The Journey's End
Transformational Retreat


 
 
 
 

Discover Yourself.


Dive deeply into the heart of consciousness and unlock your innermost potential with the help of sacred, transformative medicine and under the careful guidance of highly experienced facilitators.

Set on peaceful, private land in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, this very special and intimate, intentional retreat will challenge you to tap into your most authentic self, and enable you to live your life with greater purpose, clarity, and compassion.


The Retreat Features:


• 4 Days and 3 Nights of Self-Discovery and Group Activities Designed to Bring Out Your Best

• (2) Preparation Calls with Customized Body, Mind & Soul Preparation Protocol

• A Ceremonial Journey with Transformative Medicine on Day 2

• Daily Yoga, Breathwork and Meditation Practice

• Coaching, Sound Healing, Check-Ins and Integration Circles

• Delicious and Nourishing, Organic Meals

• A Closing Celebration and Fireside Concert

• Integration Support and (2) Follow-Up Calls with a Facilitator

Am I Ready?


How do you know if you are ready to journey with transformative medicine?
You might ask yourself the following questions:

Am I feeling blocked in my personal or professional life?

Am I seeking deeper truths and greater alignment with my purpose?

Have I lost touch with myself or what matters most to me?

Am I in need of healing, insight, inspiration, and connection?

If you have answered "Yes" to any of these questions, this retreat is for you.


Will I be Safe?


Your safety is our highest priority, and our team of skilled facilitators will help you prepare for, navigate, and properly integrate your journey in order to ensure the most beneficial and harmonious experience possible. The facilitation team will also include at least (1) Trauma Informed & (1) CPR Trained Member of the team on site at all times.

 
 
 
 

Regenerate on 11 Beautiful Acres
with Trails, a Creek and
Panoramic Mountain Views.

 
 
Retreat Facilitators:

Ehren Cruz

For over 12 years, Ehren has facilitated personalized rights of passage, drawing from initiatory practices from Practical Kaballah, Mazatec Plant Medicine ceremonial wisdom, and Confluence Leadership Techniques® to create a comprehensive preparation, peak experience, and integration protocol leading to profound & sustainable personalized growth in those he serves. Confluence Leadership is a coaching philosophy that focuses on activating the synergy between Intuition, EQ, Somatic Awareness & Mindful Practice to obtain & maintain Flow State (Ecstasis). Ehren is also a member of the Founding Third Wave Psychedelic Certified Coach Class and is an ICF Certified Leadership Coach through the Coaching Teachers Alliance (CTA). Learn more about Ehren.


Renee Cruz

Renee is a Licensed Spiritual Coach, Certified Master Sound Therapy Teacher, and has a Master’s Degree in Public Health with over 19 years in the healthcare field. Renee combines her natural, intuitive healing gifts with years of research and practice in metaphysics, sound, psychology, biology, and spirituality to offer an empowering, transformational experience for the mind, body, and spirit. Renee also has a powerful gift in discerning the unique needs of those receiving her services, and is able create an integrative whole-being plan that honors each individual’s distinctive realignment process with integrity, respect, and compassion.


Dr. Nick Atlas

Nick Atlas, Ph.D., E-RYT 500, is the Director of Evolutionary Education® and a master teacher of mindfulness with over twenty years experience working with transformative medicine and the healing arts. Dr. Nick currently serves as Faculty Chair at Atlantic University, and conducts experiential research on dream yoga and deep ecology (our interconnectedness with nature), in addition to his work as a psychedelic-integration specialist, photographer, musician and author.

What To Expect:

• APPLY + PREPARE

After submitting an application and deposit, you will receive a call from our team, during which time you can ask questions and learn more about the retreat experience. In the weeks that follow, you will receive additional instructions and reading material to help you prepare for your journey, and have the opportunity to meet other retreat participants via Zoom.

• ARRIVE + SETTLE IN

On the afternoon of your arrival, you can settle in to the retreat space, explore the land, enjoy the fresh mountain air, and connect with the retreat facilitators and other members of the group.

• CIRCLING + CEREMONY

Prior to dinner on the first evening, we will formally gather as a group for the first time to "open the circle" and set intentions for the ceremonial journey on Day 2. We'll continue to meet in small groups and as a whole throughout the retreat, in addition to participating in a variety of activities and 1-on-1 check-ins conducive to creating the best possible experience for everyone.

