snaketapestryFor those of you who have received my email about the AWESOME Healing Retreat we’ve got planned for people with Serious Or Chronic Illness – I would love to hear your feedback about what you think of the price, event curriculum, etc. Please leave your comments, questions, ideas in the COMMENTS section below…

I also received this email from a reader already and he brings up some very valid points – for which I am very grateful he took the time to write:

I am writing in regards to the May retreat you are offering in San Diego. While I am a fan of Jini’s work and would love to meet her one day and to also be part of this event, I find the price absolutely outrageous. I don’t doubt that people will invest in this event but for many people it makes this 2 day event untouchable. I have done week long retreats with equally knowledgeable teachers for around this
price point.

So while I was looking forward to my wife and I attending this weekend we unfortunately will not be able to at this time. As someone who has organized retreats myself I know what is involved, so what makes the
event so costly? Please consider that you limit your demographic by keeping fees at this level and after all this is about helping people heal right?

Thanks SO MUCH for your feedback. The price point was something we had a lot of trouble addressing in that it was difficult to find a venue that could accommodate the health sensitivities and dietary needs of the people who are likely to attend, AND be close to an airport so people didn’t have the stress of extra travel – especially if you are holding a retreat for more than 20 – 30 people. In fact, you can read about my difficulties finding a venue here:

http://www.ziggazag.com/biz/best-holistic-conference-center/

I can’t comment on the pricing others have set for their retreats since I don’t know a) how many people were in attendance. For example, there is a local healer (Adam Dreamhealer) in Vancouver here, who charges only $150 for a 1 day (5 hour) event – but he holds this event in his hometown (no travel, or accommodation, or childcare costs for him or his staff) and he does not provide any food – only water. Lastly, he gets 600 people in the room at a time.

Annabel and I considered holding this retreat locally – which would eliminate a substantial expense for us – but then everyone else would have to travel to Canada (international flights are more expensive), and then have either another long drive or a ferry ride + a drive AFTER a long flight = not good for ill people. Also, it is difficult to find a venue that is willing to cater so extensively to food restrictions (dairy-free, gluten-free, only cold-pressed oils, 100% natural, etc.) for a large group.

So, yes, I sure wish we could have set the price cheaper than $760 (Early-bird price,  less 10% Gold Member discount – only costs $9.95 to become a Gold Member of JPT Wellness Circle) for the evening and 2 days (8 hours/day).

We could have made it cheaper if we held it in say… a church or community hall and everyone just brought yoga mats to sit on – but would that work for 8 hours a day? It would be difficult to control the heating/ventilation and would the space feel nurturing and healing? Then they would also have to rent a car so they could drive out for food, or bring all their own food and drinks… but then we wondered if people who are already in fragile health would want to come when faced with all the “extras” and unknowns they would have to think about/plan for, or would it just seem like too much trouble, or too much discomfort?

In the end, we had to make a decision about the type of event, 3-star hotel vs. 5-star hotel, food or no food, travel, comfort, etc. So we chose the conditions that would be most conducive (we thought) to what we’re trying to effect here – relaxation, safety and healing.

We’re wide open to suggestions though – do you know of a venue that could accommodate all the elements outlined above for substantially cheaper than the Estancia La Jolla? Don’t forget, we are providing morning refreshments (fruit, granola, baked goods, and drinks), full gentle-gut catered lunch (8 dishes plus dessert and drinks) and afternoon refreshments (fruit, munchies, cookies, trail mix and drinks). We chose California since a large percentage of our customers are West Coast – thereby cutting the travel costs for them.

Oh wait, I actually did find a venue in the Napa Valley that met our health requirements and it would have been about $200 cheaper. However, when I did the final check to see past visitor’s feedback on Trip Advisor – I found out this “eco-hotel” was in the middle of town, located next to a strip mall! People said the rooms were poorly maintained and most said they would never stay there again. Plus it was a one-hour drive from the nearest airport. When I checked the visitor feedback for Estancia La Jolla – people said they felt this great peace and calm come over them the minute the taxi drove through the gates, the gardens, grounds (9.5 acres of greenery) were so beautiful and peaceful with lots of private spaces, staff was great, food was great, BEST conference space they’d ever been to, etc. etc. It was no contest.

So, I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas and likewise for anyone else reading this post, or who also would really like to attend the LISTEN TO YOUR BODY Mind/Body/Spirit Healing Retreat.

Because as you pointed out – if no one can come, then no one’s going to benefit from the powerful healing anyway!

Please leave me any and all of your ideas in the COMMENTS section below…. While I may feel I have examined every possibility, I’m sure others may be able to come up with a way to make it work better for everyone, so I really am open to any and all ideas. We REALLY would love to have this be an enjoyable, powerful, affordable healing experience for the greatest number of people possible.

Soar higher,

Jini