The Full Story
A Place of Healing and Adventure for Veterans
Our retreats are open to everyone but we have a special place for veterans
Veteran Founded, Veterans on Staff and Veterans in Mind
Veterans have unique challenges that are often not understood for people outside the veteran community. We believe that creating a retreat with veterans in mind and having veterans on staff can be critical in assisting in the healing process. Our retreat is unique because we emphazsies the hero's journey of overcoming challenges head on and we believe this mindset has a special appeal to vets.
Vision
Tiwaz Awakening is not just your normal retreat. While most retreats people stay at the same retreat location we put an emphasis on adventure and personal challenge. From martial to adventure hiking we include activities in our retreat that are designed for those special type of people that are "adventures of the soul."
Martial Arts
At our retreats we include Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. For veterans including myself, BJJ has been life changing. It brings back that sense of tribe that we had in the military. In addition BJJ brings back that physicality that so many of us miss after getting out. BJJ is truly healing and very powerful. It is just a much medicine as any spiritual plant and that is why we have included it in our retreats. Not too worry though, we don't push anyone beyond their limits and work with everyone where they are at.
QEEG Brain Mapping and Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback has truly changed our lives. There is really nothing like it. It took me from an extreme anxiety state after Afghanistan to place of freedom. It can make a difference from having your trauma and nervous system being in control to being in your true self. Neurofeedback's power in healing trauma is evidence based and our experience has shown us that there is really nothing like it for reducing PTSD symptoms. Not only can neurofeedback can be used for profound healing but it can be used for peak performance and reaching spiritual states.
Adventure Hiking
We do not believe that pillow sitting is the only way to enlightenment and it probably not even optimal for the Western Soul. The material world can and is as spiritual as anything else. This is why we include adventure hiking in our retreats. We explore places that most people never come close to experiencing in their lifetime. After our Ayahuasca ceremonies we put what we learn into action and we do this in some of the most beautiful and ensouled places on this earth. These hikes might be challenging for some but the soul craves challenges and it is through challenges that we find out who we truly are.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been another modality that has been life changing for us. Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years and is evidence based just like neurofeedback. In addition acupuncture is energy medicine and from our experience energy medicines powerful complement to plant medicine work. It has been said that each acupuncture point is a miniature chakra and when the energy block is released it can restore us to health. A healthy body is critical to a healthy mind and a healthy mind can lead to a healthy soul
Archery
Some of our retreats we include archery and just like martial arts, archery is another way to bring a person back into their body. The famous book "Zen in the Art of Archery" goes into detail about how archery can be a spiritual practice and its title is an excellent summary of the philosophy. Our modern world is so busy that taking the time to notch an arrow, pull a bowstring and aim at a target becomes a very mind calming experience.