Queenstown Wellness Retreat - Huge Success!

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. 

Want to come to our next retreat? Sign up below to be the first to hear about i!

Queenstown Wellness Retreat Recap - June 18th

One day of bliss and escape: 10 women retreated to the stunning Taramea Passive House in Dalefield for our one-day locals Wellness Retreat on Saturday. From Gore, to Christchurch to Queenstown locals, the day was full of inspiring women dedicated to helping themselves live happier, healthier lives. 

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Yoga/Pilates Fusion class

We started with some warm cups of chai or green tea (infused with lemon & ginger) then settled in for an hour long Pilates/yoga fusion class. With all levels of experience from regular yogis to first-timers, the class was a pleasure to teach, and I was so inspired with how hard each guest worked. Especially during the side planks!

Morning tea

Rich caramel, baby soft coconut cream and sumptuous chia mix; incredible chia puddings by Bespoke Kitchen, Queenstown. They were a huge hit with the guests!

Nutrition Workshop

From the cabbage diet to the blood type diet; most of our guests had tried a trendy diet before. This led us into the workshop where we debunked common myths around eating, food and nutrition, and I gave everyone tips on how to avoid the winter blues this winter.

Lunch

Salads and mouth-watering soup made for a light, delicious lunch, thanks again to Bespoke Kitchen. One guest even mentioned the salads inspired her to make her lunch for work instead of buying salads. Perfect!

Goal Setting

I was so inspired by how engaged each guest was while creating goals and acknowledging the common obstacles around achieving change. The biggest was 'not enough time' - you'll have to attend one of our retreats to learn how to overcome that common obstacle!

Outdoor Breathing & Meditation

Breathtaking views of Coronet peak and rolling hills made for the perfect outlook for our deep breathing. After fully relaxing through deep breaths in the very mild winter temperatures, we headed back inside to the yoga mats for meditation. I was moved beyond words as I watched each guest sink into their calm. Most meditation classes I teach, at least one guest opens their eyes, shuffles around or loses concentration. This retreat though; everyone made the most of this rare chance to fully relax and retreat from the stress of everyday life. Afterwards, everyone told me they enjoyed the meditation and found it really easy to relax. Brilliant!

Organic Wine Tasting with Aurum (& optional massage)

The charismatic Lucie shared her experience as a wine maker for local organic winery Aurum during the wine tasting. As the women relaxed with cheese and wine, three of the guests made their way upstairs for their massages. Once they'd finished, Lucie started the tasting again just for them, but rather than run off home, all the other guests stayed and chatted at the venue. I was so thrilled watching as the guests got to know each other, all different ages and coming from a number of different home towns.

Once the last guest had made her way to her car to drive home, I couldn't help but smile as I remembered the happy hugs each guest had given me on their way out. These women had truly inspired me; their commitment to living their best lives, and looking after their bodies and minds created a palpable energy throughout the day, and everyone was smiling as they headed home.

If you wish to attend a day of bliss like this one, request a customised retreat for you and your friends, or just want to get in touch, contact me below. I'd love to hear from you. 

Thank you to our massage therapist Pao, and to the brands who supported this wonderful day: Kiwiherb, Sid & Jac, Goodbuzz Brewing (kombucha) Climate House NZ and Vudu Larder. 

Motatapu 2016 Queenstown, NZ

If the phrase Ultra Run makes your stomach churn, you're not the only one.  If luxury relaxation, low impact exercise, a fun nutrition workshop and a beautiful mountain top setting is more to your taste, the Queenstown Wellness Retreat on March 5th is your ultimate day out.

Motatapu Isn't for Everyone

Mountain biking through mud, running around mountain tops and the feeling of your heart tearing through your chest may be your worst nightmare. It might feel like you're the only one who doesn't like adventure races, but you're not! There are plenty of people who prefer low impact, gentle and inspiring exercise, so why not join them for your own healthy day out?

The Benefits of Low Impact Exercise

You don't have to run up a cliff to be healthy. Health and wellness is about finding what works for you! If you like to get a workout without hammering your knees, and prefer to be calm rather than feel your breathe rattle through the cold, a wellness retreats' yoga/pilates fusion class is a great way to workout. Rather than a gruelling cardio workout, these yoga/Pilates classes work on your balance, core strength and overall toning.

Tips to Eat For Your Weight

You know how to eat healthy right? We all do, but somehow we just don't. The interactive nutrition workshops at a wellness retreat teaches you how to make healthy eating the easiest choice for you. You'll learn things like how to make tasty, healthy salad dressings and how to create deliciously decadent smoothies to inject superfoods into your diet without compromising on taste.

Luxury in Queenstown

Nothing beats a spa day. The soothing waters of a hot tub, calming steam room, refreshing sauna and gentle cool of the plunge pool at the luxurious Nugget Point Boutique Hotel & Spa can't be beaten. You'll enjoy these luscious features in the last two hours of your wellness retreat, leaving you calm, refreshed and ready for your perfect Saturday night. If you crave a champagne or wine finish, you can head to the bar at this beautiful hotel to end your retreat day.

