Heal your mind, body and spirit at Starr Horse Retreats
"Horses are advanced beings that have been waiting for humanity to wake up and get it. They’re animals with instinct, yes. But they are also stellar beings with intuition and connection to source energy."
- Melinda Starr, owner and founder
"One week with the horses was more impactful than many years of therapy. I learned so much about myself and developed an intense bond with the six other women with whom we spent the week."
- Maggie Levin, guest
Photo by Charles Phillips
Photo by Chris Migeon
The shamanic three-day retreat is meant for those looking to create space within themselves to allow new beginnings in their lives. It’s never too late to rewrite your narrative and shift the trajectory of your life. Retreat guests have said that afterward, they’ve felt lighter, clear-headed and determined to go after the things they desire. The experience is one of a kind in its ability to heal, strengthen and ground participants in their pursuit of joy. Starr Horse Retreats understands that healing humanity heals the earth. Reignite your magic today and learn more about upcoming Starr Horse Retreats.
By StoryStudio on January 24, 2023
For many, feeling stuck or not knowing where to turn is familiar. Hitting the reset button to ground yourself can create a greater appreciation for the world around us — something that is undervalued in our society as we hustle through the daily grind. When considering alternative methods to healing, why not tap into resources that already live and breathe among us?
Starr Horse Retreats channels the medicine of horses for those in search of inner peace and an awakened conscious. The three-day retreat offers guests an opportunity to work closely with the shamanic abilities of horses and to practice other healing modalities that for many have led to an increased sense of purpose and clarity. Owner and founder Melinda Starr says that horses have a mirroring ability to illustrate parallel issues of trust, forgiveness and boundary setting. They help us to reset rigid patterning for mindful decision making and can be lifeboats for those on their journey toward emotional intelligence and past grief healing.
In 2014, Starr tapped into her higher self and discovered an immense desire to help others. Her first exposure to equine healing happened at the Horse Spirit Healing retreat in Costa Rica, an experience she says changed her life for the better and blazed the trail for Starr Horse Retreats. Now, she holds monthly shamanic horse healing retreats near the California- Nevada border, just 30 minutes east of Lake Tahoe. The retreats are the perfect setting for individuals, groups, friends or family looking to rewrite their narrative to release blockages and make space for new energy. As participants journey into the realm of horse spirit medicine they will deepen their bonds with one another, themselves and nature.
When exploring the property, guests will encounter goats, chickens and, of course, the herd of 11 shamanic horses. The holistic retreat center includes three guest houses, the Gathering Grounds with a tipi, a sweat lodge, a fire circle and a water fountain feature with an immersion tub for sacred flower baths. The property sits on 30 acres of pasture with multiple obstacle courses and moguls for walking and riding, all of which are a beautiful backdrop for recharging your soul and spirit.
The three beautiful guest houses on site are each filled with artistic decor. Meals are provided by the retreat’s very own Chef Catalina who whips up organic, vegetarian dishes. Starr Horse Retreats is cognizant of environmental health and how to best take care of waste, a value that shines through in both the practices and food provided.
During the first day of the retreat, guests interact with all the horses but ultimately choose one to connect with for the remainder of their time. Guests are encouraged to be open-minded in their approach to horse healing, whether they have had extensive equestrian experience or are new to the practice. The ability and willingness to receive the healing is key to unlocking the most valuable experience.
“Through this shamanic experience, I opened up to better relationships with my family, my loved ones and my colleagues because the horses guided me toward a more authentic version of myself. They showed me who I want to be and how I want to show up. They accepted me for who I am and helped me feel like I am worthy,” said Pamela Fitzgerald, a retreat attendee from Ontario, Canada. “I learned resilience. I learned to open my heart.”
In addition to equine interaction, sunrise morning yoga, dancing, breathwork, sound healing, flower bath and a sweat lodge are all components of the retreat experience, leaving ample free time for guests to take at their leisure.
Setting intentions is important for the retreat experience, allowing guests to voice what they would like to free from their lives and, as a result, what new things they want to receive. It’s a priority that encourages the release of “stuck” energy in our bodies that can be channeled into positivity. “One week with the horses was more impactful than many years of therapy,” said guest Maggie Levin after visiting from her home in Nevada. “I learned so much about myself, experienced the release of blockages and developed an intense bond with the six other women whom we spent the week with. I highly recommend anyone take a week or more and experience the power of The Herd.” The connection between person and horse makes this all possible, in many ways mirroring real-life experiences and providing guidance for motivation, leadership skills and trust within ourselves and others.
SPONSORED BY STARR HORSE ReTreATS
