This time of year in Tampa offers a brief, beautiful window — cooler air, gentle breezes, and mornings that invite us outdoors before the heat settles in. These Sunday morning mini retreats are an opportunity to slow down, reconnect with nature, and spend a few unhurried hours on the deck in a calm, welcoming setting.
Come to one, several, or the full series. Each gathering stands on its own.
Review the retreats and then choose if you want to come to a single session or multiple sessions at a discounted rate.
Pricing
- $54 — Single Mini-Retreat
- $144 — Any 3 Mini-Retreats (save ~10%)
- $225 — All 5 Mini-Retreats (save $45)
When you're ready, use the buttons below to register for a single session or a retreat pass. After registering, you'll be able to choose the specific sessions you'd like to attend.
December 14 — A Quiet Reset for Deep Rest and Inner Reserves
As the year draws to a close, many people feel the need for deeper rest and replenishment — even in places where winter looks mild on the surface. This gentle retreat offers space to slow down, settle, and reconnect with a sense of inner steadiness during a season of transition.
Through slow, fluid movements and purposeful breath, you’ll bolster resilience and immune health, calm the nervous system, and cultivate the kind of deep inner steadiness that sustains you through winter — even while life around you continues at full speed. You’ll explore practices that encourage deep nourishment and help rebuild internal reserves. The emphasis is on slowing down without withdrawing, allowing the body to feel grounded, supported, and quietly restored.
The practices draw from gentle Qigong and mindful movement traditions and are adapted to be accessible, slow, and supportive for all bodies.
January 11 — Soften & Unwind: A Gentle Self-Massage Morning
As the year winds down and a new one begins, many people notice lingering tension, fatigue, or a sense of being unsettled after months of sustained pace and stimulation. This gentle retreat offers time and space to slow down, reconnect, and restore a sense of ease through grounding, intentional touch.
In this session, you’ll be guided through head-to-toe Qigong self-massage practices designed to melt tension, invite ease from within, and gently calm the nervous system. Using slow, mindful touch, these practices help signal safety to the body, supporting a shift out of stress and into a more settled, restorative state.
You’ll leave with simple, grounding self-massage practices you can return to anytime you need to settle your energy, ease tension, or feel more at home in your body. No prior experience is needed.
The practices draw from gentle Qigong self-massage traditions and are adapted to be accessible and supportive for all bodies.
February 15 — A Morning to Breathe, Reset, and Feel Steady Again
If you’ve been feeling mentally overloaded, tense, or scattered, this gentle morning retreat offers space to slow down, breathe, and come back to yourself.
You’ll be guided through simple, accessible breath and movement practices designed to calm the nervous system, soften physical tension, and restore a sense of clarity and steadiness. Nothing strenuous, nothing to “get right” — just time and guidance to help your body settle and your mind clear.
This is especially supportive if you’ve been carrying stress for a long time or find it hard to truly pause. Many of the practices are easy to return to in daily life whenever you need a reset, a moment of presence, or a way to feel grounded again.
The session draws from gentle Qigong and breath-based practices, adapted to be slow, supportive, and accessible for all bodies.
March 15 — A Reset for Clarity, Movement, and Fresh Energy
As spring unfolds, many people feel a natural urge to move forward — even while carrying residual tension or mental fog. This gentle morning retreat offers space to reset, breathe, and reconnect with a sense of clarity and ease.
Through guided movement and breath, you’ll explore practices that help energy move more freely through the body, softening tightness and inviting a feeling of openness and renewal. Like sap beginning to rise in the natural world, these practices support a sense of gentle momentum — not forced, but organic.
This session is especially supportive if you’re craving movement that feels freeing rather than demanding, and if you want to meet the season with more lightness and steadiness.
The practices draw from gentle Qigong and mindful movement traditions and are adapted to be accessible, slow, and supportive for all bodies.
