Aviana
Women in cowgirl hats holding hands around the fire at dusk

A Sacred Sisterhood Gathering at the Ranch

The Winter Solstice Retreat

December 18–20, 2026 Galena, Illinois Optional extended stay through Monday, December 21

Rest. Reconnect. Create. Remember.

Join us by the fire
The log cabin–style ranch in Galena, Illinois

The ranch · Galena, Illinois

You Are Invited

For a few precious days, there is nowhere else you need to be.

Imagine a cozy log cabin nestled among the rolling countryside of Galena, Illinois. A crackling fire, horses grazing in the pasture, the warmth of a hot tub beneath the winter sky and the welcoming embrace of sisterhood. For a few precious days, there is nowhere else you need to be.

As the year draws to a close, join us for a beautiful Winter Solstice gathering devoted to slowing down, replenishing your spirit and reconnecting with yourself and one another. Honoring the longest night of the year and the beautiful return of the light, we'll create space to reflect, release what we've outgrown and welcome the possibilities of a new season.

Immerse yourself in the grounding presence of horses, the creativity of crafting your own wooden cutting board, gentle movement, restorative yoga, aromatherapy, sound healing and sacred sisterhood rituals. Enjoy nourishing meals lovingly prepared by Holly, fireside conversations, laughter, creativity and moments of simply being.

With an optional third night, there's even more time to wander the charming streets of Galena, explore the surrounding countryside, visit a local winery and gather once more around the fire for an evening of beeswax candle making.

Come put down the weight of the world for a little while. Let nature ground you, let sisterhood nourish you and let the returning light remind you of all that is possible.

Come as you are. Leave renewed, reconnected and carrying a little more light within.

A crackling fire in a cozy stone fireplace

The longest night, and the return of the light.

Who This Is For

A seat by the fire is waiting — for you, and the women you love.

  • Mothers and daughters longing for sacred time together
  • Dear friends ready to rest side by side before the holiday rush
  • Women called to honor the solstice in ceremony and sisterhood
  • Women coming on their own — you will arrive a guest and leave a sister

We keep our circle small so every woman is truly seen, held and known.

Candles glowing in a dark, warm room

What We'll Share Together

Rest. Reconnect. Create. Remember.

Rest & Rejuvenate

01

Rest & Rejuvenate

  • Opening Winter Solstice Sister Circle
  • Restorative Yoga and Guided Relaxation
  • Candle Meditation
  • Aromatherapy Experience
  • Sacred Sisterhood Salt Soak Creation
  • Hot Tub and Fireside Relaxation
  • Sister Sound Bath
  • Sacred Solstice Meditation
Create & Connect

02

Create & Connect

  • Hands-on Wooden Cutting Board Workshop led by the owner of the ranch
  • Handmade Solstice Candle Creation (extended retreat)
  • Aromatherapy Infused Salt Soak
  • Beautiful Memories and Moments with the Horses
The Heart of the Ranch

03

The Heart of the Ranch

  • Time with the Horses: Connection, Grooming and Quiet Presence
  • Gentle Morning Movement
  • Nourishing Chef-Prepared Meals by Holly
  • Fireside Conversations and Sisterhood
A Little More Galena

04 · Extended retreat

A Little More Galena

  • Optional Winery Visit
  • Charming Downtown Galena Shops
  • Local Waterfall Exploration
  • An Extra Evening of Creativity, Connection and Relaxation
Women holding hands in a sister circle

You Belong Here

Hand in hand, we remember that we were never meant to carry it all alone.

Whether you arrive with your mother, your daughter, your dearest friend or simply yourself, you'll be welcomed into the circle like family — held, celebrated and cared for.

A handcrafted wooden cutting board

Your Take-Home Treasures

Little pieces of our time together to carry home.

  • Your own handcrafted wooden cutting board
  • A sacred sisterhood salt soak
  • A handmade candle (extended retreat guests)
  • Photographs capturing your time with the horses
  • A heart full of sisterhood, connection and memories

Retreat Itinerary

How our days together gently unfold.

