There is a specific kind of silence found in the north of Menorca, where the tramontana wind shapes the wild olive trees and the earth feels ancient, grounded, and deep. It was here, at Son Ermita, that we gathered for a retreat curated by Moonsisters and guided by Gabrielle Anand. The intention was simple yet profound: to move away from the noise of the external world and return into the body. In a world that demands constant cognitive processing, the somatic approach offers a path back through sensation, breath, and the subtle rhythms of the nervous system.
The Language of the Body
Gabrielle Anand’s guidance is rooted in the understanding that the body remembers what the mind often tries to forget. Somatic healing is not about 'fixing' oneself; it is about befriending the nervous system. Throughout our days at the estate, the sessions focused on gentle movement and breathwork designed to release stored tension. We learned to listen to the whisper of a tight shoulder or the shallow catch in a breath, treating these signals not as inconveniences, but as messengers. This somatic work was layered with astrology, using the celestial alignment to better understand our personal seasons and the archetypal energies we carry. It provided a map for the internal landscape, making sense of the tides of our emotions.
“The nervous system is the bridge between our inner world and the outer environment; when we soothe the bridge, the journey becomes clear.”
Mornings began with rituals that anchored us to the present. The air in Son Ermita carries the scent of sea salt and rosemary, a natural olfactive therapy that needs little enhancement. We practiced mindfulness not as a chore, but as an observation of the senses. The cool touch of the stone floor, the sound of insects in the scrubland, the slow transition of light across the lime-washed walls. These moments of stillness allowed the nervous system to shift from a state of 'doing' to a state of 'being.' It is in this transition that true recovery begins, moving out of high-alert and into a restorative parasympathetic state.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sessions took on a more contemplative tone. Astrology became a lens through which we viewed our personal narratives, finding grace in the cycles of growth and rest. The synergy between Moonsisters’ curation and Gabrielle’s somatic wisdom created a container where participants felt safe enough to let go. There is a luxury in this kind of deep work—not the luxury of gilded fixtures, but the luxury of time, professional guidance, and an environment that demands nothing from you but your presence. We left with more than just memories; we left with a recalibrated sense of self.
