CALM & CONNECT
A yin, restorative, yoga nidra and sound healing meditation retreat created with love to support you to open into more of what you are
About Yin Yoga
Yin yoga is based on the ancient Tao principles of yin and yang. They are in essence both complementary yet opposing forces with yin being the concept that embraces the feminine and passive aspect, while yang is the active, masculine, and changing aspect.
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Yin encompasses oneness and harmony within and with nature, and this style of yoga involves holding floor postures for longer periods while engaging in breathwork. Even though it is passive, it is still incredibly powerful as it focuses on the deep connective tissue of the body, like your joints, bones, ligaments, and fascia networks, working mainly the hips, pelvis, lower spine, and inner thigh areas.
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The practice generally starts and ends in Savasana, the resting posture that prepares and cultivates the practice. Interestingly, although a Yin practice may look quite sedentary, it can be quite challenging until the body and mind connect and the body releases into the deep stretch.
When postures are held from three to five minutes, the flight and fight system is deactivated, repressing the production of adrenaline into the system, so that your body can begin to heal and rejuvenate. During this time the myofascial meridians are stimulated to assist in removing blockages to balance organs and internal systems, and the connective tissue stretches as the muscles relax.
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This deeply grounding practice soothes the nervous system and calms the mind, creating space for our thoughts to quieten, and emotions, disturbances and feelings to surface so that we can live and respond from a more centred space.
Yin yoga also creates the space for self-connection and reflection while offering the opportunity to practice loving self-compassion. This happens with being mindful and aware of the body, enabling nourishment of the soul and the therapeutic benefit of relaxation. Holding each posture generates deeper healing by being present with what is, accessing peace and stillness that is always available to us - it is at this point that the magic happens.
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The purpose of Yin Yoga is to restore our natural ability to move with fluidity and thus target our fascia.
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Is it effective?
We are all familiar with the ‘flight and fight” response which is the activation of the Sympathetic Nervous System, and together with the “rest and digest”, the Parasympathetic Nervous System, makes up the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). As the name implies it generally acts unconsciously and is responsible for regulating our heart rate, respiratory system, and digestion to name but a few. Both systems play an important role in our health and well-being, yet in our modern society and especially when navigating challenging times, like that of the past two years, our sympathetic nervous system is more frequently triggered leading to some negative health consequences.
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Although there is no scientific evidence that yoga affects the nervous system, some research done in Sweden looked at the relationship between mindfulness, Yin yoga, worry, and stress. The findings from this first scientific study that evaluated the effects of Yin Yoga, called YOMI, revealed that yin yoga, especially when accompanied by pranayama, slows breathing and the heart rate and activates the rest and digest system facilitating the body to shift into a relaxed state, and generally gives real benefits.
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Benefits of a Yin Practice
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It is while in the parasympathetic mode that we get to rejuvenate and replenish our bodies, allowing our overworked organs an opportunity to heal and repair, as the flow of nutrients and energy is improved through the application of mild stress to the joints.
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Yin yoga teaches us to be free of expectations and of what each pose will bring, engendering an acceptance and act of surrender that can be taken off the mat into our lives, making us more resilient.
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Since Yin yoga effectively activates the Parasympathetic nervous system, it provides the body with many benefits, some of which are:
* Releases fascia
* Enhances joint lubrication and mobility
* Improves flexibility
* Increases circulation
* Balances and calms body and mind
* Reduces stress and tension
* Increases energy flow or chi to the organs
* Detoxifies
* Hydrates tissue and muscle
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Presented by Tess Heyns
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Who is this retreat for?
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For those who are wanting to experience deep relaxation and mindful rest. It is most suitable if you are feeling frazzled and need more energy, especially if your life is full and your mind over-stimulated.
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All the practices are designed to boost the body's natural ability to heal, while the sound healing will help restore the normal vibratory frequencies of the cells in your body.
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During this day of healing and rejuvenation, you will have the opportunity to embrace and embody more of the real true inner you.
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Arrive exactly as you are, no more - no less, to this sacred space, to be nourished and replenished.
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Please note: As with all our yoga classes everyone is different, and we encourage you to go at your own pace and listen to your body.
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And then.....Restorative
Once your mind and body are still from the yin practice we gently shift into the more nourishing restorative postures. Where your body, mind and soul will transport you to a place of inner peace and stillness. Your body will be fully supported in nurturing restorative postures, facilitating access to deep states of relaxation.
Described as ‘passive healing’, this restorative retreat will soothe your nervous system, which helps your body to rest, repair, and restore balance, from the inside out.
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With a host of wonderful benefits, restorative yoga:
• heals and restores the body from the inside out
• helps to quieten the mind and develops self-awareness
• calms the nervous system
• releases stress and muscle tension
• and revitalises the organs while replenishing your energy levels
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During the postures, props are used to gently support the body to open, and stretch facilitating access to deep states of relaxation. It’s a soothing balm for tired, tight, and aching muscles and joints.
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It focuses on deep rest and rejuvenation as your flight and fight mechanism gets “turned off”, bringing the body’s response system back into equilibrium. While in this state, your body has a chance to repair itself, relieve fatigue, reduce stress, and restore well being.
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After that ...... Yoga Nidra
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Yoga Nidra unlike what the name suggests, is practiced lying down with your eyes closed to create the opportunity to access a conscious state of deep relaxation.
