Testimonials
We are so grateful for our participants! Read what people are saying about our retreats, workshops, speaking engagements & offerings!
Transcendence into the better. A spiritual awakening. Loved everything about it!' Michele Goodbread Greetings Anam Nostos House! My name is Chris Barnett and I was honored and blessed to hear Andrea speak recently at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Highlands. Not only was her talk inspirational and moving, it was also thought provoking and educational. Anyone that gets a chance to hear her speak or participate in one of her retreats should jump at that chance. A huge thank you to Andrea for sharing her wisdom and insight with the community at UUCH. I hope we have her speak again soon! Heather Evans 
I can’t recommend Andrea’s Retreat offerings enough!! I recently had the opportunity to attend my second one and as always, Andrea put so much love, care and heartfelt attention into making our time shared really personal and memorable. This easy read was in line with how the author described herself all throughout it, simple but profound. Each section could be read in only moments. It was evident the author was being intentional to not include a lot of fluff but rather just simple and profound statements from one sentence to the next. The questions challenged one to dig deeper in self-reflection and evaluation. One could easily glean mantras for life in each topic section. “I am privileged to call Andrea a friend. Working with her during her tenure at Jubilee Retreat House in Abingdon, Virginia, I saw firsthand her commitment to helping others find and stay on their spiritual journeys. Andrea brings a powerful combination of discernment, compassion, organization, and spirituality to her life's work.”
"I really appreciated the honesty and rawness that was portrayed during the session. Andrea offered a perspective on things that are often very hard to talk about together—faith and struggles. It was nice to hear someone speak so authentically about their life and struggles to serve others." `5 stars! Just what I needed! Peace - quiet - time! Set in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, coffee in silence as I gazed upon the fog infused mountains, I was spoiled by the wholesome meals and moments of movement in yoga. Andrea led a perfectly paced, relaxing retreat, focused on mindfulness of self. I was thankful that I took the time to treat myself." “...I have to tell you about my drive home with the girls Friday afternoon. They have hit the stage where you ask a question and get a one-word answer. This day where they heard (you) talk they spent almost the entire drive home talking about it. They seemed to remember virtually every detail. I could hear them process (your) long struggle, the physical aftereffects, and idea of 'finding your voice.' It really made quite an impression. I am so grateful you are willing to share your story; it can't be easy doing so. Thanks again." 
This book is a tribute to one woman's journey through the darkness of an eating disorder and and her strength of will to live, but also a guide to help all people struggling with life issues. The power of God and the human spirit shines in this book. Even though overcoming anorexia is a central theme, I believe anyone searching to find a sense of purpose and of their true self would find encouragement in Andrea's words. "Andrea led a beautiful retreat with amazing food and comfortable accommodations. We spent time doing yoga, meditating, in community with each other, doing fun crafts, and growing as a person. She taught us modalities to expand our toolkit and begin to rewrite our stories. Highly recommend and can't wait to attend another." This book is an amazing read! Having struggled with an eating disorder myself, I found a lot of myself reflected in the author’s words. Reading about her triumphs and trials gave me hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all who have traveled or are still traveling on a difficult journey. I can think of no better companion than Ms. Kanelopoulos. “I participated in a Book Club led by Andrea Kanelopoulos. She did an excellent job leading the discussion and enabling all the participants to share and examine their responses to the material from Brene Brown’s book. It was very helpful to in my relationships and self-awareness. Thank you, Andrea.” "Andrea was the office manager at the Jubilee Retreat House in Abingdon, Virginia when I attended a retreat there in the summer of 2010. She was so welcoming to me when I arrived for a five-day guided retreat. Her thoughtful touches could be felt throughout the center: a lovely bookstore with carefully selected titles and gifts so beautifully arranged, homemade meals created with fresh ingredients from local sources in the community, prayerful nooks throughout the center, meticulously kept rooms, and her quiet yet approachable presence underlying it all made for a wonderful and memorable experience. " 
I just returned from a beautiful retreat, hosted by Andrea. I highly recommend this retreat as an opportunity to step back from your daily life and take a deeper look into your own important story. "I loved (this book) "Find Your Voice Project: A Journey Towards Healing." It’s one of those books that you want to keep reading, and desire to finish all at once. Andrea has a unique voice, a way of expressing her inner world that jumps off the page. Her words allowed my heart to feel, my mind to see her story. And what a story it is! Hers is a journey of triumph in the midst of extreme odds and deep soul pain. She met beautiful people along the way, but also courageously undertook the hard work to heal and to also understand every step of the healing process. This enables her to communicate the life-changing steps that anyone can take to heal our own souls and eating problems. As a psychologist who has worked for 20 years with people who have anorexia and bulimia, I recommend this book to those who have a complicated relationship with food! This book can also be important for professionals in the field, because through it we can see the whole journey—from the depths of suffering to the days of flourishing—something we don’t usually experience when we work with people for only small parts of their journey. I am very glad I had a chance to read Andrea’s beautiful Find Your Voice Project.
