Women’s Wellness Retreat
Doe Bay Resort
Orcas Island
March 19-22, 2026
Ground your body, mind and spirit with a deep reset.
We travel to Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands northwest of Seattle, just as we move into the season of spring. This is a wonderful time to reconnect with nature, explore gentle somatic practices, and enjoy being in community with a small group of like-minded women.
We stay at Doe Bay Resort with beautiful, expansive waterfront views and surrounded by nature. We have three shared houses available for us with a yoga studio and plenty of gathering space. Meals are shared either in the private retreat house or in the Doe Bay Cafe, with incredible Northwest fresh cuisine utilizing local and organic ingredients.
Our Women’s Wellness Retreat offers the opportunity to take a deep breath and connect with your body and spirit. The pathway to deep connection with oneself is most fully realized in a community of trust. We foster this energy throughout our four days together while also creating plenty of space for you to ‘be’ however you need to be, and follow your own rhythms – come exactly as you are, we welcome you. There will be yoga and mindfulness sessions that are adaptive to the activity levels of all participants present, hot soaking and sauna sessions, cold plunging in the Salish Sea (optional of course!), and hands-on bodywork from our talented wellness leaders.
At a Glance
Facilitators:
Briana Thiodet – Professional Somatic Coach
Dr. Aimee Lake – Physical Therapist & Fascia
Dr. Sharonrose Samelak – Chiropractor & Nervous System
Alison Barrington – Yoga Leader
For: Women seeking a deep body reset. Time to rest and recharge. Space to find clarity and connection.
Highlights: Yoga, Sauna & Hot Soaking, Cold Plunging, Deep Rest, Hands-on Bodywork, Fascia, Nervous System Regulation
Venue: Three multi-bedroom houses at Doe Bay Resort
Rooms: Single or Double occupancy w/ shared bathrooms
Food: Shared meals, can accommodate dietary restrictions
Activity Level: Mild to moderate (steps / yoga / nature walks)
Weather: Variable – day mid-60s °F, possible rain and/or sun
Group Size: 15 maximum, including facilitators
Cost: $1,850 Double Occupancy; $2,375 Single Occupancy
The Land & Space
Doe Bay Resort and Retreat Center has a long and beloved history on Orcas Island. It has had many past lives, generally tending towards a spirit-filled retreat space, and most recently was purchased by Joe and Maureen Brotherton in 2003. The Brothertons have spent their time as stewards investing in upgrading and revamping Doe Bay, all the while being careful to maintain its special presence.
Doe Bay Resort hosts camping, glamping, yurts, and cabins, with an on-site organic farm, yoga studio, oceanview outdoor sauna and spa, Doe Bay Cafe, and many live music and cultural events. Every Thursday hosts an open-mic with local musical talent and the summers enjoy live music and festivals. The ethos of Doe Bay Resort is rooted in the local community and supports their local foodways and Orcas Island producers wherever possible.
Once a best-kept secret, Doe Bay Resort and the Doe Bay Cafe are now getting attention from “Top Ten Places to Visit’ lists from the likes of National Geographic Traveler, Travel & Leisure, and The New York Times.
Accommodations: We will be hosted in three houses which each have 3-4 bedrooms and shared bathrooms. There are additional shared-use bathrooms available throughout the property, if needed. Meals will take place either in the main retreat house, or in the Doe Bay Cafe. Both Single and Double occupancy rooms are available.
Facilities: Panoramic waterfront views of the Salish Sea and old growth native Northwest trees dot the property. Doe Bay Resort is on a gentle slope, so some degree of walking comfort is needed. There are nature trails throughout the property to explore the coastline and forest, Adirondack chairs to sit and enjoy the view, and a fire pit for evening hangouts.
“We shape this experience to invite the body into safety.
We offer yoga, sauna, hot soaking, good food, plenty of rest, and hands-on bodywork to ease the fascia and nervous system.
And all of that is just the foundational experience for what is truly important - the opportunity to connect deeply with a group of women.
That is where the real healing happens.”
—Briana Thiodet, leader
“What an incredible experience! So much thought was put into making sure everyone would be comfortable and have a good experience. I can’t imagine a better setting than Doe Bay for feeling connected to nature and relaxed.”
— Laura G.
