“Pathfinder” Mindful Journaling Retreat

Guided by NYT-featured journaling expert Laura L. Rubin

Ready for a reset? Want to inject some creativity and connection into your daily life? Join us for a special weekend of inspiring pen-to-paper workshops led by creativity coach and founder of AllSwell Creative, Laura L. Rubin.

“Pathfinder” Mindful Journaling Retreat

Guided by NYT-featured journaling expert Laura L. Rubin

Ready for a reset? Want to inject some creativity and connection into your daily life? Join us for a special weekend of inspiring pen-to-paper workshops led by creativity coach and founder of AllSwell Creative, Laura L. Rubin.

Get the science-backed mental, emotional and physiological benefits of journaling featured in her forthcoming book, “The Big Unlock,” published by Simon & Schuster.

Celebrated by media from Forbes to Vogue, and hired for her expertise by organizations such as Dior, Google, Goop, Netflix and Prada, Rubin’s techniques help you tap into your innate creativity and internal wisdom. Whether you have a consistent writing practice or you’re looking to start one, Rubin will walk us through accessible, enjoyable writing-based activities to help you step away from external noise and tune into your intuitive source of knowledge and vision.

Even amidst tumult, journaling helps you tune into the internal wisdom of your own voice—and provides the means of building a life as unique as you are, one you love.” – Laura L. Rubin.

During this transformative weekend you will:

  • Recalibrate your nervous system
  • Enjoy the act of creative expression without judgement
  • Be in community
  • Generate vision
  • Come home to your own center, and map a path forward from a place of personal wholeness.

The retreat includes optional yoga classes, sauna and cold plunge, guided hikes into forever-wild state parks, and access to state-of-the-art 7,000-square-foot gym facilities. Lie by the 75-foot pool or sleep in and recharge (in Frette linens); whatever your body needs, there will be time for you to relax and enjoy the facilities.

Saturday night’s festivities will be capped by a cathartic burning ceremony led by energy healing expert Valerie Oula. (Oula is Director of Vibrational Healing at THE WELL, and is the founder of Modern Ritual NYC, a sanctuary for personal transformation. She is the author of two published books, A Little Bit Of Reiki, and Rest Rituals.)

Valley Rock Inn’s food and beverage program features locally sourced organic ingredients that are beautifully prepared and presented to support a healthy and delicious experience. All food and beverages, including nightly wine pairings and a signature cocktail, are provided.

AllSwell notebooks and writing implements will be provided (in addition to a selection of luxurious May Lindstrom skincare products and goodies from Perelel to complement your experience). Just bring you – and maybe a friend to share in this exquisite, transformative experience. Optional add-on activities include an 1:1 energy healing session with Valerie Oula; or facial / massage.*

There’s something about Laura—you meet her, and you immediately sense she’s going to take you places within yourself you’ve never been.” – AllSwell workshop participant

Gentle reminders: There’s no such thing as being “bad” at journaling, and you don’t have to be a proficient writer in order to get all the benefits of mindful journaling. At no point will anybody be asked to read aloud from the pages of their notebooks. Relax, enjoy.

Located just an hour away from Manhattan, and available by public transit, treat yourself to a restorative weekend without the hassle of airport stress or jetlag. Please reach out with any questions. We hope to see you soon.

For more information on AllSwell workshops visit allswellcreative.com / @allswellcreative / @lauralrubin

*Add-on services are not covered in retreat package pricing and require booking in advance. Please enquire for details.

Laura Rubin

Journaling expert Laura Rubin is the founder of AllSwell, a company dedicated to fostering analog expressions of creativity as a means of supporting mental wellbeing. As a corporate refugee and successful entrepreneur (leading her own marketing consultancy for a decade and a half), Rubin is equally comfortable navigating boardrooms and working with groups of creatives. A published journalist and editor, she recognized the power that the writing process provides when applied to the self. Rubin initially launched AllSwell with a series of blank write-draw notebooks as an antidote to digital overwhelm. From media companies to high-visibility consumer brands, Rubin now leads workshops and provides coaching to help organizations and individuals become healthier, happier and more visionary.

