Halcyon experiences are designed to offer camaraderie, rustic farm immersion, and a peaceful, positive environment with flow states and decompression. Choosing to act, choosing to engage, and choosing to try can significantly contribute to discovering posttraumatic growth and identity. In this way, creativity, restorative experiences, and athletic engagement can provide the cognitive space, supportive community, and polishing of purpose in choosing the new life direction.
On-site Retreats
Located among tree farms in the countryside of Carthage, the farm provides the peaceful setting for allowing space to mentally process and reconnect with authenticity of “being.” Led by active military, veterans, and individuals familiar with healing processes, these immersion experiences provide opportunities to find one’s new identity after trauma. Creativity, engagement, and choosing to engage have the power to help replace trauma and pain.
Creativity | Woodworking. Drawing. Painting. Cooking.
Restoration | Yoga. Meditation. Storytelling. Gardening.
Athletics | Ultimate Frisbee. Cycling. Horsemanship.
Off-site Excursions
Off-site excursions are activities led by military and veterans throughout the southeast with a “flow states” approach. A licensed counselor, social worker, or psychologist is available for each event, allowing the experience to be impactful on the healing journey.
Kayaking. Rafting. Rock climbing.
Fly-fishing. Surfing.
Pottery. Stand-up comedy.
Horsemanship
Warriors have been riding and training horses for millennia, including Xenophon through World War 1, and even into modern-day Leavenworth-style staff rides and experiences overseas. This is the pinnacle of flow states, emotional connection, skill mastery, and true art. Following safety-focused protocol established over generations of equestrianism, horsemanship sessions are a mixture of hands-on and theoretical principles in learning to effectively handle, train, and care for the animals. Are you up for the challenge?
More information about Andrea’s background and training can be found on her regular business site, Halcyon Equestrian
Please note, the horsemanship that is offered through Halcyon is viewed as an autonomous sport like the athletics described above. This is not equine-assisted psychotherapy. Just as an individual will practice, take lessons, and having coaching within triathlon, soccer, rugby, golf, surfing, tennis, and other sports, equestrianism is another athletic pursuit where flow states are readily attainable and healing.
If you would like equine-assisted psychotherapy, references to regional programs can be provided.
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“I had minimal awareness at the time, but my training/riding for over three decades, and going pro the day I turned 18, were the elements that allowed me to consistently find flourishing after my own life traumas (especially five severe concussions). Coupled with the understandings from my ongoing trauma research, survivor discussions, nuanced insights, and continued assessments, this is why I am choosing to “pay it forward” with offering structured, consistent, empathetic training for the souls who have most earned the chance to heal.
~Andrea St.Hilaire, Halcyon CEO