SCHEDULE
(May vary)
7:00-9:00 – Breakfast served in the Retreat House, join at your leisure
9:00-11:00 – Yoga, bodywork sessions with Dr. Aimee and Dr. Sharonrose, and/or reflection sessions with leaders
12:00-1:00 – Lunch
1:30-3:00 – Sauna and Spa session and optional cold plunging
3:00-6:00 – Downtime (hike, relax, journal, etc.)
4:30-6:00 – Sunset Flow + Restore Yoga
6:00-7:00 – Dinner
7:00-9:00 – Rest, connect with others in the Retreat House, bodywork sessions with Dr. Aimee and Dr. Sharonrose, or restful yoga
What’s Included
3 nights accommodation at Doe Bay Resort and Retreat
All meals (starting w/ dinner, ending w/ breakfast)
Hands-on bodywork with Dr. Aimee & Dr. Sharonrose
Somatic Coaching opportunities with Briana
Adaptive yoga classes w/ Alison throughout the weekend
Group transportation from/to Seattle, including ferries
Sauna and Hot Soaking sessions at outdoor salt water spa
Mindfulness sessions with our retreat leaders
Coffee, tea, and snacks in the Retreat House
Full access to the Yoga Studio for our group only
Miles of trails, natural beauty and oceanfront views
what’s Not Included
Airfare to/from SeaTac airport; transportation to Seattle
Travel insurance – highly recommended
Lunches during our travel days on Thursday and Sunday
Additional activities, massages, etc.
Accommodations
Prices vary by room type. We have both Single and Double Occupancy, both options include your own Double or Queen sized bed. We will be staying in the Retreat House, the Harbor House, and the Cypress Cabin. Please view photos of each by clicking on the appropriate links.
$1,850 – $2,375 per person
Meet your Guides
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Briana Thiodet
PROFESSIONAL SOMATIC COACH
Briana is a a Professional Coach working with women in the spaces of somatics and personal/professional transformations.. She is mother to Aurelia and Noemie and seeks to create the world she wants for them in everything she does. With a background working in the travel industry, Briana founded Ocotillo Explorations to align her love for travel with new opportunities for holistic wellbeing and self-discovery. Her own health challenges and experiences with stress led her into research on nervous system regulation, various forms of therapeutic somatic work, and the transformative power of relationships in the healing process. She brings all that together here in this Women’s Wellness Retreat, and is so excited to share this space of laughter, discovery and deep connection with other women.
Learn more about Briana’s Somatic Coaching offerings here
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Dr. Aimee Lake
PHYSICAL THERAPY AND FASCIA
Aimee is an Integrative Physical Therapist practicing in Seattle, WA. Her PT speciality is pelvic health, perinatal and menopause body transitions, and everything involving breathing. In her PT practice she highly values hands-on manual therapy. She has done extensive training in fascial work, visceral manipulation, and in working with pelvic ligaments. She loves that she can use her knowledge of anatomy and the rules it plays by to help people move more comfortably in their bodies.
Aimee can’t wait to lead this retreat. She loves to share what she understands about the body and how that knowledge leads to better movement. She is also very excited to share her hands-on skills with everyone over the course of the weekend. And of course, to go cold plunging!
Visit Dr. Aimee Lake’s website here
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Dr. Sharonrose Samelak
CHIROPRACTOR & WOMEN’S HEALTH
Dr. Sharonrose is the owner and clinic director of Seed of Life Chiropractic and Wellness in Seattle. She specializes in caring for families with an emphasis on women’s health and pediatrics. Sharonrose loves connecting with her patients and helping them to find joy & strength in their bodies. In her spare time she enjoys all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Most at home in water, she spends as much time as possible swimming, paddle boarding, cold plunging, and playing. Sharonrose is an avid reader, a lover of warm beverages on cold days, and is always excited to learn a new craft or skill. She has worked with children and families most of her life and loves building community and connecting people with resources and each other.
Visit Dr. Sharonrose Samelak’s website here
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Alison Barrington
YOGA INSTRUCTOR
Originally from Athens, Ohio in the heart of Appalachia, Alison now calls Salt Lake City, Utah home. With a background as a Registered Nurse and a Master’s in Public Health, her passion is helping people live their best lives—while living hers fully too. Movement and yoga are central to that vision.
Alison completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training with Yoga Assets in 2023. For her, yoga has always been the most natural way to connect with her thoughts, soul, and sense of grounding. It offers what she needs—and now she shares that gift with her community.
