Email: contact@souliology.com
GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER - A TRANSFORMATIVE NEW YEAR'S RETREAT IN COSTA RICA FOR ANY INTIMATE PARTNERS
Rest, Renew, Reflect, Re-vision
About "Getting to the heart of the matter" retreat.
Getting to the heart of the Matter is a relationship retreat open to ANY intimate partners.
Whether in an intimate relationship or not, we have all been hurt in connection with others and we all have healing to do. The more we protect ourselves from further hurt, the less we can receive the love that is available.
In a safe and relaxed environment, this retreat will offer time and space to explore the U-turn question "who am I in relationship?"
There will be presentations, group experiential exercises: done individually or with your partner, and group discussions. Facilitators are present but not intrusive.
The retreat will offer opportunities to explore:
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How to align your mind and heart for deeper connection.
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Techniques to release emotional blocks that prevent you from experiencing the love you desire.
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Insights into the protective habits that limit your emotional intimacy.
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Ways to tap into the universal need for love and safety.
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Practical tools to calm your body and mind, fostering a more peaceful connection.
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Methods to transform your communication and, in turn, your relationship.
Retreat Leader
Toni Herbine Blank
Toni Herbine-Blank MS RN is a senior trainer for The Centre for Self Leadership. Her expertise is in the use of IFS with couples and has developed trainings and retreats presenting these nationally and internationally. She is an experienced group leader with a reputation for being compassionate and empowering.
For more about Toni Herbine-Blank, check out her website at www.toniherbineblank.com
Facilitator
Shelley Hartz
Shelley Hartz, RN, MSN, CS is a psychotherapist in private practice in Littleton, MA. Her practice of IFS over the past 20 years includes assisting with many IFS and IFIO trainings. She also co-facilitated the IFS Women's Retreats. Shelley's passion for healing and self-nourishment draw on the support of the natural world, music, play and the capacity of the human heart to love.
Our retreat experience was outstanding! Ciara from Souliology was masterful at taking care of the details so that the group could be fully present with the content. Toni, the retreat leader, was so excellent, I really don't have good enough words to describe. Far above and beyond our expectations, and we came away deeply nourished and enriched. Simply wonderful! - Eleanor, Seattle, WA, USA
Souliology - You did a great job putting together this retreat and then taking such good care of all of us. You made me in particular feel very comfortable and glad to be part of this experience. A heartfelt thank you!
What a wonderful experience for my spouse and I to be in retreat with Souliology. The space created was lovely and the healing between us was tender, authentic and deeply meaningful. Thank you Toni for offering us your IFIO teachings that supported our journey along the way. This was a wonderful way to bring my spouse into the IFS community :-)
We greatly appreciated all the time, attention and care Souliology put into the retreat and helping us get a taste of Ireland. And the workshop with Toni Herbine-Blank was incredibly rich and moving - we thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
This was a wonderful, deepening experience and it helped us tune in to each other and listen in a different way. Slowing down, getting away and investing this time in each other is priceless!!! Highly recommend! Faye & Nate ~ Hawaii, USA
What the participants from our previous retreats had to say
The Retreat Location
Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and allow yourself to embark on a journey of self-discovery at Pura Vida Retreat & Spa.
Nestled amidst breathtaking landscapes, the retreat resort offers a peaceful sanctuary for those seeking solace and a chance to reconnect with their inner selves. Pura Vida Retreat & Spa spans over 8 acres at 4,900 feet above sea level, surrounded by tranquil coffee plantations and offering stunning views of Costa Rica’s Central Valley.
There’s plenty to do on and around the grounds of the retreat centre. The spa is a haven of relaxation, set against a beautiful backdrop. Guests can unwind at the Pura Vida Jacuzzis and pools after a soothing massage, or enjoy a meal at the dining hall.
Weather: Pura Vida Retreat & Spa is tucked serenely in the clouds, nearly a mile above the city of San Jose. Pura Vida’s climate is spring-like year-round with warm days (70s-80s F) and mild nights (60s F). The sun rises at 5:30 and sets around 6 all year long. Costa Rica’s Green Season is full of splendor for those seeking peace and tranquility. Refreshing mountain temperatures, purifying and cleansing rains are an opportunity to enliven the senses as you enter the season of turning within.
Food: Delicious dishes are lovingly prepared from fresh local produce and regional purveyors. Served buffet-style in their inviting dining hall, all meals feature both North American and Costa Rican vegetarian, fish and chicken dishes to tempt your taste buds and nourish your body and soul. Complimentary coffee, tea, alkaline water and filtered water are available throughout the day. The wine and juice bar in the dining hall stocks sulfite-free, organic wines, Costa Rican and Central American beers, and bottled water for an additional fee. It is also the place for fresh smoothies, and custom-blended chai and turmeric elixirs.
What more can you ask for?
Retreat particulars
Please be advised that this retreat is not a formal training and is not intended as a training on how to guide this work for other intimate partners. This is strictly a retreat for your personal growth and well-being.
