On September 7 Aaliyah in Action hosted our first in-person retreat — a milestone that felt both humbling and deeply hopeful. We are so grateful to everyone who attended, supported, and believed in the vision of creating a space where grief and healing can truly coexist!

The retreat was designed to offer a safe, supportive environment for those who experienced a stillbirth. I wanted participants to connect with one another and engage in practices that nurture both body and mind. For many, it was a chance to step away from the isolation of grief and experience the power of community.

Healing Practices That Grounded the Day

We began our day at Awarehouse with a beautiful therapeutic session led by Marjorie Vail, a fellow loss mom, trauma therapist, and AiA board member. She created a space where families could reflect, share, and simply breathe together — it felt both restorative and deeply validating.

Special thank you to my dear friend, Lindsey, of Philanthropic Matchmaker, for then guiding us through a sound bath that filled the room with vibration and stillness. We closed our eyes, let the sounds wash over us, and were given the rare invitation to fully let go.

Our trauma-informed yoga and breathwork with Tanya Saunders was beautiful. Her gentle guidance encouraged everyone to reconnect with their bodies, release tension, and find grounding in the present moment. We closed the day by having the chance to experiment with contrast therapy — moving from the heat of the sauna to the shock of the cold plunge. It was invigorating and symbolic, a reminder of the extremes that grief often takes us through, and how our bodies can hold both.

What made the day truly memorable was not just the programming, but the sense of connection among those that joined us. From shared silence to open conversations, every moment carried a reminder that no one has to navigate loss alone. The atmosphere was one of compassion, understanding, and hope.

Looking Ahead

This retreat was made possible thanks to the generous support of the MATTIE Fund, whose belief in our mission allowed us to bring this vision to life years earlier than we thought possible. We are deeply grateful.

This is only the beginning. Aaliyah in Action is committed to expanding these healing spaces — blending therapeutic practices, community, and self-care — so that families experiencing loss can continue to find comfort, strength, and connection.

To those who joined us: thank you. Your presence and openness made the day what it was. To those walking their own grief journey: please know you are not alone, and we look forward to welcoming you into future healing spaces.

XO,

Liz, Aaliyah’s Mom