The S.T.E.P. Retreat: Becoming Her .
A transformative, empowering weekend retreat for emerging/young adult women (ages 18 to 30) ready to awaken their authentic purpose and successfully step into who they are becoming.
Opening
Description
Discover your path. Unleash your strength. Step into your Success, Transformation, Empowerment, and Purpose.
The S.T.E.P. Retreat: Becoming Her is a transformative, empowering weekend retreat for emerging/young adult women (ages 18 to 30) ready to awaken their authentic purpose and successfully step into who they are becoming. All are welcome at all experience levels.
Through guided mindfulness practices, yoga, reflective self-inquiry, and transformational workshops, participants will—discover their purpose, define success on their own terms, and cultivate self-trust, self-esteem, and inner confidence. They will gain practical tools to align daily life with their highest potential—connect with a supportive community of diverse women who see, celebrate, and walk alongside them—and develop mindfulness and somatic practices for everyday resilience.
By the end of the retreat, participants will leave with—renewed clarity—actionable next steps toward their dreams—and a deeper embodiment of the woman they are becoming, along with:
- A deeper connection to self and body
- Clarity on personal strengths and purpose
- Cognitive tools to manage self-doubt and stress
- A supportive sisterhood and renewed confidence in their path
01
Exploring their sense of purpose—whether in school, transitioning from school to a career, or early in their careers
02
Navigating transitions in school, career, relationships, or independence
03
Seeking clarity, confidence, direction, and personal growth
04
Interested in mindfulness, yoga, and developing emotional regulation skills
05
Looking for connection, community, and support
06
Ready to release self-doubt, overcome impostor feelings, discover their strengths, and step more empowered into who they are becoming
The Problem
- Today’s emerging/young adult women (ages 18–30) are entering adulthood in an era of comparison, pressure, and uncertainty.
- They are navigating academics, careers, relationships, body image, and purpose — all while battling self-doubt, impostor phenomenon, and emotional burnout.
- Emerging/young adult women crave confidence, connection, and clarity — yet rarely find spaces that nurture their inner growth and their outer goals.
Theme
- Duration: Friday Afternoon – Sunday Afternoon ⟶ June 5-7, 2026
- Core Pillars: Mindfulness, Yoga, Strengths, Empowerment, Connection
- Grounded In: Positive Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Science, Somatic Practices Mindfulness & Yoga
Retreat Inclusions
- All meals
- All healing practices
- Your own bed in a shared room
- Group support circles
- Nature immersion
- Pre-retreat preparation
- Post-retreat integration support
- Orenda gift bag
- Retreat materials
- All sessions and workshops
- 2 nights lodging
-
Gourmet meals prepared by
Executive Chef Ashish Kapoor - Gentle yoga, restorative movement, & mindful breathwork
- Healing workshops and reflection sessions
Full access to all retreat spaces:
- Yoga studio
- Meditation loft
- Fire circle
- Nature trails
- Communal lounges
- Yoga studio
- Meditation loft
- Fire circle
- Nature trails
- Communal lounges
Travel
- Travel to and from Orenda is not included.
Retreat Schedule Overview
Sample Weekend Flow
(Timing intentionally general to support flexibility and presence.)
Arrival & Departure
Arrival
Fri between 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Departure
Sunday by 11:00 AM - 12 PM
Friday
- Opening Circle
- Gentle Yoga
- Grounding Meditation
Saturday
- Strengths Discovery
- Impostor Reframing
- Stereotype Threat Workshop
- Empowerment Ceremony
Sunday
- Purpose Mapping
- Future Self Visioning
- Closing Circle
Accommodations
& Room Upgrades
All participants are guaranteed their own bed in a shared room with the minimum $500 donation.
Both spaces are warm, clean, & intentionally prepared for comfort and healing.
Shared Room Options (Included)
Chakra Bedroom
7 twin beds in a peaceful, ground-level shared room
Loft Bedroom
2 twin beds in a cozy loft space (requires ability to climb a ladder)
Private Rooms
(Available With Additional Donation)
Participants may upgrade to a private or semi-private suite by increasing their donation. Fundraising tools are available to support room upgrades.
Private rooms range from modest to premium-suite upgrades, depending on availability and donation level. Participants are encouraged to fundraise, seek sponsorship, or make an additional contribution to receive their preferred room.
Available Private
& Semi-Private Suites
Ahimsa Suite
A private sanctuary inspired by the principle of non-harm, offering warmth, softness, and a gentle atmosphere for deep healing and restoration.
Murphy Cabana
A charming standalone cabana offering privacy, rustic beauty, & a retreat-within-a-retreat feel—ideal for quiet integration & personal reflection.
Shanti Suite 1
A peaceful semi-private suite shared with one other participant. Spacious, calming, & designed to support both privacy & connection.
Karma Suite
Another serene semi-private suite offering comfort, soothing energy, and clearly defined personal space for rest and reflection.
Namaste Suite
A bright, harmoniously designed private suite that supports lightness, ease, and spiritual alignment throughout the retreat.