Her teaching focuses on mind-body-soul integration through accessible vinyasa flows, offering something for everyone—from gentle practices to more challenging sequences. Alison often weaves themes inspired by nature, the seasons, chakras, and the wisdom of The Yoga Sutras. The Yamas and Niyamas hold a special place in her heart, guiding her both on and off the mat.
Alison’s approach is rooted in the belief that true transformation begins from the inside out. She empowers her students to explore their own growth through movement, breath, and reflection—creating space for challenge, curiosity, and self-discovery. Her goal is to help others build strength and resilience not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually, so they can live with greater awareness and authenticity.
Yoga has profoundly changed Alison’s life, and she loves creating spaces where others can experience that same transformation. Outside of teaching, she enjoys time with family, friends, pets, and the beauty of nature and community.
What People are saying
Book now
3 SPOTS LEFT!!
2026 Pricing
Single occupancy: $2375
Double occupancy: $1850
Hold your spot with a nonrefundable $500 deposit. Final payment will be due 45 days in advance of departure.
If you experience issues with the booking process, please contact Briana at Briana@OcotilloExplorations.com
FAQs
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Absolutely. All of our activities are designed to be adaptive to all bodies and ability levels. You are welcome to opt out of any activities you’d like, and take some rest or personal time instead. Various types of yoga will be offered to suit different needs. If you have a physical limitation, please contact Briana to discuss how this may impact your experience. Doe Bay Resort is on a gentle incline and some walking is required.
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Our highly experienced clinicians, Dr. Aimee Lake and Dr. Sharonrose Samelak, will be hosting educational workshops and hands-on demonstrations of the work they do in fascia release, nervous system regulation and structural adjustments. If you are interested in receiving hands-on bodywork yourself, you will have the opportunity during the weekend to work with one of these providers on individual needs or goals that you discuss with them. Expect a 1:1 session with one provider, approximately 30-60 minutes in length. Additional conversations with these providers throughout the weekend will give you valuable insights into how the body heals and how you might develop your own approach to wellness.
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Many past participants have noted that the food is one of the highlights of this retreat! Many of our meals will be served in the Doe Bay Cafe on site, which utilizes local and organic ingredients as much as possible. We can accommodate dietary restrictions, please reach out to Briana with any questions.
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Every past participant has had this same concern. Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, it is normal to be apprehensive about joining a group of women you don’t yet know for such an immersive and intimate retreat. We have found that past groups very quickly bond with one another and enjoy each other’s company, generally within the first day. Some have noted that they’ve never before felt comfortable in the company of other women, but to their surprise they have felt warmly welcomed in this retreat environment. Most say that the company of the other participants is the highlight of their experience. This retreat is designed to foster a sense of community and encourage nervous system regulation through those community connections. If you feel apprehensive, please reach out to Briana to chat more.
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This retreat is designed for you to go at your own pace and join in, as ready. You will feel comfortable opting in or out of any of the activities or meals, as needed. Several past participants have noted this as a unique strength of this retreat. Whether you are in need of deep rest, recovering from burnout, want a break from motherhood or job pressures, or excited to be out in nature and move at a body-centric pace, this retreat will meet you where you are at. Please see reviews, above, for more personal reflections on this experience!
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Great question! Nervous system regulation is getting a lot of attention lately. Our nervous system was designed to respond to threats in our environment by fighting, fleeing, or freezing, and then once the threat had passed, to return to a baseline feeling of calm and relaxed engagement. In our modern world, the pace of life and the types of stress we encounter have made it more difficult to complete this stress cycle and return to that sense of calm. Further, our nervous system was designed to feel calm, safe and engaged in the presence of community. We evolved in small communities for many hundreds of thousands of years and our bodies look to be in relationships of trust in order to feel safe. Nervous system regulation means utilizing bodywork, reflection and awareness, and creating those communities of trust, in order to communicate to our nervous systems that they can safely come to a place of calm and relaxed engagement. We will discuss this in more depth during the retreat, we enjoy your questions!
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We will depart at 12pm on Thursday, March 19 from the Northgate Link Light Rail Station in North Seattle. We will return to the same location at approximately 5pm on Sunday, March 22.
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Yes, absoutely. Group transportation is included from/to Seattle. If you live elsewhere or just prefer to drive yourself, you are welcome to meet us either at Doe Bay Resort, or join our transportation at the Anacortes Ferry Terminal. If self-driving, please remember to book ferry reservations in advance.
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