Wild and Free: The Rise of the Feminine
Thursday, October 16 - Sunday, October 19, 2025
a Retreat for Women with the Salt River Wild Mustangs
Wild mustangs are guided by a lead mare.
With quiet confidence, she sets the direction for the herd, and they trust her to lead the way.
She is supported by a stallion who serves as the group’s protector.
There is a balance of the masculine and feminine in these wild herds.
A lead mare can hold a herd’s attention with a whinny.
She sets and defends boundaries.
When the needs of the herd require another mare to step forward, the leadership is shared. The focus is on the safety and support of the group.
Whether she is subtle or direct, she is respected.
She maintains harmony within the herd with grounded confidence.
It’s time for you to learn to become the lead mare in your own life — to connect to your own wild and free nature.
Wild and Free:
The Rise of the Feminine
is the newest retreat offering from
The Well Lived Life.
Join us for a paddleboarding trip down Arizona’s Salt River deep in the Tonto National Forest.
Connect with your wild and free spirit, the breathtaking landscape of the desert, and the majesty of the Salt River mustangs.
On this retreat you will gain confidence and skills to:
*Claim the life you want and identify what you need to get there.
*Reclaim parts of yourself you had forgotten or never knew your had.
*Step into the presence necessary to create trusting and collaborative relationships.
*Foster a deep bond with yourself and a group of like minded women.
Don’t miss the chance to be in the presence of these magnificent creatures.
Witnessing free-roaming wild horses inspires us to see our place in the larger scope of things — our interconnection with nature, one another, and ourselves.
The herd trusts their lead mare because she is clear in her communication, grounded, and respected.
The matriarch of her herd, she calls the shots with power and grace.
So can you.
Your Guides
Natalie Benway-Correll and Sasha Bonner met on a paddle boarding adventure on Nevada’s Black Canyon River and knew they were kindred spirits.
Their shared love of nature, paddle boarding and connecting with something greater inspired them to create this retreat.
Natalie Benway-Correll was dubbed her parents official “wild child” and spent her formative years running barefoot, climbing trees and riding horses whenever possible.
Her unending curiosity about relationships and sexuality have guided her career as a holistic psychotherapist for the last 18 years.
Natalie is the founder of The Well Lived Life and not only does she work with humans she also partners with horses and nature as co facilitators.
She combines equine guided learning and somatic exercises with observation of free roaming horses and their herd dynamics.
She has learned how to be the Lead Mare in her own life and is passionate about supporting women in stepping into their own power as well.
Natalie brings humor and warmth to the spaces she creates as well a passion and purpose for nature’s guidance and gifts.
Sasha Bonner grew up hiking and running wild and free with her sister in the desert.
A competitive swimmer and lifeguard for many years, she was able to combine her passion for water, nature and exercise when she discovered paddle boarding!
Her love of desert flora and fauna brought her to earn a degree in Holistic healthcare and she is now a certified herbalist and reiki master.
Sasha has a passion for mentoring women and watching them expand from fear to flourishing in the sunshine of their spirit!
Sasha holds a professional stand up paddle board instructor certification and is thrilled to lead the group on the river.
Featured Musical Guest Annie Savage
Hailed as a “firecracker educator and performer” Annie Savage (JMU faculty and past-president of the Colorado Bluegrass Music Society) is an internationally acclaimed musician whose musicianship comes straight from the heart.
A renowned fiddler, vocalist, and harpist, Savage has shared the stage with artists from Aretha Franklin to John Williams to Ricky Skaggs.
Annie’s studies have taken her from the concert halls of the Interlochen Arts Academy to the studios of the Berklee College of Music and when invited to be a guest of the Well-Lived Life, her fireside music will transport you to another time and place.
Find her music at: www.savagefiddler.com
Accomodations
We will be staying at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, Arizona where you’ll find peace and inspiration at every turn.
Surrounded by the majestic Arizona vistas your stay includes your choice of a shared or private room, Enjoy healing gardens, a labyrinth, pool, spa and on site dining.
Additional option to unwind after a day of paddling and add a massage to your retreat experience.
The Details:
When: Thursday, October 16 at 5pm - Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 12pm
With: Natalie Benway-Correll LISW, Sasha Bonner
and The Well Lived Life team.
Who: This retreat is open to women 18 years and above.
Where: Salt Creek River in Paradise Valley, Arizona and the Renewal Retreat Center is located in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Investment:
$1600 for Single Bedroom plus a one hour massage
$1500 for Double Bedroom
$600 for Locals
(Locals price does not include meals or accommodations-does include all programming, paddle board rental and Lunch on Saturday)
$500 Deposit to reserve your spot
Please contact nbenway@wellivedlife.org to reserve your spot or get more information!
You will share in:
*Delicious, Nourishing meals
*Daily guided yoga, meditation, and movement practices
*Intimate circles exploring our wild and free essence, our connection to ourselves, one another and the greater whole.
*Embodiment Practices that promote a connection with a grounded sense of self and a renewed trust in the power of feminine.
*Self compassion tools to help you identify limiting thoughts and belief patterns.
*Group exploration exercises that examine relationship patterns including boundary setting, taking up space, awareness of verbal and nonverbal communication, and trust building.
*Development of skills that support emotional regulation, embodied presence and embodied empowerment.
*Safe and Supported Paddle Boarding down the Lower Salt River with a certified stand up paddle board instructor.
FAQs
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We will be on the river for about 5 hours with stops along the way for rest and programming.
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This trip is appropriafe for beginners or seasoned water sport enthusiasts.
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We will have a shuttle from the retreat center and back from the launch site at the River.
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The retreat is limited to 12-14 persons to ensure an intimate group size and personalized attention.
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Included in the retreat:
*2 night stay at the Renewal Center in Scottsdale, Arizona
*Daily breakfast, lunch dinner
*Daily yoga
*Complimentary use of the pool, labyrinth and spa.
*Stand-up paddle board
*Access to hiking trails from the retreat property
*Transportation to and from the launch site.
NOT included in the retreat:
*Airfare to/from Arizona
*Transportation to/from retreat property
*Travel insurance