• EXPERIENCE

The transformative journey takes place on the second day of the retreat, beginning mid-morning and lasting the better part of the day. The journey is conducted in a comfortable, indoor setting, where the music and atmosphere are curated to deepen and enhance your experience. The retreat facilitators will be present as "space holders" throughout your entire experience, but will not directly intervene or "guide" you unless called upon. You will also have access to the outdoors and the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge.

• INTEGRATION

The following day after the journey is spent resting, processing, and exploring different forms of integration which will stay with you long after the retreat is over. You will have an opportunity to share your experience with the group, gain feedback, and check-in with the retreat facilitators, as well as take time for yourself to read, journal, and enjoy nature.

• CELEBRATION + DEPARTURE

Our final evening together will feature a wonderful dinner and fireside, celebratory concert, prior to our closing the circle and departing after lunch on Day 4. You will be provided with a package of integration materials and will be invited to stay in touch with your group members. A facilitator will check in with you via a follow-up Zoom call about a week after the retreat, and we will continue to support your integration in the weeks and months that follow.


Benefits:

Personal

• Insight into core beliefs and sense of identity
• Breaking out of negative patterns and habits
• Deep healing through emotional release
• Increased self compassion
• Increased compassion for others, leading to better relationships

Spiritual

• Feeling of deep connection with all that exists
• New appreciation for everyday life
• Loss of fear and self-concern associated with ego boundaries
• Experience of direct encounter with the divine
• Inner sense of renewal and revitalization

Creative

• Enhanced problem-solving ability
• New perspectives on existing projects and ideas
• Think outside the normal framework of space, time and language
• Increased artistic and aesthetic sensibility
• Faster and easier to generate new ideas


Investment:

Tuition for the retreat is $1250, which includes the $100 application deposit.

We are also pleased to offer a Payment Plan, which consists of your $100 deposit + 3 monthly payments of $400/mo on 08/01, 09/01, & 10/01 (Total cost $1300).

All tuition is due by October 1st, 2021 in order to ensure your space.


Lodging:

**Please note that your tuition does not include the cost of lodging.

In our efforts to minimize impact on the land and ensure the most comfortable experience possible, the retreat is non-residential and all participants will be required to secure lodging independently.

As the retreat falls during peak tourist season in the Blue Ridge, we encourage you to make arrangements as soon as possible (via AirBNB, VRBO, local hotel, etc.) and are happy to assist you in this process.


Cancellation and Refund Policy:

**Due to the sensitive nature of the retreat and the extensive preparation involved, please note that all sales are final and no refunds will be given, with the following exceptions:


In the event of a serious illness, a death in your immediate family, you require entering into COVID-19 protocol, or in the event of an unforeseen cancellation on our end, you will have the option of receiving a full refund or transferring your tuition to a future retreat.


The retreat needs a minimum of (9) participants to proceed. If we do not meet that number within (2) weeks of the start of the retreat and, at our sole discretion, decide to postpone or cancel, you will receive a full refund or may transfer your tuition to a future retreat.


COVID-19:

It is our sincere hope that the pandemic and threat of infection will have greatly diminished by late 2021, making it feasible for us to hold the retreat in person. During the retreat, we are fortunate to have ample space with proper air circulation, as well as opportunities to gather outdoors whenever possible. Still, we intend to take every safety precaution, including the employment of social distancing and the use of face masks when necessary, etc. While we do not require that you have been vaccinated by the start of the retreat, you are strongly encouraged to consider the risks of participation, both for yourself, your family, and your fellow participants.


Apply for the Retreat:

In order to apply for the course, please submit an online application along with a $100 deposit.

The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable, except up to one year in a comparable Journey's End retreat. (Your deposit will be returned in full if you are not accepted into the retreat.)

Please note that we will not review your application until your deposit has been received.

Space is limited, and registration closes October 1st.

You are welcome to pay your deposit manually via:

Venmo: @evolutionary-ed
Cash App: $evolutionaryed
Zelle: evolutionary.ed@gmail.com
PayPal: evolutionary.ed@gmail.com
or Credit Card (PayPal) via the "Pay Deposit" button at the bottom of this page.

If you decide to pay manually via Venmo, Cash App, Zelle or PayPal, please include a note with your full name along with your payment or email us at info@evolutionaryeducation.org and include "Journey's End - Fall 2021" in the subject header.

