2025 Matriarch Makeover Retreat
Where: Central Coast California (in-person)
When: September 19-21, 2025
Facilitators: Maija West and Catherine Lovella (click here to read bios)
Cost: $800 ($650 for Early Birds*)(click here for Cancellation Policy)
There are only 10 spots available, so it’s important that you complete the registration as soon as possible. A $100 non-refundable deposit secures your seat.
Registration is now open for the Waitlist, and general registration opens June 16. *The Early Bird pricing (~20% off) ends July 31 and must be paid in full by July 31. Full pricing registration ends August 31 (if there are still any spots left by then).
Who is this Retreat for?
This retreat is designed for women who are seeking a connecting, authentic space with other women, to deepen their understanding of the themes outlined in Maija’s book, Matriarch Makeover: A 30-day Invitation. For this retreat, women are defined as those who were born with a womb. Please check out the other Matriarch Makeover offerings which are designed for anyone who identifies as a Modern Matriarch or Matriarch-in-the-Making.
Schedule (non-negotiable):
Friday, 9/19 - 2:30-3:00pm arrival
Sunday, 9/21 - 12:00pm departure
Note: it will not be possible to leave the Retreat venue between the arrival and departure times listed above, unless there is a medical emergency.
What is provided:
You will be glamping on a beautiful foothill of the California Central Coast mountains, roughly 20-miles from the Pacific Ocean and Monterey Bay.
We will provide a sleeping pad, shared tent(s), delicious and healthy food, lovingly prepared by Shaunie Briggs (click here for her bio), glamping facilities, and retreat activities. There will also be a limited number of beds offered solely to elders.
What you will need to bring:
Sleeping bag, pillow, toiletries, etc. There will be one (1) $20 item for you to purchase beforehand as part of the activities, that you will be able to continue using after the Retreat. More information about this item, as well as a full packing list, will be provided August 1.
About the location:
The retreat will be located at a private property that is a former horse ranch, in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Highlands. The terrain is developed but variable, with a slight elevation gain throughout the property. The retreat will be largely outdoors, with some protection from the natural elements, and will include access to an indoor kitchen and flushing outdoor toilet. There are some photos of the property available on this website - https://www.visitbuckeyeranch.com/
A note from Maija West about this special retreat ~
"This 'Matriarch Makeover Retreat' is a unique experience. Instead of a typical retreat, think of it as a 'working sanctuary' where we come together to share knowledge, connect with each other, and learn from one another. When you arrive, your participation is key; we value what everyone brings to the group. This isn't just about me or Catherine teaching—it's about a shared exchange of wisdom and experiences.
The natural environment will be a part of our learning, and we'll make sure everything is accessible for nearly everyone. We ask that you commit to being present for the entire duration of the event, unless there's an emergency. We start and end together. I understand retreats can be a bit tricky for some people, and I want to be transparent about our expectations so you can make your decision from a place of informed consent.
To get the most out of this experience, it's really helpful if you've read the 'Matriarch Makeover' book. Think of it as your introduction to what we'll be exploring together. I'm happy to help if the book's cost is a barrier. We'll be doing activities inspired by the book, as well as other practices that will help you connect with its ideas.
We're also committed to giving credit where it's due. If we share knowledge from other sources, we'll make sure to acknowledge and honor it respectfully. We want everything to be culturally sensitive and thoughtful.
This is our first 'Matriarch Makeover' retreat open to the public, so your feedback is incredibly valuable. That's why we've offered a discount—we see this as a chance for you to participate and also help us make this experience even better for future attendees.”
With gratitude,
Maija
Limited spots available. Please click the link below to join the waiting list and we will announce when registration opens.
Retreat Cancellation Policy
🌿
Thank you for your interest in our women’s retreat. We’re honored to hold this space with you. Please take a moment to review our cancellation policy below.
Rain or Shine
This retreat is a rain-or-shine event. We will gather regardless of weather conditions and adapt as needed to ensure a safe and nurturing experience. Please come prepared with appropriate clothing and gear for changing weather.
Refund Policy
Due to the nature of retreat planning, we are unable to offer refunds for cancellations, except under exceptional circumstances (e.g., medical emergency, death in the family). These will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
If you are no longer able to attend, you may:
Transfer your spot to another woman (pending our approval),
Or gift your space back to the community for someone in financial need (if time and logistics allow).
Why This Policy Exists
Our team puts significant love, time, and resources into preparing for each guest—long before arrival. Your registration supports everything from site fees to food, supplies, and the people supporting your journey.
Thank you for understanding and honoring the energy that goes into this gathering.
If you have questions or need to speak with us about your registration, please reach out: maija@maijawest.com
With gratitude,
Maija
Meet Participants Online
Once you’ve signed up for the Retreat, make sure to join the online community group to begin building relationships pre-retreat with other participants online. We will also be posting announcements and updates in this group.
Read the Book
We ask that you complete the Matriarch Makeover book before the Retreat, so that we can have certain conversations and make best use of our time together.
