by jamila blue | Oct 20, 2026 | Blog, Events, Sacred Breathwork, Upcoming Events
A Sacred Journey of Breath, Movement, and Transformation
March 5 – 7, 2027 | Sacred Waters, Mishawaka, IN
Have you tried everything, and still feel stuck?
Therapy has taken you so far. But there are layers of yourself that words simply cannot reach.
This retreat was made for that place.
Where Shadow Meets Light is an immersive three-day retreat designed to guide you into the deepest layers of yourself, beyond the thinking mind, beyond old stories and emotional blocks, and into the divine wisdom that has always lived within you.
Through Sacred Breathwork™, sacred dance, community, and intentional ceremony, you will be held in a safe, supportive, and sacred container as you journey inward and return transformed.
This work stirs what lives in the shadows. The parts of us long forgotten. The parts that have been waiting, not to be feared, but to be seen. To be met with light, with care, and with compassion. The breath helps us see. And the integration that follows helps us face those shadows with love.
About the Method and Its Lineage
Sacred Breathwork™ draws from the holotropic breathwork of Dr. Stanislav Grof, brought into its shamanic form by C. Michael Smith, Ph.D., aka Mikkal, director of the Crows Nest Center for Shamanic Studies International. With over 30 years of practice and teaching, Mikkal has brought Sacred Breathwork™ to communities around the world. His approach wraps the holotropic breathwork method in a rich shamanic container that includes sacred ceremony, community, and the deep wisdom of indigenous healing traditions.
Sacred Breathwork™ is not a gentle or surface-level practice. It is powerful, intentional, and life-changing work held with the utmost care for your safety and wellbeing.
This is a space for all seekers. You do not need prior experience with breathwork or movement practice. You only need a willingness to show up fully and the courage to go deep.
The Journey
Friday Evening – Arrival and Opening
We gather, connect, and prepare. The evening begins at 7:00 PM and includes introductions, an in-depth Sacred Breathwork™ orientation talk, and sacred dance to open the body and awaken the breath.
Saturday – The Deep Work
The heart of the retreat. Participants are paired with a partner for the day. Each person will experience one full Sacred Breathwork™ journey as the breather, supported by their partner as ally. Roles then reverse so that each participant also holds sacred space as ally for their partner. Both roles are meaningful, the journey inward and the act of holding space for another are each transformative in their own right. Each breathwork session is followed by mandala artwork and dyad processing to support integration.
Sunday – Integration and Closing
We come back together to share, reflect, and integrate the journey, and close our sacred space. We will end by noon.
What Is Included
- Sacred Breathwork™ introductory talk
- Sacred dance and movement
- Two Sacred Breathwork™ sessions – one as journeyer and one as ally
- Mandala art integration
- Dyad and group processing
- Overnight accommodations at Sacred Waters
- All meals (gluten-free and vegan) provided throughout the retreat
Investment and Registration
Investment: $130
Space is intentionally limited to 8 participants. A pre-screening call is required before attendance is confirmed.
To register at https://dot.cards/jamilablue and include a brief note about what calls you to this retreat. A short conversation will be scheduled to ensure this experience is the right fit for you at this time.
Sacred Breathwork™ is a powerful and deeply transformational practice. All participants are required to complete a medical intake form before the retreat. If you have cardiovascular conditions, seizure disorders, serious psychiatric conditions, or are pregnant, please contact Jamila in advance to discuss participation.
Your Facilitator – Jamila Blue
Jamila is a lifelong seeker and practitioner who has spent over 25 years navigating her own path of personal healing through breath, movement, and earth-honoring shamanic traditions. In 2008 she connected with her mentor C. Michael Smith, Ph.D. (Mikkal) author of “Jung and Shamanism in Dialog” and director of the Crows Nest Center for Shamanic Studies International, and has trained within his lineage for nearly 20 years. Since 2013 she has been facilitating embodiment practices in the Michiana community, bringing warmth, and an unwavering commitment to the safety and empowerment of every person in the room. She also offers transformational coaching to support clients on their ongoing healing journey.
Her deep passion for healing and self-discovery led her to found Conscious Michiana, Inc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to holistic wellness and community connection in the Michiana region, creating a space where others could access the tools, practices, and community that transformed her own life.
Jamila’s approach is rooted in a simple truth, we connect to the divine through play, through breath, through movement, and through the courage to go deep.
by jamila blue | Oct 7, 2024 | Blog, Musings
I started my journey on Friday, September 20th, from Louisville, KY, after visiting my daughter on the way to Asheville, NC. The day began uneventfully, but I had started hearing whispers of a tropical storm brewing off the coast. “Good thing I’m not heading to Florida,” I thought. Little did I know that I was about to be caught in the midst of Hurricane Helene’s path!
