The Kula Well is a sacred space for all women. Our community offerings and experiences, well-being and spiritual coaching, mediation guidance, and yes this beautiful Kula Well Retreat, encourage women to first build nourishment and well-being for themselves, and to join in community to strengthen what we can all offer the world.

Our Kula Well Retreat, is more than a reset; it’s a transformation, a changing evolution and experience that will change your life. They are about exploring your unique selves while in co-creation with other beautiful women who are curiously seeking their deepest connections with self and other women seeking the same.

What we believe truly makes The Kula Well experiences unique is when we are whole and shining our brightest we can support others to begin doing the same for themselves. Our mission is focused on filling our own soul desires for us to be our best selves AND to be in service to others.

This is why we combined caring for ourselves in the initial part of our retreats, and then visiting Kolkata, the shelters and resource centers that support the women and children who have survived the horrors of sexual trafficking.

We hope you will join us and embrace filling your own inner goddess and then support others to fill theirs! If you are not ready for a retreat, please contact us to learn more about our women’s groups, private coaching and mindfulness guidance.

For nearly a decade, living less than one mile from each other in Northern VA, mutual friends often asked if we knew one another, or said “You need to meet Heidi/Colleen, you’d love each other!”

Mutual friend groups and daily activities crossed closely on a regular basis, our kids knew each other, but we never found ourselves introduced… until one day, both shopping in a local woman owned business, we connected. (OMG you are Heidi Jones… and Holy Moly you are Colleen Avis… and in unison… I’ve heard so much about you!)

Our friends were right… the connection was instant, and five months later, we traveled across the world together where the soulful journey of exploration, deeper meaning, expanded learning and compassion, curiosity of Purpose, many deep belly laughs and desire to serve began.

Truth be told, we did make a “test trip” to Deer Creek, Utah, where our kids skied and we enjoyed 2-hour sound baths and new moon rituals, spent the day (ok days) at the spa, and went to bed early with warm cacao to journal. That went well… so on to the other side of the earth, we traveled!

The trip’s purpose was to be in service of the amazing, brave, and resilient women and children of Kolkata supported by the Seva Foundation and Her Future Coalition. We knew this trip would be transformational – we had NO IDEA how much – but we knew. So, we traveled first to Bhutana and to The Rajbari Bawali, India to do what we called “fill our own inner goddesses.”

Ask us about that “goddess-filling” journey over a long cup of tea – words here will not do it justice. We will say that submersing ourselves in a country whose values are present in all things and deeply felt and seen – where a community of compassion, empathy, loyalty, honesty, integrity, reciprocal affection, and gratitude guide all action – well… it was magic, and harmony and inner beauty was restored.

We brought that personal transformation with us to serve. It changed each of us forever.

We want that experience for all. And so, The Kula Well, combines a journey inward, where you will submerse and nourish you with intention and passion. Where as a community we will hold the values of compassion, deep listening, desire to connect, respect of community and deep belly laughs. Then, together, as goddesses, we will bring our fullest and brightest lights forward, guiding us to be in community and co-creation with others.

We believe you will share your service here and find you continue to receive! That was our story (so far)… what will be yours?

Since 2005 Her Future Coalition (HFC) has been creating powerful and positive change in the lives of women and girls. Their mission is to break the cycle of poverty and exploitation by providing education – and a full range of services that support education – to survivors and the most vulnerable girls in India and Nepal. All HFC programs are customized to meet the unique needs of survivors, and designed in close collaboration with trusted local partners.

One of the key partners and friends of Colleen and Heidi is the Yoga Medicine® Seva Foundation (YMSF). The YMSF’s mission is to break the cycle of intergenerational inequalities by empowering women and children through education and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Whether she needs safe shelter to recover, remedial education to catch up, or job training to secure an income, their holistic support services help survivors build pathways to bright, independent futures.