April 19 — Sustainable Energy: A Spring Vitality Morning
As spring comes fully to life, many people feel a lift in energy — along with the challenge of staying balanced as pace and activity increase. This gentle morning retreat offers space to cultivate vitality that feels steady, nourishing, and sustainable rather than rushed or depleting.
You’ll be guided through uplifting yet grounding movement and breath practices designed to support circulation, emotional balance, and a sense of inner brightness without overwhelm. The focus is on feeling energized and rooted, so your energy can carry you forward with ease.
These uplifting movements help fortify resilience and vitality, allowing you to stay grounded yet vibrant as Florida’s summer begins its early ascent.
The practices draw from gentle Qigong and mindful movement traditions and are adapted to be accessible, spacious, and supportive for all bodies.
What to Expect:
✨A peaceful outdoor setting to relax and recharge.
✨A supportive women-only space for learning and connection.
✨Breathwork techniques to ease stress and enhance focus and energy.
✨Light refreshments to keep you feeling nourished
✨Time to reflect and connect
What to Bring:
🧘 Yoga mat
💧 Water bottle
📒 Journal for reflections
👚 Loose-fitting, comfortable clothing
✨ Open heart & mind
ABOUT JO
Jo Bakal, NBC-HWC, LMT, is an integrative wellness and cancer survivorship coach, educator, and guide with decades of personal practice in movement, breath, and mindfulness traditions. Her work centers on creating calm, accessible spaces where people can slow down, reconnect, and care for themselves gently.
Choose your retreat
Choose your retreat pass below. After your purchase, you’ll be directed to select your retreat date(s).
Why These Mini-Retreats Matter
- Build deeper body awareness
- Support seasonal transitions
- Strengthen resilience & emotional balance
- Learn practices you can use daily
what they're saying
Community Qigong Experience Jo was wonderful with teaching Qigong at the Franciscan Center. She is very knowledgeable, and a great teacher. All the participants enjoyed themselves. The Center would definitely recommend Jo. Franciscan Center
Transforming Senior Well-Being At Arbor Terrace we take pride in offering a variety of fitness programs led by professional and certified fitness professionals. Our Qigong fitness sessions by Jo Bakal have truly transformed the well-being of the residents… Jo has tailored the classes to suit individuals… The residents thoroughly enjoy the engaging sessions… With gratitude, Morgan M. Engagement Director Arbor Terrace Assisted Living
I wholeheartedly recommend!!! I came to Tezoona to increase relaxation, acquire core muscle strength and flexibility while improving meditation techniques and experiences. Jo's warm and secure aura comes through everything she does… Even the simple act of walking through Jo's garden surrounded by birds and hanging fruit brings a peaceful joy adding to the experience. The guided meditation out under grandmother-sized oak trees was enlightening and spiritual… all in all an adventure I treasure and hope to expand upon in future workshops!… If you are ever blessed to taste her cooking you will be speechless… Jo is a Jewel! Keeps you coming back for more! Brenna S.
Don’t walk run to any workshops this lovely woman offers... This was my 1st workshop and I plan to attend many more! Jo is such a calming presence.
I still feel results of the breathing techniques & meditation. I would recommend her classes to anyone looking to feel more peaceful. It affected my entire body mind and spirit. Don’t walk run to any workshops this lovely woman offers. I know I will. Cheryl R
Women’s Retreat Well-Being Experience I experienced Jo's Qigong practices at a women's retreat in New Mexico. She is a committed and beautiful teacher that embodies all that she teaches with such enthusiasm and integrity. I highly recommend her and hopes that she offers an on-line Qigong class in the near future. Rhonda S.
Stress Relief & Relaxation Support Jo is a consummate professional. The meditation and breathing exercises achieved their purpose of managing stress and inducing relaxation. Sheila S.
Birthday Party Energized Thank you, Jo, for a fun and memorable birthday morning! What a great way to start a new year with peace and calm. Victoria M.
CLASSES
Evening Calm Qigong
Slow down, center yourself, and end your day in balance. Join a gentle practice to restore calm, energy, and presence.
Join Evening Calm Qigong