Held by the salt, awakened by the surf, rewilded in spirit. Join us for a week of soulful immersion in surf, nature, and community. Through movement, ritual, and the rhythm of the tide, we remember what it means to fully be alive, held by nature, witnessed by others, and guided by something greater than ourselves.
Beneath the warmth of the Panama sun, we'll gather for a week of rest, reflection, and renewal at the oceanfront Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort. Each day is an invitation to return home: to your body, your breath, and the living world that holds you. Rooted in surf therapy, somatic movement, ritual, and community, our days flow with the rhythms of the ocean, inviting grief and joy to move together as part of the human experience.
Mornings bring somatic movement and breathwork, followed by guided eco-therapy on the beach. Afternoons are yours to wander, rest, and feel alive. Float in the ocean, journal under a palm, or book an adventurous excursion to playfully connect with the wild world around you. As the sun softens each evening, we slow down. Gathering for ritual and tending-circles, where stories, tears, and laughter weave us together.
Three farm-to-table meals are shared each day, offering space for conversation and connection. Nourishment here goes beyond the plate, it's about being fully present, celebrating life, and savoring the simple joys of community.
This week is a journey of belonging: to yourself, to others, and to the living earth. Together, we'll move through the waves of grief and love with tenderness, remembering that healing isn't about returning to who you were, but remembering who you have always been.
Kelsey Ellis, MA, is an eco-therapy provider, grief counselor and surf therapy facilitator, whose work lives at the intersection of nature, community, and healing. Her background lies in facilitating expressive therapeutic programs for trauma recovery, weaving together creative arts, somatic practice, and ocean-based therapy.
In March 2020, Kelsey unexpectedly lost her twin sister, Audrey, to Covid-19 complications. In the depths of her grief, she found solace and meaning in the ocean - a place where love and loss could coexist. From that experience, she founded the Waves of Grief Collective which now offer ocean-based grief support and surf therapy in over 15 locations worldwide.
Kelsey's professional and personal experience have deepened her passion for fostering community connection through creative programming that supports individuals navigating grief, loss, change, and transition. Her work, recognized by the U.S. Surgeon General and featured in National Geographic's documentary series IMPACT with Gal Gadot reminds us that healing can be found through authentic expression, belonging, and connection the natural world.
Guided by the words of Francis Weller, "Grief and love are sisters, woven together from the beginning," Kelsey invites others to let the ocean hold both.
Kianna is a somatic movement guide, international retreat leader, and surf therapy facilitator who finds deep healing in nature, movement, and community. Raised on the foggy shores of California, she grew up both empowered and humbled by the ocean, and still feels most at home with salt on her skin.
Grief comes in many forms and Kianna's relationship with grief became more personal after the loss of her older brother. A journey that reshaped her understanding of the human experience and deepened her commitment to holding space for others navigating change.
Since 2018, she's supported holistic surf programs that blend time in the water, mindful movement, and play to help people navigate change and reconnect with themselves. With a background in yoga, trauma-informed facilitation, and integrative movement education, Kianna creates grounded, heart-forward spaces where you can breathe deeper, move freely, and meet yourself with curiosity and care.
