Earth Embodied Journeys

🌈✨ WOW! This weekend was absolutely incredible - backpacking with 8th grade girls through “SheHikes” at Youth in Wilderness! These are the trips that feed my soul. I don’t always post these trips on social media, but these photos were too good to resist 🦋 So many silly, beautiful and deep moments together. I can’t wait for the next one!!! 💞

✨ Come receive the magic of the redwoods with me this Sunday for our women's day-long nature connection retreat at Big Basin State Park!

🌱 There are a few spots left! Here are the details:

Sunday, September 8th
10am – 5pm
Big Basin SP
$110

You can learn more and sign-up through Mountain Parks Foundation (link in comments)

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✨ Reminder that our Earth Women application closes in less than 2 weeks! If you want to join but haven’t applied, go to our website (link in bio) for the application. Last day to submit your application is March 25th 💞
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💞 We are so excited to announce that Earth Women 2024 is officially a DONATION-BASED program!

This big decision has been guided by our intention to make Earth-based healing & connection accessible and attainable, and to co-create and build a web of diverse women to collectively explore the depths of our hearts and return to the Wild.

Applications are officially open NOW until March 25th.
You can apply on our Earth Women page through my website (link in bio).

We begin April 28th, and will meet for four retreats throughout our six month journey.

Please reach out with any questions or if you would like to join! We are more than happy to share with you all.

And please share with your friends & networks! We want to spread the word to as many women as possible!

With love from your Earth Women guides,
Deanna & Ari ( )

This is where we will be holding our Women's Wilderness Ceremony in June.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

❀ This is sacred land, home of the native Esselen and Salinan people, who tended and loved this land for tens of thousands upon thousands of years.

We are so blessed to have access to this land, now part of Los Padres National Forest, in eastern Big Sur.

♡ We feel so much gratitude for the indigenous people who have loved and taken care of this land with all of their body, heart, minds, souls and spirits.

♡ We feel deep grief for the indigenous people who were killed, forced to leave this land, and imprisoned in the nearby California mission.

This land holds life and beauty as well as death and sorrow.

This land is forever sacred.

The land and the people are one.

Forever thank you to the people, animals, plants and spirits who love this land.

❍

Hello Beautiful World! Ari & Deanna here.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

We are emerging out of a time of renewal and deep listening to what is ready to expand from our hearts.

We are excited to announce that we will be starting a second cohort of ♡ Earth Women ♡ beginning in April 2024.

We are SO excited to begin holding space for the transformation and awakening of the Women in our community.

We feel the immense power of sisterhood and the need of many to have a space to express the Wildness, Raw, Primal, Painful & Beautiful parts of being alive at this time.

❍ More than ever, we need to return to the warmth of the EARTH, to hold us, as we hold each other, to transform and to remember what it feels like to come alive again.

WE WANT TO INVITE YOU to join Earth Women, a 6-month container with 4 retreats and 4- Zoom councils between each Retreat:

»» Opening Day-Long Ceremony in Santa Cruz (Saturday April 27th)

»» Four Day Backpacking Trip in Big Sur (Friday 5/24 - Monday 5/27)

»» Five Day Retreat in the Santa Cruz Mountains w/ a 24-hour Solo Nature-Immersion (Thursday 8/29 - Monday 9/2)

»» Closing Day Long Ceremony in Santa Cruz (Saturday November 2nd)

We are offering an Early Bird Special until the END of January.

♡ Learn more through the link in bio under "Earth Women"♡

♡ Some of my most cherished moments in life have been welcoming people back from ceremonial solo time in the wilderness.​​​​​​​​
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There’s nothing like it…​​​​​​​​
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People who come back from a solo wilderness ceremony are so deeply connected to spirit. ​​​​​​​​
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They have just been through a life changing journey — you can see it in their eyes, feel it in their spirit, taste it in the air — and welcoming them back home to community, to their new life, feels like such an honor.​​​​​​​​
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And if they have been fasting from food, grounding them back into their body through nourishing foods feels incredibly nourishing for my soul as well.​​​​​​​​
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This may be my favorite part of the solo ceremony.​​​​​​​​
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This is a photo taken in our last Earth Women program with , welcoming them home from their 24-hr solo.​​​​​​​​
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HUMBLING facilitator story:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
(I imagine we all get one of these at some point)

I had been planning a Women's Backpacking Retreat for months with my co-guide, and as we were 1-month out, we both found ourselves in serious back injuries.

We tried to heal our bodies…we really tried…acupuncture, chiropractors, craniosacral, massage, energy work, fasting, saunas, cold plunges, sleep, you name it.

But one-week before the trip, it was clear we weren't going to be able to carry weight on our backs.

So we decided to course correct, postpone the trip, and instead hold a women's retreat at home, in Santa Cruz- a "low impact" experience.

However, I woke up on Day 2 of this retreat to a completely STIFF neck and back!!!

