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The Couples Journey
The Couples Journey
Aptos Home Center
Feb 11-15, 2026
A 4-day retreat just for couples that will transform your relationship. During this retreat, you will not only open to more love and connection you thought possible, but you will have enough time to integrate these positive changes into your lives back home. We will focus on healing, renewal, deep communication practices, taking responsibility, deepening the sexual relationship and rising, not falling, in love with our partner.
What you will learn:
●Tools for deeper appreciation
●Communication building including healthy communication of feelings
● Parenting Your Partner’s Inner Child
●Understanding and respecting each other’s differences
●Conflict resolution
●Healing past hurts
●Sexual wellness
●Taking responsibility
●Developing a true inner connection
Ram Dass describes Joyce and Barry Vissell as a couple who live the yoga of love and devotion. They are two people growing in love since 1964, who have raised three children and “walk their talk.” Their model of relationship and deeply heart-oriented approach have made a unique impact upon many thousands of people’s lives. As a result of the world-wide interest in their books, The Shared Heart, Models of Love, Risk To Be Healed, The Heart’s Wisdom, Meant To Be, and A Mother’s Final Gift, they speak and teach about relationship, parenting and personal growth.
“Joyce and Barry are the genuine masters when it comes to couples counseling and couples retreats. Although I had read their books over the years and found them helpful in marriage counseling, it was in the weekend retreat group setting that my marriage shifted with great results. Joyce is wonderfully sensitive and Barry is gently confronting of our core issues, and both are very perceptive and got to the heart of our relationship. We did exercises in communication, heart opening, deep sharing, and empathy. Listening to other couples in the group setting helped our relationship move along exponentially.” –Diana Cunningham, Santa Cruz, CA
“Thank you for this great experience, it was beyond our expectation. Before the retreat, I felt some resistance. I honestly didn’t think I needed it — after all, we’ve done similar workshops before.
But now, I see how much it gave me. Something shifted in me. Like a flower turning toward the sun. It opened my heart in a way I didn’t expect; to more acceptance, more softness, more presence, more depth, and more love. What I learned in the workshop was simply to look into Eytan’s eyes.
I found it hard to stay focused — my eyes kept wanting to wander. But this “simple” exercise taught me so much. I don’t think I’ve ever truly looked at him with the intention of seeing him — the essence of Eytan, his inner child, the love that lives there. It’s more than just eye contact. It’s a practice of presence, of connection, of seeing with the heart. And I want to keep doing it often. The vulnerability exercise was powerful for me. Before it, I felt stuck in my own negative emotions and couldn’t really connect. But during the activity, something shifted — I was able to pause, to be present with Eytan. And in that quiet moment, I saw his inner child — the part of him that feels alone, overwhelmed, even by simple things. It opened a door for more compassion, for both of us.”
–Tzafi Weinberg, Winnepeg, Canada
“From the perspectives of romance, marriage, making love, parenting, careers, spiritual initiation, and loss of a loved one, this remarkable couple exhibits insight, acceptance and transcendence, at the same time offering specific tools for the transformational process of love.” —Yoga Journal
“I can’t think of anything more important to the healing of our society than a connection between spirituality, relationship and parenthood. Bravo to the Vissells for helping us find the way.” —Marianne Williamson
“The Vissell’s work will bless your whole life.” —John Bradshaw
Registration:
Limited to 6-8 couples at our HomeCenter in Aptos, CA. Cost (includes 12 vegetarian meals from Wednesday dinner to Sunday lunch and either camping or day use): $1490/couple if paid in full by Jan 28. $1640 after Jan 28. $200 non-refundable deposit per couple. $400 non-refundable after Jan 28. Limited private rooms with shared bathroom ($400/couple for the 4 nights), so please call early to reserve space.
Typical Retreat Schedule:
Wednesday 6:30 Dinner
7:30-9:30 Workshop
Thursday 8:30 Breakfast
9:30-1 Workshop
1-4:30 Lunch and break
4:30-6:30 Workshop
6:30 Dinner
7:30-9:30 Workshop
Friday 8:30 Breakfast
9:30-1 Workshop
1-4:30 Lunch and break
4:30-6:30 Workshop
6:30 Dinner
7:30-9:30 Workshop
Saturday 8:30 Breakfast
9:30-1 Workshop
1-4:30 Lunch and break
4:30-6:30 Workshop
6:30 Dinner
7:30-9:30 Workshop
Sunday 8:30 Breakfast
9:30-1 Workshop
1-2:30 Lunch and Goodbyes