Gathering in Circle: A Lei Po'o Workshop at a Women’s Retreat
A few weekendʻs ago, I had the honor of bringing lei making into a beautiful women’s retreat space, a time set aside for connection, creativity, rest, and being present with one another.
We gathered at a long table with fresh materials, open hands, and a willingness to learn something new. I guided the group through lei wili, a traditional Hawaiian wrapping technique that allows each person to build a lei slowly and intentionally, wrapping and layering materials into something completely their own.
There is something special that happens when people sit down to make lei together. At first, there can be uncertainty: How do I hold everything? Where do I begin? What if mine doesn’t look like everyone else’s? But as hands find their rhythm, the room shifts. Conversations begin, laughter flows, and each person starts to see the beauty in what they are creating.
No two lei came out the same and that is always one of my favorite parts. Each one reflected the maker behind it: their color choices, their movement, their patience, and their own creative expression. The lei became more than an arrangement of natural materials; they became a reminder of the time we shared in community.
For me, teaching lei making is never just about the finished piece. It is about creating space to slow down, work with your hands, and reconnect with the beauty that is already around us. At this retreat, the women showed up with so much openness and care for one another, and it was a privilege to witness their creations come to life.
Mahalo to everyone who joined me, trusted the process, and brought their energy into the circle. I hope each lei went home as a reminder that making with intention, gathering in community, and allowing ourselves to create can be deeply nourishing.
If you are planning a retreat, gathering, celebration, or team experience and would like to include a hands-on lei-making workshop, I would love to create something meaningful with you.
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