Clarity in Care Choices
Confidently explore and support others through the evolving landscape of end-of-life care with compassion.
When someone we love is nearing life’s end, we often feel unprepared—unsure how to show up or ease the journey. Led by seasoned INELDA educators Shelby Kirillin, a neurotrauma nurse with over 20 years of ICU experience, and Neiasha Russell, a certified grief counselor and doula, this immersive five-day training offers the foundation you need to step into a role of presence and purpose. Grounded in INELDA’s Doula Approach, you’ll learn to provide emotional, spiritual, and practical support to those facing death. Whether you’re called to this work personally or professionally, you’ll leave with tangible tools, confidence, and a profound sense of how to hold space during life’s most sacred transitions.
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Available for nurses.
SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.
Clarity in Care Choices
Confidently explore and support others through the evolving landscape of end-of-life care with compassion.
Professional Foundation
Learn the INELDA Doula Approach, including ethics, scope, and guiding principles.
Cross-Cultural Insight
Cultivate the awareness to honor diverse traditions, beliefs, and values at end of life.
Informed Presence
Recognize signs of transition and understand physical, emotional, and spiritual changes.
Empowered Support
Learn how to honor autonomy while supporting others with compassion and clarity.
Versatile Caregiving
Discover the many ways doulas support the dying, beyond bedside presence.
Throughout these meaningful five days, you’ll be immersed in experiential learning, guided reflection, and compassionate dialogue that illuminate the full spectrum of non-medical support—emotional, psychosocial, spiritual, and practical. In a supportive, skill-building environment, you’ll practice real-world scenarios, explore cultural and personal perspectives on death and dying, and develop tools that uphold dignity at the end of life. You’ll leave not only with new insights and capabilities, but with a clarified sense of purpose and the presence to walk alongside others through life’s most sacred threshold.
Practice real-life doula scenarios in a supportive, guided setting.
Engage in enriching conversations around culture, autonomy, and end-of-life care.
Center yourself with breath and awareness-based practices.
Process your experience and clarify your calling on the page.
Understand how end-of-life rituals support closure, clarity, and legacy.
This experiential retreat offers a well-balanced schedule that combines structured educational sessions with flexible time blocks – ensuring you have ample opportunity to engage in learning while also allowing personal time to explore the retreat center, participate in activities, and enjoy moments of reflection and relaxation.
There are no prerequisites to taking the course. However, the first part of the course involves watching four hours of video instruction and doing a series of activities. It will take you ten to twelve hours to complete all of the prework. You will receive access to the prework two weeks before the first day of training.
This course touches on some intense experiences and requires an emotional openness and vulnerability when you engage in the exercises. If you feel emotionally fragile now, this probably isn’t the best time to take the course. But only you can judge whether or not you can regulate your emotions enough to explore what it means to die and how we move through the process of dying. If you have any doubts you can do this, then wait until your inner life is more settled to take the training.
Shelby Kirillin brings a wealth of expertise and compassion to her work, drawing from over 20 years as a neurotrauma nurse in intensive care. As a certified end-of-life (EOL) doula and seasoned educator with INELDA since 2017, Shelby combines deep clinical knowledge with a heartfelt commitment to supporting individuals and families through life’s most profound transitions.
Neiasha Russell is a certified grief counselor and a certified child and adolescent grief counselor. She brings her deep insight and compassionate perspective to various platforms, engaging audiences in meaningful conversations around death, dying, and grief. Neiasha is also the founder and executive director of Harriett’s Daughters®, Inc., which provides support for girls affected by maternal cancer loss.
Free activities include
Interactive Nature Hikes
Cooking Demos
Meditation & Movement Classes
Wellness Workshops
Paid activities include
Pottery Classes
Ayurvedic Wellness & Healing Arts Treatments
Take your rejuvenation to another level. Our spa offers treatments and therapies that integrate ancient Ayurveda with contemporary wellness.
Call to check availability during Shankara Ayurveda Spa business hours; seven days a week, 9:00 am–6:00 pm.
For room reservations, Ayurveda Wellness Retreats, and Art of Living Retreat Center (AOLRC) signature retreats, we have the following cancellation policy:
AOLRC reserves the right to cancel a program at any time. If AOLRC cancels a program, you will receive a full refund. Some programs may have special cancellation policies; see individual workshop descriptions. For all other retreats, please be sure to check the registration page specific to that retreat.
Unless otherwise indicated, our programs are open to participants 18 years of age and older.
To encourage a healthy environment, we ask that guests not consume alcohol or meat in our public spaces. However, guests may enjoy these items in their rooms.
Our property is always smoke-free.
Yes, we ask that guests with food allergies simply inform us so we can communicate those needs to our chef. Typically, we label potential allergens such as gluten, dairy, and nuts. You may email us at info@artoflivingretreatcenter.org.
Thanks to the cool climate of the Blue Ridge Mountains, air conditioning is rarely needed. For the occasional warm day, there is a fan in each room to help keep you comfortable.
We do have lodging and event venues that are ADA-compliant. Due to the topography of our mountain campus, some are easier to access than others, so please speak to Guest Services (800.392.6870) prior to registering to ensure we can best accommodate your needs. We also have shuttles that run frequently throughout the campus.
We are committed to the safety of our guests and staff. Our mountaintop location and the surrounding areas are spacious, remote, safe, and secure.
You can help!
Step into a world where mindfulness meets beauty. Our gallery captures the essence of the Art of Living—from serene moments of reflection to vibrant celebrations of life, wellness, and connection.
SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.