Nourishing the Practitioner
September 14 – 16, 2026
Star Island, off the coast of NH

Self-Care through Qigong, Meditation, & Nature

For Therapists, Counselors, & Healthcare Professionals

Discover the healing art of qigong in this experiential retreat.
Qigong is an ancient Daoist practice from the Chinese culture that uses breath, movement, focused meditation, and intention to improve and maintain the health of mind and body. Qi means energy, and gong is the skill of working wisely with our personal energy system.

Learn a simple “5 Element” qigong practice to release stress, rejuvenate, and prevent burnout. The five element system is a foundational principle of qigong, helping us understand our internal world and how it relates to the world around us.

Experience meditation and compassionate reflection, immersed in nature and community. Cultivate embodied self-care for resilience and joy-filled presence.

Self-care is an ethical imperative, essential to sustaining competent, compassionate practice.
No prior experience with qigong is necessary.

12 Category A CEUs #4510 approved by the NASW NH Chapter
CEUs are good for other states as well, including Maine & Vermont.
If you are from another state and are not sure about applicability, check with your licensing board.

Presented by Susan Stibler, MSW, LICSW (NH), LCSW (ME), E-RYT 500, C-IAYT
Susan, founder of Innerpeace Healing Arts, has dedicated her life to nurturing individuals, training healthcare professionals, leading transformative retreats, and offering holistic therapies that address spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical self-care.

Here's a sample of what our days will be like:

Morning meditation
Qigong 5 element instruction and practice
Reflective time in nature
Afternoon & evening community gatherings
Bonfire, rowing to Smuttynose, swimming, walking the island, and more

Find stillness within. Take time in nature for compassionate self-reflection, learn the art of 5 element qigong, and be held in the healing quality of community. Give yourself a gift of renewal!

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Program Fee

$490.00

Room & Board Fee Below
(includes boat rides to and from the island)

The rates below are per person for the full length of the conference and include boat rides to and from the island and three meals a day. Additional fee for parking if needed.

The island has 3 types of accommodations:

The Oceanic, a historic hotel, has three floors of bedrooms, bathrooms on each floor, and a shower room downstairs.
Cottages have two floors, 4 rooms on each floor, and a bathroom on each floor.
Motels are single floor and each room has its own sink and toilet, with a boardwalk in front.

Standard rooms are in either the Oceanic or a cottage and can be shared or single.

Standard shared - 2 beds, bathroom in the hall $365
Standard single - private room, bathroom in the hall $510

Motel rooms can be shared or single.

Motel shared - 2 beds, sink & toilet in the room $455
Motel single - private room, sink & toilet in the room $640

To register, all you need to pay is your program fee and a $100.00 deposit toward your room and board. The balance is paid on island.

We depart on the Thomas Laighton from Portsmouth Harbor
Isles of Shoals Steamship Company
315 Market Street, Portsmouth NH
(directly across from the Sheraton Hotel)

Depart Portsmouth Monday September 14
Boarding time 8:50 am
Leaves the dock at 9:20 am
Approx. arrival on Star Island at 10:20 am

Depart Star Island Wednesday September 16
Thomas Laighton Boarding time 2:45 pm
Arrival back into Portsmouth 4:00 pm

*Please note, this retreat will include walking on the rocks and uneven terrain, physical activity including gentle yoga and qigong, and walking around the island at night. Please be sure that this is appropriate for you. Consult your medical professional as appropriate.

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Cancellation Policy: A full refund of program fee and deposit is available up to four weeks prior to start of the conference. After that both the program fee and deposit become nonrefundable.

Testimonials

"This workshop was awesome: learning new concepts, qigong, singing and chanting. The setting, the sharing, Susan's expertise, guidance and warmth - Fabulous!!! Many thanks for this magical time in this wondrous place."

Miriam Dunn, LMFT

"I am thrilled to be attending Susan's Compassionate Heart workshop for practitioners in September on Star Island. The past workshops with Susan that I have attended provided an opportunity to reflect, observe, relax, laugh and so much more! Susan's easy going nature and ability to shift as needed is remarkable. I always come home with ideas for myself and my clients to use every day. The bonus: doing all this on an island six miles off the New Hampshire coast. The serene beauty is unmatched."

Carol James, LICSW

"Susan has a magical ability to bring a group of strangers together as a community within the first few minutes of the gathering period. She was clear, open, fun and able to lead the group with knowledge of techniques and gentle loving humor.”

Susan Guriano, Pediatric Nurse

"There are not words for the soul healing blessing that was this time on Star Island. I feel held, loved, nourished, understood. I feel like I know myself and my body so much better now. Thank you."

Kate Smanik, Chaplain

"This workshop was spectacular, very engaging and meaningful.
Susan is always top notch!
Absolutely amazing enlightening time.
I will be back
I will be back."

Kristin Makara, LICSW

"Love this [workshop] !
Susan is a beautiful example of joyful self care
& her instruction is impeccable!"

Gail Peach, LCMHC, RNBC, NCC

"Absolutely life giving & nourishing 4 my soul.
I felt very safe & supported. Thank you.
You rock Susan!
You are truly a master teacher.
I'm looking forward to future workshops with you."

Mary Schwoerer, Spiritual Direction, Energy Practitioner

"Susan- you are a wonderful instructor with an amazing wealth of knowledge + practice. While it was a leap for me to invest in this multiple day adventure away, the course was very helpful to me. It introduced me to more skills that I can fold into my practice - more energizing variety. Also the booklet is a keeper!"
Thank you Susan. Until next time! Namaste