I was in excruciating pain. I rushed at 9am to the walk-in acupuncture clinic, in full tears, right at the exact moment a solar eclipse was happening...it was very dramatic.

The practitioner was like, "did you know an eclipse is happening right now?" but I was in too much pain to even care.

I had planned to guide a dance journey that day, but I literally couldn't move. I probably would've chosen to stay in bed, but the dance was planned to be held at the studio in my home…

so I couldn’t hide.

One of our amazing participants set me up in a full-on bed in the studio. I laid in there, mostly in tears, as my co-guides led the journey for the day.

I had to completely surrender to our participants seeing me in an extremely vulnerable and painful state.

I had to surrender to being loved and held by the group.

(continued in comments)

❍ Here is our "threshold"–a circle of branches, sticks, leaves, bones, flowers, and rocks–that we created for our 24-hr solo wilderness ceremony in our last Earth Women program.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Each woman stepped into-and-out-of this threshold to mark the beginning and ending of their 24 hour solo- to mark the beginning and ending of an experience that would change their lives forever.

Each woman crossed this threshold for a different reason, marking and honoring various significant transitions in their lives.

☽ Some came due to career changes, some came to honor death.

☽ Some came to face their inner demons, and some came to face their inner love.

☽ Some came to listen to their wombs, some came to listen to their ancestors, and some come to simply be with and listen to the Earth.

»»» We will be crossing more thresholds like this in our upcoming Earth Women 24-hr wilderness solo, as well as our Women's Wilderness Ceremony 4-day, 4-night solo.

These solo wilderness ceremonies are powerful containers for healing, transformation, honoring major life change, and igniting vision.

If you feel called and would like to learn more, visit my website link in bio under "Group Programs".

♡

I have a dream...​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​once we dance and embody the trees, animals, sky, and all spirits of the Earth, like fully EMBODY these beings, only then will we CONNECT all that needs connection and HEAL all that needs healing.

In my dream, that is all we need. As simple as that.

This is my inner child's dream.

Which makes me cherish it, and take a little more seriously, since I truly believe that children are connected to a deeper wisdom than most adults.

What is your inner child's dream?

♡

Beautiful photo by Jason Abraham Photography

I am so excited to announce open registration for our Women's Wilderness Ceremony this upcoming June 1-9th. Wilderness Soul Guide, Angela Vincent, and I will be collaborating to bring this beautiful offering to you.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

This is a 9-day journey in the wilderness of Big Sur, four of which are held in a 3-day, 3-night solo wilderness ceremony.

This is a time to be held by the land, listen deeply, and receive healing and transformation, all within a strong container of women.

Learn More through the link in my bio under "Women's Wilderness Ceremony" or feel free to message me! I'm happy to share more.

Monday Reminder: Stop putting pressure on your self.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
You are exactly where you need to be
right now.

The discomfort & disease is here to guide you,
help you grow,
help you develop & blossom.

Sometimes the discomfort is sadness & grief.
Be with it,
listen to it,
cradle it,
like it's a young sweet baby or child,
a little one,
and let it be & say whatever it needs to be & say.

Breathe.
Slowly.
You have infinite time.
Time is on your side.
You are in relationship & friendship with time.

Really listen to what is present with you.
Not what you think you should feel,
or what you have felt in the past,
but rather what is with you NOW.
Own it!

Let mystery, the "not knowing", love you.
Let it hold you.
Let it guide you.

When confused,
go into nature.
Somewhere you feel safe & loved & connected.

Let the Earth hold you.
Let the Earth love you.
Let the Earth guide you.

Believe in what calls your soul.
Say yes to that.
And let the rest unfold
without expectation.

- Spoken by the Land of the Esselen people

Fall is either my favorite season or the season I loathe the most.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Why?
Fall sharply asks us to go inward.
To say goodbye to the upward and outward energy of Summer, and turn inside; a deepening into our bodies, our self, and the Earth.

I find that this time can be either very uncomfortable, or very exciting.

Exciting, because Fall asks us to go on an adventure! The adventure of letting go of the old, and opening to the mysteries and unknowns of whatever our soul has to share with us now.

For me, the discomfort of Fall comes from my fear of letting go of the old. Once I do surrender to this natural death process, I feel excitement in going inward, approaching the unknown, and welcoming the new.

This Fall, you may ask yourself,

"How can I become more clear on what needs to shed?"

"What do I need to let go of in order to say yes the unknown, the mysteries held within my soul?"

"What rituals may I hold for myself to let go of the old?"

♡

Solo time in nature (such as the oak or redwood forests) greatly supports this process of shedding and listening to our souls.

If you would like 1-on-1 support with this, I offer "Wild Medicine Journeys", where I guide people through transformational solo time with the Earth.