Sleep, watching TV, or sitting in an armchair may be thought to be relaxing, yet they are only sensory diversions. To experience the true scientific definition of relaxation, we need to remain aware while being free from muscular, mental, and emotional tension; this can be achieved with Yoga Nidra.
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Yoga Nidra is the state of dynamic sleep, which induces physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. You are guided to the space between sleep and wakefulness where the contact between the subconscious and unconscious dimensions occurs spontaneously. When sleep and external awareness are separated from consciousness, we have the opportunity to develop memory, increase our creativity and knowledge, and most importantly access our true nature. This is achieved when we access higher states of concentration.
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We can learn more when we are asleep than awake – how does this work? Simply, we are more receptive when we are completely relaxed and less receptive when our consciousness is connected to all our senses. This means that when the mind is withdrawn a little whatever impressions enter the mind are powerful and remain, as they are planted in the subconscious mind. Yoga Nidra can thus be used to direct the mind to accomplish anything as it also triggers intuitions from the unconscious mind which Einstein, van Goethe, and Bohr all discovered.
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What then are the benefits of Yoga Nidra?
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Stress has been declared the health epidemic of the 20th Century by the World Health Organisation and the leading cause of deaths in developed countries stems from tension. Whether you think or don’t think you accumulate tension, whether you do physical work or not, you accumulate tension, and whether you sleep too much or not at all you accumulate tension. Tension is a by-product of living and affects the mental, emotional, and muscular systems of the body. One way to be free of all tension is through the practice of Yoga Nidra.
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A single hour of Yoga Nidra is as effective as four hours of conventional sleep as it provides effective and efficient physical and physiological rest. In addition through this practice, you get to restructure and reform your entire personality from within making it more reliable and permanent than other systems that work on an external basis. The key to transformation is the release of tension, relaxation, and peace of mind!
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Since the subconscious and unconscious mind are the most powerful sources of a human accessing these depths of the mind means you get to retrain them so that the ordinary mind and intellect follow suit. Believing something intellectually is only an aspect of life, we also have to be emotionally receptive which can only be done when the mind is in a calm state.
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Sowing the seeds for change takes place through the use of resolve during the practice, embedding it when the subconscious mind is relaxed and receptive. The resolve is a short, simple statement that will help to transform your life pattern physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
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Presented by Karrin Pattie
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Then......a Sound Bath Healing Meditation
As we move into the time of the day, when our body is busy absorbing and digesting nutrients, and we feel sleepy, soak up and immerse yourself in the enchanting healing journey.
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Embark on a harmonious voyage with Jamie, where the symphony of sound becomes a catalyst for transformation, healing, and inner alignment. Your well-being is our resonance; let’s harmonise together.
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In a world where stress and dissonance often dominate, sound healing emerges as a gentle yet potent remedy. Through the intentional use of sound frequencies, vibrations, music, and voice, Jamie unlocks the potential for deep healing and restoration. His mission is to guide you on this sonic odyssey, empowering you to rediscover balance, alleviate stress, and foster a profound sense of inner peace.
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You will embark on a journey of healing and self-discovery, to embrace the transformative power of sound as you explore the ancient art of sound healing, a therapeutic practice that transcends time and culture to bring harmony to mind, body, and spirit.
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Sound healing is a therapeutic practice harnessing the vibrational power of sound to promote holistic well-being. Rooted in ancient traditions and validated by modern science, it involves the intentional use of a vast array of instruments to influence mental, emotional, and physical states.
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Presented by Jamie Belso
MEET THE FACILITATORS
Tess Heyns
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Tess has been teaching yoga for over 10 years both in Australia & overseas and has been a student of yoga for almost 20 years. She has studied Hatha Yoga, Japanese Okido Yoga & Yin Yoga. Whilst she has studied & practiced many styles of yoga, she is particularly passionate about teaching Yin Yoga and taking people on a journey through the more subtle practices.
She teaches with a grounding strength and grace which invites you to move deeper into your own practice. Tess wholeheartedly believes that there is a practice for everyBODY and endeavours to help you find your own practice rather than fitting you into a box.
Jamie Belso
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Jamie Belso is a passionate sound healer and a versatile multi-instrumentalist musician. With a profound focus on creating healing vibrations, Jamie skillfully utilizes a diverse array of instruments, including the Yidaki (Didgeridoo), Crystal Singing Bowls, Medicine Drum, Tanpura Swarmandal, Steel Tongue Drum, Native American Flute, Ocean Drum, Chimes, Rattles, and his own resonant voice. His expertise extends to facilitating a myriad of events, from intimate one-on-one sessions to couples, groups, wellness retreats, corporate gatherings, and large community events that have drawn over 2000 participants.
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Creating a sacred and secure environment, Jamie guides individuals and teams toward their innate healing abilities through the synergistic blend of Sound Healing, Breathwork, and Meditation. His mission is to usher them into profound states of relaxation, harmonizing mind, body, and soul for an experience of ultimate serenity and bliss.
Jamie’s journey in sound healing and music spans several years, marked by a deep connection to the transformative potential of sound vibrations. He continues to devote himself to personal growth, having spent time in East Arnhem Land with the indigenous custodians of Australia, crafting Yidaki instruments and sharing healing energy steeped in indigenous wisdom.