Photos: Queenstown Life

Best Vegetarian Food in Queenstown

Your lunch at this wellness retreat is handcrafted by the top chefs at Nugget Point Boutique Hotel & Spa. From filling, delicious salads jam-packed full of nutritious goodies to a cheese board (because life's about balance) you'll find the best vegetarian food in Queenstown at our retreats. You'll also stay energised mid-way through the day with a chia-seed filled smoothie.

Photos: Queenstown Life

What to do on Motatapu Weekend

Choose your own adventure, and pamper yourself with an inspiring wellness retreat at Nugget Point Boutique Hotel. Forget mud, cliff running, crowds and hammering your knees and joints, choose a gentle, motivating and beautiful day out. You'll see the best views in Queenstown, eat tantalising food, get a gentle workout and treat yourself to luxury relaxation.

Any questions? Ask me now.

What to do in Queenstown March 2016

Come to our retreat! The holidays are over and you've settled back into work, life and general busy-ness. You're tired, stressed and worn out and you need a fun day of luxury relaxation to rejuvenate you for autumn!

Our next retreat is an inspiring day of yoga, Pilates, nutrition, relaxation and meditation designed for people of all experience levels to live a happier, healthier life. Whether you're a hardcore health nut or just after a fun activity for the day, this special one-day retreat is for you.

YOUR DAY INCLUDES:

YOGA/PILATES FUSION CLASS

Get moving with low impact exercise to strengthen your spine, balance and learn how to prevent back pain

NUTRITION WORKSHOP

Learn the biggest nutrition myths about weight management, and what you can do to better manage your weight

HEALTHY VEGETARIAN LUNCH

STRESS & WEIGHT MANAGEMENT GOAL SETTING

MEDITATION

Learn why it works and how it can help you manage your weight

LUXURY SPA RELAXATION

Dive into luxury at Nugget Point Boutique Hotel. Enjoy the spa, sauna, steam room, cold pool and relaxing lounges

PLUS! Special gifts from The Skin Kitchen NZ, Ashley & Co & more.

Managing your weight shouldn't be about feeling bad

So many of us need a chance to relax, take a minute, and look after ourselves. Unfortunately though, we're often too busy to think about ourselves, and end up stressed, tired and grumpy.

Thinking about weight loss becomes about punishment, avoidance and self loathing and you get fed up of thinking about it all. It doesn't have to be this way.

This inspiring day will give you the tools to understand the main issues that make managing your weight difficult.

From stress to anxiety, habits and confusion around nutrition and food, this day will help give you the tools to make lasting changes, and help you achieve your weight management goals.

The perfect day out with friends, or a solo activity to get away from everyday life, this event is for everyone!

Aprivé Wellness Press Review

Read a new review of our retreats

Check out this new review of our last retreat by Jane Guy of Queenstown Life. I'm blushing with pride!

This blog post is the very best way to find out exactly what our retreats are all about, and how you'll feel on the day.

Here's a snippet:

Wanting to give people something incredible, Caitlin has shaped her retreats around wellness, food, movement, relaxation and goal setting. I find this bit incredibly difficult (can’t sit still long enough) so this was going to be a challenge. But I’m always up for a challenge so I gave it a go.

Starting the day, we met at Nugget Point Hotel, which is out of town in Arthur’s Point. A beautiful place with one of the most unexpected views in Queenstown. The perfect place to sit a while, gather your thoughts and enjoy a yoga/pilates fusion class to set us up for the day.

Photo: Queenstownlife

Photo: Queenstownlife

Photo: Queenstownlife

Photo: Queenstownlife

Queenstown Wellness Retreat

The Countdown is On

Only 3 days until out New Year, New You wellness retreat, and I’m getting so excited! We've still got 2 spots left - BOOK YOURS NOW!

What is this retreat about?

You know how hard it is to make, and stick to new years resolutions? This retreat was created to help my guests set real, achievable goals, plus give them strategies to help them achieve their dreams in 2016.

Starting with a Yoga Pilates fusion class overlooking the stunning Shotover River, guests will get stretchy while learning how to activate and work their cores. Then, they'll learn how to use real food (not starvation!) to cleanse their bodies in the Nutrition Workshop. 

Goal Setting Retreat

We've never had goal setting at one of our retreats before, but since goals are such an important part of starting the new year, we had to include it! I’m hosting this session which uses techniques from WOOP; acknowledging what obstacles stand in your way, and devising strategies to overcome them. 

The Collective Hub, an inspiring brand for entrepreneurs and dreamers, sent us gorgeous 2016 diaries for our guests. Jam-packed full of beautifully drawn motivational messages, these diaries are the perfect way to inspire our guests this year.

Meditation

Even if you’ve never tried meditation before, it’s such a good way to slow down and reset for the new year. We’ll be meditating outside, overlooking the stunning Shotovoer canyon, surrounded by wildflowers at Nugget Point Boutique Hotel. 

I’m so incredibly excited for our retreat on Saturday and to meet all our lovely guests. I just can’t wait to help people live happier, healthier lives in 2016 with proven wellness strategies and a splash of luxury.

want to attend this retreat?