APPLICATION
PAY DEPOSIT

 
 
 
 

Space is Extremely Limited,
Registration Closes October 1st.

 
 
 
  • I've met several kindred spirits on my yoga journey that left an inspiring imprint on my life. Dr. Nick Atlas has embodied all of them and then some. He has a subtle approach combined with compassion and a world of knowledge, insight, and experience that will last a lifetime. Exploring the essence of yoga that resonates with my truest self. I will strive for my personal practice and teachings to continually incorporate some form of what I have learned and will continue to learn from him.
    Libby Campo
    Founder @ Your Inner Yogi
  • The Yoga Nidra Level 1 training with Nick Atlas is a transformational weekend! His approach to Yoga Nidra is methodical, yet relaxed. Just this approach in itself makes this Yoga Nidra training a pure joy to be a part of. This relaxed approach leaves more space as the practitioner, and as the student, more space for healing. Expansion. Love. The power in Yoga Nidra is evident being the student, but I found as I was the practitioner- there was a lot of healing for myself as well. Nick's background in psychology and dreams adds even more stock in the importance of sleep and yogic sleep at that. Personally, I took away from my weekend of training more peace, compassion for myself, and literal healing of wounds that I have been holding on to. Professionally, I learned how to safely hold space and how to guide students in and out of this beautiful sleep that could lead to a healing journey.
    Hannah Hutcheson
    Owner @ Horizon Healing Center
  • I attended Yoga Nidra Teacher Training Level 1 in January of 2019. As a gentle and restorative yoga teacher, I wanted to incorporate the elements of Yoga Nidra into my classes. So when the opportunity arose for me to attend his teacher training, I knew it was my next step.  It was a wonderful weekend, filled with a perfect balance of meditative experience, the sharing of Nick’s knowledge and understanding, and opportunity to practice the skills he taught. I really love Nick's presence and the way he guides Yoga Nidra. He has a wonderful way of creating ease around him and inviting each person in the room to be just as they are. During the training, he gave space and time for ideas and understanding to arise. He answered all questions with thoughtful kindness, always offering his full attention to each question and person speaking. As we practiced new skills on each other, there was never a sense of being judged but plenty of opportunity to ask for clarity on something that was difficult. The whole experience was wonderful and I look forward to learning more from Nick in his advanced level Yoga Nidra trainings to come. 
    Jill Elkin
    Yoga Instructor
  • I highly recommend Dr. Nick Atlas and Evolutionary Education for further teacher training. I recently completed the Yoga Nidra Teacher Training: Level 1 Course.  Before attending the class I had some exposure and knowledge of Yoga Nidra; however, I left the training having a much greater understanding and with an introduction to teaching.  I decided to take this Yoga Nidra training to further explore and deepen my personal practice, to find healing and restoration within and for myself, and eventually having that overflow onto others. It was exactly what I was hoping for, and what a wonderful experience.  Dr. Atlas is an excellent and gifted instructor, who is very knowledgeable on the subject and is present for, accessible and responsive to his students. The course materials provided are well written, clear and thorough, and are presented in a way that is easy to comprehend and remember based off of the training.  I have felt so many of the benefits from this teacher training as I have incorporated what I learned into my personal practice and now feel more confident to introduce to my students.  I plan to take his future Level 2 training.     
    Tiffany Williams
    Yoga Instructor
  • I recently completed Evolutionary Education’s Yoga Nidra Teacher Training Level 1  and the course was so practical and hands-on, that it gave me the confidence to start teaching Yoga Nidra classes right away to my community.  We had multiple opportunities to both receive and guide Yoga Nidra meditations and Nick's laid back yet deep style of teaching is all about finding your own Yoga Nidra voice. I highly recommend this class to anyone who is interested in learning more about this deeply relaxing and profound practice. 
    Sarah Eiler
    Reflexologist and Yoga Instructor
  • The Yoga Nidra training was exceptional and surpassed any expectations I may have had. Nick is a present, authentic, and encouraging teacher, leader, and facilitator. The way he integrated direct experience, instruction, and discussion kept us engaged and curious throughout the training. And, I'd have to say it was the most intellectually AND spiritually stimulating training I've attended. As a mental health professional, I have been able to apply the knowledge and skills from the training into my work in clinical and community settings - and believe any professional that incorporates meditation and mindfulness into their work could, as well. I look forward to attending future trainings with Nick.
