We appreciate your questions, ideas, and comments. Please peruse the questions (Q) and answers (A) below. If you do not see the information you need, feel free to E-mail us.

Q. What does Sojourn mean? Why did you call your business Sojourn Retreats?
A. A. The word Sojourn means a temporary visit, rest, or vacation. We chose “Sojourn Retreats” for several reasons. First, our mission is to provide a resting place and a vacation for you: time to get away from work, responsibilities, pressures, all of the things that are typically on your mind and shoulders. Second, “sojourn” is an acronym for what we do at our retreats: share our journey. We provide a safe and fun place to hang out with other wonderful and amazing women just like yourself, to talk about what is on your mind and heart, to share where you are in life, and to learn from others about where they are in life and how they got there. We all learn from one another and in the process, we are all enriched.

Q. Are the workshops and sessions mandatory? Do I have to go to all of them?
A. This weekend is all about you and all for you, so please do whatever makes you most comfortable. All of the workshops are optional, and your entire time at the retreat can be considered free time. You might choose to nap, have a massage, or take a stroll instead of going to a session. Pick and choose what you would like to do based upon your energy level and interest.

Q. What is the minimum age requirement to attend a Sojourn Retreat?
A. 21. We approached this answer from a high altitude, as it is important to us to provide a safe and comfortable environment for all participants. Here are our thoughts: We have billed this as a “women’s” retreat, and believe that the people who attend will expect it to be comprised of adult women. While we want to be as inclusive as possible, we want each participant to feel free to talk about anything that is present for her, and that may include “adult” content such as relationship issues, sex, divorce, death, etc... We agree that some young women (under 21) are certainly mature enough to hear about topics such as these, and yet, some participants may feel awkward talking about issues in front of a teenager. Some of our participants may be mothers who are on the retreat in order to have non-mother time, away from children. The good news?

Q. Hey, what about us guys??? We want to attend a retreat too.
A. Glad you asked, glad you are interested! We've had a bunch of E-mails and phone calls from you guys, thanks! We plan to offer co-ed retreats at some point in the future, so please check back on the website, as we will post details here.

Q. Are the retreat facilities accessible for the disabled?
A. Not yet. We hope this will be remedied at some point in the future.

Q: I am flying into Austin. Is transportation provided to the retreat center?
A: No. We do not provide transportation to the retreat center. However, we will do our best to connect you with other participants who are driving, so you can ride share. Drop us a line or phone us if you want to share a ride.

Q. May I bring my pet (snake, dog, cat, iguana, fill in the blank.....)
A. Unfortunately, no, the retreat center does not accommodate pets.

Q. Do I need to bring any cash with me?
A. If you plan on having a massage or purchasing one of Sherry’s books, you will need cash or a personal check to pay for it. Everything else is included in your fee.

Q. Can I leave the grounds?
A. You are free to come and go! This is your time, your retreat, and we trust that you know best how to use it. We feel that you will receive the deepest healing experience by staying on the retreat property so you can rest, hang out, and s.t.o.p. for awhile. Most of us go non-stop in our daily lives, and the beauty of a retreat is that you get to stop to breathe, relax, and smell the flowers.

Q: I'm an early riser. Is there a place to sit with my morning tea/coffee?
A: Yes! The main room, dining room, and screened in porch are good places to go, just keep conversation low since others might be sleeping in. There is a cheerful kitchen area where you can make coffee and tea. If you prefer to witness the sunrise, the porch will offer you a front seat. We’ll have brewed coffee ready by 6:00am each morning and tea is available all the time!

Q: I am a beginner to yoga. Will there be extra mats and props for me?
A: We will have a few extra yoga mats, blankets, blocks, and straps available. For those of you who own your own mat and other props (blankets, straps, etc...), please bring them with you.

Q. What clothes should I bring for the weekend?
A. Casual, very casual. Think of what you would wear to lounge around your house on a lazy-wonderful-Sunday afternoon, and you will get the picture. Be comfortable! We will not be doing anything fancy. If you want to walk, bring tennis shoes or hiking boots. Bring clothes for yoga (see next question). Please visit our “Weekend Details” page for a complete list of what to bring and expect.

Q: What clothes should I bring for yoga?
A: Comfort is the key. Most people wear breathable clothing that they can easily move in. Shorts, stretchy pants, or sweats and a t-shirt or t-top are fine. You might bring a sweater to put on for relaxation if you have a tendency to get chilled. We do not generally wear shoes or socks during yoga, but do whatever you would like to be comfortable.

Q. Is massage therapy included in the retreat fee?
A. No, there is an additional charge for massage therapy. This rate varies depending upon therapist, and the therapists vary from retreat to retreat. When you register, we will provide you with more information about massage (type, price, availability, etc.) and how to book your massage.

Q. What do I bring to the retreat? Is there a list?
A. Please visit “Weekend Details” for a complete list of what to bring.

Q: I heard about your retreat, and would like to find out more about it. Can you snail mail me more information?
A: This website has the most up-to-date and complete information available. Please look through each of our navigation links to learn more. Each Sojourn Retreat is unique, and workshop content will vary from retreat to retreat. We are always available by phone to give you more details, so feel free to call and we'll paint you a picture!

Q: I read your website, really I did, and I still have questions about your event. Help!
A: We're here to help! Please email your questions to Ellen at ebsmith@austin.rr.com and she will get back with you within 24 hours.

Thanks for taking time to read our FAQ page. If you have additional questions that you feel should be added to this page, please E-mail them to Ellen.