Inside the MTAC x Four Seasons Retreat: A Day of Wellness, Fundraising & Empowerment in Montréal

By Isabelle Houle, Wellness Director – More Than a Cure | Founder of Blu Wellbeing

A Transformative Wellness Event – April 2025

This past April, the elegant halls of the Four Seasons Montréal became more than just a luxury space—they became a sanctuary for healing, connection, and impact.

In collaboration with More Than a Cure (MTAC), we hosted a half-day wellness retreat—our first major fundraising event, raising over $119,000 to support women affected by breast cancer and to bring more accessible wellness education to our Montréal community.

As Wellness Director of MTAC, I had the honor of curating a lineup that brought together movement, mindfulness, and hands-on tools for long-term wellbeing.

The Day at a Glance

From high-energy workouts to sound healing, the retreat offered something for every body and every emotional state. Here’s what we shared with our beautiful community:

9:00 AM – Welcome with Jenn Campbell (MC)
9:15 AM – Val Desjardins: Full-Body Strength + Cardio Workout
10:00 AM – Jen Pregnolato: Music-Driven Flow to Energize and Ground
10:30 AM – Ginger Shots + Light Refreshments
10:45 AM – Annie Touchette: Restorative Yoga for Calm and Release
11:15 AM – Isabelle Houle: Self-Massage Workshop for Lymphatic Drainage
1:00 PM – Camille Lalande: Sound Bath + Healing Meditation
Closing Speeches – Honoring MTAC Warriors and this shared journey

The emotional arc of the day was unforgettable—starting with sweat, laughter, and grounding, and ending with stillness, connection, and shared tears of release.

What I Taught: Self-Massage for Breast Health & Lymphatic Drainage

One of the most requested topics at the retreat was understanding how to care for our bodies in times of stress, recovery, and hormonal change. I led participants through a guided self-massage ritual—a blend of lymphatic drainage, breathwork, and somatic awareness.

Here’s how you can practice it at home:

How to Perform a Chest & Breast Self-Massage for Lymphatic Drainage

Lymphatic drainage helps remove stagnation and inflammation from the body. In the chest and breast area, it can be particularly helpful for:

Reducing tenderness and swelling (especially before periods or post-surgery)
Encouraging detoxification and healthy lymph flow
Supporting early detection by increasing tissue awareness

Step 1: Breathe First

Place one hand on your heart, the other on your belly. Inhale slowly through your nose (4 seconds), hold (4), exhale gently (6). Do 3–5 cycles. This calms your nervous system and prepares your body for healing.

Step 2: Stimulate the Clavicle Nodes

Use gentle fingers to massage just below the collarbones in small circles. These lymph nodes help drain fluid from the chest and upper body.

Step 3: Activate the Armpits

Raise one arm and use the opposite hand to gently circle the armpit area—stimulating the axillary lymph nodes, which are critical for breast and arm drainage.

Step 4: Glide Over the Breasts

Use flat hands to make gentle upward and outward strokes from the center of the chest toward the armpits. Think of directing fluid toward the drainage zones—be soft and intentional.

Step 5: Neck Sweeps to Complete

Use your fingertips to glide down both sides of your neck toward your collarbones. This helps finish the drainage pattern.

“Let your touch be a conversation. Your body is always speaking. This is how we begin to listen.” – Isabelle Houle”

This routine can be done 3–5 times a week, especially during hormone shifts, post-exercise, or anytime you feel stagnant or heavy in your chest.

Breast Cancer Awareness Tips: Monthly Self-Check Reminders

In support of MTAC’s mission, we also emphasized the importance of knowing your own body. Here are some tips for regular self-exams:

Do your check once a month, ideally 5–10 days after your period ends
Use a mirror to observe for dimpling, changes in skin texture, or asymmetry
Use flat fingers to gently press in circular motions around the whole breast and underarm area
Look for changes, not just lumps—report anything unusual to your healthcare provider
Empowerment starts with education, and awareness starts at home.

The Impact: Beyond the Four Seasons

This retreat was about more than a beautiful space—it was about building something lasting.

Over $119,000 raised
A room full of community, tears, laughter, and shared healing
A foundation for future MTAC wellness events, with myself and others continuing to bring healing tools to the forefront of cancer care and prevention

As we move into the rest of 2025, I’m continuing to offer guided lymphatic and abdominal massage workshops, as well as developing wellness experiences through Blu Wellbeing. My personal mission is to bring self-care out of the spa and into our daily rituals—where it belongs.

Interested in Hosting a Workshop or Wellness Event?

Whether you’re a corporation, community group, or retreat planner, I offer:

Lymphatic drainage and self-massage sessions
Sound bath and breathwork workshops
Workplace wellness activations
Retreat collaboration opportunities

Contact me at Blu Wellbeing for bookings and collaborations or email us at info@bluwellbeing.com.

Related Resources

Lymphatic Drainage Massage – Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21768-lymphatic-drainage-massage
Sound Bath & Healing – Verywell Mind https://www.verywellmind.com/sound-healing-for-self-care-8384146
Breast Cancer Self-Exam Guide – BreastCancer.org https://www.breastcancer.org/screening-testing/breast-self-exam-bse

Final Thoughts

To every participant, volunteer, and partner—thank you for making April 2025 one of the most moving moments in my professional and personal journey.

This retreat reminded us that healing is not a solo act. It’s communal. It’s spiritual. And it’s entirely possible when we gather with purpose.

With love and gratitude, Isabelle Houle Wellness Director, MTAC | Founder, Blu Wellbeing