Sacred Ground Winter Solstice Retreat For Rest and Regeneration
Welcome Home
Are you....
Feeling stressed, burnt out, overwhelmed and exhausted?
In need of deep rest, nourishment and nurturing?
Disconnected from the magic of Mother Earth and your own sacred nature?
Craving alone time as well as community connection?
Yearning for more creativity , play and FUN?
Longing for a sense of deep inner peace and grounding?
If so, you're in the right place....
Why
The winter solstice is a time of deep introspection , reflection, and renewal . It is both a time to honour the darkness - the deep damp earthiness of our inner landscape - as well as to celebrate the return of the light. To welcome the promise and hope of longer, warmer days ahead. In winter many trees are bare of leaves as a way of conserving energy and water, while the leaves they have shed are breaking down in order to nourish the soil for the emergence of fresh growth in spring. We too, are part of this cycle. Winter is a time to slow down and to rest, in order to regenerate until we are ready to bloom again. Unfortunately , our modern society does not recognise our inherent cyclical natures, ans instead forces us into a linear work structure where we are expected to always be on and constantly doing. This perpetual state of Yang energy (Fire & Air energies), leaves us feeling depleted and burnt out. The antidote to this is to cultivate more Yin energy - more Earth, and more Water.
At Our Sacred Ground retreat we invite you to nourish your Earth element through grounding practices, nature walks, slowing down, and mindful enjoyment of Earth medicine in the form of local organic produce and ceremonial cacao. We invite you to nourish your Water element through bathing in the luxurious magnesium pool or the natural freshwater pond, practicing Yin Yoga and cr-connecting to your intuition and creative flow through carefully curated ceremonies and workshops - or should we say playshops.
We Invite you to fill our cup, so that you feel juicy, nourished and overflowing....
Wybalena Organic Farm
Set in the picturesque Byron Hinterland, Wybalena offers a nourishing and tranquil setting to connect to Mother Earth.
Stay Your Way
There are a variety of rooms to suit all desires and budgets.
Shared Rooms, Private Rooms, Shared Cabins with their own private deck and lounge area. There is even a King Room with its own bathtub!
Regenerate
Choose how you spend your free time. Make use of the magnesium pool, the infrared sauna or even ice bath. Join our host for a guided walk or wander off to explore on your own.
Eat
We are very excited to welcome Om Cade as our retreat caterer. Cade offers a creative and unique food experience. In collaboration with Quiet Earth, he cooks his food in clay and stone pots. His cooking reflects his life journey, inspired by travels local and abroad, and deepened by his practices of yoga and meditation.
He uses organic local and seasonal produce and prepares his food from scratch. He serves his food in many unique forms of cookware, from rustic ceramic bowls and plates, to handmade clay pots and hand-beaten copper spoons, which all add to the unique food experience.
-
Cade's menus offer:
- a wholesome, nourishing and creative collection of plant-based dishes.
- all prepared mindfully with consciousness, warm intention & love.
- seasonal, organic & local market produce.
- free from lactose, refined sugar, (gluten optional)
- only organic and cold-pressed oils used in cooking (extra virgin olive oil, ghee, cold-pressed coconut oil)
-
We can’t wait to nourish your body and soul with this belly & heart warming food.
Meet Your Facilitators
Carmen Foon
Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher, Reiki Practitioner
Carmen will be holding a sacred Cacao ceremony on your arrival evening, to honour the winter solstice and deepen your connection to pachamama.
She will be guiding the morning Flow class to awaken your body…finishing with a meditation to set you up for the day ahead.
For Carmen yoga is about exploration, a never ending journey.
Carmen decided to become a teacher after finding Modo yoga Sydney, the practice and the community. Contemplating her first 500 hr training in 2017 with Modo and has taught thousands of classes both in studio, and online since.
She has a thirst and excitement about learning. Her aim is for everyone to discover the power and joy that comes from having a better, deeper understanding of ourselves through challenging our bodies and our minds through consistent practice in a supportive environment.
Carmen's playful nature comes through in her teaching. She creates a safe space for all to explore their bodies, minds and hearts. Building confidence and strength. She loves teaching dynamic flows, with fun transitions and tunes, She's not afraid to hold a pose with you, turn you upside down and get you giggling. She might even tell you a tale before melting you into your mat and sometimes even serenade you in savasana. You can expect meditations that take you on journeys within and ceremonies to connect you to this beautiful planet and all the beings who reside on it.
Joanna Tolley
Reiki Master & Yoga Teacher
Joanna will be facilitating the Full Moon Circle, offering her healing hands during Yin & Reiki, and encouraging playful expression through a creative workshop.
Joanna is a Yoga Teacher, Moon Circle Facilitator, and a Reiki Master Teacher, who specialises in mentoring healers to step into their true potential and launch or expand their spiritual business.
Joanna has a history of leadership roles in the corporate world, and is well equipped with the tools and knowledge to help busy people regain balance, manage burnout, and feel energised and empowered.
Joanna is a gifted and intuitive space holder; making you feel safe to show up exactly as you are. Her guidance is accessible and light-hearted, yet deeply potent and healing. She offers 1:1 healing and/or spiritual coaching sessions (in person or online), as well as regular classes, training, and workshops between the Mid North Coast and Sydney.
As a yoga teacher, Joanna has similarly trained with Modo yoga and shares many of the same teachers and values as Carmen. She has a particular passion for Yin yoga, and for guiding energetic healing meditations to remind you that you have the power to shift your own vibration with your intention alone.
Testimonials
-
Terry and Lisa
"We have been on retreat with Carmen twice in recent years and had a wonderful time on both occasions. the movement practices, meditations and workshops were thoughtfully delivered and even in a group setting, Carmen took the time to engage on a individual level to give everyone a personalised experience.
Carmen intuitively senses the energy in the room and has the amazing ability to guide and nourish the energy of those around her. We would highly recommend a retreat with Carmen for anyone seeking time away in an environment in which they can relax, refresh and reset their mind and body."
-
Katie
"Attending Carmen’s Yoga retreat was an absolute treat. I knew I was in for an incredible journey as soon as I arrived. The serene surroundings were perfect for relaxation.
The daily yoga sessions were both challenging and rejuvenating, guided by Carmen who is a knowledgeable and experienced teacher. Carmen helped me deepen my practice and explore new poses. The meditation sessions offered a peaceful escape from my monkey mind, allowing me to find inner calm and clarity. The healthy meals were delicious and plentiful.
I left the retreat, feeling more centred and at peace. Carmen, thank you for your warmth and positivity. I cannot wait to return for another soul-nourishing retreat with you in the future. "
-
Karla
"My yoga retreat with Carmen was such an amazing gift of self-love. Daily yoga, meditation and breath work were the perfect remedy for a weary new Mum and my favourite part was experiencing my first guided yoga nidra outside underneath the gum trees."
-
Jessica
"I attended a yoga retreat in December 2020 at which Carmen was one of the main teachers. Carmen has a kind and calming presence which helped to make the retreat a relaxing delight. She was constantly attentive to each person’s practice and provided everyone with one-on-one recommendations for improvement. Her lead meditations were simply delightful. If anyone is reading this and contemplating attending a retreat with Carmen, do it- you will thank yourself later."