Before we lead with the courage to speak our truth, we need to establish a foundation of support, and the ability to resource. We also need to be able to navigate the challenges of a structural system that was designed to keep a diversity of perspectives out of positions of power, and to maintain and reinforce a dominant culture meant to keep producing in a way that is unsustainable for humans, other living things, and the Earth’s natural resources. We have an inkling of what needs to be done. But without listening to our own truth and having the resources needed to speak it, the systems continue to cause harm while we stand by, feeling helpless.
The good news is that you can be part of the change. It starts with remembering who you really are and by designing a leadership map that is sustainable to your well-being and circumstance.
Testimonials
Facilitation by Maija & Catherine
Maija Danilova West
Maija is a dual citizen of Latvia and the US. Her practices are related directly to her heritage on her mother's side. Her mother's name is Laima Danilovs and she fled the occupation of Latvia by the Russians and Germans during WWII and settled in California with her family as a displaced person. Her mother's people come from near the Gauja River and the Aloja region north of Cēsis. The Latvians are land-based people who have survived 800 years of occupation, and make up five different Peoples. Maija is currently living on the unceded lands of the Salinan, Chalon and Ohlone Peoples. She is recovering what was lost during her mother's departure from her homelands and she is sharing what she has learned about her own cultural recovery for those who may benefit, especially during these times where there are so few women leaders that are walking the core values that she believes in. Raised with the cultural traditions of her mother’s Latvian heritage she learned early the importance of relationships, rituals, and honoring life’s many transitions.
For over 25 years, Maija has worked as a trusted advisor to nonprofits, foundations, businesses, Tribes, and government agencies. As a former attorney and strategist, she now dedicates her work to leadership training and conflict transformation, weaving together reconciliation and peacemaking practices to foster stronger, more connected communities. As the founder and managing partner of Maija West Consulting, she champions women’s voices, believing that women’s leadership is vital in shaping the future. Her journey also led her to co-found the Healing and Reconciliation Institute, a testament to her lifelong commitment to bridging divides, strengthening communication, and creating spaces where transformation can take root.
Catherine Lovella
Catherine met Atarangi Muru and the Māori Healers in 2001, experiencing her first bodywork session then. She was fortunate to receive the work once or twice a year thereafter, as Los Angeles was a stopping point to and from New Zealand during their extensive international tours. Catherine began her studies with Atarangi in 2011. She was invited to apprentice in 2017, assisting Atarangi with the bodywork and a variety of workshops in the U.S. and New Zealand. In 2020, Atarangi asked Catherine to begin teaching and offering the bodywork outright. As well, she assists Atarangi each month with an online offering of Mahi Raakau – Self Help / Self Healing via Zoom. Catherine continues to regularly visit and travel with Atarangi and her Auntys to increase her knowledge and depth of understanding.
Catherine lives and works on lands Indigenous to the Acjachemen and Tongva Peoples. She acknowledges her position as a guest. Catherine is committed to carrying forward Indigenous teachings, returning and reinstating strength, wellness, and clarity. She is grateful to, and for, the blessings and generosity of her teachers Atarangi Muru, Manu Korewha, Aunty Heeni Phillips, Papa Joe Delamere.
Feasgar math a charaidean.
Fo thrusgan ar sinnsearan mo bheannachdan oirbh uile.
‘S e mo bheanntan beanntan an nàisein Apache.
‘S e m’uisgeachan uisgeachan a’ Chuainn Sèimh.
Air taobh m’athar, buinidh mi ri clan ‘ic Bheatha à Eilean Muile.
Air taobh mo mhàthair, ‘s e mo shin-seanmhair Magdalena Light às a’ Ghall.
Tha mo dhachaigh Allaluna.
Is mise Catrìona.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Greetings friends.
Under the mantle of our Ancestors, my blessings to you.
The mountains of the White Mountain Apache Nation are my mountains.
My waters are the Pacific Ocean.
On my father’s side, I am a daughter of the Clan of Life from the Isle of Mull.
On my mother’s side, I am a great grand-daughter of Magdalena Light, from Alsace-Lorraine.
I live in Laguna Beach, California.
My name is Catherine.
Food by Shaunie Briggs
Shaunie Briggs
Shaunie is a food alchemist, educator, and visionary deeply rooted in California’s landscapes. She expresses her creativity through gardens and food, transforming soil, seeds, and harvests into nourishment for both body and soul. A lifelong steward of the land, she finds inspiration in nature’s vibrant colors and flavors, whether cultivating her own food, foraging wild ingredients, or cooking with pure, whole foods.
Passionate about sustainable living and ancestral wisdom, Shaunie is dedicated to reconnecting people with the natural world. She believes that understanding our place within nature is essential for its preservation. As an educator and advocate, she shares her knowledge of regenerative agriculture, permaculture, and indigenous food systems, empowering others to cultivate a deeper relationship with the land.
Shaunie’s work extends beyond the garden—she is committed to honoring and revitalizing California’s pre-colonial heritage. By exploring ancestral ways of life and promoting environmental stewardship, she seeks to heal both people and ecosystems. Through her roles as a naturalist, artist, and community leader, she inspires others to embrace curiosity, creativity, and a harmonious connection with the earth.
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