GAIA'S COMPASS
Retreat
Practicing undomestication in a small group setting.
Curriculum
T H U R S D A Y
DAY 1, PART 1
Travel to a private home in TX Hill Country.
DAY 1, PART 2 (Arrival at 4 pm)
Theme: The Undomesticated Mind
Getting beyond the present state with a map
to overcome the mind's illusions.
F R I D A Y
DAY 2, PART 1
Theme: The Undomesticated Mind
Getting beyond the present state with tools
to overcome the mind's illusions.
DAY 2, PART 2
Theme: The Undomesticated Body
Waking up the body. overcoming shame
while grounding into personal desire.
S A T U R D A Y
DAY 3, PART 1
Theme: The Undomesticated Living
Getting beyond the self through nature.
DAY 3, PART 2
Small group practicing playful, expressive,
and sensual support in everyday life at home.
S U N D A Y
DAY 4, PART 1
Theme: Social Permaculture
Build community through new connections
leaning into togetherness.
DAY 4, PART 2
Travel: Depart 11am
P O S T - R E T R E A T
Integration & Aftercare: 4-online calls over 2 months.
Lifetime access to Rooted Method Activities & Alumni Network
T H E I N V I T A T I O N
Cristina and Alicia will bring their combined expertise in brain training, breathwork, nature therapy, wilderness experience, somatic work, trauma-informed communication and community building into this entire retreat weekend and aftercare . Expect to share, move, breathe and feel alive throughout our time together. This retreat and post care support is also designed to grow your network both personally and professionally in ways that feel good for your nervous system.
W H A T I S G A I A ' S C O M P A S S ?
Gaia’s Compass
Gaia’s Compass presents a map and a lens for imaging a new world more engaged with earth, our capabilities and creating regenerative ecosystems in brain, body and community.
Inspired by the relationships we find in Nature, social permaculture is a holistic approach to building community rooted in reciprocity. Learn about the principles that can guide us toward a mutually beneficial ecosystem that is resilient, resourceful and supportive so we can create a THRIVING life!
Cristina and Alicia have led 4 rounds of the Gaias Compass group together and was founded by Cristina in 2019.
W H A T I S T H E R O O T E D M E T H O D ?
The Rooted Method
The Rooted Method represents both a mindset, approach and movement — that when we are in tune with our most playful, messy, resilient, and ecstatic self on a daily basis, we inevitably follow our true north and passion for life. Through brain training, social permaculture, breathwork, and relationship building, we:
W H O ' S W H O ?
CRISTINA SCHOOLER
Founder of The Rooted Method,
The Hart School & The Austin Rewild Festival
Cristina founded The Rooted Method in 2018 because she saw people missing the core ingredient of a thriving life- remembering their wild nature & primal design. With years of experience in teaching, facilitating and guiding in group settings, she integrated those skills to create her unique methodology of nature therapy, brain training, and social permaculture. Her signature offerings include the Rewild Festival, Gaia’s Compass, A brain training certification, and community events–with the intention to instill new learnings, grounded perspectives and excitement to live a less domesticated life.
ALICIA ORTIZ
Urban Garden Educator,
Founder AO Daily Ritual & Gaias Compass Guardian
Alicia Ortiz is a Self-Study + Shadow Transformation Coach, teaching root-cause, self-healing. When she learned the ways our nervous system is inherently programmed to seek safety through co-regulation, she rediscovered a universal truth: the heart of love is rooted in conscious connection. Alicia is a certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming Coach, trained in Ericksonian Hypnosis, Timeline Therapy, and transformational grammar. With yoga & permaculture ethics in mind, she is armed with over 400 hours of certified study in yoga, meditation, trauma, and racial consciousness. Alicia has been a core part of Rooted Method and has co-facilitated Rooted Method’s Gaia’s Compass twice-annual program since 2020.
Y O U R M E A L S W I L L B E P R E P A R E D B Y :
RACHEL MUSQUIZ
Holistic Chef, Wellness Entrepreneur
& Founder of Curcuma Kitchen
Rachel Musquiz is a holistic chef, herbalist, doula and wellness entrepreneur. She applies the concept that food is medicine in all her endeavors including Curcuma Kitchen, which started as an Ayurvedic food truck and expanded into a line of superfood & spice blends. Rachel empowers her clients to heal through food choices and offers private chef services, meal prep, postpartum support & retreat catering. When she’s not in the kitchen, she enjoys wildcrafting medicine, road trips & outdoor climbing.
P A S T E X P E R I E N C E S
Testimonials
Kelsey Wick
Middle School Teacher
“Being in this group a second time provided space for me to continue to practice the tools that are important to me: language, breathwork for regulation, and boundaries. Gathering in this way, with guides and peers, has changed my view of the world. I am grateful to access friendship, laughter, trust and inner safety with greater ease than ever before.”
Kayla Shearheart
Executive Assistant
“Gaia's Compass was like a journey back home to myself. It helped me unravel the stories I was telling myself unconsciously, and allowed me to reclaim them in a conscious way.
At the end of the 3 months, I felt like I was finally able to find complete joy in the present, and really connect with myself and other women, while also feeling the endless possibilities for the future.”
Amanda Ortiz
Software Engineer
“At the beginning of Gaia’s Compass I was feeling lost and overly logical in my life , and constantly feeling like I was always looking through a window at my goals and dreams. Before, I was very logical about decisions, and now I am more intuitive, and connected with myself. I am doing more things for me and what feels right for me”
Ellie Skotchdopole
Creative Entrepreneur
“By the end, I had reconnected with my intuition that has helped me plant HUGE SEEDS in my life – ones that are still unfolding today. It is hard to describe the magic that happens inside this group experience. I felt empowered and confident to dream bigger and begin work towards those dreams.”
Vickie Valdez
Graphic Designer
“I consider myself an intuitive person and have been making decisions by my internal compass, but generally speaking my inclination is to intellectualize most things. Thus I was my own worst critic. When I started to turn down the volume in my head and listen to the messages in my body, a whole new dialogue emerged. Trust lives on a body level, and I trust myself and my path when I access it.”
Jodi Meisenheimer
“The experience of Gaia's Compass opened my heart and mind to the possibility of personal growth and community-centered living that I had almost given up on. The group experience allowed a a truly safe space for me to be witnessed and, in turn, cultivate a love of witnessing and encouraging other women.”
I N V E S T M E N T
Sliding scale $700- $1200 includes curriculum, sleeping in a shared room inside a ranch house, meals & aftercare.
Shared indoor sleeping accommodations available first come, first serve. Camping is also available if you want to bring your tent.
Payment plans available.
R E C A P
Working retreat for waking up & grounding down
Community supported shadow work.
Framework for living ecstatically
Unplug and re-calibrate in rural nature setting
No previous camping or outdoor experience necessary.
Option to camp or stay in shared indoor accommodations
Maximum of 15 participants
H O W D O Y O U K N O W Y O U B E L O N G H E R E ?
How do you sense there's a deeper connection to alignment through intuition?
Is your experience tied to inter-generational stories and memories?
Do you desire to live a more sober, connected life?
Do you wonder about living with a more feminine approach?
Are you brave enough to have strong beliefs?