The Journey Inward

West Texas Women’s Retreat

Discover the Beauty of Silence.

March 15 - 19, 2027

No phones; no email; nothing to do; nowhere to be.

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About the Retreat

Recharge and Renew with contemplative movement, breath work and guided meditation. Enjoy the profound experience of practicing noble silence to listen for the whispers of the heart.

  • For years, I’ve explored the beauty of West Texas, eventually discovering Chinati Hot Springs, a peaceful oasis in the Chihuahuan desert. Every visit brings deep relaxation and a renewed connection to the Earth. This sacred land offers a perfect space for contemplative practices, where stillness and community foster deep inner exploration.

    This is The Journey Inward!

  • Chinati Hot Springs offers an off-the-grid feel with the comfort of running water and electricity. In spring, blooming cacti and wildflowers adorn the landscape with warm days, cool nights, and breathtaking stars.

    During this 4-night retreat, we’ll have the entire property to ourselves, aside from the operators and their cat, El Jefe.

  • This retreat is designed as a pilgrimage inward, especially for women often focused on others' needs. Each day, I’ll guide contemplative practices, moving from body awareness to deeper layers of being, leading to pure awareness. While I am your outer guide, you’ll learn to trust your own inner wisdom.

  • Kim Schaefer (she/her), is an integrative psychotherapist, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and yoga & meditation teacher with a private practice in Austin, Texas. Her work focuses on the intersection of embodiment, emotional health, and contemplative practices and how these support the healing of trauma in a relational way.

  • Amanda Koeppe, a health-focused chef for over 10 years, graduated from The Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts, specializing in healing modalities like Ayurveda and Macrobiotics. She works as a personal chef in Austin and caters wellness retreats across Texas.

    Her favorite experience? Cooking for 150 campers at Havasupai Falls!

Your Retreat Package includes:

  • Four nights accommodation in single or double occupancy casitas with an option to camp

  • chef-prepared nourishing vegetarian meals

  • outdoor yoga, contemplative movement, and meditation instruction

  • expressive arts

  • daily yoga nidra meditations

  • opportunities to soak in the hot spring tub or splash in the cold pool

  • down time to do whatever suits you

Sample Daily Schedule

Please note the image is an example and may not reflect the exact schedule. Activities and times may vary based on the group's needs and the facilitator's guidance, ensuring a thoughtfully planned experience.

Sample Daily Schedule

What Participants are Saying

  • “This experience was so meaningful in so many profound ways, that continue to reveal themselves a week later. Deep silence and *actually* having nothing to do allowed me to be with myself in a way I never have before. The land is so special and felt so supportive. And Kim is such a natural group leader who oozes with love, calm, genuine non-judgment, and acceptance. One of the great memories of my life <3”

    2023 Participant

  • The Journey Inward was truly that - and in a way I deeply needed. If you are seeking an opportunity to reset or ground, this is it. You will be cared for and supported.

    2023 Participant

  • You are an incredible guide and resource as retreat leader. I loved the practices and tools you taught us plus appreciated having some unscripted like the afternoon of art. Amazing experience. Thank you.

    2023 Participant

  • The Journey Inward is just that! I am grateful for the thoughtfully planned and varied opportunities to spend time in self-reflection, be present in the moment, and connect with others. Infused with kindness, comfort, and support, the retreat was a safe place for me to experience deep emotions, wherever they took me. Being in such a compelling landscape, with an incredibly gifted teacher, and in the company of compassionate others moved me in unexpected ways.

    2023 Participant

  • I left the retreat renewed and dedicated to creating more space in my life without outside input, more time to listen inside. I learned a lot about meditation that I can use in my daily life. All in all, it was a wonderful way to unplug, cleanse the body, mind and soul. I am different now! Kim made us feel so welcome and created a safe space to let the unwinding process happen. The food was incredible!!!!!!!

    2023 Participant

  • “Kim offers a rare type of facilitation. She is experienced and knowledgable in the disciplines that she shares, yet she makes them accessible for a true beginner. I struggle with significant pain in my body, which often makes yoga and meditation challenging while my retreat-mate was an advanced meditator and yoga practitioner. We both felt met and held by what Kim offered. ”

    2022 Participant

  • This was an amazing experience both in the community Kim supported us in building and in the support I had to both rest and explore within. I would recommend this to anyone!

    2022 Participant

  • The experience was impactful, meaningful and held in a landscape of desert beauty and kind and safe community.

    2022 Participant

  • "At the time of learning about this retreat, I had recently come to terms with my depression that I have been keeping at bay for so long that my body wouldn’t let me hide it anymore. I came in desperation; needing to find something, anything within myself that would help create the smallest amount of peace I could hold onto each day back home. I was given this gift by day 2. The agony I have been feeling so heavily, was lifted off of my heart and I could see the light again. This retreat is so lovingly designed by Kim, it is a blessing to have participated in this. I cannot wait to see what is discovered within in the ones ahead."

    Anna, 2025 Participant

  • "This retreat is THE retreat for women that enjoy being outside, disconnected from the buzz of life (there will be buzzing, but not from phones, it will be from bees!), and want to recenter themselves with the support of nourishing food, guided reflective activities, and surrounded by other inspiring women. The setting is like nothing else, the food will have your body settled, and Kim is an extremely open/non-judgmental facilitator allowing you to open your heart and body to spaciousness that is your spirit's nature!"New List Item

    Emmy, 2025 Participant

  • "This was a wonderful experience in a magical desert oasis. The accommodations are charmingly rustic and Kim provides just the right amount of gentle guidance leaving plenty of room for self-reflection. If you’re struggling with the daily grind, feel lost and/or just need a bit of a reset, I highly recommend this retreat. "

    Lana, 2025 Participant

  • "This is my second time and I cannot wait to make my reservation for the third. The first time was life changing and this second time, I was able to go deeper within myself easier as the property, schedule, food, flow, was experienced before. There were no anxieties of unknown as far as physical or logistical. It was the reset I needed to remind myself of what is available inside me at all times. It was a rediscovery and I am forever grateful for Kim’s thoughtful process and effort into providing an experience where this discovery is done with me, by me, and for the love of me.

    Anna, 2026 Participant