Do you miss the joyful free-spirit that you used to be?
Are you craving more aliveness?
Do you want to leave those blocks to your authentic joyous self in the past?
Do you want to remember your authentic nature no matter the circumstances of your life or the world?
Do you want to reclaim your JOY in life in community and sisterhood in beautiful Santa Barbara or Enchanting Provence, France and Crete, Greece immersed in luxury, safety and fun?
Announcing TWO New Joy-Filled Retreats for 2026!!!!!!!
March 29-April 2 in Santa Barbara, California
September 7-13 in Provence, France AND Crete, Greece
is the
santa barbara, ca
all-inclusive retreat for you?
California relaxation at it’s best! Discover your joy as you let go of all responsibilities and roles. Remember what it feels like to breathe in the ocean air and find your rhythm again as you listen to the faithful waves of the Pacific Ocean!
YOUR EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:
Expertly planned retreat sessions will encourage you to remember your joyful essence and to expand your capacity to live in a joyful state, regardless of your circumstances
4 nights luxurious accommodations in the The Vineyard House, a stunning California retreat space with luxurious accommodations and breathtaking views of both the mountains and the Pacific Ocean
All joyfully prepared and joyfully presented farm-to-table meals served at the retreat site, by our lovely catering team of Siena and Lori
A ferry ride and full day kayaking and hiking excursion to California’s beautiful Channel Islands. For those not interested in kayaking, options for hiking only, or gentle walking, are available! (Home to 23 endemic animal species only found in California)
All transportation to excursions
Yoga on the beach
A full spa day at the luxurious and unique Bacara Spa at the Ritz Carlton Santa Barbara (Spa day includes a massage, access to three pools overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a redwood sauna, eucalyptus steam room, fireside lounges, and beautiful hiking trails along the ocean)
A horse-drawn trolley tour of Solvang, CA, a quaint Danish town next to Santa Barbara, known for it’s architecture, windmills, bakeries, and wineries. Time for shopping and wine-tasting included
Is thE
Provence, France
& Crete, Greece
all-inclusive retreat for you?
Discover inner joy in two of the most beautiful and meaningful locations on the planet. Follow the steps of Mary Magdalene in the Provence region of southern France and see where Mary fully embodied the concept of “gnosis” (inner knowing). Then fly to Crete and explore the land of the the Minoans. Learn about the strong women who helped build and lead a democratic society, governing from the Palace of Knossos.
LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS
Expertly planned retreat sessions which will encourage you to remember your joyful essence, and to expand your capacity to live in a joyful state, regardless of your circumstances
3 nights luxurious accommodations in a lovely estate house next to a quaint provincial village
All joyfully prepared and joyfully presented farm-to-table meals served at the retreat site, by our lovely catering team of Siena and Lori
Local expert, author, and guide will lead a pilgrimage to Mary Magdalene sites, including: La Sainte-Baume cave and sanctuary, the Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene, and Maries-de-la-Mer
Visit to the Senanque Abbey and Lavender fields
Visit to local Chateau Unang winery, with tastings
All transportation to excursions in Southern France
Restorative yoga sessions
Flight from Marseilles, France to Heraklion, Crete
3 nights luxurious accommodations in a gorgeous Cretan mansion
Expertly guided visit to Knossos Palace, the AMAZING home of the Minoan civilization
Visit to Knossos Museum
Cooking class by renowned Cretan chef
Full day private catered catamaran cruise on the Aegean Sea
All transportation to excursions in Crete
YOUR EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:
About Me
These are the third and fourth Joy Retreats that I will be leading. The first Joy Retreat took place in Sonoma and Napa Valley in March 2025, and the second retreat occurred in the Joshua Tree and Palms Springs area in November 2025. Both were wildly successful (see testimonials below). I have been a teacher, student, and avid retreat participant and leader my entire life. After growing up in Illinois, I moved to California for college (and years beyond) where I relentlessly pursued and claimed my joy. In California, I found great alignment spiritually, emotionally, and physically. My joy emanated genuinely from my essence.