    Paige Scheinberg
    Art Therapist and Founder of SHINE ON Consulting
  • Although I have practiced and taught Yoga Nidra many times over the past 10 years, I had not taken a full in-depth, formal weekend devoted entirely to Yoga Nidra until studying with Nick. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will recommend it to others! Nick's pace is slow and steady, allowing time to settle and drop in. With a thorough background in psychology and yogic philosophy, he weaves both eastern discipline and western science beautifully into the weekend, giving depth to the experience. As our world keeps speeding up, it is even more important to “slow down” and include this practice in our lives. I was left empowered and inspired to continue to teach and practice this potent form of yoga. I am deeply grateful!
    Marti Yura
    Owner @ Vista Yoga
  • Studying with Nick has been a gift over the years. I always receive a thoughtful, engaging and mindful-based learning environment steeped in science. This investment is one that I first make in myself, yet these gifts always impact my students in the studio and on retreat.
    Mandy Roberts
    Owner @ FORM {yoga} & Soul Nourish Retreats
  • Taking the 200-hr Yoga Psychology Teacher Training was one of the best decisions I've ever made for myself. The program was very well structured, and wove together intellectual discussions, asana practice, breath work (which I loved!), and meditation. Everything was magical and life changing for me as I had lost my Mom the previous year. It was a beautiful, healing experience in every way, and it has impacted my life forever.
    Ashley Day
    Entrepreneur
  • Nick is a gentle soul and, at the same time, he's very intense. Through that intense gentleness, he reaches out to individuals and brings them forward into a relationship with themselves. Through the guided meditations, through Yoga Nidra, even his presence in lecture is very calming and, at the same time, challenges you to stretch your mind a little bit further, to incorporate a little bit more, which is a real growth aspect. It was so intrinsic to being the netting that pulls all the classes and all the work together. The YPTT is a training that connects you with your spiritual hopes and desires. It connects you to your body and how it exists and works in the world, and it connects you to really being authentic in your life. If being authentic is not something that's comfortable for you, save your money, go elsewhere, find some other training, because this is going to bring you present into the real world.
    Joseph Etheredge
    Office Manager & Clinical Mental Health Counseling Student (M.Ed.)
  • This was one of the most transformative training weekends I have ever attended! I walked in assuming I was going to learn a few deep relaxation tricks. It was this and so much more!!! The effects of deep relaxation and attuning to all that surrounds us sharpens our senses and helps us reach new depths. Dr. Nick Atlas is very knowledgeable in his field and will make you at ease with whatever comes up during sessions. Love, bliss, so much appreciation for grace and beauty, some sorrow, tremendous gratitude and ecstatic joy are a few of my side effects from this weekend. I am very excited to see schools like Evolutionary Education being created. There is so much need for it!!! I wish for everyone to learn and experience what I did!
    Gaëlle Lemley
    Owner @ Yoga Elements
  • My experience in the 200-hr Yoga Psychology Teacher Training is a time I will always cherish. Because of the training, I now have a strong foundation and a place to go back to when life gets crazy and I'm no longer practicing as I desire to. You taught me a clear way to start with the breath, move into meditation, and then asana practice if I desire. You taught us what is important: awareness. The most unexpected positive I gained from the program were tools for stronger emotional health. I learned to sit with my pain, to embrace my "demons," to love and accept myself and, in turn, to embrace, love, and accept others as they are. It was a transformative experience, and it has propelled me onto a path toward a more open, loving, powerful me. 
    Breanna Smith Butler
    Yoga Instructor
  • It was a dream come true to finally attend the 200-hr Yoga Psychology Teacher Training. I joined the program seeking clarity and was eager to understand some in-depth principles and theories related to yoga. I flew from Liberia, quit my job, and was ready for a brand new start. The environment was just what I needed, very supportive and open minded. The training was rich and offered a little bit of everything--the physical, spiritual, cultural and psychological aspects of yoga. Our co-instructor, Rose, was so sweet. I love her gentle approach to asana and to life. Nick is a fountain of knowledge, there's always so much to learn from him. I'm forever grateful for these two and for the experience they allowed me to tapped into. Evolutionary Education® is a place to help you evolve into a more beautiful version of yourself. I am full with gratitude.
    Louvette Neal
    Yoga Instructor
 

STAY CONNECTED