Upcoming Events

The intimate retreat featuring Dr. Connie Mariano offers attendees valuable insights into navigating widowhood. Drawing from her experience as the former White House physician, Dr. Mariano guides participants through the emotional journey of loss to renewal. Attendees will gain practical strategies for coping with grief and finding purpose, empowering them to embrace new beginnings with resilience and optimism.

Your all-inclusive stay at Canyon Ranch includes all meals, a daily schedule of wellness activities, access to select luxury amenities, and no hidden fees.

Dr. Connie Mariano is a distinguished physician who served as the White House physician to three sitting U.S. presidents: George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. She made history as the first military woman to become the White House physician. Dr. Mariano was born in the Philippines and immigrated to the United States with her family. She pursued a career in medicine, eventually joining the U.S. Navy, where she rose to the rank of Rear Admiral.

Throughout her career, Dr. Mariano has been recognized for her expertise in internal medicine, preventive medicine, and aviation medicine. She is also known for her advocacy for military personnel, veterans, and their families. After leaving the White House, Dr. Mariano has been involved in various medical and philanthropic endeavors, including writing books, providing medical commentary, and advocating for healthcare reform.

Dr. Connie Mariano is highly respected for her medical achievements, leadership, and commitment to public service. She continues to inspire others through her dedication to promoting health and well-being in communities around the world.

CR Experts:

Rachael Gallagher, MM, M Div., Spiritual Wellness Provider
Rachael Gallagher is a transformational wellness expert at Canyon Ranch Tucson in Arizona. She offers spiritual consultations, individual sessions, and leads workshops and presentations designed to guide resort guests through life’s transitions and foster self-healing.

Sherri Felton, MS, LPC, Mental Health & Wellness Expert
Sherri Felton is dedicated to helping guests at our Arizona wellness resort gain invaluable insights into the patterns that no longer serve them, guiding them to create new, more effective habits for a fulfilling life. Her areas of specialization include performance, trauma, and anxiety.

Adam Smith, MA, Senior Spiritual Wellness Provider
Adam Smith can guide you in cultivating purpose, living with loss, emotional eating, and enjoying a more contemplative way of life. He uses evidence-based practices and continually witnesses how spiritual practices can deepen the meaning of your meals, strengthen the connection to your body and food, and help you communicate better.

Jenny Flora, MS, Clinical Nutritionist
Jenny Flora meets with guests to discuss their unique needs and goals. She provides nutritional guidance to help them manage chronic conditions, properly fuel their bodies for exercise, and improve their overall health.

Paula Arreola, MSc, CSCS, TSAC-F, Performance Scientist
Paula Arreola employs her extensive expertise in training for tactical performance, building strength, and injury prevention in her work with Tucson guests as a Performance Scientist.

Thursday, June 19

3 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Welcome & Orientation
Hear an overview of what the next few days will look like and familiarize yourself with each other and Canyon Ranch.

5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Welcome Dinner
Get to know each other and chat about the week ahead over a delicious, healthful group meal.

Friday, June 20

9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.The End Leads to a New Beginning with Dr. Carmen Mariano
Widowhood is a journey that takes a woman from “we” as a couple to “me” as a single woman. This first session discusses the beginning of that journey.

10:30 a.m.CR Vitality Tour

11 a.m.-12 p.m. Compassion Circle for Grief & Gratitude
Enter a compassionate space that welcomes both your grief and your gratitude. Give yourself permission to grieve and start moving forward with renewed purpose and greater harmony.

2 p.m. Qigong for Grief
Chinese Medicine and qigong teach us how every organ is connected to a different emotion and grief is connected to the lungs. When grief is present, your lungs shrink inward, changing your posture, causing your head to lower and your shoulders to hunch over your body. When you’re sad, your body naturally tries to let go of old energy present in your body. By releasing old or stagnant energy (noxious qi) through the lungs with specific qigong movements and sounds, you can create new space for healing and transformation.

3 p.m.-4 p.m. Water Wellness Ceremony
Share your love with a heartfelt message, watching it dissolve in the water, symbolizing the eternal flow of interconnectedness.

5:30-7 p.m. Group Dinner

Saturday, June 21

9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Rebirth of the Widow from We to Me with Dr. Connie Mariano
Widowhood is a personal journey with its own timetable. This session shares different ways we heal from loss, resources widows can use, and how widows can find comfort, growth, and peace.

11 a.m.-12 p.m. Re-establishing the Connection
The quality of your relationships has a profound effect on your well-being. A Mental Health & Wellness therapist will teach you ways to enhance your connection with friends, family, and yourself.

12 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Mindful Lunch & Learn
Spiritual Wellness joins forces with Nutrition for a communal experience of mindfulness and nourishment.

2 p.m.-3 p.m. Restorative Heart Chakra Yoga
this class, we will focus on backbends and forward folds to open the heart chakra with poses like camel pose to help let go of sadness and grief. All levels welcome.

5:30-7 p.m. Group Dinner

Sunday, June 22

9 a.m.-10 a.m. Finding Empowerment Through Strength
Explore resources to become self-sufficient in your fitness habits and create accountability within yourself to promote longevity. Discover self-resilience through building muscle and enhancing balance.

10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Transformation to the New Me with Dr. Connie Mariano
Widows can outlive their partners many years. This session encourages widows to envision their future with the promise of growth and, possibly, new love.

11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Closing Circle
A ceremony to mark your commitment to yourself as you toast your fellow participants.

12 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Group Lunch