Discover Ripristinare
"Ripristinare" (ree-pree-stee-NAH-ray)
Italian verb that means "to restore" or "to reinstate."
The act of bringing something back to its original state or condition
Ripristinare Retreat is a private restorative sanctuary nestled in the countryside between Ithaca and Watkins Glen, New York.
Intentionally designed and led by Christina M. Lower, this space is devoted to the art and science of embodied restoration — where precision, presence, and depth take precedence over volume.
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With more than two decades in holistic practice, Christina returns to a refined, deeply attentive way of working with the body — through fascia release, nervous system awareness, and the subtle patterns that shape how we hold ourselves.
Each experience is curated in real time, guided by skilled touch and the understanding that meaningful restoration begins beneath the surface.
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Ripristinare is not an escape.
It is a return — to coherence, clarity, and embodied integrity.
Discover Ripristinare Philosophy
At the heart of Ripristinare is Embodied Restorative Orientation — a philosophy grounded in a simple understanding:
a person does not need to be corrected before they can be fully received.
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Rather than beginning with what needs to change, we begin with curiosity about what is already here.
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Through attentive care, restorative environments, and expanded possibilities for participation, restoration may become not only a return to what was, but an opening into what has never been possible before.
Ways to Work Together
Ripristinare Facial Somatics
(Facial Massage)
Where time-honored facial traditions meet contemporary understanding of the body, guided by the subtle intelligence of proprioception and the art of attentive touch.
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Rooted in Embodied Restorative Orientation, Facial Somatics moves beyond predetermined protocols.
Each session unfolds through a continuous dialogue of touch, sensation, and proprioceptive awareness, allowing the work to be composed in real time rather than directed by a prescribed sequence.
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An individualized exploration of skin, structure, and expression, where refined technique meets responsive care, inviting greater ease, natural radiance, and the emergence of beauty without imposing a predetermined ideal.
No two faces are alike. No two sessions need to be.
Virtual Sessions
More than advice—this is a relationship.
Virtual guidance that teaches you to truly know your skin, care for your body, and nourish your lifestyle with intention.
Together, we explore personalized nutrition, mindful routines, and holistic self-care practices—so you can respond with precision, confidence, and ease. Every session is designed to be intuitive, calming, and deeply supportive, helping you understand your skin as never before while connecting your inner vitality to outer radiance.
Waxing
With over 22 years of mastery, I bring precision, skill, and intuition to every wax. Self-taught and refined through decades of experience, my technique is gentle yet meticulous—ensuring smooth, even results with minimal discomfort. Each session blends elevated care, expert technique, and attention to the body’s unique needs.
Winter Retreat Stay Availability
Our private overnight retreat accommodations are fully reserved for the winter season, with new overnight reservations welcoming guests beginning May 2027.
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Private Retreat Days remain available throughout the winter, offering the same thoughtful, individualized care without an overnight stay.
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We look forward to welcoming you, whether for a restorative day or an extended retreat experience.
The Retreats at Ripristinare
A place to go, without leaving.
A fully immersive, private retreat designed to restore the body, regulate the nervous system, and create lasting change through depth, time, and care.
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Within this extended experience, facial somatics and therapeutic bodywork are woven together as one continuous, intuitive process. There are no segments or set sequences—only a guided unfolding shaped by what your body reveals in real time.
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As the body softens, patterns begin to release, breath deepens, and the nervous system settles into a more natural state of coherence. This is where restoration moves beyond surface relaxation and into meaningful, lasting shift.
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For those who wish to deepen the experience, the retreat may be extended into a private overnight stay—where a prepared environment, nourishment, and quiet surroundings allow the body to rest, absorb, and integrate without interruption.
Meet Christina
Founder of Ripristinare Retreat and creator of Embodied Restorative Orientation (ERO)
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For more than twenty-five years, Christina Lower has worked with the face and body as interconnected living systems — observing how tension patterns, breath, expression, and emotion shape the tissues over time.
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Through thousands of therapeutic sessions, this curiosity evolved into Embodied Restorative Orientation (ERO), the framework that now guides every treatment and teaching within Ripristinare.
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Christina’s work blends facial somatics, fascia-focused bodywork, nervous system science, and botanical ritual to help guests soften tension, restore circulation, and reconnect with the intelligence of their own bodies.
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Ripristinare itself was built alongside her husband, Eric, whose steady support and craftsmanship helped bring the retreat to life.
Her guiding principle:
Curiosity cures judgment.