Itinerary (subject to change)

Day 1
4 pm – 6 pm Check in / arrivals
6 pm – 7:30 pm Welcome cocktail with light bites and seated workshop at the writing table
8 pm Family-styled dinner @ The Antler Room
Day 2
7:30-8:30 am Optional yoga / pilates / gym, sauna / cold plunge
8:30-9:30 am Grazing breakfast @The Pool Terrace
9:30 – 11 am Freshen up, shower time
11 am -1 pm Seated workshop at the writing table
1:15-2:30 Lunch @Valley Rock Lodge
3:30-5:30 pm Hike with a naturalist to afternoon nature workshop
Alternative optional activities: 1:1 energy healing with Valerie Oula; or facial / massage*
7:00 pm Dinner @Valley Rock Lodge
8:45 pm Burning ceremony on Terrace, led by energy healing expert Valerie Oula
Day 3
7:30 am – 8:30 am Optional hike / movement / fitness / sauna or sleep in, wake up slowly, solo journaling time
8:30 am Grazing breakfast @ The Pool Terrace
9:30 – 10:30 am Break for freshening up
Alternative optional activities: 1:1 energy healing with Valerie Oula; or facial / massage*
10:30 am-12 pm Seated workshop at the writing table
12:30 pm – 2 pm Lunch @ Valley Rock Lodge
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Closing workshop
4 pm Departures
*Add-on services are not covered in retreat package pricing and require booking in advance. Please enquire for details.

Activities

Hiking

Yoga

24 Hour Gym

Sauna / Cold Dip

Accommodations

There are 20 guest rooms, all with their own baths. All rooms have queen or king beds with Casper mattresses and Frette linens.

Dining

You will never go hungry. We have an on-site organic market with green juice on tap. You can help yourself anytime you like. We have two restaurants, and we are known for our many dining venues throughout the property. We are known for our fresh and healthy food, with vegan options. Wine and cocktails are available with dinner. Sample menu>

Available dates

MAY
May 16th - 18th 2 nights / 3 days $1795 Book Now >

Contact Us

Covered Outdoor Dining & Bar

Dinner Thursday – Saturday,
Lunch on Saturday.
Brunch on Sunday.

Thursday 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Friday 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Saturday 12:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Sunday 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Indoor Bar & Dining.

Steak Night at The Lodge

Join us for a Special Thursday Night Steak Dinner.
The Lodge at Valley Rock Inn.

Thursday, March 20th

The Lodge is available for private parties and popup dinners.

Dinner Thursday – Saturday

Thursday – Saturday
5:00 – 9:30pm

Thu–Fri 5:00pm-10:00pm

Sat 3:00pm-10:00pm

Sun 11:00am-4:00pm

For Last Minute Reservations:

Call or text 845-500-5549

Online Dining Reservations:

Valley Rock Organic Market:

Tue-Thu 10:00am – 4:00pm
Fri-Sun 10:00am – 5:00pm

Valley Rock Events:

Valley Rock Guest Houses:

General Inquiries:

Driving Directions:

The Cantina & The Market
27 Mill Street, Sloatsburg, New York 10974, USA
(Park in the village parking lot)

The benefits of activating your whole brain state

A synchronized dual-brain hemisphere state—where the left and right hemispheres of the brain are in harmony—can provide numerous benefits for mental, emotional, and even physical functioning. Here’s how it helps

1. Enhanced Creativity and Problem-Solving

  • The left hemisphere excels in logic, language, and analytical thinking, while the right hemisphere specializes in creativity, intuition, and holistic processing.
  • Synchronization enables both hemispheres to work together, combining logic and intuition for more effective problem-solving and innovative thinking.

