Abbey Retreat Centre supports people on their health and healing journeys, especially those living with cancer
Abbey Retreat Centre creates healing spaces and community for people living with cancer and for the people supporting them.
Located in the Haliburton Highlands on a beautiful property surrounded by forests and ponds, we provide a variety of in-person and online retreats and programs that offer rest and renewal, companionship, meaningful discussions, healthy and delicious food, and an introduction to evidence-informed practices that tend body, mind, and soul while living with cancer (for example: time in nature, restorative yoga, massage, expressive arts, music, healthy and nutritional diet, and group conversation).
Our retreats and programs serve those in the Haliburton area as well as people across Ontario.
We offer our online and in-person retreats and programs at no cost to the participants, recognizing there are already many increased expenses for individuals and families facing cancer.
ON NOW
Re-Shaping our cancer stories
A 4 week, online program that includes 8 online meetings and independent activities.
A cancer diagnosis may change the trajectory of our lives and our life story may need reshaping; grief and loss need acknowledging. This innovative program provides opportunities to work deeply with questions of identity and the current now.
Through 8 online gatherings, video segments, and supporting materials, we will integrate the natural world, simple art-making, yoga, sound, and discussion circles as we travel through our stories to chart a fresh course.
Simply come with an open heart and a playful and committed spirit. Most of the materials you will need will be mailed to you.
This program is for those living with cancer, with the option for a supporting person to participate.
Re-Shaping Our Cancer Stories is offered to you without cost and is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
“This process kick-started my ability for the first time to begin to look at and emotionally process the impact cancer has had on my life. This was facilitated by the safety you created but also by the medium you chose to aid us in our processing. You are very talented at what you do & have made a big difference in my recovery process.”
On Now
Yoga Therapy
Join our Registered Yoga Therapist, Miriam, weekly for online yoga sessions that are free-of-cost.
Tuesdays 7-8pm: Relax & Restore
Wednesdays 1:30-2:30pm: Gentle Yoga for Cancer Recovery
Thursdays 7:15-7:45pm: Yoga Nidra – A Guided Relaxation
Register online here or email Miriam at: miriam@practicewithmiriam.com
The Haliburton Highlands Challenge
A unique fundraising event running from July 1 – September 30, 2022, that celebrates the important health benefits of moving our bodies in whatever ways we are able while supporting the vision and mission of Abbey Retreat Centre.
Participants are invited to choose an activity and goal (eg. bike, hike, run, walk, swim, chair yoga, paddle, however you choose to move), gather a team together, and invite family and friends to donate, knowing you will be helping Abbey Retreat Centre support people living with cancer.
In-Person, 4-Day Retreats are back!
The retreats offer rest and renewal, companionship, and an introduction to practices that help soothe, strengthen and restore the body, mind and soul in the midst of a cancer journey. Time in nature, restorative yoga, massage, expressive arts, nutrition, music, and group conversation are all elements of what make our retreats unique and transformative.
Our retreats and programs serve those in the Haliburton Highlands area as well as people across Ontario. We offer these at no cost to participants, recognizing there are already many increased expenses for individuals and families facing cancer.
Please email for more details or to join our waitlist: barb@abbeyretreatcentre.ca
Re-Shaping our cancer stories
This 4-week, online, innovative program provides opportunities to work deeply with questions of identity and the current now.
Through 8 online gatherings, video segments, and supporting materials, we will integrate the natural world, simple art-making, yoga, sound, and discussion circles as we travel through our stories to chart a fresh course.
This program is for those living with cancer, with the option for a supporting person to participate.
Re-Shaping Our Cancer Stories is offered to you without cost and is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Apply here.
Past Online Retreats and programs
LIGHT IN THE PANDEMIC: NAVIGATING GRIEF & LOSS
An online retreat for people living with cancer, providing self-care tools, practical resources and activities to help facilitate healing and well-being.
Take a Thread & Follow It
For 6 Fridays starting in April 2021, we joined Fay Wilkinson and Brian Nichols virtually for an Expressive Arts adventure using simple stitching as a metaphor to explore stories related to each person’s cancer journey.
Take a Thread & Follow It #2
For 6 Fridays starting in June 2021, we joined Fay Wilkinson and Brian Nichols virtually for an Expressive Arts adventure using simple stitching as a metaphor to explore stories related to each person’s cancer journey.
Looking In/Looking Out
A half-day adventure where we explored what we need to travel along the cancer journey, now compounded by COVID19.
Cancer Retreats
Our retreats are for people at any stage in the cancer journey and their primary support person. They include discussion groups, yoga and meditation, nutritional learning, creative expressive arts, connection with nature, and rest time—all in a supportive, caring community atmosphere.
Time at retreat provides the opportunity to explore the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual areas of healing with cancer. Our retreats are 4-day experiences with ten participants. The resulting sense of enhanced well-being and knowledge from being at retreat can allow those with a cancer diagnosis to continue and complete traditional treatment programs staying as well and whole as can be.
All retreats are offered free-of-cost to participants as we recognize the financial burden that accompanies a cancer diagnosis.
CANCER Retreats
Day Programs
Day programs based on local interests.
Speakers, classes, groups.
All funds generated through fundraising events and generous donations help us to continue to offer our cancer retreats to participants free of charge.
We understand the financial burden that can often accompany a cancer diagnosis and we strive to provide a place of healing that does not add to that burden.
Rent the Retreat Centre
The Retreat Centre is available for rental when not in use for its retreat programming. Groups, business, families, are welcome to rent smaller spaces or the entire Centre. What would you like host here ?