Align with Nature Yoga Retreat

Indulge yourself before winter approaches with an autumn escape in the Marlborough Sounds. Leave the daily routine behind for three nights with Yogini Julie Stephens. Each morning Julie will lead us through a Vinyasa Flow, Pranayama (mindful breathing) and Meditation session, a daily reset!
This will enable us to unwind and therefore appreciate a deeper connection to nature and what's really important - our Well Being!

The Instructor:
Julie Stephens' yoga journey began over 30 years ago, therefore an experienced teacher who also trains budding yoga teachers. Julie hosted our previous retreat in November '20. Every student who attended that retreat requested Julie host our next one, we are thrilled she accepted!

The Location:
The luxury eco-resort Furneaux Lodge is located in the Queen Charlotte Sound, nestled within native forest and overlooking lush rolling lawns down to the stunning blue-green water.

Program:
Friday May 7th
1:30pm - Depart Picton
3:00pm - Arrive at Furneaux Lodge
- Check in and settle into accommodation and surroundings.
5 pm - 6:30pm - Welcome circle - Meditation/Yin Yoga
6.30 - Dinner

Saturday 8th
7 am - 8:30am - Introduction to Uddiyana Bandhas, Meditation and Vinyasa Flow practise
8:30am - Breakfast
9:30am - Water taxi transfer to 11km hike on the Queen Charlotte Track
9:45am - Walk back to Furneaux on Queen Charlotte Track (2.5 - 3 hours) 11km
1 pm - Lunch
2 pm - 3:30pm - Introduction to Pranayama and Bandhas
3:30pm - Break
4 pm - 5:30pm - Blindfolded Yoga.

The fifth limb of yoga is Pratyahara which means to turn your attention inward and away from the stimulation of the five senses. This blindfolded session will encourage the practitioner to delve deeper into their inner world. We tend to live our lives constantly giving energy out; spending too much time on devices, dealing with people, being constantly entertained/drained from their external surroundings, which in turn depletes our Prana (Life Force).

Pratyahara practice is a tool that helps provide balance in life; 'turning in'.
5:30pm - Break/free time
6:30pm - Dinner
Movie Time- Relax with the option to watch a yoga documentary with popcorn!

Sunday May 9th
Noble Silence until after breakfast
7:30am - 9 am - Uddiyana Bandhas, Pranayama, Meditation and Vinyasa Flow
9 am - Breakfast
10 am - 12 pm - Paddle board or kayak
12:30am - 1:30pm - Lunch
2 pm - 3:30pm - Hot/Cold water therapy – Breathe with Ease
4 pm - 5 pm - Walking Meditation to a 1000 year old Rimu tree. Time to connect to our roots.
Free time until dinner
7 pm - Dinner
Closing circle/reflection

Monday 10th
7 am - 8:30am Uddiyana Bandhas, Pranayama, Meditation and Vinyasa Flow
8:30am - 9 am Breakfast
10:30am - Depart on water taxi
11:30am - Arrive back to Picton

Retreat Price: Three Day Retreat- $ 950.
Includes
All yoga sessions
3 nights' accommodation- twin share
3 x 3-course dinners
3 x breakfasts
2 x lunches
Return boat transfer from Picton
Boat transfer to a section of the Queen Charlotte Track to begin walk
Use of kayaks and paddle boards
Use of hot tub

Early Bird Discount: Enjoy 10% discount until 1st April - Price $855

Check-in - Depart Picton 1:30pm Friday 7 May
Check-out - Return to Picton 11:30am Monday 10 May
Bookings - yogaretreatsnz@gmail.com

All levels welcome.
All sessions are optional.
Minimum of 10 people required to go ahead. Refunds given if numbers not reached. In the case of Covid restrictions, event will be re-scheduled.