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Falling in Love with Life Again
The Kind Gaze™ Immersive Retreat
An immersive 5-day journey
for those who are used to holding space for others.
This is your invitation to step out of your daily roles, soften your inner critic, and reconnect with the vibrant, creative pulse within you.
Through mindful photography, the wild beauty of nature, and the gentle power of The Kind Gaze™, we are creating a sanctuary for you to drop the weight of expectations, reawaken your passion for life,
and allow yourself to truly be seen.
You Hold Space for Everyone Else.
Who Holds Space for You?
You are the listener. The guide. The responsible adult in the room.
You are the one everyone turns to when they need clarity or a soft landing.
But let’s be honest: even the best space-holders get tired of holding it all together.
Beneath the titles and the daily responsibilities, there is a part of you that is simply exhausted from meeting everyone else’s expectations.
You don’t need another workshop to make you a "better professional."
You don’t need more tools for your clinic. You just need permission to exhale.
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To take off the heavy coat of the "healer" or the "leader".
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To hold a camera not to document anything for anyone else, but simply to see.
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To rediscover what you look like when you aren’t managing everyone else's emotions.
This retreat is a sanctuary. 5 days in the wild beauty of Valle de Bravo, Mexico, dedicated to one thing: remembering who you are when you are simply you.
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The Classroom Has No Walls
Welcome to Valle de Bravo, Mexico
True transformation doesn’t happen under fluorescent lights. It happens where the air is crisp, the forest is quiet, and the timing is perfect.
We are intentionally gathering right after Día de los Muertos
(The Day of the Dead), a magic moment when all of Mexico is vibrating with color, passion, and a deep celebration of existence. There is no better time, and no better place, to drop your expectations and fall in love with life again.
Nestled in the breathtaking mountains of Valle de Bravo, just two hours away from Mexico City, the Attesi Lodge is a hidden sanctuary surrounded by wild nature. Here, luxury meets the raw beauty of the earth.
You will sleep in stunning, beautifully designed glamping that blend seamlessly into the forest, giving you the rare feeling of waking up inside nature, while wrapped in total comfort, warmth, and peace.
We don’t just "go for walks." The wild landscape of Valle de Bravo is an active partner in our journey. Through mindful observation and nature rituals, you will learn how to use the quiet of the forest to silence your inner noise, ground yourself, and let the beauty outside mirror the beauty within.
This is your space to breathe deeply. The forest is waiting.
The woman holding the space for you.
Meet Efrat Shani
For over 25 years, my life’s work has been bridging art, therapy, and the human soul.
You might know my work as the Co-Founder of Points of You,
a visual language that has reached millions of professionals worldwide. But after years of building global methods for the masses, I realized my deepest calling is in the intimate, quiet spaces where profound shifts actually happen.
That is how The Kind Gaze™ was born.
I am a photo-therapist, artist, and mentor. But more than anything, I am someone who knows how to look.
I am not here to "teach" you. You already know enough. You already have enough tools. I am here to offer you a new lens. A precise, deeply compassionate, and sharp way of looking at the world, at your creations, and most importantly - at yourself.
I will hold the space for you to take off your armor, pick up a camera, and remember how beautiful it is to simply see. It would be my absolute honor to walk this journey with you.
To See and Be Seen
The Magic of The Kind Gaze™
At the heart of our journey lies The Kind Gaze™ - a visual and creative approach to living, developed over 25 years of guiding professionals through intimate internal shifts.
This is not a photography course. You don’t need any technical skills,
And a simple smartphone is more than enough.
We use mindful photography as a mirror. When you look through a lens, you are forced to slow down, pause your racing thoughts, and simply notice.
Through guided visual exercises, you will learn to:
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Bypass your inner critic: Step out of the analytical mind
and access a deeper, quieter emotional truth.
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See what words hide: Discover how imagery can reveal the beautiful, messy, and vibrant parts of you that talking alone often misses.
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Create, don’t just manage: Shift your energy from constantly managing life to actively and playfully creating it.
You will return home not only with a softened heart but also with a new visual language, one you can apply to your own life and, if you choose, gently weave into the work you do with others.
More Than a Retreat.
A Complete 3-Stage Journey
True transformation doesn't happen in a vacuum.
It requires gentle preparation, deep immersion, and a soft landing back into reality.
PHASE 1:
THE PREPARATION
(Before You Arrive)
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Intimate Virtual Circle: Three weeks before we meet, we will gather on Zoom to connect with our small group of peers, set our intentions, and breathe together.
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"Photography as Medicine" Pre-Process:A journey of 10 gentle visual prompts shared in our private Facebook group. By sharing these glimpses of our lives, the ice melts, and we deeply bond as a group before we even pack our bags.
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The 50 Printed Photos Ritual: During this time, you will intuitively curate and print 50 physical photos of your life to bring with you as our raw material.
PHASE 2:
THE IMMERSION
(5 Days in Mexico)
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The Sanctuary: 4 nights of luxury eco-accommodation at the breathtaking Attesi Lodge.
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Seamless Landing: Round-trip group transfers from Mexico City are fully arranged. Just land, and we’ll take it from there.
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Nourishment: Abundant, chef-prepared meals designed to ground your body.
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The Practice: Full access to every transformative experience, mindful photography, healing art, and nature rituals.
PHASE 3:
THE INTEGRATION
(Returning Home)
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"Photography as Medicine" – The Integration: The practice travels back with you, helping you bridge the quiet magic of the forest with the reality of your everyday life.
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The Soft Landing ( 3 Group Circles): The shift doesn't end when you leave Mexico. We will gather for Zoom integration sessions.
