The Chinook Lands at Whidbey Institute: A Jewel in the Heart of the Salish Sea

The Body Now summer retreat will find its home for the second year at Whidbey Institute on Whidbey Island, just north of Seattle. Whidbey is the perfect place for our theme this year, Dreaming Up the Universe: Finding the Yes Collective Inside and Out, because when one is there, every sense is gently nurtured toward beauty, awareness and appreciation.

From Whidbey Institute's website: "Chinook is named for the salmon, our neighbor, who invites us to think of the interdependent web of life. It is named for the tribal language, which knitted diverse peoples together through a shared tongue and which invites us to listen, and to draw from the wisdom of diverse cultural histories as we hear one another, across disciplines and backgrounds, for the sake of the common good. Finally, Chinook is named for the warm winter wind which signals the breath of transformative change."

From cabins, to camping, to the houses nestled on the edge of the forest, lodging is warm and welcoming. Food is prepared by an accomplised and compassionate chef whose specialty is local, organic ingredients. She is especially passionate about honoring everyone's desires and requests with delicious, abundant offerings so that we are all well nurtured during our explorations for the week.

Chef Christyn Johnson

The landscape and property is ours alone for the duration, and one can use it as is needed: a walk in the labyrinth, a sensory tour of the garden, a "porch sit" at the farmhouse, a meditation in the Sanctuary, or gathering around the big ourdoor table with friends over tea.