2. Improved Emotional Balance

  • The right hemisphere is more connected to emotions and the subconscious, while the left often applies reason and interpretation.
  • When synchronized, emotional reactions can be better understood and regulated, reducing stress and increasing emotional resilience.

3. Heightened Focus and Clarity

  • A balanced brain state reduces internal conflict, allowing for clear and focused thinking.
  • Tasks requiring both detailed analysis and creative vision are performed more effectively.

4. Enhanced Learning and Memory

  • Synchronization facilitates communication between the hemispheres through the corpus callosum, improving the brain’s ability to integrate and retain information.
  • It can accelerate learning processes and aid in memory recall by combining logical sequencing with visual and spatial memory.

5. Improved Physical Coordination

  • Motor skills and physical coordination benefit from hemispheric synchronization, as the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and vice versa.
  • Athletes and performers often train to achieve this balance for optimal performance.

6. Increased Mindfulness and Meditative States

  • Practices like meditation, yoga, or sound therapy often aim to synchronize hemispheres, creating a state of flow or heightened awareness.
  • This can reduce overthinking and promote a sense of unity and peace.

7. Boosted Intuition and Spiritual Insight

  • Synchronization allows the intuitive insights of the right hemisphere to be more effectively processed and expressed by the left.
  • This can lead to deeper spiritual awareness or a sense of connection to oneself and the universe.

8. Reduced Stress and Anxiety

  • A balanced brain state can calm the overactive left hemisphere (often linked to worry and rumination) and allow the right hemisphere’s calming influence to take hold.
  • This balance fosters relaxation and reduces the physiological effects of stress.

The benefits of activating your heart-brain coherence

Achieving a heart-brain coherence state—a state where the heart and brain operate in harmonious synchronization—offers a wide range of benefits across physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual dimensions. Here are the key benefits:

 

1. Physical Health Benefits

  • Improved Cardiovascular Health: Heart-brain coherence reduces blood pressure, regulates heart rate variability, and improves overall heart function.
  • Boosted Immune System: The calming effects of coherence enhance immune function and reduce inflammation in the body.
  • Increased Energy Levels: Coherence optimizes the body’s energy use by reducing stress-related energy drains.

 

2. Mental and Cognitive Benefits

  • Enhanced Focus and Clarity: Coherence improves the ability to concentrate and think clearly by reducing mental noise and distractions.
  • Better Decision-Making: With emotional balance and reduced stress, individuals can make decisions with greater clarity and wisdom.
  • Improved Memory and Learning: The harmonized state supports better brain functioning, aiding memory retention and learning capacity.

 

3. Emotional and Psychological Benefits

  • Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Coherence calms the autonomic nervous system, lowering cortisol levels and reducing stress.
  • Greater Emotional Balance: It helps regulate emotions, making it easier to stay calm and composed in challenging situations.
  • Increased Resilience: Individuals in this state recover more quickly from emotional upsets and challenges.

 

4. Spiritual and Intuitive Benefits

  • Enhanced Intuition: Coherence strengthens the heart’s neural network, which some researchers suggest contributes to intuitive decision-making and insights.
  • Deeper Spiritual Connection: Many people experience a sense of alignment with their values, purpose, and the universe in this state.
  • Expanded Awareness: Coherence promotes a sense of interconnectedness, allowing for a deeper understanding of oneself and one’s place in the world.

 

5. Relationship and Social Benefits

  • Improved Communication: A coherent state enhances empathy, active listening, and the ability to express oneself clearly.
  • Greater Empathy and Compassion: It fosters emotional understanding and connection with others, improving relationships.
  • Reduced Conflict: By promoting emotional balance, coherence makes it easier to navigate interpersonal challenges peacefully.

 

6. Performance and Productivity Benefits

  • Peak Performance: Coherence enhances the ability to enter flow states, optimizing performance in sports, work, and creative activities.
  • Increased Creativity: The alignment of emotional and cognitive processes opens pathways for innovative thinking and problem-solving.
  • Heightened Efficiency: Coherence enables the mind and body to work together seamlessly, leading to more effective and focused effort.