YMSF and The Kula Well partner with the local anti-trafficking organization Her Future Coalition, a 501c3 with 20 years of proven success. This partnership allows us to support the most impactful programs with boots and hearts on the ground in India. These programs include shelter, education, job training and other support services such as counseling, arts therapy, and life skills courses.

All partners - HFC, YMSF and The Kula Well - are passionate about providing and sustaining education that empowers survivors to rebuild their lives and support their families. These educational programs give survivors the tools they need to become leaders in their communities, uplifting others and passing on the virtue of self-worth.

First…Fill Your Inner Goddess January 29 - February 2nd, 2025

You can check out the glorious and luxurious retreat accommodations here – The Rajbari Bawali.

Then…Share Your Inner Goddess February 3 - February 6, 2025

We are currently selecting the best hotel for our group in Kolkata while we are in service with Her Future Coalition and Yoga Seva. The hotel will be selected based on the finalization of our trip experiences, locations we will visit, and Kolkata comfort.

Once we have everyone’s flight schedules, we will arrange comfortable transportation for everyone to travel from Kolkata to The Raj. Should flights be delayed, do not worry; you will be picked up and transported to the group at The Raj.

Transportation from the airports to hotel accommodations and between experiences are included in your retreat and service pricing.

The currency in India is Indian Rupees. We recommend the equivalent of $1000 USD in Indian Rupees.

How much you bring also depends on how much shopping you would like to do. Many of the stores and shops accept credit cards, as will The Rajbari Bawali and most restaurants.

We strongly suggest you give yourself time to have money converted at your bank or a currency convert location - it can take a few days to obtain Indian Rupees.

There are many currency convertors online, like this one that can be helpful also.

You will first be asked to confirm your intention to attend by paying your non-refundable $2,000 deposit via our website, this confirms you have a reserved spot. Your remaining balance is due 120 days prior to your retreat. We’ll send you a reminder when it’s time so you don’t forget!

If you do not pay your balance due by the 120 days prior to your retreat, you relinquish your spot. Your deposit will not be refunded.

We accept credit card and bank transfer payments through our website only.

We have online fundraising pages that each fundraiser/trip attendee can personalize. This makes your fundraising efforts easy, you can share the link and your supporters can make donations that are handled directly by HFC.

When you are ready we can support you in setting up and personalizing your page. Here is Colleen and Heidi’s fundraising page as an example. https://herfuturecoalition.networkforgood.com/projects/190588-colleen-and-heidi

Some of our attendees ask friends and family for donations, others offer classes or other services in return for donations (i.e. donation-based yoga classes, birthday or holiday gift donations, or other services in return for donations).

We are here to support you, please reach out, and we will happily brainstorm and get creative with you for ideas that work for you!

Once you register by submitting your deposit for the retreat, we’ll send you a confirmation via email. This email will include instructions and a link to our Participant Form and Basic Waiver.

These documents must be completed 120 days prior to your retreat date. Guests who fail to do so may be subject to an automatic cancellation, and the above cancellation policy will apply.

Dress / Attire

To respect Indian culture and traditions, it is recommended to dress modestly. It is best to wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing that does not expose shoulders, fits loose around the waist, and pants/ skirts that fall below the knees. Yoga pants are okay if worn under a long tunic that covers your bottom.

· Long skirts/ loose dresses- maxi skirts are a great option.

· Joggers or loose-fitting comfortable pants.

· Large scarf(s) – a great option for covering shoulders and necessary for covering your head if visiting religious sites.

· Shirts that do not expose cleavage or shoulders - it’s best to bring layers.

· Shoes that easily slip on and off, there is lots of walking and dust/dirt.

· Leave jewelry and valuables at home.

· Sunglasses.

· Universal adapter: at most hotels, you should be able to plug your items directly into the wall, but it's best to bring an adapter just in case.

· Bug spray, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, kleenex packets – Please note that most public bathrooms do not have toilet paper.

· Water bottle – hotels may provide filtered drinkable water so you can fill your bottle instead of always buying a bottled water.