"I just read your article in the About Her Magazine that was in my morning paper. I think it is wonderful you are reaching out to people who suffer from anorexia. As a psychiatric nurse I was upfront and close with quite a number of young people with this disorder. One doctor described it as a disease from another planet. I hope the article influences young people in our area to take heed and find their voice as you did so that they can lead happier, healthier lives. When I turned the page and found you this morning, speaking through the media, a feeling of hope welled inside me. You are doing so many good things. Best wishes as you touch more people's lives." 
It was a privilege getting to be a part of the Heal the Healers retreat back in February as a yoga teacher and participant. Andrea created such a welcoming and courageous space for everyone. You have helped me many times through the book you wrote " Find Your Voice Project: A Journey Towards Healing." Thank you Andrea Kanelopoulos. You have an amazing curiosity that keeps you from living.... you never stop seeking for more answers. I love that about you. In April of this year, I was blessed to celebrate my 75th birthday at the beach house retreat organized and led by Andrea Kanelopoulos. The setting was fantastic - a large house on the beach at Top Sail Island NC. The other participants were all older, wise, intelligent and interesting women. Andrea made all welcome and set a relaxing and beautiful ambiance all weekend. She prepared and served incredible meals. She led very interesting discussions. She brought in a yoga instructor and a massage therapist to enhance our retreat. Andrea even had a birthday cake for me! Weeks later now, that retreat weekend still resonates and I have a wonderful memory of my milestone birthday. Remarkable woman and even more remarkable read. |
This weekend I embarked on my first women's retreat with Andrea. In jest, I'll say I didn't find my Chi ha, but more importantly I did find a space to slow down to celebrate all I've accomplished, to explore where I'm going in this beautifully challenging season of my life, and to sharpen my tools for spiritual and emotional growth. I can't emphasize enough the wonderful job Andrea did providing the perfect space for meditation, yoga, journalling, and reflection. And y'all, that woman can cook better than anyone I know.' I had the delightful opportunity to attend Andrea's most recent beach retreat. The house was beautiful and the deck led directly to the beach. Bonus! Andrea did a great job of creating a welcoming and warm environment with little altars and positive affirmations throughout. The food was delicious and plentiful. I loved the generous gift baskets as well as the journal prompts, poems, and photos. Not only did I get to meet wonderful women, I also received a massage and two yoga practices. If you are looking for an affordable and well-curated get-away, then register for Andrea's next retreat before it sells out. Andrea exudes compassion with her gentle leadership and instruction. She selflessly shares her insight and creativity, making her retreats a valuable resource for practicing self-care. "I've been fortunate to experience an Anam Nostos House day retreat as an attendee and a weekend retreat as a yoga guide. Both were truly excellent! I could feel a collective exhale from the moment we arrived at the weekend retreat, set in a peaceful, wooded cabin. This introvert appreciated the lack of forced camaraderie and being able to retreat to bed after a lovely meditation, guided by Andrea. That said, I left with six new friends! The vibe was incredibly nurturing, and I left restored and rejuvenated, knowing more about myself. And the food...rest assured that you'll be fed well, with delicious, ample meals. Andrea has an innate talent for integrating beautiful music, gentle movement, journaling, art, and mindfulness into a lovely experience for all. If you're on the fence, just go!" 
"Excellent weekend of peacefulness & serenity. Andrea has a keen sense of planning, with a thoughtfully attentive balance between creative time & reflection. The meals were superb! The yoga, the activities & the conversations- all invigorating for the mind, body & soul! This was After attending one of Andrea's weekend retreats, I faced the following week feeling more confident, optimistic, and creative...and remembering to live in the moment. It was also a great opportunity to connect with other women in a safe space. "Andrea's powerful story of healing and recovery is truly inspirational. She is resiliency and strength personified. I'm so thankful for her willingness to practice vulnerability and speak about her lived experiences in order to ignite a torch of hope for others." 
