I also discovered how combining different meditation and embodiment practices created a deep sense of coherence that I hadn't experienced before. During and immediately after the retreat, I felt calm, grounded, strong, empowered, and deeply restored. Taking an entire day to recharge my energy was such a gift. I was blown away by the variety of practices that integrated the mind, body, and emotions, and I left with simple tools that I immediately began incorporating into my daily life. A week later, I could still feel the impact. I noticed I was processing intense emotions more effectively and wasn't as easily thrown off by the energy of others. The practices helped me feel more grounded, coherent, and emotionally regulated throughout the week. I found myself slowing down, tuning into my body before making decisions that would normally send me into stress or overthinking. I was even better able to support the regulation of those around me. I loved this experience and only wish I could attend all of the remaining retreats. The flow of the day felt thoughtful and well-paced, and I was especially impressed by how Maria created space for individual coaching while making everyone feel seen and supported. She handled it beautifully. This experience was truly a gift.

Naomi, July 12th

I felt good and grounded coming into this experience. as this was a last-minute add to my calendar. I appreciated not having set expectations because it allowed me to be open to whatever unfolded. That freedom felt liberating and helped me fully engage with the moment. The most significant shift for me was awakening to certain patterns that may have been holding me back. Simply recognizing those patterns gave me a new awareness of how I can transform my energy moving forward. Overall, the experience was incredibly enriching and insightful. The most eye-opening part was the physical movement into the energetic space using the markings on the floor. Rather than thinking about where to go, we were encouraged to listen to our bodies. It was fascinating to notice the contrast between where my body instinctively wanted to move and what my mind was telling me. It made me stop and consider what my body was trying to communicate. Stepping into that space made the experience tangible and gave it a deeper sense of meaning. I've experienced somatic practices before through the Temple Collective, and I've always found them incredibly effective. They help me feel a noticeable shift in my energy. I also loved the on-the-spot coaching during the session.

Char, July 12th

I came into the retreat feeling a little nervous, but mostly excited and curious. Physically, I was tired—as I usually am—but emotionally, I felt proud of myself for taking this step. As the day unfolded, I noticed my body becoming more relaxed, even while I still felt that excitement. The biggest shift for me was learning to use the concepts of contraction and expansion to tune into my body and bypass all of the cognitive noise that usually overrides those basic signals. It gave me a completely different way of listening to myself. One of the most surprising parts of the experience was how open the other women were. Maria encouraged us to avoid talking about our jobs or the roles we play in life, and that completely changed the conversations. Instead of leading with what we do, we connected through our lived experiences. It helped me realize how much we all have in common and left me feeling genuinely connected to the women around me.

Alexa, July 12th

I left the retreat feeling light, relaxed, and confident. There was a noticeable shift in my body by the end of the day, and I felt more at ease than when I arrived. The most meaningful breakthrough for me was realizing how deeply I could relate to the other women. Becoming aware, healing together, and sharing the experience as a group was incredibly powerful. It reminded me that we all carry similar experiences, and there is something profoundly healing about not having to navigate them alone. One of the most impactful moments was the one-on-one coaching at the end of the retreat. It gave me the opportunity to reflect on everything I had experienced, and Maria helped me identify practical ways to integrate what I had learned into my everyday life. I left with insights that felt meaningful and attainable. I also loved the food, and having the retreat in Maria's home made the experience feel familiar, welcoming, and safe. It created an intimate environment where I could truly relax, be myself, and fully receive the experience.

Prerana, October

I was experiencing consistent stress before the retreat. I wasn’t aware of how many patterns around validation and control were connected to an imbalance in my solar plexus. My biggest realization was that I had forgotten a lot of difficult experiences from my past, but my body remembered. When I connected with my body, so much resurfaced, and I had a lot to process the following day. I would absolutely recommend Sunday for Herself. You don’t always know the root causes of the struggles in your life. This experience can help you recognize those patterns and begin to understand how to heal them.

Bridget, Chicago October

I came to Sunday for Herself curious to learn more about my personal spirituality and continue growing in this new chapter of life after retirement. I arrived with fairly low expectations, mostly curious about what I might learn. I left feeling more open, with a foundation laid for further exploration. I learned more about my center and the heart and solar plexus chakras, and found myself absorbing information, reflecting on my reactions, and making connections along the way. Sunday for Herself offered me an opportunity to deepen my self-awareness and explore my spirituality in a welcoming space.