4:00–5:30 PM
Arrival, room settling and welcome appetizers
6:00 PM
Chef-prepared welcome dinner
7:00 PM
Opening Winter Solstice Sister Circle
7:45 PM
Collective Sacred Sisterhood Salt Soak Creation
8:15 PM
Evening of Rejuvenation — restorative yoga, guided candle meditation, aromatherapy, relaxing fireside time, hot tub and quiet connection
9:30 PM
Tea, conversation and rest

Your Stay

Four suites. One warm home to share.

Our intimate ranch retreat features four beautiful suites, each with a stunning private bathroom, nestled within a welcoming log cabin-style home surrounded by peaceful acreage and horses.

Shared King Suite

Shared King Suite

$999per person

A suite for two. Grab a sister, a friend, a daughter, a cousin or mother to celebrate the solstice together.

Private King Suite

Private King Suite

$1,600private

Private occupancy of a king suite, all to yourself.

Three-Person Shared Suite

Three-Person Shared Suite

$950per person

One queen bed and two long bunks. Perfect for three friends traveling together or solo travelers who want their own bed while connecting with new kindred spirits.

A suite's private bathroom with a copper soaking tub

Optional Third Night · December 20–21

+$350 per person

For those who feel called to linger a little longer, includes Sunday dinner, a magical beeswax candle making evening, and Monday breakfast before you head home carrying a little more of Galena with you.

Two nights of sisterhood, with the option to linger for three. Limited spaces.

44 days until we gather by the fire

A $350 deposit holds your place in the circle · Payment plans in up to three installments · Full balance due by January 18, 2027

Holly Johnson with one of the horses

Meet Your Host

Holly Johnson

Your host, guide and the heart of our kitchen

Holly is the founder of Aviana and has spent years holding space for women — through aerial yoga, Reiki, sound and ceremony, and retreats where the horses and the land do so much of the healing.

For this gathering she'll be leading every circle and meditation, and she'll also be in the kitchen, lovingly preparing each nourishing meal you share around the table. Her greatest joy is watching women soften, laugh, rest and remember how good it feels to be cared for.

"I can't wait to welcome you inside by the fire, sister."

Come find your winter sanctuary. Let the fire warm you, let the horses ground you, let creativity awaken you and let sisterhood remind you of the beauty of being together.

Register Now

Retreat Registration

Join the circle

We can't wait to welcome you. Share a little about yourself below so Holly can prepare your room, your place at the table and your time with the horses with love and care.

Choose where you'll rest

Four cozy suites, each with its own private bathroom.

Attendee Information

So we know who's joining and how to reach you.

Your Health & Diet

So Holly can keep you safe, nourished, and cared for.

Condition of health *

Time with the Horses

We'll spend quiet time grooming and connecting with the horses — no riding required.

Your experience around horses

Why You're Here

Holly reads every word — this helps her hold space for you.

Waivers & Agreements

Required for every Aviana registration — including reiki, yoga, aerial yoga, and retreat programming.

Required for every reiki, aerial yoga, and yoga registration at Aviana.

