Komorebi (木漏れ日)
n. The dappled sunlight that filters through the leaves of trees.
Purring Oaks is built in the spirit of komorebi:
A reminder that stillness is alive, and light finds its way through even the thickest canopy….
A slow invitation to root, rest, and remember who you are in connection with land.
Purring Oaks is a 60-acre forest/wetland sanctuary and community gathering space in Benton Harbor, Michigan. A place to heal, create, gather, and slow down. The Purring homestead is deeply rooted in land stewardship, reciprocity, and care.
Explore our offerings
Short term immersive stays for artists, land-tenders, healers, writers and somatic practitioners: a chance to co-create with the land and contribute to something lasting! Includes lodging and food in the home utilizing space for both restoration and dedicated project work.
Purring Folks Residency Options
Event Rentals
Host your small event, healing circle or workshop on 60 acres of forest, meadow, and quiet. Sliding scale pricing, rustic infrastructure, and deeply supportive vibes. Space for healers, makers, facilitators, and cozy celebrations.
PURR-lates, Herbal Wisdom, Birthday Magic and More!
At Purring Oaks, our approach to well-being and a life well lived is integrative, holistic, and rooted in hands-on experience. We have a wide variety of programming options and activities you can add on to your own event to help make your time with us be as fulfilling, joyful and meaningful as possible. Some of these offerings include:
Honeyflow PURR-lates: private or semi-private Pilates-based fitness lessons tailored to your specific body needs. Always gentle, always mindful, always empowering.
Kitchen witchery: get in the kitchen with us and learn how to make Lilla’s specialty sourdough bread, kombucha from scratch, pickles, and so much more!
Herbal wellness workshops: work with herbs from the land and around the world to make tinctures, salves and more for your wellness journey.
Birthday magic readings: book a birthday magic reading with Lilla and dive deep into the unique archetypal blueprint of your day of birth. Gain clarity about your hidden superpowers (yes, every birthday has them!) and wisdom and compassion about how to navigate the sticky spots.
If there’s anything not mentioned here you’re interested in, just let us know - we probably can point you in the direction of someone local who could help you out!
🌿 "This isn’t a business, it’s a biome. We are not trying to grow fast—we are trying to grow well."
The land we stand on is not just a stage, a substrate, or a backdrop. It is first and foremost a relationship we must learn to cultivate. Everyone who enters Purring Oaks is asked to honor and explore this relationship with tenderness and curiosity.
The Purring Oaks regulars are a soft-hearted collective of creatives, curious minds, gardeners, and guides who value ongoing collaboration with the land and community connection. Rest and integration are always prioritized over hustle here 💚
As for the founder…
Lilla is an artist, wellness practitioner, and the founder of Purring Oaks. Rooted in Chicago and Tokyo and trained in NYC with an MFA in drawing and printmaking, she now stewards 60 acres of forest and wetland in Southwest Michigan, where she lives in rhythm with the seasons. Diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and autoimmune conditions, her journey has led her to create the Honeyflow Pilates practice for bodies of all needs as well as hone the craft of her specialty Birthday Magic readings. read more …
Purring Oaks is located in Southwest Michigan, 2 hours from both Chicago and Detroit.
We are 10 min from the beach, various orchards and U-Pick gardens, and the amazing Sarett Nature Center!
Our Address:
2107 Roslin Rd, Benton Harbor Michigan, 49022.
Please approach the house slowly and mindfully by car! Depending on the season, we share the driveway with a variety of turtles, frogs, and other critters - please don’t squish us!! 💚