 

7. Long-Term Benefits

  • Sustained Well-Being: Regularly achieving coherence can lead to lasting improvements in health, happiness, and overall quality of life.
  • Neuroplasticity and Brain Health: The repeated practice of coherence supports the development of healthier neural pathways, improving long-term brain function.
  • Reduction in Chronic Conditions: By managing stress and promoting systemic harmony, coherence may reduce the risk of stress-related illnesses.

 

Conclusion

Heart-brain coherence is a powerful state that enhances physical health, mental clarity, emotional resilience, and spiritual connection. It is both a tool for immediate stress relief and a practice with profound long-term benefits, empowering individuals to live with greater harmony, effectiveness, and joy.

Lucky in Love @ VRI!

Join us for Valentine’s dinner with your lucky partner. Bring your husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, brother, sister or best friend and be entered to win a 2-night stay valued at over $5,000
at Valley Rock Inn.

Wednesday February 14th, 2024
5:00pm–9:00pm

One lucky couple will win a $5,000 getaway at
Valley Rock Inn!

Win a 2-night stay for up to 6 people.

Your stay includes one of our private guest houses with 3-5 bedrooms, use of our 6,000 sq ft gym, 75ft lap pool (in season), a choice of a guided hike, bike ride, spin class, sound meditation or yoga class for your group.

You will also have access to our media and games rooms to watch selected movies, documentaries and lectures. Play ping pong and relax in our massage chairs and dance the night away with our studio quality sound system and disco lights.

Starting this spring we will have hot and cold water treatments poolside. Sauna, jacuzzi and cold dips.

Historic house lovers will also be offered a tour of historic Tuxedo Park by Michael Bruno and art lovers will be provided tickets to Storm King Art Center.

Date of stay is based on availability in 2024.

Each party of two will be given one entry ticket upon being seated for dinner. Winner will be drawn, February 14th and announced during dinner.

We would love to see you.
Wednesday February 14th, 2024
5:00pm–9:00pm

$125 per person

(Price includes tax & gratuity.)

Valentine's Dinner Menu

First Course
(For the Table)

Little Gem Caesar
Parmesan cheese, sourdough crouton

Oysters Rockefeller

Second Course
(Choice of)

Burrata
Prosciutto, roasted tomato, country bread

Grilled Lamb Chops
Toasted orzo, kale, garbanzo, pomegranate

Tuna Tataki
Sesame tuna, avocado, crispy wonton, slaw, tahini ranch

Third Course
(Choice of)

Surf and Turf (gf) +$25
Butter poached lobster tail, romanesco, rustic mash, bernaise

Grilled 8oz Filet (gf)
Romanesco, rustic mash, bernaise

Braised Mushroom Pasta (v)
Paccherri, creamy mushrooms, roasted maitake

Miso Chilean Sea Bass (gf, df)
Chinese broccoli, seafood broth

Roasted Chicken (gf, df)
Roasted carrot, parsnip puree, pan sauce

Dessert
(Choice of)

Chocolate Pot De Creme
Espresso whipped cream

Coconut Creme Brulee (gf)

Basque Cheescake
Luxardo cherries

$125 per person

(Price includes tax & gratuity.)

Valet Parking

66 Orange Turnpike, Sloatburg, NY

Easter Brunch

Join us for a special Easter Sunday brunch served outdoors on our heated porch and in the garden at The Cantina

Sunday, April 20th

Dining at Valley Rock Cantina

Outdoor bar and dining. Heated October 1st to May 15th. Dinner Thursday – Saturday, brunch Sunday

Organic Market & Cafe

Serves Lunch Tuesday - Sunday

Tuesday -Thursday 10am-4pm

Friday – Sunday 10am-5pm

Outdoor Dining & Bar

Wednesday-Sunday

Wed–Fri 5:00pm-11:00pm

Sat 12:00pm-11:00pm

Sun 11:00am-5:00pm
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