I was humbled, delighted, and honored to be able to become a small part of this retreat this past weekend. I can tell how much love, thoughtfulness, and intention Andrea puts into each and every aspect of a retreat- the location, space, meals, and spaciousness within sacredness that only a trusted retreat leader can provide. The journaling done while on a weekend retreat is notoriously deep and possibly momentous, and I felt both safety and strength was present. I've attended many a women's retreat and can't wait until Andrea's next one! "The story of overcoming life-threatening anorexia, by learning to listen to the voice within, trusting yourself and never giving up. Bravely and genuinely written, sharing an honest perspective on her battle. Not only a good book, but a great tool for conversation and discussion." This past weekend, I had my first Anam Nostos House retreat experience, and it was phenomenal! Andrea thought of everything, and the retreat was both restorative and transformative. The balance between downtime and sessions was perfect! And the food. Lord have mercy, Andrea can COOK. I highly recommend one of her retreats to anyone wanting to get more in touch with themselves and the role they play in their own destiny. "I worked with Andrea in many different ministries at St. Dominic's in San Francisco. I witnessed her preaching which was always thoughtfully prepared with challenging insights that the congregation could take home to mull over. Andrea also has the gift of prayer, and she made her mission to make certain that all God's children were looked after in healing prayer. She is also a very centered person who knows how to bring people together socially as well as spiritually." 
"I attended the 'Hungry Souls, Starving Spirituality' beach retreat, and it was just wonderful. Andrea had every detail thought out and really made the weekend special. There were a variety of activities available along with some built in free time. The topics for discussion were meaningful, but there was no pressure to share more than what was comfortable. And I can't overstate how great the food was! All in all, it was a lovely experience, and I will happily attend another in the future." I went on one of Andrea Kanelopoulos' Retreat last year and it was a sacred experience. We had various activities she meticulously created and food that nourished us along with some renewing yoga from Heather. Can't recommend one of these retreats enough! 
I attended the 2021 fall retreat held in the North Carolina Mountains. Women of different life experiences joined together to learn and share from each other. Andrea led several meditations and held space for us to talk and reflect over the weekend's experiences. In addition to Andrea's offerings, we had a certified, experienced yoga teacher who created 3 specialized classes based on participants' needs. Andrea also brought in a journaling expert to offer an additional workshop which was really insightful. Andrea served delicious meals full of fresh and nutritious ingredients, she easily adapted to my vegetarian diet. The food was a big part of the experience as Andrea also led us through mindful eating with each meal. For me the meals, yoga, and the community made the whole weekend special. Incredible transcendent experience on the beach! 
"This book, "Find Your Voice Project: A Journey Towards Healing," is a testament to the human spirit! As a school counselor this book offers a resource and an insight into disordered eating. The author takes the reader on her journey and provides a perspective that allows the reader to feel the struggle. Her ability to be genuine about her life experiences is an example of bravery that I can share with my students who have similar situations." |
Michelle Livingston 
Andrea is a wonderful leader, her retreats are a great experience and I look forward to joining her for future retreats. It was a privilege getting to be a part of the Heal the Healers retreat back in February as a yoga teacher and participant. Andrea created such a welcoming and courageous space for everyone. Andrea led a beautiful retreat with amazing food and comfortable accommodations. We spent time doing yoga, meditating, in community with each other, doing fun crafts, and growing as a person. She taught us modalities to expand our toolkit and begin to rewrite our stories. Highly recommend and can't wait to attend another. Andreas retreat was filled with delightful moments that were incredibly thoughtful—from the care she took to provide a relaxing, warm environment to the colorful meals and the rituals she walked us through—particularly the letting go exercise! Because of my experience with Andreas retreat I have incorporated a new sense of mindfulness while I eat and was also able to let go of some thoughts that had been dragging me down for a long time. The only downside was feeling a little crowded in the yoga space and the bedroom sharing. Highly recommend! 