This is different from my group workshops, since we meet over the course of a few sessions, and we have time to go much deeper. More info is on my website, or feel free to message me :)

Dear Ones,

My Fall Newseltter is out, "Surrender to Fall - 2023 Newsletter" - https://mailchi.mp/1bf537837f05/i-am-so-grateful-for-you-15722581

In this letter, I share with you some words of inspiration for the season, as well as my calendar of upcoming events, workshops and retreats!

If you are not on my mailing list and would like to be, please signup on my website (link in bio).

This beautiful photo was taken by

Life is a mystery to be lived. Not a problem to be solved.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
♡

May you embrace Mystery this Fall, and listen to what it has to share with you.

May you be guided and supported with love through the unfolding of your wild and beautiful life.

Monday Morning Reminder:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.

- Quote by John Kabat-Zinn

We have 3 spots left in our Women’s Backpacking Retreat this October!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Join us for 3 days, 2 nights in the Ventana Wilderness of Big Sur!

This is an opportunity to be in ceremony with the land, self, and sisterhood while honoring the seasonal shift into Fall.

No backpacking experience is required, and all levels of backpacking experience are welcome :)

Learn more through my website (link in bio) under “backpacking retreat”!

Monday Morning Reminder:
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Change is inevitable.
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Like this beautiful mama Oak in who split in two this last year. This is a photo of her before she changed form and transitioned into a new way of being.
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A sweet moment at our last Earth Women gathering celebrating the Summer Solstice on the beach with cacao, fire, and a collaborative song circle!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
These gatherings keep me grounded, inspired, and full of excitement for life!

Want to join the next one? We will be celebrating the Fall Equinox! All women are welcome. Message me for more info!

This being human is a guest-house​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture, still,
treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

- Jelalludin Rumi, "The Guest House"

Hello Community!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Welcome :) we have lots of new folks here, so I want to welcome you all to this page and let you know who I am & what we are up to at Earth Embodied Journeys!

My name is Deanna Renee Falge. My home is in Santa Cruz, CA, Amah-Mutson territory, land of the oaks, crispy cold ocean & magically creative community.

I offer individual & group transformational journeys that support people in the unfolding of their soul's journey & relationship with nature, self, community & purpose.

I work with people who are living in our Western culture & acknowledge the grief and chaos of our times, but want and choose to live a meaningful, soulful connection with life. I work with all genders, but most often with adult & young women.

I am a certified Nature-Connected Life Coach (NCC), Transformational Wilderness Guide (TWG), rites of passage guide, backpacking guide, ecstatic dance DJ & embodiment facilitator. I have a BS in Biological Psychology & I love integrating therapeutic nature-connection techniques with somatic tools.

I partner with other guides, such as to offer regular workshops and gatherings, including mindful nature walks, dance journeys, song circles, ancestral skills workshops, and women's circles. We also offering backpacking retreats & wilderness rite of passage journeys.

If you want to join our workshops, retreats, or work with me 1-on-1, please sign-up for my seasonal newsletter via my website (link in bio) OR direct message me!

May this page inspire you & offer you support on your journey.

With love & gratitude,
Deanna

When we love the Earth, we are able to love ourselves more fully.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​- Bell Hooks

This Thursday in Santa Cruz! All are welcome! Message me for more info / to RSVP​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Reminiscing on this moment from almost one year ago with Earth Women 2022 on their 6-month journey.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
This photo captures the moment before our closing circle of our August retreat, where each woman spent 24-hr in a deeply transformative solo journey on the land just outside of Wilder Ranch SP.

This magnificent Black Walnut tree held the elder role in our circle, and we adorned them with flowers and various offerings. We were very grateful for their grounding and supportive presence.

If you are called to be part of a community and transformational container like this, please DM me! We recently started a WhatsApp group, where we will be sharing our upcoming gatherings, programs, and retreats. Let me know if you would like to be added ♡

♡ Vulnerable DJ Update:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Some of you follow me for my DJing and ecstatic dance journey facilitation, and some of you may have noticed that I haven't been DJing recently. This is because I am taking a creative break from DJing this Summer.

In all honesty, I haven't felt the same inspiration and passion for DJing recently. And this feels like a sort of identity crisis for me. I have identified as a DJ for over two years now, and it has become a major part of my life, community, work, and leadership style.

Right now, I feel my focus shifting and evolving. A part of me wants to push on through and still try DJing, mostly because I value the deep healing and transformation that people receive when I hold this container. However, deep down I know that a break is what my soul needs. I need to listen to what else wants to emerge.

I know that I'm not leaving DJing entirely. I love playing music and holding transformative dance containers too much. However, I think that something a little different wants to come through, and I'm going to give myself the time and space to explore that this Summer. My hope is to return to you all with an even more powerful musical/dance experience.

Thank you to those who have been so loving and supportive on my DJ journey! The Santa Cruz dance community have been the best cheerleaders EVER (you can who you are)!!! I have grown so much as an artist, facilitator & overall human because of all of you. It's time for me to get creative & dance, so I hope to finally dance again with some of you this Summer!

Thank you for the beautiful DJ photo, ♡