The Wellnest

Feedback from previous wellnest sessions

Hear from those who journeyed to the Nest
“I spent time with old friends and new friends and got to embrace a new part of me. I was in a beautiful rustic setting in the mountains surrounded by trees and warm magic. I was in the midst of laughter and tears and community. It was a beautiful, heart warming experience.’”
-Dec 2025
“The worksheets were the best! They asked me questions I needed to hear and consider, but hadn’t been asked yet. This weekend had so many great moments. 10/10, 5 Stars, two thumbs up!”  
-Oct 2025
“What a successful experience! I want to use the new skills I’ve learned from sessions and other’s sharing. Building our little community of trust over the weekend was really fun. Thank-you for your efforts, Valina I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!”
-Oct 2025
I had the pleasure to teach reflexology at a very cozy wellness retreat recently, called the "Wellnest".  Valina Swan,the retreat's creator, offered this cozy nest in a comfortable rustic cabin in the mountains, near Invermere.  Though I was only there for a portion of the time, the group of women gathered there were relaxing before my healthcare professional eyes.  There was nutritious food, art supplies a plenty, interesting discussions to participate in, nurturing and learning new self health care skills of aromatherapy and reflexology potentials, horse therapy, hot tub and sauna or nap options.  The group that had been there had formed a safe bubble of peace to trust, learn and gently press refresh, to return to their life at home recharged.  I thoroughly enjoyed being part of that bubble and look forward to longer stays at Wellnest retreats in the future.

--Heather Fischbuch RMT, RAc 
“Being. Being able to be myself, surrounded myself with good people. I am not alone. (I have always had a hard time connecting with other women, so this was a very positive experience.) 100000/10! Definitely signing up for the next one!”
-Oct 2025
"Deep connections with the other ladies. What I learned about myself. What I learned about others. The abundance of thoughtfulness in all areas (food, crafts, activities)

Seven our of five stars! Thank-you Valina for sharing your special gifts and love with all of us!”

-Oct 2025
“Meeting like-minded people who were open and shared, and laughed, and got right into the mix. Is it the environment Valina creates? Most likely. 10/10  it helped me be more me and feel comfortable in my own skin, I learned to relax. I was worried about structure, but then everything fell into place - the sauna, the hot tub, horses, reflexology… click/click/click!”
-Dec 2025
“Seven our of five stars! Thank-you Valina for sharing your special gifts and love with all of us!” 
-Dec 2025
“Getting to meet and connect with all the wonderful women here and getting to hear their stories. I had a great time, very relaxed, and always as busy as I wanted to be. 10/10! Thank-you for everything!” 
-Oct 2025
“The kindness… Having a restful resourced, space to create and FEEL! It was supercalafragalisticexpialadotious! Thank-you!” 
-Oct 2025
a heartfelt note:

What element was most impactful for me? We were encouraged to honour OUR personal needs and invited to participate as little or as much as we preferred. CHOICE was a key component and I am grateful Valina reminded us of this frequently. Be yourself, be who you need to be for YOU and do what you need to do for you. I’m choosing to live a more calm life and releasing the need to be BUSY all the time. This weekend was an excellent opportunity to practice being more still and calm! 

How would I rate my weekend, overall? Valina reminded us she is a new facilitator and encouraged our input to help her learn and grow. I believe sharing some of her stories and dreams were a huge part of helping her guests to feel more comfortable. I hope in future retreats she continues to share her vulnerability with guests. Valina is REAL and vibrant and an excellent speaker. Although I understand she is nervous, she exudes confidence and an obvious love for what she is doing and her desire to help people. She is generous, loving and funny! I am an observer and I noticed how people relaxed in her presence. Guests felt welcome very quickly and I could see them respond to her hospitality, open hearted revelations and teachings.

I think if I were to give this retreat a rating from 1 to 10, I would have to give it an 11. The number 11 represents all the bests things that happen for me and this weekend was just THAT!

-Dec 2025
A Beautiful Share:

I’ve had the pleasure of attending two retreats at the Woman’s WellNest Retreat, created and hosted by the beautiful Valina Swan. The accommodations are thoughtfully chosen. The first two retreats were held at the House of the Friesians — a stunning location nestled in the Columbia Valley. Future retreats will also be held at Castle Black Swan. Regardless of locale, the retreat itself is the heart of the experience, and the beautiful settings are simply the icing on the cake.

Valina provides a safe, nurturing space for women to meet, share, learn about themselves, and heal. All the while, we are served delicious, lovingly prepared food, with every dietary need thoughtfully accommodated. Meals and snacks are plentiful, nourishing, and always enjoyed.

Activities and sessions are laid out with intention, allowing the days to unfold with a natural, gentle rhythm. Participation is always voluntary, yet at each retreat I’ve attended, every woman has chosen to join in — because this is where the heart of the retreat truly awakens. We laughed, some of us cried, walls came down, and compassion ruled. The level of trust allows everyone to let their hair down, learn from each other, and share pieces of their lives. And of course… what happens at the cabin stays at the cabin. 

In addition to group sessions, there are activities you can enjoy on your own — art therapy, journaling, and even horse therapy. Valina also invites special guests. In the past, this has included acupressure sessions, a mobile sauna (which paired beautifully with the well-water outdoor hot tub), and a gorgeous live music performance by the talented Ruth Purves Smith. I’m not going to spill the beans on all the activities — we’d love for you to come and experience them for yourself. 

I’ve made lifelong connections and friendships at both retreats and am truly excited for the gatherings to come. Please watch Valina’s social media pages for upcoming retreats held in BC, Mexico, and quite possibly Alberta as well. You will be very glad you did.

  • Dec/Oct 2025
you may be wondering...

Why no names?

The Wellnest is NOT a place, it is the space that I create for each woman to be accepted, understood, and to gather to create a safe environment to UN-do the things that no longer serve her, and to come back to who she was meant to be in the first place. I structure each session slightly differently, ensuring that each woman feels like she can participate as much as she wants to, and is empowered to say NO to anything that she doesn't want. I am honoured and humbled by the women who entrust me to share this experience with them. And I preface each activity by asking for commitment to hold space and kindness for the duration of our time together. I ask that we agree to respect each others’ privacy, and if we are blessed with the honour of holding another woman’s trust as she shares something delicate, we all agree that we will protect her identity and her privacy … which is a fancy way of saying, What happens in the Wellnest stays in the Wellnest!

Each testimonial on this page is true. But I will not use my attendees' identity for my own gain, unless she explicitly wishes to do so.


Kindly, 

-Valina  (your facilitator)