Andrea, I wanted to take a min to thank you for the wonderful weekend. I am not a big talker or always good at sharing what I’m feeling, but it doesn’t mean I’m not listening. I have used the beads I bought every day. I gave each color an intention and I keep them on the kitchen table where I see them multiple times a day. It really is a good reminder to actually have them in front of me. I also wanted to thank you for the great food. I know that I am not an easy person to feed. I have a hard time feeding myself! You went above an beyond and I greatly appreciate it. Thanks again for everything you did this past weekend. You truly are a special person, and I learned a lot from you. 
Cynthia Lavender "Andrea's talk at Yale University was brutally truthful, yet hopeful, painful, yet inspiring. Her story shocked us, moved us, helped us and taught us. Each person left the talk reeling with ideas on how to promote eating disorder awareness." I attended the Women's Owning our Stories beach retreat this past January in Topsail, NC and would highly recommend it! Andrea thought of everything, and it was so wonderful to be taken care of all weekend long. The food was amazing. I especially loved the lamb chops the second evening and her breakfasts were delicious. She was careful and conscious with Covid-19 precautions and took extra care in making sure we were all safe and healthy. Looking forward to future retreats hosted by this wonderful, remarkable woman! Thanks to Anam Nostos House for doing the All Souls remembrance candlelight labyrinth walk. I have attended the labyrinth walks when I can, and they are always a very meaningful and spiritual experience. When I saw the All Souls event, I knew I had to attend. I lost my husband this year and I have walked many labyrinths this last year to deal with my loss and how to find a way to walk on without him. This event gave an even more important meaning to walk and then put his name into a candle in the middle releasing him. I cannot think of any other opportunity like this in our area or even in bigger cities near us. Andrea is such a unique and thoughtful spiritual leader; we are so much better off to have her here to lead us. 
This book is a powerful testimony and source of encouragement. It tells the incredible story of Andrea's journey but is also rich with information, anecdotes, and resources that will provide hope for anyone dealing w related issues (or loving someone who is). In addition to its practical importance, Andrea's brave, and beautiful heart shines through in her writing, and readers will find genuine comfort in addition to the wealth of information (& you can check out her organization Anam Nostos House as well, for activities, events, and ideas that can provide opportunities for continued flourishing and development of self-love, remotely and in person!). HIGHLY recommend this lovely, impactful book! "I just returned from the “Awakening Beauty, Embracing Body and Wisdom” retreat. It. Was. Amazing. I struggle with anxiety, and the ability to BE STILL. This weekend taught me to do just that. I met some incredible woman, whom I probably would have never had the chance to meet otherwise. And I learned SO much about myself. My mind, body, and soul needed this much more than I knew. I plan to attend as many of these retreats as I can, and I urge anyone and everyone to do the same if you get the chance. Take a chance, put your anxieties aside, do something for YOU. I promise, you won’t regret it " 
Andrea's book is filled with the heartfelt expression of someone who's been to the bottom and back. Anyone who has deeply suffered from eating disorders or depression will find solace and a friend within her pages. While the topic is intense, the book is an easy read. That is a true feat! And it drives home the importance of helping those whom you may feel are hopeless and defiant of your support. We never know when we are changing someone's life. To have the generosity to separate a person from their destructive illness is a gift we can offer each other. Andrea reminds us of this powerful role through the eyes of someone in pain. Andrea creates such a peaceful and rejuvenating space for her retreats. There are very insightful activities, wonderful food, plenty of time for yourself and social time if that is what you need. Everyone wanted just one more day! Excellent experience and will definitely join in on another! “I have known Andrea Kanelopoulos since the late 1990’s when she was on the leadership team of the Young Adults Group at St. Dominic’s Church. Andrea has a true gift for ministry. She meets people where they are, and gently guides them to spiritual growth. Andrea’s peaceful manner, acceptance of all people, and positive words of encouragement really set the right tone for a retreat or other spiritual gathering. I was always impressed with the way Andrea knew just how to set up the environment, for example, by lighting candles, selecting appropriate music, or displaying photos or other artwork. “ 
"This experience was such an amazing, connected, creative and uplifting time. The insight I gained through Andrea’s retreat was invaluable. Her ability to communicate through the written and spoken word, art, sacred music, mindfulness and movement paved the way for the exact perspective shift that I needed. Thank you Andrea, for bringing your whole self to everything you create. You create and exude so much beauty!" Andrea's workshops are wonderful! In her own very loving, nurturing, and thoughtful manner she guided us through a series of creative and challenging activities that allowed us to both learn and reflect. 
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