In the years that followed a move back, however, I allowed the all-too common stresses of work, marriage, child-rearing, and divorce, obscuring my memory of who I truly am. I accomplished much of what I thought was my purpose: attending law school, attending graduate school, earning an Ed.D. (Education Doctorate), teaching at a University, becoming Director of a large teacher education unit, getting married, having two kids, producing, producing, producing… What I neglected during my time of “high achievement”, was my true self, my joyous being, and my childlike view of the world. Eventually I found myself broken open. My marriage ended, I was replaced at my high prestige job, and I got the call with the news that I had breast cancer. I refer to this as my “dark night of the soul.” I wanted my joy back, I wanted me back, and I committed to making that the most important priority of my life.
What I have learned in the past ten years of coaching, studying and retreating, is that the extent of my joy is directly proportional to my willingness to make space for the pain. It is through allowing ourselves to feel all of our emotions, cleanly and without making stories about them, that we can begin to transform them. This is the miraculous work of alchemy. In my work, I have also embraced rich practices of gratitude and presence, which act as constant reminders that I am surrounded by beauty and goodness. And finally, I have found love… profound love for myself, which allows me to love others from a place of overflow and genuine care, no longer attaching to people in order to soothe my anxiety or meet my needs.
In looking back at my journey, I realized that my story is hardly unique. In fact, I see now that we are all on this hero’s journey to remembering who we are. It was on a life-changing retreat in Greece in the summer of 2024 that I realized I want to help others, and that I have things to teach and tools to share. I birthed the adventure retreat concept knowing that JOY would be my purpose. I hope that you will join me and other beautiful sisters on a journey to true awakening, as we find ourselves and our incredible joy within, while also exploring beautiful Santa Barbara or captivating Southern France and Crete, Greece!
Siena Ballance grew up in Santa Barbara, California and always loved cooking and baking with her mama and sister. Her mama would lay out a colorful array of ingredients while Siena and her sister would spend hours creating concoctions. This sparked her love and joy for cooking; a joy that always feels contagious with the people she shares it with. Her love for food has always been deeply rooted in family, art and community; throughout her path, she has always strived to bring each of these components into the food she creates. In college she apprenticed with Barak Olins, a recent James Beard Award winner. Barak introduced her to the art of wood-fired sourdough bread baking. She furthered these skills working as a lead baker at Forage Market, a wood-fired bagel bakery in Portland, Maine. In 2021, she moved to Washington and worked as a pastry chef at White Salmon Baking Company.
Overtime, Siena felt strongly connected to the White Salmon, WA community and in the summer of 2023, she started her own bakery, Mins. In starting Mins, she hoped to craft beautiful, nourishing meals and baked goods sourced from local ingredients for the community she loves so much. Her business has involved selling at local farmers markets, catering various events, and selling directly to local cafes. She is excited to continue expanding Mins, always hoping people can taste the joy in the food she creates! She is so looking forward to catering these retreats with her amazing MAMA LORI!
meet our chef!
what is joy?
what is joy?
In my view, joy is an everlasting state of being, it is not transitory like happiness. It is always there, always accessible. It is our essence. Authentic joy arises when we move from our heads to our hearts. It expands when we remember that we are human beings (not human doings!) and it is allowed to flow when we feel safety and when we recognize the benevolence of the universe and that things truly do happen for us, and not to us. Joy is increased when we recognize our oneness and our connection with all there is. Joy is augmented when we see beauty, when we feel free and when we are grateful. Joy is how we were created, it is our truest disposition, it is the way that we are intended to be in the world.
here are the
santa barbara
details:
travel:
There are several options for flying into the area. I recommend the Santa Barbara Airport. We will do our best to coordinate rides to and from this airport with our vans. Other options include: Hollywood-Burbank International Airport (85 miles away) and Los Angeles International Airport (90 miles away). If you choose to drive, on-site free parking is available.