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1:1 Mentoring with Efrat: A private, deeply personal session with Efrat to ensure your breakthroughs take root, grow, and last.
"An absolute game-changer! The professionalism of the facilitators was unique, guiding us through each process with care to create a safe space. I left feeling empowered, equipped with invaluable tools to navigate both personal and professional challenges."
Carolina Martin, UK EDI Lead Consultant & Project Manager
At a serene resort in Algarve, South Portugal, along with others from 14 countries, I participated in a transformative journey, it was more than just a workshop or retreat. The activities centered around nature, art, and introspection, allowing us to delve into our core and produce art that mirrored our newly discovered selves. Personally, I discovered my creativity and overcame the fear of others' labels, a liberating insight.
Jason Low, Singapore, Hr manager
"I've arrived at a hinge point in my life, with a deep longing to find that intimate connection with LIFE, that almost divine link to the creative power that lives within each of us.
I came to Efrat Shani for the precision and power of her accompaniment; so singular, so deeply compassionate. I came here for the title, 'Falling in love with life again', as a clear call to reopen my heart and gaze.
I came to dare: to see myself, to be seen, to let go, to testify, to set myself free. To accept being fully visible. I also came for the image, for the visual work, and I discovered a rare, subtle, and profound approach.
This retreat has brought breath, meaning, and a new light to my path. If you feel something calling inside, even shyly: listen to it. Maybe this is the beginning of a real return to yourself."
Elodie Palfer-Sollier, Photographer & Coach, France
Reserve Your Sanctuary
An investment in your return to yourself.
This is an intimate, deep immersion.
To ensure profound personal support and a truly safe space,
we are strictly limiting our circle to 14 participants only.
EXCLUSIVE Early Bird Price
(Available until July 31st):
$3,490 USD
Early Bird
(Available until August 31st):
$3,690 USD
Regular Price: $3,890 USD
What’s Included:
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Full 3-stage retreat program & integration
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Luxury shared accommodation at Attesi Lodge
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Chef-prepared meals & dining
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The Kind Gaze™ Method Manual
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Round-trip group transfers from Mexico City
(Flights are not included)
Secure Your Spot
$1,500 USD Down Payment + flexible payment plan.
Maybe You Have Some Questions...
I don’t have a professional camera, and I’m not exactly an 'artist'. Is this for me?
Absolutely. This is not a photography workshop, and you don't need any technical skills. Your smartphone is more than enough. We use the camera simply as a mirror—a tool to slow down, bypass your inner critic, and look at your life with fresh, forgiving eyes.
I don't have a clinic. I'm not a therapist or a coach. Can I still come?
Yes. You don’t need a professional title to join us. If you are someone who constantly holds space for others, whether it’s your team, your family, or your community, and you are craving a space to finally exhale, you belong here.
Will I have to share all my deepest secrets? I’m quite a private person.
There is absolutely zero pressure. Our circle is a sanctuary, not an interrogation. You share only what feels right and safe for you. Your boundaries are sacred here.
I heard something about bringing 50 printed photos. What is that about?
This is our beautiful entrance ritual. Before we even meet in Mexico, we will guide you through a gentle, intuitive process in our private group to help you select 50 meaningful photos from your life. You will print them and bring them with you. They will become the raw, physical material we work with during our time together. It’s a magical process, not a stressful assignment.
Sleeping in the forest... am I going to have to rough it?
Not at all. The Attesi Lodge is a hidden gem of luxury eco-glamping. Your tent is a beautifully designed, deeply comfortable suite that just happens to be immersed in the wild. You will feel completely held, warm, and pampered, while still waking up to the sounds of the trees.
I’m worried about the logistics of getting to the lodge in Mexico.
You fly into Mexico City (MEX). On November 5th, our private group shuttle will depart from a secure, central meeting point within the city straight to the lodge, and we will bring you back to that same city spot when we finish on November 9th evening.
The exact locations, timing, and safe hotel recommendations will be shared well in advance so you can plan with absolute confidence.
As a professional, will I be able to use this method with my own clients?
Yes, as a beautiful beginning. This retreat is the essential first step toward truly experiencing the method firsthand. While this journey is designed primarily for your own personal transformation, you will receive The Kind Gaze™ Method Manual, a foundational guide filled with core tools and immense inspiration that you can elegantly weave into your work with clients.
For those who wish to fully master the professional application and deepen their expertise, we offer advanced courses and training programs that you can explore after or before the retreat.
This feels exactly like what I need, but paying the full amount at once is a bit heavy right now. Do you offer payment plans?
Absolutely. We want your decision to join us to feel like a deep exhale, not a financial stressor. We offer flexible payment plans to make this journey accessible. Once you fill out the application, just mention it during your fit call, and we will happily arrange a payment plan that lets you breathe easy.
What if life happens and I need to cancel my spot?
We understand that life can be unpredictable. Because our circle is intentionally kept very small (only 14 spots), and our sanctuary at the lodge is secured well in advance, our policy balances grace with the commitment required to hold this space.
Please note: A $500 USD non-refundable administrative fee applies to all cancellations.
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More than 60 days before we begin: You will receive a full monetary refund (minus the $500 fee), or you can choose to convert your entire payment (minus the $500 fee) into a credit for a future retreat.
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Between 30 and 60 days before: We offer a 50% monetary refund of your remaining balance (minus the $500 fee), or a full credit (minus the $500 fee) toward a future retreat.
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Less than 30 days prior: We cannot offer a monetary refund, but we will gladly apply your payment (minus the $500 fee) as a credit toward a future retreat with us.
We warmly recommend purchasing travel insurance so you can book your spot with complete peace of mind.
