Scientists maintain that the leading cause of disease is not hypertension, diabetes or cancer, but stress. Stress is the underlying cause of disease. We can endure short periods of enormous stress, but not extended amounts of prolonged stress. In this retreat we use the tools of yoga, pranayama, qigong, meditation and yoga nidra or guided meditation to calm the nervous system, to soften and open up the body and allow it to re-calibrate after the stress of daily life. Most often we find we are not able to sustain regular practice of yoga or meditation due to the “flood” of stress in our daily lives. Sometimes we simply haven’t been shown the tools to learn to cope with these pressures. However, the body has an amazing ability to re-balance and, in doing so, to heal itself. Just two nights away can give your mind a rest, calm the sympathetic nervous system, regulate blood pressure and re-balance your body to restore health and well-being. The retreat is suitable for everyone and lays the foundation for deeper practice, cleansing and energizing.
SoulCollage® is a creative, intuitive process that grants you the gift of insight into yourself. Using images, imagination and intuition, you will create individual collage cards that represent pieces of your soul. By using these cards, you will connect with the many aspects of yourself and learn to access the wisdom that is held within you. Be ready to unleash your inner creativity and to delve into the labyrinth of your being.
The SoulCollage® workshop opened a new path for self-discovery and reflection for me. It was an enlightening experience, with Keryn as a knowledgeable and compassionate guide – K.S. Workshop participant
Are you ready for a life shift? John Homewood and Michelle McClunan bring their combined forty years of facilitating experience to this two-part retreat, providing you with a gentle, yet powerful process that will shift, awaken and nourish your whole being. You will leave this retreat greatly refreshed with a new and awakened perspective in life, taking with you practical tools to apply in shifting all areas of your life.
The retreat will integrate transformational, yet practical spiritual teachings of Presence, Awakening and Creative Art Processes. This integration will help you clear blockages that may have prevented you from living a healthy, peaceful and abundant life. All creative experiences are process-driven, as opposed to being outcome-based, so no artistic experience or skill is required. You will leave with a deeper sense of peace; a more focused sense of life purpose and rekindled joy and with greater emotional and spiritual intelligence to navigate life’s challenges.
Should you only be able to attend the weekend, Part 1, you will still gain much. However, investing in the whole 4 days will provide you the space to integrate and apply this Shift even deeper and more fully into your awareness.
For more info on their work see www.journesyofawakening.com
Michelle McClunan is an astrologer, Life Coach and Process Art Facilitator and uses a multi-faceted approach to help people to understand themselves, and to navigate their lives and rediscover their true purpose and potential. Using her own non-outcome based creatively experiential methods, she will guide you into a receptive state, where you are able to receive signals and messages from the intuitive intelligence that resides within you. As you engage in this work, you start to shift old patterns of thought or behaviour that may be blocking you from living the rich and fulfilling life you deserve. Michelle counsels and coaches one-on-one and has facilitated workshops and retreats for eighteen years.
Are you ready for a life shift? John Homewood and Michelle McClunan bring their combined forty years of facilitating experience to this two-part retreat, providing you with a gentle, yet powerful process that will shift, awaken and nourish your whole being. You will leave this retreat greatly refreshed with a new and awakened perspective in life, taking with you practical tools to apply in shifting all areas of your life.
The retreat will integrate transformational, yet practical spiritual teachings of Presence, Awakening and Creative Art Processes. This integration will help you clear blockages that may have prevented you from living a healthy, peaceful and abundant life. All creative experiences are process-driven, as opposed to being outcome-based, so no artistic experience or skill is required.
Part 2 will provide you the space to integrate and apply this Shift more deeply and more fully into your awareness. You will leave with a deeper sense of peace; a more focused sense of life purpose and rekindled joy and with greater emotional and spiritual intelligence to navigate life’s challenges.
