Our September Retreat was Sold Out!

With 14 lovely guests from Queenstown, Wanaka and throughout Southland, our last public retreat was a huge success. So much so, we had to get out extra yoga mats for the extra numbers who booked last minute! Brilliant sunshine, breathtaking snow-capped mountains and a stunning venue in Gibbston made this retreat a real escape for our guests.

What do you do on a wellness retreat?

Our one-day retreat is all about YOU! You take as much out of it as you wish, blending laughs, great food and new friends with some handy tips to help you live a happier, healthier life.

Yoga/Pilates Fusion & Chia Puddings

First up, we started the day with a yoga/Pilates fusion class. Some guests were worried it would be cold outside, but thanks to the sun, everyone ended up in singlets and t-shirts!

Next guests enjoyed an exceptional chia pudding hand crafted by chef Fabien Simon of My Private Chef NZ. Cinnamon infused apple pieces, pineapple purée, gluten free granola and coconut chia pudding was mixed together to not only look incredibly beautiful, but it was really tasty.

Healthy Cooking Workshop with Fabien Simon

A first for our retreats, this new workshops was a huge hit. Talented French chef Fabien taught our guests cooking tips and simple ways to prepare nourishing food. He demonstrated how to make Pearl Barley Risotto with Greens & Parmesan, plus how to make kid-friendly Kumera Fritters. If you want the recipes, you'll have to come to our next retreat! All our guests are getting the recipes next week.

Wellness Retreat Lunch: Chef-made Salmon & Veggie Fritters

Lunch was truly divine, and very popular among our guests. Beautiful pieces of salmon, miso mayo, kumera and carrot fritters, broccoli and spinach coulis and salmon skin crackling was the most luxurious lunch we've had at an event yet. 

Mindfulness Walk & Beach Meditation

Our breathtaking venue was a ten minute stroll to the rushing Kawarau river, so we headed off on a mindfulness walk to the beach. With just one day to retreat, ten minutes of silence was welcomed by the guests, helping them think about themselves without the distractions of conversation.

Once down on the beautiful beach by the rushing river, we spent ten minutes doing simple meditation followed by a stress workshop. We chatted about the pressures of daily life, and the difficulties many people face when stress and poor self-esteem manifests itself in their lives as obsession with food or exercise. 

Stretch Class, Massage & Wine 

After strolling and chatting on the way back to our venue, the guests enjoyed a relaxing stretch class under the willow tree. Four ladies had pre-booked massages and made their way to quiet ends of the house to slip into bliss. The others enjoyed wine tasting: Organic wine by Carrick, and biodynamic wine by Quartz Reef. Don't worry, those who booked massages got wine afterwards!

We've had wonderful feedback from the day such as:

"I love your bubbliness and knowledge about what you do."

Such a huge thank you to all the women who came to this beautiful day, and of course thank you to Fabien Simon for his expertise. Thank you also to Neat organic perfumes, Hunter Gatherer Gourmet and The Herb Farm organic skincare for their beautiful gifts in the gift bags. 

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