About Solitude Retreats

The idea for Solitude Retreats was born on the pristine white beaches of St. George Island, FL when we - Elizabeth & Geralyn - attended a private yoga retreat with a group of friends in 2008. We returned home so refreshed and so nourished by all that occurred that weekend, we realized that other women crave that kind of rest and renewal as well.

The foundation of Solitude Retreats is our Immersion Into Solitude weekends, usually held spring and fall in a fantastic natural settings - the beach or mountains - of the southeastern United States. We also host other events such as Evenings of Solitude, Solitude Days, and custom retreats for businesses and associations in our home city of Tallahassee, Florida.

We have just produced our first CD, "Intention for Solitude" and want to share the message of Solitude with the world in a larger way. We are passionate in our personal pursuit of Solitude and wish to assist as many others as we can. We see a Solitude Movement forming and are eager to be a part of it, and expand it. We hope you will join us!

Our promise to you:

• We create a comfortable, supportive environment and offer a broad range of activities and experiences.
• We respect all faiths and our programs are non-denominational.
• We honor each person's independence and encourage everyone to make choices for their own enrichment.

Elizabeth and Geralyn have over 30 years of combined experience in hosting events like Solitude Retreats.

About Your Retreat Leaders

Geralyn Russell, B.S., R.R.T., 500 - RYT

Geralyn wishes everyone can find a place of peace in body and spirit. She loves hosting Solitude Retreats because each event allows people to gain insights about themselves and their True Nature.

She teaches yoga by encouraging everyone to practice with a beginner's mind, no matter what their experience level. This means watching what is happening in the moment, staying present with themselves, not judging themselves, simply being aware.

The ability to accept what we observe without judgment directly relates to our capacity to embrace change. Not doing so can lead to increased stress which yoga can help to manage.

All yoga sessions Geralyn leads feature gentle stretching with easy to follow instructions so everyone can experience deep relaxation, comfortably and safely. Geralyn enjoys working with new students who may never have experienced yoga before, and with over 25 years of experience  can assist more practiced students as well.  Meditation time is sprinkled in throughout the session, such as reminders for deepening the breath and quieting the mind. 

Geralyn has been practicing yoga since 1983. For over 20 years she worked as a sales and marketing manager, conducting meetings and serving customers across the country. Along with her busy travel schedule, she practiced and taught yoga. She has been on faculty for the Florida Institute of Integrated Yoga Studies where she received her 500 hour certification and also the Balance Point Yoga Teacher Training Program, Tampa, Florida. Her degree is in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, with an emphasis in Human Biology. She currently teaches yoga at the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Family Practice Residency Clinic, Tallahassee, Florida and Co-facilitates the Mindfulness-based Therapeutic Lifestyle Change Program at the Clinic. She has recently completed her second yoga CD, "TLC Yoga."

Elizabeth Barbour, M.Ed.

Elizabeth is a small business coaching expert who serves as a catalyst for entrepreneurs to take inspired action and create extraordinary results in business and in life. A professional coach for a decade, Elizabeth has worked with thousands of people around the country to clarify their vision, increase their confidence, find balance through self-care and ultimately increase the visibility, credibility and profitability of their business.

“Coach E,” as she is affectionately known by her clients, blends the practical how-to strategies of building a successful business with the spiritual principles of inspired living. Her core values of community, celebration, self-care and spirituality form the foundation of her retreat work with vibrant professionals and organizations.

During Solitude Retreats, Elizabeth leads participants through guided journaling activities and the creation of vision boards. She shares practical tools and insightful ideas to help women care for themselves in more loving ways.

A graduate of the College of William and Mary, she also holds a Masters Degree in Counseling from the University of Delaware and received her coach training from CoachU. Elizabeth is a certified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator facilitator, a Certified Retreat Coach, and a Certified Group Coaching Leader.