A Guided Journey of Resilience, Hope and Growth

May 7-16th, 2026 I will be leading a 10-day/9-night Beyond Trauma workshop hosted by Nature Connexion is designed to help you move past trauma, liberate yourself from emotional burdens, and transform your life. Join me as we embark upon a nature-based healing journey in the South African wilderness as I guide you on the path toward post-traumatic growth.

Not only will this course demystify trauma and the pain it causes, but it will empower you with the resources to help you move past hopelessness as you reclaim your strength and courage. This program which is based upon my award winning book, The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook, includes therapeutic writing, guided meditations, conscious breathing, vagal toning, and gentle therapeutic yoga to rewire your resilience.

Exploring Post-Traumatic Growth

Trauma affects the best of us, and its effects can linger, limiting your ability to live with joy and abundance. Whether it occurred during a single event or repeated trauma, recently or in childhood, it can have lifelong effects: anxiety, depression, chronic health issues, flashbacks, a disconnection from the body, trust and intimacy challenges, or feeling worthless and broken.

Yet, as impossible as it may seem, you can return to wholeness.

Beyond Trauma is a retreat designed to support your wellbeing and growth after trauma.  

In this heart-opening and experiential setting, you’ll:

• Understand what trauma is and how to heal it.
• Receive a roadmap of the healing path as a guide for the journey ahead
• Learn how to master self-awareness of your autonomic nervous system to enhance physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.
• Learn the 5 types of resilience and how to develop your own, unique resilience recipe to enhance your wellbeing.
• Explore the vagus nerve and its powerful influence on your body and emotions.
• Explore Embodied Spirituality through the intersection of Science, Soma, and Soul.
• Engage in therapeutic yoga to unwind trauma from your body and mind
• Discover the keys to post-traumatic growth to unlock your optimal wellness.

You’ll discover that accessing your intrinsic wisdom with practical tools can help you feel more connected to yourself and others — and view these traumatic times as a portal leading to unparalleled growth and empowerment.

The South African Experience

Blyde River Canyon

You’ll spend the day exploring the 3rd larger canyon in the world.

Blyde river canyon that extends for 50kms along the lip of the great African escarpment, and averages 750 m in depth, provides some of the most dramatic and overwhelming scenery in the country, with the Blyde river running through it.

Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve is one of the few remaining areas of montane grasslands in Mpumalanga.
The river, forests, waterfalls and wetlands provide a perfect habitat for many species; the whole area is protected by a nature reserve.

You will visit the three rondavels, God’s window, Bourke’s luck potholes and some waterfalls among other sightings.

Safari in Kruger National Park

You will experience an afternoon safari in 4×4 in the famous Kruger national park, the oldest park in Africa.
The Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa, covering an area of just under 20.000 square kilometres (7.500 sq/ miles). It is home to the Big 5 (lion, rhino, buffalo, elephant and leopard) and a bit more than 500 bird species !

The Park is wedged between the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in the north-eastern region of South Africa, with Mozambique on its eastern border and Zimbabwe on its northern border.
After your game drive, you’ll be invited to indulge with a lovely bush dinner under the stars in the park itself.

Safaris in Timbavati Game Reserve

For 5 full days at Motswari lodge, you’ll experience incredible safaris and become a nature explorer, escorted by professional field guides:

For 5 full days at Motswari lodge, you’ll experience incredible safaris and become a nature explorer, escorted by professional field guides:
– In open 4×4 vehicles – that will allow you very close encounters with wild animals. Who knows who you may bump into or cross the path of… A herd of elephants or zebras, a lazy male lion lying a few meters away, relaxing after a busy night defending his territory.
– On foot during life-changing silent bush walks, that will reconnect you with nature in a way that you have never experienced before… Your senses will be triggered as you will become alert to the slightest signs and sounds of the wilderness. You will get to track footprints, smaller animals, insects, birds and life beyond the big game. You will become humbled as you will find yourself being integrated back into the fabric of nature, taking your place among other species as your rank and status will re-calibrate.

Being far away from any city and light pollution will also allow you to admire the Milky Way and be awed by the millions of stars flickering above your head. The Southern Cross, the hunter, Venus and Jupiter. Big skies and big dreams.

By the time you will retire to your rondavel for the night, with the smell of dust and campfire on your clothes, you may hear an owl calling and the faint laugh of hyenas in the distance. Civilisation and technology totally forgotten….

Space is limited: This program is limited to 25 attendees to provide a uniquely tailored experience for you.

I hope that you will join me.

Trauma Healing & Wilderness Therapy

Why bring the Beyond Trauma to the wilderness?

Pricing and Details

When: May 7-16, 2026

What is Included:

• Informational guidance on post-traumatic growth with Arielle.
• Trauma-informed yoga and meditation sessions with Arielle.
• Safari activities in Kruger national park and at Motswari lodge.
• Accommodation, meals, soft beverages and water at Ndhula camp and Motswari lodge.
• Basic alcohols at Motswari lodge other than premium alcohols.
• Bush walks with armed guides at Motswari lodge.
• x1 afternoon safari & bush dinner in Kruger national park.
• x1 Blyde river canyon excursion.
• xl restaurant.
• x1 visit of a community project.
• Park entrances for Blyde river canyon.
• Conservation fees for Timbavati game reserve & Kruger national park.
• Transfer from Nelspruit airport (KMIA) to Ndhula tented camp and from Motswari game lodge to Hoedspruit airport (HDS).
• Transfers between lodges and for all activities.
• Tips, excluded at Motswari lodge (at your own discretion).

Price:

Early Bird Payment before September 1st, 2025: $7,280

After September 1st, 2025: $7,645

What is not Included:

• International and domestic airfare.
• Travel insurance compulsory – for medical, cancellation, repatriation purpo
• Additional activities not described in the package (spa, massages, etc).
• Laundry.
• Alcoholic drinks at Ndhula and at the restaurant.
• Any new taxes, fees, levies, fuel or industry increase beyond our control.

About Dr. Arielle Schwartz

Arielle Schwartz, PhD, is a psychologist, internationally sought-out teacher, yoga instructor, and leading voice in the healing of PTSD and complex trauma. She is the author of five books, including The Complex PTSD Workbook, EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology, and The Post Traumatic Growth Guidebook.

Dr. Schwartz is an accomplished teacher who guides therapists in the application of EMDR, somatic psychology, parts work therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions for the treatment of trauma and complex PTSD. She guides you through a personal journey of healing in her Sounds True audio program, Trauma Recovery. 

She has a depth of understanding, passion, kindness, compassion, joy, and a succinct way of speaking about very complex topics. She is the founder of the Center for Resilience Informed Therapy in Boulder, Colorado where she maintains a private practice providing psychotherapy, supervision, and consultation. Dr. Schwartz believes that that the journey of trauma recovery is an awakening of the spiritual heart.