Waiver & Release of Liability

  1. I represent that I am physically capable of participating in the yoga or other programming provided by Aviana.
  2. I understand that yoga and physical exercise can be strenuous and subject to risk of serious injury and I have been fully advised that no exercise, activity, or yoga program should be taken without the consent of a doctor or physician and I am responsible for undertaking to obtain such consent.
  3. I agree that if I engage in any physical activity, or use Aviana amenity on the premises or off premises, including any sponsored Aviana event, I do so entirely at my own risk.
  4. Any recommendations for changes in diet, including the use of food supplements, and/or essential oil products are entirely my responsibility and I will undertake to consult a physician prior to undergoing any dietary or food supplement changes.
  5. I agree that I am voluntarily participating in the activities provided, directly and indirectly, by Aviana and the use of facilities and premises provided and assume all risks of injury, illness, or death.
  6. I agree that Aviana is not responsible for any loss of, or damage to, personal property.
  7. I understand that Aviana Yoga may be extremely demanding and I take full responsibility for knowing, monitoring, and acting within my abilities and learning and incorporating any modifications or adaptations necessary to proceed with such activities in a safe and appropriate manner.
  8. I agree Aviana and its directors, instructors, apprentices, employees, agents, and assigns shall not be liable or responsible for any injuries to me which may occur as a result of (a) my use of all amenities and equipment provided by Aviana and my participation in any activity, class, program, or instruction, (b) the sudden and unforeseen malfunctioning of any equipment, (c) Aviana instruction, training, supervision, or dietary recommendations and (d) my slipping and/or falling while in facility, or on Aviana premises, including adjacent sidewalk areas.
  9. I acknowledge that I have read this Waiver and Release and understand that it is a RELEASE OF LIABILITY.
  10. I expressly agree to release and discharge Aviana and its directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates, representatives, successors, assigns, and instructors for any and all claims, causes of action or judgments that may arise out the events noted in Item 8 above and I agree to voluntarily forfeit or waive any right that I may otherwise have to bring a legal action against Aviana for personal injury or property damage. To the extent that statute or case law does not prohibit release for ordinary negligence, this release applies to any ordinary negligence on the part of Aviana, its agents, officers, directors, and employees.
  11. I expressly agree that this release shall be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns.

By signing this Waiver and Release, I acknowledge that I have read this Waiver and Release and understand all of its terms. I execute it voluntarily and with full knowledge of its significance.

If you have any of the below conditions, please consult your physician before participating in an aerial yoga class:

Pregnancy · Glaucoma · Recent surgery (esp. shoulder, eyes, back, hips, hands or wrist) · Heart disease · Very high or low blood pressure · Easy onset vertigo · Osteoporosis/bone weakness · Recent head injury · Cerebral Sclerosis · Propensity for Fainting · Carpal tunnel syndrome · Severe arthritis · Sinusitis or head cold · Hiatal hernia · Disc herniation or acute discogenic disease · Recent stroke · Artificial hips · Radiculitis (inflammation of nerve root in spine) · Severe muscle spasms · Botox (within 6 hours)

Photo Release

I hereby grant permission to the Aviana, and its officers, trustees, employees, agents, students, representatives, successors, licensees and assigns to photograph and/or video my image, likeness, or depiction and/or that of my minor children (if applicable). I hereby grant permission to the Aviana to edit, crop, or retouch such photographs and/or videos, and waive any right to inspect the final photographs and/or videos. I hereby consent to and permit photographs and/or videos of me and/or those of my minor children to be used by the Aviana worldwide for any purpose, including educational and advertisement purposes, and in any medium, including print and electronic. I understand that the Aviana may use such photographs and/or videos with or without associating names thereto. I further waive any claim for compensation of any kind for the Aviana's use or publication of photographs of me and/or those of my minor children (if applicable).

I hereby fully and forever discharge and release the Aviana from any claim for damages of any kind (including, but not limited to, invasion of privacy; defamation; false light or misappropriation of name, likeness or image) arising out of the use or publication of photographs and/or videos of me and/or those of my minor children (if applicable) by the Aviana, and covenant and agree not to sue or otherwise initiate legal proceedings against the Aviana for such use or publication on my own behalf or on behalf of my minor children. All grants of permission and consent, and all covenants, agreements and understandings contained herein are irrevocable.

I acknowledge and represent that I am over the age of 18, have read this entire document, that I understand its terms and provisions, and that I have signed it knowingly and voluntarily on behalf of myself and/or my minor children (if applicable).

Cancellation & refund policy

A non-refundable, non-transferable $350 deposit secures your spot. The remaining balance may be paid in up to three installments, with the full balance due by January 18, 2027. Any payments beyond the deposit are refundable if written cancellation is received at least 60 days before the retreat's start date (October 19, 2026). Cancellations made within 60 days of the retreat will not be refunded. Aviana reserves the right to cancel any retreat at its discretion — in that event, a full refund will be issued.

I've read and agree to the cancellation policy. *

Next you'll choose how to pay: card (Stripe), Venmo, or Zelle.

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