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Red Roof brings energy, healing and purpose to start the year off with a good cause
Facilitators of the Amplify Love Retreat gather for a day of healing and self-discovery. "There’s nothing more powerful than witnessing someone just let go of something that’s been holding them back and fully embrace their power,” said Tala Muhtadi (front-right). PAIGE SEBURN
The retreat's attendees, who took part in a day of offered yoga, facials, dance parties and healing sessions. PAIGE SEBURN
Natalia Love Angelou leads the retreat, part of her goal of creating a spiritual temple for all. PAIGE SEBURN
Tala Muhtadi, left, and Natalia Love Angelou have a moment of connection during the retreat. PAIGE SEBURN

Natalia Love Angelou is starting her new year off with good energy — something she shared with the community at her retreat on Jan. 11 at Red Roof Retreat.

The Amplify Love Retreat, attended by 17 participants from as far as Manitoba, offered yoga, facials, dance parties and healing modalities led by expert practitioners, from 12 to 6 p.m.

It aimed to enhance self-love and community connection while raising funds for Red Roof Retreat, an organization providing respite, recreational and educational services to youth and young adults with special needs, along with their families.

“I figured, this would be a good way to start the new year with positive light, positive energy,” said Angelou.

The six-hour retreat began with an opening circle, followed by a sound bath, potluck lunch, and a choice of healing sessions. It concluded with a closing circle featuring a sound healing session.

“All of us are doing this as a donation,” she said, with 100 per cent of proceeds going to Red Roof Retreat.

“I really believe in what they do, because they give families an opportunity to feel supported and have a safe space that their children with special needs can be taken care of,” she said.

Angelou organized the retreat with a team of healers — sound healer Tala Muhtadi said seeing participants transform was the most fulfilling part of the day.

“There’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing someone reclaim a part of themselves that they’ve lost before. There’s nothing more powerful than witnessing someone just let go of something that’s been holding them back and fully embrace their power,” she said.

It can be observed in their nonverbal communication too, like the way their eyes light up or the way their shoulders are held back, she said.

“It’s something that truly fills my heart,” said Muhtadi.

Angelou said the retreat marked the first step toward her long-term goal of creating a spiritual temple open to all.

While completing the steps to establish her church and charity, she asked herself, why wait?

“Why do I have to wait to get the approval from the government — like a piece of paper — to do what I want to do?” she said. “Why don’t I start different things like this to spread awareness?”

She hopes the retreat planted the first seed of her larger vision of having her own sacred space for all walks of life.

“We can focus on two things in life: We can focus on fear, or we can focus on love. And it’s our job in the Amplified Love Sanctuary to focus on rising and amplifying the love in the community,” said Angelou.

Participants paid $60 with a discount code — which all attendees used — or $90 without it, as Angelou worked to keep costs low. A potluck lunch was provided to avoid the financial burden of catered meals.

“If we wanted the retreat to offer food, we probably would have had to charge at least $150 or $200,” she said.

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