Retreats with Dâno-Leino
We host soulful, transformational retreats for women ready to reconnect with their deeper design, purpose, and gifts.
Whether you’re at a crossroads, longing for renewal, or ready to offer something new to the world, these retreats are a place to return to your centre and to be met by the field that wants to grow through you.
→ Explore Retreats
Design for Life Retreats
Design for Life is the name given to a cycle of three transformational retreats for women navigating change.
Each retreat can stand alone or form part of a deeper journey; inviting you to return to your centre, transform what no longer serves, and begin to live from a renewed and resilient sense of self.
These retreats are designed for women who want to reconnect with their purpose, deepen their resilience, and design a life that feels true, joyful, and alive.
The name Design for Life speaks to an emerging approach, where transformation is something we cultivate from within. It is a design drawn from our true nature, our core gifts, and the fertile ground of lived experience.
Together, the three retreats form a journey:
Her Sacred House
Her Dark Earth and Gold
Her Way is Alive
Her Sacred House – returning to the hearth, discovering the foundation
Her Dark Earth and Gold – descending to transform, and reclaiming the inner treasure
Her Way is Alive – re-emerging to live, work, and offer from your deepest truth
Each one offers its own unique portal – together, they form a living map.
These are all themes explored in the forthcoming book by the host Amanda J Christie, called Her Dark Earth and Gold: A Transformation Story.
Meet your Hosts
This retreat is held by two women who have each navigated major life transitions, moving beyond outer success to reshape their lives in alignment with soul, purpose, and joy. Together, they offer deep presence, real-world experience, and a shared passion for holding transformative space.
Amanda Christie
Amanda has spent over 20 years leading health and wellbeing organisations, pioneering values-led leadership, and designing support services for women. She now works with the Gene Keys, writes, and holds sacred space for transformation. Her upcoming book Her Dark Earth and Gold explores the unique arc of women’s alchemical journey.
Amanda brings a rare combination of depth, insight, and gentle clarity, meeting each woman where she is, and inviting her into what is becoming.
In her words…
After a long career in health, wellbeing, academia and community transformation, culminating in a role leading a multi agency hub supporting people with complex lives for over a decade, including during the the pandemic; I found I was completely fatigued on all levels and in need of a break and new direction. Events conspired, and magical things happened to make it possible for me to take a year out. Such a precious time! It was a time to walk in the wild landscape, explore deeper motivations and impulses that I’d always had to push away, LISTEN, and do what I’d long wanted to do…write…from my soul, about what I felt was happening in the world, and within myself, at this undoubtedly transformative time.
I have all kinds of skills and experiences to draw from that helps me in this newly emerging work to hold that transition and transformation space for other people, but I believe this time, this space, and the emerging inspirations, are central. Its a powerful time to be alive, and I don’t want to miss it, by being too tired, busy or frustrated by systems to participate.
“I’m excited to meet and collaborate with likeminded people, drawn to this area of conversation, life and work”.
– Amanda
Rachel Hope
Rachel brings a rich background in international business, motherhood, and midlife reinvention. After raising her family in Dubai, she now hosts retreats for women around the world and teaches intuitive development and creative facilitation. Her current passion is helping coaches and guides integrate the Tarot as a tool for transformation. She brings wisdom, warmth, and an open heart to every circle she holds.
In her words…
After a long and successful career in marketing communications, at aged 50, I took a leap of faith, left my marriage, home and career for Life part 2.
I had no plan and the first two years were pretty difficult as I had no ‘sense of self’ anymore and completely lacked purpose.
During six weeks solo travel in Mexico, I discovered journaling therapy which helped me understand my feelings. Then i became a Tarot Therapist which guided me through some tricky midlife situations to where I am now – running retreats and living my new life purpose.
I adore travelling, alone or with a friend. My preference is the less developed countries of Asia or Central America with their raw culture. I love people and experiences more than material thinks in life, and am very open to experimenting with different ways to live my life.
“I so look forward to meeting you”.
– Rachel x
Rachel Hope – www.soulsisterscommunity.com
