Laughing Waters · Asheville, North Carolina
Arc of the
Woman Retreat
A sacred gathering for the full spectrum of womanhood, nestled in the quiet majesty of the North Carolina mountains.
Reserve Your Place
An Invitation
There are moments in a woman's life when she feels called… to pause, to listen, to gather, to remember.
Nestled in the quiet majesty of the North Carolina mountains, this intimate retreat at Laughing Waters is an invitation to step out of the noise of daily life and into a sacred container of restoration, reflection, and reconnection.
This is not simply a retreat. It is a return to yourself.
Save My SpotWhat to Expect
Arc of the Woman Retreat
Over four days, you will be gently guided through a curated blend of practices designed to nourish your body, awaken your spirit, and ground your nervous system.
The Retreat at a Glance
November 12–15, 2026
Laughing Waters · Asheville, North Carolina
- Four days, three nights in the mountains of Hickory Nut Gorge, 30 minutes from Asheville
- Private & shared rooms available in the beautiful mountain lodge
- All meals included — nourishing, thoughtfully prepared food throughout your stay
- Yoga, hiking, meditation & live music — all activities included, dining out on the River Arts District night is self pay
- Space is limited — intimate gathering by design, rooms are first come, first served
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A Journey Through
The Arc We Will Walk Together
We honor the full arc of womanhood. Each phase holds its own medicine. Each phase deserves to be seen, witnessed, and celebrated.
Awakening
The curiosity and wonder of adolescence, discovering who you are, finding your voice, and stepping into your own light for the first time.
Creative Power
The cyclical, generative force of the reproductive years, creation, nurturing, and the profound strength found in softness.
Transformation
The initiation of menopause, a powerful threshold of release, reclaiming, and stepping into your fullest authority.
Wisdom
The depth, clarity, and luminous knowing of the elder years, carrying forward the medicine of a life fully lived.
The Setting
Laughing Waters Retreat Center
Surrounded by nature and the grounding energy of the mountains, guests can expect rustic charm, earthy elegance, cozy gathering spaces, and restful environments intentionally chosen to support relaxation and renewal.
Participants may choose between private or shared room options. Shared accommodations often create meaningful opportunities for connection, while private rooms offer additional solitude and quiet restoration.
The group will also enjoy one curated outing into the celebrated River Arts District of Downtown Asheville, with a meal that reflects the retreat's wellness-centered spirit.
Nestled in Hickory Nut Forest, the mountains hold this space in stillness.
Reserve Your Spot
Explore the Space
Laughing Waters & Beyond
Your retreat space, lodgings, Hickory Nut Forest, and the River Arts District of Downtown Asheville.
Your Facilitators
Meet Your Guides
Together, Lisa and Jessica bring over 50 years of combined experience devoted to supporting women through every threshold of life, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Lead Guide
Lisa Wilson
NBC-HWC · Yoga Alliance Certified · 20+ Years
A National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) and seasoned Yoga Alliance certified yoga educator, Lisa has spent more than two decades guiding individuals through the healing power of breath, movement, and mindful awareness.
Her work bridges science and soul, integrating nervous system regulation, adaptive yoga, and behavior change to support women in reconnecting to their bodies, their voice, and their inner wisdom across every stage of life.
Lead Guide
Jessica Freedman
Yoga Alliance Educator · Postpartum Doula · Lactation Counselor
Yoga Alliance lead educator, certified prenatal yoga instructor, childbirth educator, postpartum doula, lactation counselor, and social media presence, Jessica has spent over 20 years walking alongside women through the profound transitions of pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood.
Her presence is grounded, compassionate, and deeply attuned, offering women the tools, education, and support needed to move through life's thresholds with confidence, care, and connection.
They have guided thousands of women through beginnings and endings, through creation and transformation, through the quiet and powerful moments that shape a life. Now, at this stage in their own journeys, Lisa and Jessica come together not only as teachers, but as women who have lived, practiced, and embodied the very work they offer.
In this retreat space, they offer more than guidance. They offer presence. A space where you are seen. A space where you are supported. A space where you can soften, expand, and return to yourself.
Special Guest Teacher
Annie Okerlin
At the heart of the inaugural Arc of the Woman Retreat, we are deeply honored to welcome Annie Okerlin, a visionary teacher, mentor, leader, and compassionate force in the world of yoga, adaptive healing, and human resilience.
For over two decades, Annie has dedicated her life to the transformative power of yoga and meditation. As the founder and former owner of Yogani Studios for over 18 years, she became widely respected for bridging strong physical practice with deep compassion, mindfulness, nervous system regulation, and trauma-sensitive awareness.
It was through Yogani that both Lisa Wilson and Jessica Freedman first met and began their journeys teaching prenatal yoga. The roots of Arc of the Woman were, in many ways, planted within those walls years ago.
A Certified iRest teacher, Human Performance expert for tactical athletes and first responders, faculty member with Warriors at Ease, and co-author of Best Practices for Yoga for Veterans, Annie continues to influence the evolution of trauma-informed and adaptive yoga worldwide.
Women Who Have Been Held
Testimonials
Working with Jessica during my pregnancy, especially after receiving a birth defect diagnosis, was an anchor for me in a time that felt incredibly uncertain. She held space for my fears with such steadiness and compassion. Through her guidance I was able to process what I was feeling in a way that felt safe and supportive.
Karla Shellhammer
★★★★★
From the very first moment I met Jessica, I knew she was the steady, grounding presence I needed for my childbirth journey. Her peaceful nature brought a sense of calm that allowed me to feel safe, supported, and deeply held through every phase.
Amay Crissman
★★★★★
What stands out most is the way Jessica holds space. She meets women exactly where they are, with presence, wisdom, and genuine care, creating an environment where they feel seen, safe, and supported. I trust her wholeheartedly with anyone seeking compassionate support on their journey.
Corinne W.
★★★★★
Lisa has been such a steady and grounding presence in my life through some of my most transformative seasons. She supported me during prenatal yoga, then walked alongside me through a major life transition. Her weekly classes continue to make me feel seen, supported, and renewed.
Kara Windish
★★★★★
Lisa is an exceptional prenatal yoga teacher who truly transforms the pregnancy journey. Her calm, serene presence, thoughtful cueing, and genuine care for moms and their babies make each class feel like a restorative and healing retreat in itself.
Brianna Paulich
★★★★★
There is a calm, grounded, and deeply nurturing presence about Lisa that makes you feel completely supported in whatever season you are in. Any space Lisa creates is one you can trust. It is not just yoga, it is an experience of connection, understanding, and coming back to yourself.
Bree Swezy
★★★★★
Before You Arrive
Frequently Asked Questions
Limited Availability
This is the work of a lifetime.
And we are here to walk it with you.
Laughing Waters · Asheville, North Carolina
I'm In, Reserve NowSpots are limited · Rooms are first come, first served