When I arrived in Asheville that evening, I met the lovely couple whose home I would be house-sitting. (I found them through the website Trusted House Sitters) They were heading to Italy the next day for twelve days, leaving behind their beautiful mountain home north of Asheville—and their adorable labradoodle for me to care for. The house itself was a masterpiece. Perched on a mountain, surrounded by lush greenery and rock steps, it featured two streams and a koi pond, making it feel like a retreat. By the end of this stay, I knew I’d be in better shape from going up and down all the steps!
The next morning, after a relaxing breakfast with the homeowners, they gave me a tour of their home and showed me the essentials. They suggested I visit an art festival in nearby Weaverville, which sounded like the perfect way to start my adventure. While small, the festival had incredible artwork, though I resisted the temptation to splurge. Instead, I grabbed some groceries, not knowing yet how fortunate that decision would be.
The first few days felt like a peaceful retreat. With the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains as my backdrop and the soothing sound of water flowing from the streams, I started finding my rhythm. It was a creative oasis—perfect for getting back to my YouTube videos and Instagram updates. I felt inspired, productive, and reconnected to my purpose. The labradoodle, however, was slow to warm up to me, missing her owners terribly. I tried hard to engage her, but she wasn’t ready yet.
By Wednesday, I had my heart set on exploring Asheville. But that morning, I woke to the sound of the dog howling—mourning her parents’ absence. With rain on the horizon, I tried to coax her into a walk before the weather turned, but she wasn’t having it. The poor pup was heartbroken, and I didn’t want to let her mom know how hard it was for her, but eventually, I called a neighbor who brought her dogs which were friends to help.
Friday came, and I had big plans for the day—visit the River Arts District, grab lunch, and then enjoy some ecstatic dance in the evening. That is, until I woke up to trees bending in ways that defied logic. It turned out, Hurricane Helene had veered right into the mountains, with Asheville at its center. How could a hurricane even reach the mountains? Yet there I was, smack in the middle of it. The storm roared, but the house stood firm, almost soundproof. By the time I realized what was happening and thought to film it, the worst had passed.
After the storm, I lost internet and cell service, but the house was equipped with a generator that ran on natural gas—thankfully! A few hours later, a neighbor knocked to check on me and informed me I was the only one in the area with power and that the water supply had been cut off. Reality hit hard—I was in the middle of a crisis, cut off from the world, with no water and limited communication. I quickly started conserving my resources and learned to appreciate the little things, like canned sparkling water. Even more, I learned about the importance of community when neighbors helped each other through the ordeal.
The days that followed were filled with small triumphs and challenges—sweeping leaves off steep driveways to make my car drivable, borrowing water from a well, and charging devices for neighbors in need. News trickled in about the devastation the hurricane had caused, washing away entire towns and leaving parts of Asheville underwater. Yet, in the midst of the tragedy, I saw how communities band together, leaning on each other for support and comfort.
When the homeowners finally returned, we shared stories over coffee about the strange twists this trip had taken. Despite the chaos, I was grateful for the experience. It reminded me how resilient we are, how small acts of kindness can make a difference, and how nature has a way of showing us who’s really in charge.
As I left Asheville, my heart was heavy for the communities that had been devastated, like the town of Swannanoa, which was completely washed away. But I also felt hope—hope in the strength of community, in the beauty of resilience. If you feel moved, I encourage you to consider donating to organizations like Beloved Asheville, which are providing much-needed relief to those affected by the hurricane.
In the end, my house-sitting adventure became a journey of connection, survival, and unexpected lessons. And while I never made it to the dance, I danced through the storm in my own way.
by jamila blue | Dec 24, 2023 | Blog, Embodiment
Step into the enchanting realm of Shamanic Trance Dance, where Jamila Blue will lead you on a two-hour immersive experience which becomes a catalyst for personal transformation and empowerment. As the rhythmic beats weave through the space, participants find themselves on a journey of stress release, shedding the weight of daily life with every fluid movement. This dance is not just a physical expression; it is a powerful tool for emotional release, providing a safe haven for individuals to liberate themselves from pent-up emotions and rediscover their inner strength. The dance floor becomes a canvas for spiritual awareness, as the diverse and soul-stirring music guides participants into a heightened state of consciousness, fostering a deep connection to the divine and empowering a profound sense of self.
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