For more info on their work see www.journesyofawakening.com
Michelle McClunan is an astrologer, Life Coach and Process Art Facilitator and uses a multi-faceted approach to help people to understand themselves, and to navigate their lives and rediscover their true purpose and potential. Using her own non-outcome based creatively experiential methods, she will guide you into a receptive state, where you are able to receive signals and messages from the intuitive intelligence that resides within you. As you engage in this work, you start to shift old patterns of thought or behaviour that may be blocking you from living the rich and fulfilling life you deserve. Michelle counsels and coaches one-on-one and has facilitated workshops and retreats for eighteen years.
Heavy is the root of light,
Stillness is the master of movement.
Who can by stillness, little by little
make what is troubled grow clear?
Who can by movement, little by little
make what is still grow quick?
To follow the Way
is not to need fulfilment.
Unfulfilled, one may live on
needing no renewal - Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching (interpretation by Ursula K. Le Guin)
In this retreat, participants can expect to be guided gently through the process of becoming mindful through meditation and movement. Dave will lead sitting meditation in the Zendo, as well as walking and moving meditation in the inspiring and nourishing sanctuary of space that the BRC offers. He will also facilitate intentional open discussions around the fire to stoke the wholesome sparks of enquiry and deep listening. Whether you are a beginner or committed practitioner, this process will empower you to cultivate presence, clarity, adaptability, creativity and patience. The retreat will be held in an atmosphere of noble silence and introspection.
During this silent retreat you will be introduced to a style of Zen that combines Just Sitting (zazen), High-Energy Chanting (okyo), Vocalized Movements (Mu-I-Tai) to cultivate strong Ki’ai (energy) and quiet awareness (Mindfulness) that will enable you to face your fears until they disappear. The retreat will commence and close with a short tea ceremony. The sessions will alternate between zazen, walking meditation, chanting and movement.
On the Saturday night in union with Buddhists around the world, we will hold a traditional Wesak ceremony - a lantern-lit circumambulation around the Buddha Rupa. Wesak is the most important day on the Buddhist calendar, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha nearly 2500 years ago and is traditionally held on the full moon of May.
Nikki's immersive retreat will focus on finding and tasting weeds found in the garden. You will learn to identify various tasty edibles and surprise your palate while you forage for free food. Her books Mnandi – A Taste Of Mpophomeni celebrates the cooks and gardeners of Mpophomeni township in KZN Midlands and Wild About Weeds is an introduction to uncultivated food and a guide to the most common edible weeds and uncultivated foods found in South Africa. Her retreat is intended to stimulate curiosity and encourage foodies to explore and make the most of the delicious abundance in your area and to lighten your load on our planet.
The gentle movements that you will learn to do on this relaxed course will help to build your immune system and improve your general well-being. The mindful way in which you move will work on your internal organs as you generate energy 'qi'. You will also have time to roam the beautiful grounds of the BRC as you take time out to relax and recharge.
This course will flow from the first qigong course should you wish to stay and enjoy the full 5 days at the BRC. Although qigong predates Traditional Chinese Medicine, the movements we do in qigong today are also related to the energy 'qi' systems of meridians and acupuncture points, and work with the Five Elements and the related body organs. While mindfully practising these movements, you can strengthen your inner reserves and find serenity. Reward yourself by taking some time out to enjoy the BRC during the free time available during this retreat.
"What we have become is frequently the chief obstacle to our journey - an assemblage of defense mechanisms and anxiety management systems" -James Hollis, Jungian psychologist and author
"Knowing thyself" is the first step towards enlightenment, according to traditional wisdom. This interactive weekend retreat will take you on an exciting journey of self-discovery, supporting you in peeling back the layers of conditioning that have constructed your current identity. Explore the timeless teachings of Rumi, Buddha, Krishnamurti, Jung, and others to learn more about the limitless potential of your unconditioned spirit. During this retreat, we will look into the present state of our mind, heart, body, and spirit, as well as learn about emotional intelligence and mindfulness to help you navigate this ever-changing and complex world in balance and harmony.