The retreat will take place over 5 days starting on Sunday evening, December 28th, 2025 when we meet for dinner, and concluding Friday morning January 2nd, 2026 after our morning session.
Retreat cost: $5,500 (USD) PER COUPLE
The retreat cost includes the retreat itself with Toni Herbine Blank, 5 nights private ensuite accommodation and 3 delicious meals a day Monday - Thursday. An evening meal is included on Sunday night, the first night of the retreat and a full breakfast is included on Friday morning, the last morning of the retreat. The retreat cost assumes couples will be sharing the same room. If separate rooms are required, you will need to pay an additional charge for a separate room. Please advise on the registration form.
There will be an afternoon off on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, to allow participants time to process, rest, and relax at the spa, which features some exceptional bodyworkers - feel free to check out the spa menu - https://puravidaspa.com/wellness-center/. All spa treatments incur an additional cost and can be charged to your room.
This retreat is limited to 18 couples. If you are interested in participating, please register your interest. You will then be seamlessly directed to a registration form for completion. Only applicants who complete a full registration form will be considered for this retreat. Once your registration is approved we will advise you formally and it is only at this point that we will request a $1,500 (USD) non-refundable deposit per couple to secure your place.
Any travel costs to the retreat location at Pura Vida Retreat and Spa is your sole responsibility, however, the venue offer a free shuttle bus service from and to San Jose International Airport to the retreat venue. Please find more details on how to book in the "How to get there and more" section below.
IMPORTANT: Please read our FAQS page on this website for further guidelines and information on Covid, the arrangements we have in place in the unlikely event the retreat is cancelled due to Covid or in the unlikely event the retreat leader is not in a position to attend. The FAQS page also provides further general information which you may find useful when planning your trip. If after reading the FAQS page you require any further information, please feel free to email us at contact@souliology.com.
Retreat Schedule:
Five Day Retreat Schedule – This is a broad outline of what the schedule for the week will look like but it is subject to change at Toni’s discretion.
Sunday December 28th, 2025 - Friday, January 2nd, 2026.
Sunday, December 28th
Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
Wednesday
6.30pm
7.30pm – 9.00pm
7.30am – 9am
10am – 1.30pm
1.30pm
1.30pm – 4.30pm
4.30pm – 6.30pm
6.30pm
Dinner
Opening Session in Ananda Hall
Breakfast
Morning Session
Lunch
Rest, Relax, Process
Afternoon Session
Dinner
Friday
8am – 9am – Breakfast
9am – 1.30pm – morning session
1.30pm - Lunch
Wednesday afternoon – Time off to do as you please – rest, relax, process, enjoy the spa or sightsee.
7.30am – 8.30am – Breakfast
8.30am – 10.30am – Final session and time for goodbyes and retreat close.
Please note: Room check in time starts from 2pm and room check out is strictly 10am. On Friday, you can leave your luggage outside your room and staff will bring it to reception to facilitate a seamless check out after our final morning session.
Complimentary coffee, tea, alkaline water and filtered water are available throughout the day each day.
Your Investment:
Retreat Payment Schedule:
Total Retreat Cost: - $5,500 per Couple (based on Double room occupancy).
The retreat cost includes the 5-day retreat itself with Toni Herbine Blank, 5 nights private ensuite accommodation and 3 delicious meals a day during the retreat period to include breakfast, lunch and a delicious evening meal. Our retreat location can also cater to a variety of dietary requirements such as vegetarian, gluten free and lactose intolerance. You can indicate your dietary requirements and preferences on the registration form.
Retreat Payment Schedule: We are delighted to offer flexibility with our payment options. You have two choices: you can make full payment now of $5,500 (USD) or you can opt for our convenient payment plan. The payment plan breaks down the retreat cost into 3 convenient payments as follows:
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Payment 1: $1,500 (USD) per couple non-refundable deposit – (Due on acceptance onto the retreat).
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Payment 2: $2,000 (USD) per couple due by the 27th June, 2025. (This amount will be refundable until 26th September 2025 should you decide to cancel.
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Payment 3: $2,000 (USD) Final instalment per couple must be paid by the 26th September, 2025.
Please note: There is no refund of fees paid over and above your non-refundable deposit for withdrawal for any reason after 26th September, 2025.
If you register for the retreat after the specified payment deadlines outlined above, the existing payment schedule will no longer apply. Your payment schedule will either be adjusted to align with the existing payment plan, provided the payment deadlines allow, or you will be required to pay for the retreat in full.
Possible additional charges -:
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An additional $100 (USD) per person late fee for payments received after 27th June, 2025 and 26th September, 2025.
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An additional $50 (USD) administrative fee for room or occupancy category changes.
How to get there…..and more!
Please download the attached information document which includes details of -
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Pura Vida - The Retreat Venue.
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Getting to the Retreat Venue, including a link to book the free shuttle bus from/to San Jose International Airport.
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Driving Directions
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Entry and Departure requirements for Costa Rica
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Vaccinations if required
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Currency
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The Weather
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What to bring
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OUR COVID-19 Policy...
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and more!
