When was the last time that you simply just “be”?
Last weekend, I attended the Queen B.E.E. Talks Retreat presented by It Takes a Village Collaborative, or ITAVCollab, hosted at the beautiful Wellspring Manor & Spa in Upper Marlboro. The one-day retreat was a great opportunity for Black women in the area to explore new wellness practices like sound healing, deep stretch yoga, breath work, and chakra healing dance.
Founded by the two sisters, Shoareged Phillpotts and Aisha Phillpotts-Manley, ITAV’s mission is to cultivate thriving communities of color that focus on a holistic approach to wellness, including the mind, body, and spirit, in order to encourage individuals and families to heal, prioritize wellness, and reach their fullest potential.
Set in the upstairs art gallery of the manor, the morning started with sound healing with Ma’Sheka Amina as she helped the women set their intentions for the event with deep breaths surrounded by vibrant Black art. They could then choose which body session they wanted to attend. I chose the chakra healing dance with dance and yoga instructor Shaiday Dancy. Because I did not come dressed for the occasion, I did not participate, but I really longed to. I took mental notes as the women moved to and fro freely, inviting movements and opening their chakras one by one.
After lunch, they hosted the mind and spirit sessions, followed by a release circle and a celebratory toast. Other practitioners who led workshops during the event were Lauren Boone of Love Well Ministries, certified yoga instructor Jessica Nicholas, Fatmata Fadika-Zulu, founder of Wake Up and Dream, yoga instructor Dana Washington, and holistic health practitioner Pamela Reynolds.
This is the fourth Queen B.E.E. Talks Retreat that ITAVCollab has hosted. To learn more about them, visit https://www.itavcollab.org.
Enjoy our coverage of the event.
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