Other

Your usual toiletries and necessities. Plus tampons! Even if you think you are not due, bring tampons as they are hard to purchase in India.

Ear plugs (India is noisy!)

A favorite snack bar and/or wrapped candy

Medication *see FAQ on vaccines

Collapsible duffle bag to bring home purchased artisan products, reusable bags for purchases at markets or site visits

USD exchanged into Indian Rupee BEFORE arriving to India *see FAQ on guidelines for hos much money to bring.

We are so excited to have you join us for this transformational retreat and trip, so we hope you will not need to cancel. However, sometimes circumstances do require cancellation.

PLEASE READ this section carefully so you have all the details you need in the event you have to cancel.

You are required to purchase your own travel/trip cancellation insurance so any medical needs or trip fees will be covered in case you have a medical need or require cancelling your trip.

Trip insurance must be purchased to cover medical expenses in the event you have an accident while on the retreat.

You can usually add insurance to your airfare when booking flights or ask your credit card company about trip insurance. There are many options out there, our recommended travel partner, CIRE Travel can support you.

If you must cancel your reservation, your $1000 deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. Also, be aware that we are unable to transfer deposits or any payments from one calendar year to the next.

International retreats: the non-refundable deposit will be forfeited if cancellation occurs anytime up to 120 days prior to retreat start date; 100% of the trip price will be forfeited if cancellation occurs after 120 prior to retreat start date.

We require all those joining the Kula Well Retreats and trips to purchase travel insurance as soon as you book a retreat! (Please read that as “get travel insurance.” More on this below.)

It is your responsibility to read and understand our cancellation policies. Exceptions cannot be made for any reason, including weather, injury/illness, or personal emergencies. No refunds or credits will be given for failure to attend or failure to complete the retreat, or for arriving late or leaving early.

Check out this FORBES article about the best travel insurance companies.

The Kula Well, LLC reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary by our team or partners. In the rare case of a cancellation on the part of The Kula Well LLC (due to political unrest, dangerous weather, or insufficient sign-ups) we will offer a transfer to another trip or a full refund.

This retreat is an investment in you, your mind, body, and soul —and it’s a financial investment. While we hope no one will need to cancel, we have all experienced the unexpected. We purchase it for ourselves as your guides. All attending must purchase and show proof of travel and medical insurances.

Travel and life offer uncertainty, and we are unable to offer refunds or credits of any kind, as we are a small (but mighty) organization.

*Ensure insurances cover medical expenses as well as travel related challenges.

Often you can add insurance to your airfare. Our travel partner, CIRE Travel can support you in selecting insurance options. Please consider using their services and ensuring you add insurance to your plans.

Also you can check out this FORBES article about the best travel insurance companies.

Our mission is to create an intimate and personal community; a sacred space where everyone has the space to connect, be present, genuine and authentic, explore meaningful conversations, and nurture relationships created. To cultivate this community we intend to keep the attendees to 10-12 women.

Imagine the time and space to make connections, learn about others, be heard and respected, and feel safe to share about who you are!

Awe… when do we leave!?

With all international travel wifi and cell coverage can be challenging. However while at our hotel locations you should experience a good connection.

We suggest you let your mobile provider know you will be traveling internationally and ensure you have the best price day rates while you are gone.

Additionally, WhatsApp can be a safe, reliable and well priced option to stay in touch with friends and family in the United States while in India.

Staying connected to home is important and often exciting so that you can share your experiences. We also encourage you to be present during this experience to maximize your time. . Remember this trip is about filling your inner goddess, and we invite you to prioritize the amazing and divine you!

Some of this answer may be required by the countries visited, some of this is personal preference and choice.

We strongly suggest and kindly ask that you please see your medical professional to get guidance on vaccinations and other travel advice to India that is specific to you.

Here are some useful resources to refer to:

CDC Guidelines

Passport Health USA

International Travel