The Enso Retreat Experience

The Enso Circle, a symbol traditionally drawn with a single brushstroke, represents a multitude of ideas within Zen Buddhism. The Enso circle represents emptiness, interconnectedness, and the concept of “no mind.” The emptiness within the brushstrokes making up the Enso circle symbolizes the potential for creation, recognizing creativity arises out of a state of openness and receptivity.

The physical motion made in drawing an Enso circle involves a single, spontaneous, and intuitive movement, without any planning or hesitation. No touch-ups or do-overs.

In this way, the Enso circle represents and emphasizes the necessity of a flow state, allowing ideas and expressions to flow naturally and effortlessly, removing the paralysis of thought. It is a manifestation of the moment when the mind is free to let the body create, symbolizing enlightenment, the universe, and the void. Despite its simplicity, the circle is rich with meaning—complete yet evolving, perfect yet imperfect. The inherent imperfection of any given Enso circle is its beauty, reminding us to shed personal or social expectations of any form of perfect expression.

The Enso circle serves as a constant reminder of our journey towards wholeness and self-discovery. It teaches us to embrace the beauty of the incomplete, the strength in flexibility, and the power of letting go. In every loop of the brush, there is a space for growth and the possibility of new beginnings, echoing our belief that every woman is an artist of her own life, continuously drawing her circles throughout life, each circle capturing and honoring the unique space she occupies physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Hi, my name is Laura Penn. I am a trial lawyer and certified 200 RYT in Atlanta, Georgia. I am currently pursuing my 300 hour training, along with somatic healing and trauma-informed yoga certifications. The Enso Retreat was inspired by my interactions with other seekers, with other women pushing through boundaries, both internal and external, towards authentic self expression and service of a higher purpose or calling. Over the years, I have left various exchanges with so many incredible women, and I have been filled with enthusiasm and an incredible energy, a zest, a motivation to create something. In these encounters, these women and these interactions left me with a creative energy that, ultimately, inspired me towards building something to foster our connection to each other and to ourselves, wherever we are on our personal journey.

I finally pinpointed what my soul was urging me to do: to create a space, to overlap these separate points of a greater circle, to set a table for the energy from these women to mesh and expand and inspire. Thus was born my passion for embarking on the journey of creating the Enso Retreat, a unique and intentional space for creative exchange, for self and communal growth, for spiritual and natural reinvestment, for a new community to emerge that will last beyond our time together on retreat.

This retreat will be immersive and intentional, a transformational experience aimed to reignite our inner creativity and inspiration, to encourage ourselves and one another. We will focus on yoga and mindfulness practices, breath work, journaling, and specially crafted group activities focusing on returning us to nature's elements and the creative energy waiting for us.

What to Expect at The Enso Retreat

Intentional creative workshops in nature. We will use nature as the muse that she is and mindfulness exercises to guide us through these experiences.
Journaling prompts and dedicated time to use writing as a tool to reconnect with our creative source.
Mindfulness exercises to settle us into our bodies and to identify areas in our lives where we seek to add creative expression or clear creative blocks.
Immersion in nature: sunrise walks on the beach, guided meditations through the untouched beauty of the state park’s trails, fireside sunsets, and more.
Daily Yoga and Mindfulness Practices
Unique and specially curated group exercises focusing on tapping into our source of child-like creative expression.
Guided group share circles to exchange stories, discoveries, and helpful insights within a group of incredible women seeking creative growth and inspiration.
Time to explore and adventure in the pristine State Park of St. George Island.
A cosmic sound bath experience by local sound healer, Donia, at Body Sound Spirit.
Delicious and nutrient-dense meals prepared by local chefs and our retreat supporters.
Being a part of a unique and inspiring community of Enso women that will extend beyond our time together on St. George Island.
Pre-retreat guides through the Enso Circle Forum: while by no means mandatory or expected, I will begin communicating with retreat attendees through the private, online forum in the weeks leading up to the retreat. These messages may be helpful to prepare yourself mentally for the retreat experience and allow you to start your retreat with gentle focus and inspiration.
Post-retreat Enso Circle Forum: a members-online forum, a space for us to continue sharing, cheering, inspiring, encouraging, and serving the community we will create together.

Reserve Your Space