41208 Hot Springs Drive, California Hot Springs, CA, USA
Up to 16 in group
October 2 - 6, 2024
About this Retreat
Michael Pezzullo earned his Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Antioch
University and his Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Communications from New
York University. Based in West Hollywood, CA, Michael Pezzullo’s clinical work as a
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) includes specializations in treating
trauma, substance use, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Michael primarily employs a trauma-focused approach, drawing upon training in
attachment-focused EMDR, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP), and trauma-
focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). In addition to his work in private
practice, Michael serves as a primary therapist in both the Addictions and Trauma
programs at Camden Center in Los Angeles. Previously, he worked for two years at
La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center, one of the few exclusively queer dual-
diagnosis treatment facilities in the country.
His clinical work began with the study of psychoanalysis at Valley Community
Counseling Clinic, followed by the treatment of sexual compulsivity at the Center for
Healthy Sex and clinical work with adolescents at Evolve Treatment. He also created
and facilitated an LGBTQIA+ identity group for Impulse United, a global HIV
advocacy nonprofit funded by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF).
In addition to clinical work, Michael is the social media and events chair for the
Group Psychotherapy Association of Los Angeles. He has been a featured guest on
several mental health podcasts and will also be featured in the upcoming
documentary “Speaking Out,” which highlights real-life stories of trauma in the gay
community.
Founding member and ongoing creator of Vedanta Spiritual & Holistic Retreat and its programs.
He guides people in pranayama and its benefits for health and longevity.
Kristin aims to be "In Service of Life." Devoted to the process of transformation, she loves being a guide for anyone on the path of enriching, healing, or deepening the mind-body experience.
Her teachings are infused with a deeper knowledge and mindfulness born of her decades of devotion to the lifestyle and study of Yoga, Natural Movement, Biomechanics, and Vipassana. meditation.
She is the Program Coordinator for VSHR, an E-RYT 200/RYT 500 registered instructor with Yoga Alliance, a certified Yoga Therapist with the IAYT, and a Restorative Exercise Specialist in Katy Bowmans “Nutritious Movement” program.
Details of this retreat
Transformative Healing Retreat: Embrace Your Journey to Wellness
Join our holistic and spiritually enriching retreat, designed to guide you on a journey of understanding, processing, and healing from trauma through expert-led sessions and practical exercises. Delve into the nature of trauma and its profound impact on the body, while discovering effective treatment methods such as EMDR, breathwork, mindfulness, and narrative therapy. Gain valuable insights, participate in guided meditations, and learn transformative breathwork techniques, all within a nurturing and compassionate environment.
This retreat will be a deep dive into the universe of your breath and its potential for positively affecting your health and longevity. Many of us take our breathing for granted, unaware of patterns that may contribute to increased anxiety and stress. Pranayama, a mature step on the Yogic path, takes us into the subtler energies of our pranic layer. During this retreat, you will practice a series of breaths twice daily, becoming proficient and gaining the ability to create a home practice by the program’s end.
We will examine modern stressors that lead to everyday anxiety, fear, and depression, contributing to the epidemic of chronic conditions. Through tools such as pranayama, yoga asana, yoga nidra, healthy eating, and lifestyle practices, you will learn to take charge of and greatly reduce the stress effects in your life. This time together will offer great rejuvenation and healing for your nervous system.
Ample time will be provided to connect with nature, taking walks through rolling hills, visiting a beautiful Sequoia grove, and enjoying simple leisure time to let your body rest and repair.
More on Trauma & EMDR
( This section can once they click they see the headings and then with each heading more details)
What is trauma?
Examples of trauma (abuse, neglect, accidents, etc.)
We all react to trauma in a predictable way, yet we also have individual differences.
The differences between stress and trauma (painful life event v. overwhelm capacity to cope)
Q&A: Has anyone experienced trauma? How did it affect you?
Grief:
Universal part of the human experience. Everyone will confront grief in their lifetime.
Over time we lose people we love. After we experience a loss, the world can feel like an empty space—a void.
Trauma and grief share some of the same symptoms, but their treatments have important differences.
Grief is not a painful event in the past that you can move on. Rather, it is a loss you learn to live with.
How does trauma affect the body?
Explain biology of the nervous system, Vagus nerve, etc.
Trauma responses: fight, flight, or freeze.
Exercise: take 5 mins to do a body scan (embodied inquiry). What sensations do you notice? Gratitude meditation for body.
How do you treat trauma?
What does “treating” trauma mean?
What are the different methods of trauma therapy?
What does it mean to "heal"?
Generally, to decrease post-traumatic symptoms
Treating trauma using the mindfulness:
Why is mindfulness important? Witnessing vs. reacting/responding to thoughts
Exercise: 10 min meditation. What is your meditation practice? What thoughts do you notice? How do you recenter your mind?
Sharing your story:
Guilt and shame are innate responses to trauma
Social support is essential to trauma healing
Why narrative & talk therapy is still essential
Exercise: take 10-20 mins to write about your experiences…share in 1st person, 3rd person…once upon a time.
Treating trauma using the body:
Breath work…activating the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. This is an incredibly important part of trauma therapy.
Why? We can directly train our arousal system by the way we breathe.
This can be tied in to the breath work they are already doing throughout the day I assume.
What is EMDR?
How does it work and how do you practice it?
What is bilateral stimulation (BLS)?
Live demonstration of an EMDR session (this is where you and I could do a live EMDR session demo, if you are comfortable).
What is resourcing?
Explanation of utilizing inner resources in trauma work.
How to “tap in” resources
Exercise: practicing “tapping in” the 4 key resources (peaceful place, nurturing figure, wise figure, protector figure).
What You’ll Gain
Understanding Trauma: Learn about the nature of trauma and its impact on the body.
Effective Treatments: Discover methods like EMDR, mindfulness, and narrative therapy.
Guided Meditations: Participate in sessions that foster deep relaxation and healing.
Breathwork Techniques: Master breathwork practices to enhance your health and well-being.
Stress Reduction Tools: Utilize yoga, pranayama, yoga nidra, and healthy lifestyle tips to manage stress.
Nature Connection: Enjoy peaceful walks and restful leisure time in a beautiful natural setting.
Evening Restorative Yoga, Sound-bathing and Yoga Nidra
Lecture on the science of stress and how it effects our health
All Inclusive
5 days/ 4 nights accommodation
11 Freshly cooked Organic vegan/vegetarian meals
Daily morning Pranayam/yoga/meditation classes (all-level classes)
Long quiet walks through the green rolling hills. Outdoor meditation among the rocks and the wild flowers
A guided Forest bathing (Shin Rin Yoku) experience in local Redwoods
A digital take home Pranayam Practice
This retreat promises a deeply transformative experience, offering both practical skills and profound insights to support your journey toward healing and wellness. Join us to rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit in a compassionate and supportive community.
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