Our Approach
At Moonwake Retreats, we are guided by nature, we work in reciprocity with the communities we visit, and our retreats are thoughtfully guided by our signature Five Element Method.
Take a deeper look at how our approach shapes each retreat experience.
Guided by Nature
Your body was never meant to be this far from nature.
Modern life has pulled us away from nature. We walk on pavement, live surrounded by artificial light, and rarely feel soil beneath our feet. But our bodies were designed to be in direct contact with the Earth.
Scientific research now confirms what shared wisdom always knew: spending time in nature reduces stress, lowers inflammation, and calms the nervous system.
That’s why at Moonwake Retreats we use nature as partner in the healing process. Every retreat experience, ritual, or activity is guided by one of the five elements of nature: Water, Air, Fire, Earth, and Stardust. Each element offers its own wisdom, and inspires lessons and moments of reflection that shape our retreats.
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Water is where the journey begins.
In nature, Water clears, dissolves, and carries things away. In the body and psyche, it allows us to release that which no longer serves us, whether emotional, mental, or energetic.
This element is about letting go of what has become heavy or stagnant: old narratives, tension, limitations, or expectations that no longer fit.
Examples of practices inspired by Water include: ocean excursions, waterfall rituals, floating meditations, and more.
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Air represents breath, perspective, intuition, and awareness. It’s the element of insight, and it helps create clarity and space in the mind.
At Moonwake Retreats, Air invites you to step back and observe rather than react. It helps loosen rigid thinking, interrupt looping thoughts, and widen the lens through which we see our lives.
Air is also the carrier of vibration, which is why we work with sound as a healing modality.
Examples of practices inspired by Air include: breathwork, sound healing, and exploring the thoughts and beliefs that shape how we move through the world
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Fire is the element of transformation, energy, and courage. It changes the state of things, illuminates, warms, and inspires.
After release and clarity, Fire supports the integration of insight, helping participants reconnect with vitality, power, and intention.
Examples of practices inspired by Fire include: movement practices, arrow breaking, sunset rituals, fire ceremonies, candlelit intention setting, and more.
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Earth is the element of embodiment, nourishment, and stability. It brings the work out of the abstract and into the physical. It returns us to our bodies, senses, and the present moment.
This element invites slowing down, receiving support, and feeling a sense of belonging. Earth reminds us that rest is restorative.
Examples of practices inspired by Earth include: nature hikes, grounding meditations, cacao ceremonies, and more.
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At Moonwake Retreats, we honor a fifth element—one that can’t be held in your hands, but can be felt in your bones. Some cultures have called it ether or spirit. It’s the invisible thread that connects everything. We call it Stardust because that word captures the awe and wonder this element holds for us.
Stardust represents what lives behind the physical: intuition, meaning, and the quiet knowing that everything is connected. It is the recognition that the same iron in our blood was forged in stars and that we are not separate from the universe, but expressions of it.
Examples of practices inspired by Stardust include: full moon ceremonies, Reiki-infused sound baths, stargazing meditations, equinox and solstice rituals, intuition-building exercises, and more.
Rooted in Reciprocity
Moonwake retreats aren’t just hosted in beautiful places, they’re shaped in partnership with them. We collaborate directly with locally owned businesses, indigenous leaders, and women-led collectives to ensure each experience is grounded in mutual respect and shared humanity.
Before choosing a new retreat location, our founders personally visit indigenous towns, listening and building relationships to ensure each retreat is rooted in authentic connection.
We listen more than we lead. We give back where we learn. And we intentionally design our retreats to benefit everyone involved, not just the participants.
Reciprocity in action:
Activities led by local wisdom-keepers
Meals prepared by a local chef, using local ingredients
Fair pay for all local collaborators, above standard tourism rates
Hiring local ecotourism guides to lead nature-based experiences
Promotion of indigenous artisan goods
Prioritizing long-term relationships with local partners over one-off exchanges
Giving participants context about the history, ecosystems, and communities they’re entering
The Five Element Method
Lasting transformation doesn’t happen by accident. Every Moonwake retreat follows an intentionally crafted arc that weaves together ancient ritual, science-backed practices, and nature-based experiences in a purposeful sequence.
This method is designed to help you not just experience insight, but to fully integrate it. Through curated workshops, reflective practices, and guided integration, we help you process what unfolds and anchor it into your everyday life.
This isn’t about temporary inspiration or a fleeting retreat high. It’s about embodiment. You won’t leave wondering what it all meant. You’ll leave having lived it, felt it, and understood how it fits into your life.
The Five Element Method is unique to Moonwake Retreats, created by co-founders Amanda Schmidt and Michelle Risinger through their combined expertise in behavioral science, neurolinguistic programming, integrative wellness, and transformational life coaching. It’s the structure that turns a beautiful experience into a lasting return to yourself.
