a 4-day silent residential retreat
facilitated by Rachel Tobin
9 – 13 October 2019
$400 (includes 4 nights accommodation and delicious vegetarian food)
PLUS DANA/KOHA for the teacher
About the Retreat
The art of mindfulness is the practise of resting in the present moment, with acceptance, good humour and compassion, as we simply notice the play of moment-to-moment happenings – sounds, sensations, thoughts… To relax into ‘presence’ is a natural way of calming your body and mind, replenishing your energy, and cultivating joy and wellbeing. If you have the tendency to lose yourself in over-thinking, live a very busy life, or would simply relish time for balance and restoration, join me in this beautiful and supportive setting for a blend of mindfulness meditation and qi gong practices. If you have attended the 3-day retreat, Moving into Mindfulness, (offered in February this year) you will find this retreat a wonderful chance to deepen into yourself more in a way that more than than three days allows.
Qi gong is an ancient Taoist system designed to improve the flow of energy in the body, create vitality and concentrate the mind. The qi gong practices we will learn include qi gong warm ups, qi gong self-massage, the six Taoist healing sounds, the inner smile compassion practice, and the Shibashi Part i qi gong form. These will be practices you can take away and use at home to relax and revitalise your body and mind.
You are welcome to join as much or as little of the scheduled programme as you wish; this is a retreat in which none of the usual social expectations are placed on you. It offers you a very rare chance for you to come home to the OK-ness of yourself, just as you are. We will begin each morning with stretches and meditation before breakfast, and finish each evening with the six qi gong ‘sounds’ practice to relax the organs of the body and to prepare for sleep. There will be time for reflection as well as delicious vegetarian meals. Apart from the first day, the last morning and a session each day for discussion and questions, the retreat will be in silence for participants, although you are welcome to come and talk with me if you need to.
What You Will Learn on This Retreat
- How to practise mindfulness, in sitting and movement
- Warm ups and stretches to encourage qi flow
- Qi gong self massage to energise and harmonise the body
- Self-compassion meditation (“the inner smile”)
- The six qi gong Taoist “healing sounds” for greater well being
- Understand how you create stress, and gain more mastery over emotions
- The Shibashi part i qi gong form
- How to bring mindfulness practise into everyday life
- How to cultivate your inherent joy.
Benefits of the Retreat
- More vital energy (qi) in your body
- Greater awareness of the ways you block your inherent happiness
- Opportunity to let go, relax and unwind
- Be reminded of your inherent OK-ness
- Better sleep and improved well being
- A more focused mind
- Opportunity for 4 days of deep rest – the chance to come home to yourself
- Improved mental health.
Venue
The venue for the retreat is the beautiful Tushita Ashram Hermitage in Peria Valley, Northland. Set amongst the sub-tropical vegetation, Tushita Ashram is a unique and safe sanctuary with plenty of space, shared communal areas and also places where you can spend time alone, for contemplation and relaxation.
Accommodation and Meals
On-site accommodation and meals are provided for you. Accommodation is in shared rooms. There are some single rooms available for an extra $20/night. These can be booked directly when you click on “Book this retreat now” button below. There are modern and clean showers and toilets.
Who is it Suitable For?
This retreat is suitable for:
- Absolute beginners with no mindfulness or qi gong experience
- Experienced mindfulness practitioners and meditators
- Anyone wanting to to revitalise and replenish their wellbeing
Price
This retreat is $400($480 for single room) plus dana/koha for Rachel. The $400(or $480) covers all your meals, accommodation and venue facilities. Rachel’s fee is not set and consists entirely of your Dana offering. Dana (meaning generosity) invites each person to offer according to their means and what the retreat has been worth to them. Dana payment is given at the end of the retreat. This can be in cash, cheque or by internet banking – an account number will be provided. (Please note: there is no Eftpos at Tushita Hermitage)
Retreat Facilitator – Rachel Tobin
Rachel Tobin has been practising meditation for over 25 years and is a qualified teacher in a variety of fields including the moving mindfulness practices of qi gong and feldenkrais. She is the director of the art of mindfulness, working individually with adults and children, teaching mindfulness in organisations and to the general public, and regularly running 1-day and residential mindfulness retreats. She also offers mindfulness programmes for children.
Rachel lives in Paekakariki, on the lovely Kapiti Coast, and comes often to Tushita Hermitage as a student of spiritual Master Sri Yanchiji.
“A fabulous, balanced, insightful, nurturing weekend taught in a supportive, relaxed way… Rachel’s teaching style is very allowing and i enjoyed the way the weekend flowed with just the right amount of downtime.” – J. Natusch, Auckland
“My wife thought it was a miracle that I would book myself into this retreat. It was a deeply fulfilling experience and one I hope to keep with me, if not return.” – Luc Hansen
“Ten days after Rachel’s Moving into Stillness retreat, … I feel physically energised and motivated, my mind calm and clear. I enjoyed the chi gong and the mindfulness equally.” – Kate Taylor, Auckland
“I enjoyed the balance of qi gong dynamic meditation, the sitting-still meditation, the mindfulness walking and the artistic offerings of poems etc… The meditation sessions held a ‘sit with me’ invitation and the number of sessions during the retreat helped deepen my meditation practice. And I learnt the importance of returning my mind from wandering and that this was a natural occurrence.
I liked the rhythm of life on the retreat with bells calling us to meditation and meals. I found the practice of being together in silence together both novel and refreshing. I feel I have experienced mindfulness practice that I can take from the retreat to my everyday life. “ – Gloria Henderson, Wellington
Retreat Details and Bookings
Start Date and Time: Wednesday 9th October 4.00PM
Finish Date and Time: Sunday 13th October 2.00PM
Location: Tushita Hermitage
Price: $400(or $480 for single room) plus koha/dana for Rachel
Payment required: Full payment is required by credit card to secure your booking
Refunds: 80% Refunds are available up to 2 weeks prior to retreat commencing. 50% refunds are available from then.
Accommodation and Meals: All included
How to Book: Get Tickets Here.
Questions: Complete the Contact Form here.
Getting There and Transport
The Tushita Hermitage is located at Oruru Road, Peria Valley in Northland
By Car
You can reach the Tushita Hermitage by car. Off street car-parking is provided.
By Plane
The nearest airport to Tushita Hermitage is Kerikeri. Air New Zealand provides regular flights to and from Kerikeri via Auckland. Pick up and drop off can be arranged from Kerikeri airport to Tushita Hermitage for $25 per person each way.
If people are arriving on flights within approximately two hours of each other, we will co-ordinate one pickup.
Alternatively – if you arrive at Kerikeri airport in the morning – another option is to take the shuttle into Kerkeri($12), and then take the 12.35pm Intercity bus from there to Taipa.
By Bus
Intercity provides transport from most NZ centres to Taipa. Taipa is about 20 minutes drive from Tushita Hermitage. Free pick up and drop off can be arranged from Taipa to Tushita Hermitage.
Pick up and drop-off
If you require pick up and/or drop off from Taipa or Kerikeri , please contact us at least 1 week before your course or retreat starts so it can be arranged. You can contact us here.