Prana Suite
A revitalizing private room infused with natural textures, clean lines, and peaceful energy. Perfect for participants desiring renewed vitality.
Mountain Suite
A serene, spacious suite with mountain views and calming natural light. Perfect for those seeking solitude, depth, and luxurious rest.
Ahimsa Suite
A private sanctuary inspired by the principle of non-harm, offering warmth, softness, and a gentle atmosphere for deep healing and restoration.
Murphy Cabana
A charming standalone cabana offering privacy, rustic beauty, & a retreat-within-a-retreat feel—ideal for quiet integration & personal reflection.
Shanti Suite 1
A peaceful semi-private suite shared with one other participant. Spacious, calming, & designed to support both privacy & connection.
Karma Suite
Another serene semi-private suite offering comfort, soothing energy, and clearly defined personal space for rest and reflection.
Namaste Suite
A bright, harmoniously designed private suite that supports lightness, ease, and spiritual alignment throughout the retreat.
Prana Suite
A revitalizing private room infused with natural textures, clean lines, and peaceful energy. Perfect for participants desiring renewed vitality.
Meet Your Facilitators
Ufuoma C. Abiola, Ed.D.
Lead Facilitator, Educator, Mindfulness Leader
Dr. Ufuoma C. Abiola is an award-winning educator and a leader in inclusive learning and mindfulness practices. She serves as the Executive Head and Associate University Librarian for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Princeton University and is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. With a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) and a background in higher education and psychology, her work focuses on identity, mindful inclusion, and leadership development. Known for her grounded executive presence and dynamic facilitation, she creates transformative, empowering spaces for reflection, connection, and stepping successfully into one’s purpose.
Maria Assunta Parrella
Founder & Spiritual Leader
Maria Assunta Parrella is the founder of Honor Yoga and the Honor Yoga Foundation. With over 30 years of experience in spiritual leadership and intuitive guidance, she leads this ceremonial retreat with deep wisdom, integrity, and spiritual grounding. Her work blends energy, intuition, and conscious awakening in a way that is accessible and transformative.
Lilyvette Pardo
Director of Retreat Experience
Lilyvette is your dedicated participant coach. She supports you before, during, and after the retreat. She helps with:
- Emotional check-ins
- Pre-retreat preparation
- Post-retreat integration
- Fundraising support
- Assistance with room upgrades
- Ensuring you feel held, guided, and supported throughout the journey
Her steady, loving presence is a cornerstone of the Orenda experience.
Ashish Kapoor
Director of Hospitality
Ashish brings a lifetime of culinary artistry, cultural tradition, and intentional nourishment to the Orenda experience. Born in India and trained through culinary school and some of India’s premier five-star Indian and Asian restaurants, Ashish combines refined gourmet technique with a deep understanding of authentic, fresh, and sattvic food philosophies.
For Ashish, cooking is sacred practice. He believes food carries energy, and the consciousness brought to its preparation matters. Known for preparing ingredients largely by hand rather than machine, he approaches each meal with care, mindfulness, and reverence, infusing nourishment, vitality, and love into the process.
His meals are thoughtfully crafted to support healing, groundedness, digestion, emotional wellbeing, and delight. At Orenda, his cuisine becomes part of the retreat journey itself helping guests feel cared for, restored, connected, and deeply nourished on every level.
Application Instructions
Your application is not complete until your deposit is received.
Once Steps 1–3 are complete, our team will review your application and notify you of the next steps.
Schedule Your Required 15-Minute Conversation
the end of the application, you will find a link to schedule a short call with the Retreat Chair or Lead Facilitator. This conversation ensures the retreat is a supportive and appropriate fit and that we can meet your needs safely.
Submit Your Refundable $500 Deposit
A refundable deposit is required to complete your application. Your deposit holds your place while your application is reviewed, becomes your retreat donation if you are accepted, and is refunded in full if you are not accepted.
Request Hardship Support (Optional)
If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may request partial or full sponsorship directly within the application. No applicant is turned away for financial need. Sponsorships are distributed based on available funding and level of need.
Acceptance and Pre-Retreat Requirements
If accepted, you will receive your full pre-retreat packet, which includes safety and preparation guidelines, a packing list, optional journaling or pre-retreat practices, payment instructions if any remaining balance is owed, and details for your virtual group orientation. These materials will be sent once your acceptance is confirmed.
Request Hardship Support (Optional)
If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may request partial or full sponsorship directly within the application. No applicant is turned away for financial need. Sponsorships are distributed based on available funding and level of need.
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Mission Reminder
Honor Yoga Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to reducing suffering and fostering healing through the practice of yoga. Through retreats, outreach, and purpose-driven studios, we help awaken the gifts within every human being.
Donor Assurance
All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Every contribution supports our programs, scholarships, and community initiatives that bring yoga to those who need it most.
Honor Yoga Foundation
59 Lawrencia Drive
Lawrenceville
New Jersey 08648
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Mountain Suite
A serene, spacious suite with mountain views and calming natural light. Perfect for those seeking solitude, depth, and luxurious rest.