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Fire It Up: A Relationship Retreat at Kripalu

 

This transformative workshop is based on the award-winning book Fire It Up: Four Secrets to Reigniting Intimacy and Joy in Your Relationship. Designed for individuals and couples, this program builds the relationship skills that matter most, whether you want to strengthen a partnership, improve family dynamics, navigate workplace relationships, or deepen your relationship with yourself.

 

Most of our stress and healing happens in relationship. Under pressure, we get reactive, shut down, defensive, or disconnected. This retreat offers practical tools to help you stay grounded, communicate clearly, and build relationships that can hold real life. Drawing from neuroscience, attachment science, mindfulness, and decades of clinical experience, we'll practice the skills at the heart of Carolyn Sharp's TEDx message: Curiosity, Compassion, and Connection, the three learnable practices that change how we show up with ourselves and others.

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What You'll Learn

Through discussion, guided reflection, and hands-on practice, you will learn:

The Biology of Connection

Understand how stress physiology shapes communication and conflict, and how to shift toward secure, connected functioning.

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The Three C's in Action (Curiosity, Compassion, Connection)

A practical framework for staying human in hard moments and strengthening relationships under stress.

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Rewiring Relationship Beliefs

Identify how early experiences shape expectations and patterns, and update strategies that no longer serve you.

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The Fire It Up Map for Thriving Relationships

A clear model for strengthening relationships through Oxygen (trust and safety), Fuel (shared values and meaning), and Ignition (intimacy, play, and aliveness). Apply it to one key relationship.

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Mindful Communication and Healthy Conflict

Listen without collapsing, speak without attacking, and make conflict more workable.

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Embodied Practices for Regulation and Presence

Breath, grounding, and body-based tools to help you stay steady under stress.

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What to Expect

In this experiential learning journey, you can expect:

• Guided meditation, breathwork, and grounding practices

• Journaling prompts and reflective exercises

• Small-group discussion and community support

• Live coaching and real-time skill practice

• Practical take-home tools and a personalized relationship growth plan

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In a time of high stress and disconnection, relationship skills are essential. This workshop is a practical antidote, offering tools you can use immediately to create more steadiness, repair, and joy. Come as you are. Leave more connected to yourself, to others, and to what matters most.

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All relationship statuses are welcome. Come solo, with a partner, or with a friend.

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Included in Your Stay

Yoga: 10+ daily yoga classes Food: 3 nutritious meals a day Grounds: Access to the Kripalu grounds, lake and neighboring hiking trails. 

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Schedule

Opening Day, September 11

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2:00 pm Check-in begins

4:45–6:00 pm (optional) Kripalu Yoga class

5:30–7:30 pm  Dinner

7:30–9:00 pm Program Session

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Saturday: 

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6:30–7:45 am (optional) Kripalu Yoga or Meditation class

7:30–9:00 am Silent Breakfast

9:00–11:30 am Program Session

11:30 am–1:30 pm Lunch and other Kripalu classes 

1:30–4:00 pm Program Session

4:45–6:00 pm Kripalu Yoga class or time off to hike, swim, get a massage! 

5:30–7:30 pmDinner

 

Closing Day

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6:30–7:45 am (optional) Kripalu Yoga or Meditation class

7:30–9:00 am Silent Breakfast

9:00–11:00 am Final Program Session

11:30 am–1:30 pmLunch and Departure

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