Held: A Retreat for Men, by Women
Held is a lovingly held retreat for all men. It is designed to help me step away from their roles, drop into their hearts, and really be held and nurtured by the feminine. This retreat is unique in that it has 3 women and 1 male faciliatator for a maxiumum 16 person retreat. We care deeply about 1 on 1 work and feel this ratio of facilitator to participant achieves just that.
If this calls to you or you’re thinking about it for a man in your life, fill out the form below. We will update you as more details become available. Until then, mark your calendar for March 18-21, 2027.
One of Your Guides
Mandy Hamilton
Mandy is a psychology researcher meets facilitator, coach and sound healer. Her trainings are vast and deep. She draws upon her work in Venture Capital, published psychology research on behavior change, years as a professional level athlete, and certifications in Journey Work, Psychology, Coaching, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Holotropic Breathwork, Sound Healing, Shamanism and Psychedelic Integration. A multi-modality and experiential approach is what she brings to healing and consciousness exploration. She loves combining tools and techniques proven by modern science with esoteric and ancient shamanism to help people feel totally at home in their mind, body and spirit. To date Mandy has served 400 people journeys and is highly respected in her field as a seasoned/expert facilitator.
Testimonials from Journeys with Mandy
“After a few exceptionally challenging years and a recent traumatic experience, I was carrying a crippling amount of anxiety in my body, and an immense amount of grief in my heart. I was overwhelmed with life and self doubt. I’d been seeing a psychotherapist and career coach for over 6 months, trying to eat well, getting outside, spending time with friends, and basically doing all the ‘right’ things to be better. To feel better. But everyday was a struggle. I was seeing patterns in my life that I just didn’t know how to break. When I booked a 6 hour sound ceremony with Mandy hoped for some relief, but did not expect the magnitude of the gift that Mandy gave me.” K in San Francisco
I am in awe of her and her process during which such profound healing could occur. From the careful preparation and conversation the night before, to the creation of the most comfortable environment, no detail was missed. I always felt supported, yet she did not intervene or distract, but rather helped me surrender and feel safe enough to go deeper into the many layers of repressed trauma that I truly never had the courage or method to face before. Then, she gently guided me to let it all go. It was temporarily painful at times, but the profound sense of love, connectedness, and self-reckoning was almost immediate after. I was particularly awestruck with Mandy’s use of music and sound. The work has stuck with me many months later” —KK in Santa Barbara
“From the deepest part of my heart. I would like to say thank you and express the amount of peace and clarity and grounding I feel. I feel my most authentic self and I haven’t allowed her in, in so long. I am so grateful to be with myself again. This is nothing short of GOD’s work and will. Please keep illuminating the paths of light so others can feel this.” — DT in San Francisco
“It was like getting 5 years worth of therapy in one day. Mandy brings sound meditation to a whole new level using her own array of the most beautiful instruments. I honestly believe that the sound that resonated through me was one of the most powerful experiences, and the entire journey would not have been as impactful, or effective without it. Later that evening I felt a sense of peace and calm I had not felt in a very long time. Mandy also helped me with the grounding after the journey and we’ve had several debriefs since to ensure I maintain it. This experience may not be for everyone, but for me personally, it helped me recall that sense of personal power I had lost somewhere along the way, and over the days that followed I also remembered my purpose and motivation to live within my core values, and speak my truth. I am so grateful to Mandy. Her trust in the healing process is intrinsic, and now I trust it too." —TK in Santa Barbara
“My own experience of the sound journey this evening was an opening to memories and places, colors and movements, the aliveness and SEEING sound while my eyes were closed. Observing where my mind was going and knowing why it was going there was something unique to itself but also, knowing that probably others were experiencing something just as transformative as we all peeled back our veneers of '“reality”. The gong silence that internal thought voice and its resonance and dissonance created a landscape beyond recognition. I’ve never been so reminded of my singularity and aloneness in the universe while feeling so connected and safe. I saw us all merge as we emerged from the experience. Hugs, embrace, touch, looking deeply and connecting with the beauty we share on this fragile lifeboat we call Earth.” — M in Santa Barbara
“This is why sages remain silent. There really is no explanation or description grand enough for that experience. Yet, because I am human, and because I am me and I love words, I try. First, may I say thank you for including me in that experience. It really was all that I wished for and more. It was a deep, deep honor to watch you and David work together. It was an honor to be present and witness the processing of the other souls in that room. And most importantly it was just FUN!!! We have talked ad nauseum about what comes next, what's on the other side of processing, what's after fear... only Love...light and sound in constant, orgasmic play with each other over, and over, and over, and over, and over... Every note that was played sang only one refrain, I AM! No matter the frequency, no matter the cadence, that was it: I AM. I AM. I AM. What a relief to experience that in bodily knowing; that no matter where I turn, no matter if it looks dark or gray, the command within my power is to tell my mind, "Color here too" and it will be so. And once there is color there is creation. And once there is creation it is endless. My guides told me that I had chosen not to create in a world without color, that I had been holding myself back until I had seen. And now that I have seen, I will choose. What, I don't know; but, that is enough. Because in my not knowing I will allow the question to arise, "Would you like to know?". And to that, I will always answer YES!”
— EV in San Francisco
The SOUND MEDITATION PROTOCOL
1. Consciousness Expanding Medicine
The specifics of medicine can be discussed on a call or in person.
2. Priming Talk
Mandy discusses the scientific and therapeutic properties of sound and medicine. She then shares lessons and frameworks that serve as helpful “tools of navigation” for your sound journey.
2. Vocal Toning
The use of your own vocal chords is an important part of somatic healing and personal expression. This wordless form of vocalization serves as a platform for self-expression and physical release. It is a supported method of soothing the vagas nerve (a major nerve known for storing trauma in the body and emotional regulation).
3. Breathwork
Inspired by Stanislav Grof's Holotropic breathing technique, you will be guided through a powerful three-part breath that will enable you to disconnect from the “monkey mind” enough to reach heightened states of awareness and a deeper state of meditation. Oxygenating the body also has health benefits such alkalizing blood PH, a known indicator of immune system functioning and vitamin balance.
4. Sound
Mandy and team will guide a sonic journey into your inner landscape using overtone-emitting instruments (Currently she uses: large gong, singing bowls, ocean drum, tribal drum, chimes, monolina, sansula, the wing, and more) These rich overtones affect the brainwave cycles, neurochemistry, autonomic nervous system, heart-rate variability, and subtle energy in the body. The sound meditation sets the stage for a deep, meditative and unique altered state of consciousness allowing us to disconnect from physical, mental, emotional and psychological habitual patterns and rewire them.
5. Integration
“It was a year of therapy in 6 hours.” Is common feedback Mandy hears. The brain and body want to be healthy so when we give them the opportunity to “take out the garbage” and come back to wholeness, they do. Many participants experience rapid imagery and insights, thus time is spent after session to help participants integrate into their every day experience.
*Created and Perfected by my teachers, David Shemesh and Alexandre Tannous
The Benefits of This Work
Physical: Reduction of the Following: Stress, Fatigue, Physical Pain, Physical Discomfort, Insomnia, Sleep Disorders
Psychological: Reduction of the Following: Depression, Anxiety, Brain-Fog, Overthinking, Lack of Clarity, Worry, Fear
Emotional: Improves emotional stability, increases feelings of peace, clarity and love, Releases Emotional Trauma, increase feelings of personal agency and intuition
Spiritual: Expansion of the feeling of connection to higher self and divine/universe