investment:
$2,500 for single occupancy ($2,300 if deposit is received by January 15, 2026)
$2,100 for double occupancy ($1,900 if deposit is received by January 15, 2026)
A non-refundable $500 deposit is required to hold your spot
Payment plans are available
Have questions? Just email me at mollyisu03@gmail.com ! I’m more than happy to help!
here are the
provence/crete
details:
There are several options for traveling to the retreat site. If you choose to add the pre-extension day, we will all travel by bullet train from Paris to Marseilles. If you will be flying into Marseilles or training in, we will pick you up at the airport or train station. If you have a rental car or choose to drive, on-site free parking is available.
$3,500 for single occupancy
$2,900 for double occupancy
9/6 Paris add-on (see agenda)
$500 single/$400 double
9/13 Athens add-on (see agenda)
$500 single/$400 double
A non-refundable $800 deposit is required to hold your spot
Payment plans are available
“If you are looking for JOY, look no further. Molly’s JOY RETREAT was exactly that and so much more. I was able to unplug and align with a group of kindred spirits from different walks of life and fully enjoy each other. Molly’s warm and kind nature provided a safe sanctuary where we could share our truths and honor ourselves. Every detail was well orchestrated from the fun events and the most scrumptious meals to soulful activities and plenty of laughter, great music and playfulness. I left feeling recharged and aligned, all with the kindness and generosity that Molly so beautifully provided with each of us. What an absolute treat. Thank you Molly!”
Sandra C.
Molly's JOY travel retreat was an amazing opportunity! She is so knowledgeable about the area that she took us to. She was extremely thorough in arranging all of our experiences. The entire retreat was a perfect balance of personal growth, and joyful exploration. Not only were the activities amazing, Molly herself established an atmosphere of openness to help all participants engage as they wish in a loving , fun atmosphere.
Becky R.
“I didn’t know everyone going into the Joy Retreat, but from the moment I arrived, I felt completely safe, seen, and cared for. Molly created such a welcoming and inclusive space that it was easy to relax and be myself. Everything was so thoughtfully planned—there was a rich, beautiful mix of laughter, singing, dancing, delicious food, and truly joyful connection. I never had to worry about a thing.
Molly had every detail covered, from the big-picture flow of the retreat down to the simple pleasure of lingering over a gorgeous breakfast—biscotti, perfectly crisp bacon, melt-in-your-mouth quiche, and hot coffee. I could have stayed at that table for hours and been totally content, but the day kept unfolding into more magic. She wove together luxurious, fun, and meaningful experiences that felt like pure gifts. It’s rare to feel so held and cared for, without needing to plan or tend to anyone else. This retreat was a true vacation for my soul, and I walked away feeling connected, nourished, and lucky to have been there. Molly is gentle, thoughtful, patient—and so much fun. You can absolutely trust her to create something special.”
Katie B.
Pure Bliss! Molly’s retreats have a way of awakening the unfulfilled spirit in your off balanced life. Afterwards, you will have questions answered that you didn’t know needed addressed and you will walk away feeling more centered and freed from emotional bondage.
If you are looking for JOY, look no further. Molly’s JOY RETREAT was exactly that and so much more. I was able to unplug and align with a group of kindred spirits from different walks of life and fully enjoy each other. Molly’s warm and kind nature provided a safe sanctuary where we could share our truths and honor ourselves. Every detail was well orchestrated from the fun events and the most scrumptious meals to soulful activities and plenty of laughter, great music and playfulness. I left feeling recharged and aligned, all with the kindness and generosity that Molly so beautifully provided with each of us. What an absolute treat. Thank you Molly!
Heather B.
find out where joy resides, and give it a voice far beyond singing. for to miss the joy is to miss all.
“
-Robert Louis Stevenson