Are you busy juggling work and family responsibilities every day?
Busy just responding to other people's expectations?
No time to think?
No time for yourself?
No time to ask, "Am I being the best me I can be?"
Mottainai! That's a waste of your talents. It's a waste of your potential. It's a waste of you!
It makes me so sad to see overworked and overwhelmed women in corporations that I visit in Japan.
Many think there's no other way. They think they just have to "gaman" - put up with the situation.
I was convinced it COULD be different.
So I created the Sasuga You! Self-Discovery Weekend.
And now after holding multiple working women's retreats since the first one in August 2017, I've seen amazing changes among the participants.
Just today, as I write this, I saw that one lovely lady posted in our private online group for past participants. She shared six photos and videos of her "Achievements" - amazing things that seemed impossible to her before the retreat!
You can make a change too... If you want to.
What is the Sasuga You! Self-Discovery Weekend?
The retreat runs from Saturday to Sunday in a ryokan (Japanese inn) in the lovely hot spring town of Yumoto in Iwaki, Fukushima - the ideal place to relax and refresh your mind and body.
The number of participants is 8 maximum, so that everyone can get the support they need and we can create a friendly and trusting environment (I'm always amazed by how quickly the participants start to feel at ease with each other!).
We hold workshop sessions on Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
We look at your "conversation with yourself (limiting beliefs and what is holding you back)" and your "conversation with others (speaking up with confidence)," and we clarify the vision of who you want to become.
Who should join the Sasuga You! Self-Discovery Weekend?
The retreat is for you if you're a working woman in Japan (we also had a Japanese lady fly in from the Philippines). Most participants work in global companies and are keen to communicate with clarity and confidence in English. They want to build their skills and make a greater contribution, but are often overwhelmed with work and family responsibilities - always putting others first.
Does that sound like you?
The retreat is not for you if you don't have at least a conversational ability of English, if you aren't open to new ideas, and if you aren't willing to invest a weekend in yourself now to make a difference for the rest of your life.
Meet your coach, Helen Iwata
Helen is from the UK and has lived and worked in Japan since 1991. During that time, she spent 10 years with McKinsey & Company. In 2013, she left McKinsey and, the next day, started her own company. Now she works with multiple multinationals, designing and delivering their communication skills training programs. She also helps people to build communication skills and confidence through her online programs..
Helen is the author of the Japanese book Eigo no Shigoto-jutsu, a TEDx speaker, and Nikkei online columnist.
She has been married to Hiroshi for over 20 years and has a teenage daughter.
Helen's hobbies are karate and kobudo!
A few words from Helen (2 mins)
Itinerary
Day 1
11:30 Meet at JR Yumoto Station exit
Dip your feet in the hot spring foot bath by the station
Welcome lunch
Enjoy a special bento and light conversation with a small group of amazing women.
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Session 1: Getting to know you
Get to know who you'll be spending the next couple of days with. No problem if you feel a bit nervous. We'll show you simple tips to help you look and sound confident even if you're not :)
Session 2: Understanding beliefs and changing behaviors
Learn an easy, step-by-step approach to change thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that aren't helpful.
Sunset yoga
Join our guest yoga instructor for full-body relaxation after our first afternoon of self-discovery (tailored to your level, whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned yogi)
Dinner
Enjoy your evening meal with new friends at a nearby restaurant.
Free time
Enjoy the hot springs and relax with your new friends or spend some quiet time alone if you prefer.
Day 2
6:30 Sunrise yoga
Join our guest instructor for a morning workout to revitalize your body and mind!
8:00 Breakfast
Session 3: Speaking up
Learn frameworks and tips to help you feel confident and make a greater contribution in your workplace even if you're an introvert.
Session 4: Coaching yourself and others toward solutions
Practice using a simple model to determine practical action to overcome problems.
Lunch
Enjoy Yumoto's "soul food" - a yummy local bento.
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Session 5: Stepping into our wakuwaku
Learn how to stay focused on what keeps you joyful, creative, and productive - discover your best you.
Session 6: Appreciating and committing
Recognize each other's gifts and commit to making changes! Wahooooooo!
Dinner
Enjoy your evening meal with new friends at a nearby restaurant (if you need to leave immediately, we'll prepare a bento for you to take on the train).
Farewell! (the program ends with plenty of time to take the train back to Tokyo)
Yu said
I was always dissatisfied with my life. I always thought, "I want to be happy. I want to change my life."
It was a challenge for me just to take the time off work to join the retreat. But I thought it would be the first step to have a breakthrough and change myself.
Just after the retreat, I happened to see a Facebook ad.
It said, "Do you want to live and work overseas?" I'd been interested in this for years. It was as if I was being told to go! So without hesitation I went to the explanatory session.
When I told my family about the program, it was as if I wasn't asking if I could go, I was telling them I was going! What I had learned with my new friends at the retreat, like how to look at things from different perspectives, gave me the power to take this step forward.
Stepping out of your comfort zone isn't scary. It's as simple as that! When I face a new situation, I always think of these words. At first, something you're not used to may feel uncomfortable. But then your comfort zone grows. There are many wonderful experiences and people waiting just outside your comfort zone!
I'm now living overseas and enjoying so many new experiences. I wonder how much my comfort zone will grow!!!
Yumi said
It was really good. I'm still feeling the benefit. The month before I joined the retreat, I was asked if I would take a new position at work. To be honest, I was unsure. Then I joined the retreat and realized how big the world is. I learned that I could step out of my comfort zone without pushing myself too hard.
As a result, after the retreat, I transferred from the job that I'd been in for 25 years at my company's subsidiary to a manager position at the parent company. Before, this would have been scary for me, but I could do it without feeling unnecessary pressure.
I continued to step out of my comfort zone little by little and my comfort zone has kept growing. I'm enjoying what I've learned. I even traveled overseas on business twice and learned a lot.
I keep following Helen's work and exciting new ideas, and am doing my best to keep doing new things.
Let's hear from Minori!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which language is spoken at the retreat - English or Japanese?
The sessions are in English. This is because many participants ask for more opportunities to speak in English. At the same time, feel free to use Japanese if that's easier when asking questions or doing pair work or if you're having difficulty expressing yourself in English.
Helen is fluent in Japanese and can easily switch between languages as needed.
What level of English is needed?
Watch the video of Helen on this page. If you understand that, you'll be fine. If you use English at work, you'll be fine. Correct grammar, perfect pronunciation, and sophisticated words aren't necessary. What's important is to communicate. It's good to ask questions when you don't understand. If you're still concerned about you English level, contact us through the link at the bottom of this FAQ.
I'm not sure about sharing a room...
Past participants have said that even though they felt a little unsure about sharing a room with someone they didn't know at first, they enjoyed it in the end because they could chat with their roommate after the sessions and make new connections. If you really want a room for yourself, please let us know through the link at the bottom of this FAQ and we'll check availability. There will be an additional charge for single rooms.
Do I have to attend all sessions?
You'll get the maximum benefit from attending all the sessions. However, if you need to miss a session, let Helen know.
It would be my first time to attend a retreat and I'm nervous...
It's natural to feel nervous when we do something for the first time. It's an opportunity to learn and grow. Every time we take a small step out of our comfort zone, our comfort zone grows.
Everyone is nervous at first - yes, even Helen, because she wants this to be the best possible experience for you!
We'll talk about overcoming nerves in Session 1 :)
I have food allergies or restrictions...
If you let us know in advance, we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
If you have other questions or concerns, please contact us in English or Japanese.
Registration is currently closed. To be the first to know about the next opportunity, click the purple button and we'll be in touch.
