The Healing Canvas: Meditation, Body Wisdom & Art
December 5th to 8th' 2024
The Healing Canvas: Meditation, Body Wisdom, and Art is a four-day immersive retreat designed to guide you on a journey of self-discovery, deep healing, and creative expression. Set against the serene backdrop of nature, this retreat invites you to reconnect with your inner self through mindful meditation, nurturing body practices, and the transformative power of art.
As you explore the wisdom within your body and allow your creativity to flow, you'll uncover new layers of healing and self-care. Whether you're seeking restoration, inspiration, or a deeper connection to yourself, this retreat offers a gentle and supportive space to explore and awaken your inner canvas.
Highlights:
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Gentle Yoga and Meditation
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Premium Rooms with Nature Views
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Plant Based Nutrient Dense Meals
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Ancestry and Traditions of Cacao with Seleno Health
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Creative Expression: Art tools included with Artist Sigrid Freyens
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Included Scandinavian Sauna and Ocean Dip
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Warm Group Environment
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Optional Massage or Reiki therapy
What to expect
Yoga:
The gentle yoga sessions in our retreat are designed to nurture your body, calm your mind, and restore your inner balance. Each class weaves together slow, mindful movements with deep, intentional breathwork, allowing you to connect to the wisdom of your body in a gentle and loving way. These practices are accessible to all levels, inviting participants to explore postures that promote relaxation, flexibility, and inner calm.
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Inspired by the principles of somatic awareness, the sessions are focused on honoring your body’s natural rhythms, offering a space to soften into self-care and healing. Through restorative postures, gentle stretches, and meditative breathwork, these yoga classes will guide you into a state of deep relaxation and open the door to inner harmony. Each session is a journey inward, helping you release tension, reconnect with yourself, and prepare for the creative and healing experiences that follow.
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Workshops:
Ancestry and Traditions of Cacao with Seleno Health 🌿
Join us for a profound journey into the Ancestry and Traditions of Cacao with Seleno Health. This specialized workshop will immerse you in the rich cultural heritage and sacred traditions surrounding cacao. Seleno Health, a New Zealand-based natural health company known for blending ancient plant wisdom with modern science, will guide you through a two-hour exploration of cacao’s powerful legacy. During this experience, you’ll enjoy a ceremonial serving of cacao and discover its role in traditional wellness practices. This workshop offers a unique opportunity to connect with the spirit of cacao, gaining insights into its healing properties and significance. You’ll also have the chance to explore Seleno Health’s range of carefully crafted products, each honoring the timeless knowledge of the earth and ancestral traditions. More: https://selenohealth.com/
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Creative Reflection (Bring Your Own Journal)
Throughout the retreat, moments of Creative Reflection will offer a space for quiet introspection and self-expression. Participants are invited to bring their own journals to use as a personal canvas for their thoughts, reflections, and creative musings. Each journaling session will begin with a short guided prompt, encouraging you to explore your inner landscape, your emotions, and the themes that arise during the retreat. As you connect with your body through the nurturing practices of meditation and yoga, your journal becomes a mirror for your journey—capturing the healing insights, creative visions, and personal growth that unfold. This reflective practice allows you to integrate your experiences, honoring both the creative and contemplative sides of your being.
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Creative Art Workshop
Artist Sigrid Freyens will be offering a transformative experience where art becomes a pathway to healing and self-expression. This workshop invites you to explore the intuitive and healing power of creativity, using art as a way to express emotions, release inner blocks, and reconnect with your authentic self. Through hands-on activities like painting and working with natural elements you’ll be encouraged to create freely, without judgment or pressure for perfection. This is not about the final product but rather the process of letting go, allowing your creativity to flow, and embracing whatever arises. As you engage with colors, textures, and forms, you’ll tap into a deeper part of yourself, finding clarity, insight, and emotional release through the creative process. The workshop is a safe, nurturing environment where you can experiment, play, and bring your inner world to life through artistic expression. More: https://sigrid-website.vercel.app/
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Walking trails:
Sanctuary Hill is surrounded by the lush greenery of the Taranaki region. During this Retreat you can walk around the property to enjoy the views of Mt. Taranaki, listen to the birds of the region, walk through the orchard and visit the different areas around our property. If you are feeling more invited to rest back and enjoy the view, you can relax in our various outdoor areas to bask in nature.
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Therapies:
Spa Pool: You are welcome to enjoy our outdoor Spa Pool under the stars.
Optional Massages: We also have a specialized therapist that offers massage and Reiki. This are additional costs and can be booked at the time of your booking.
Included Scandinavian Sauna and Ocean Dip: As part of this retreat, participants will have the opportunity to visit a beautiful Scandinavian sauna located on a stunning beach in New Plymouth. This experience offers a therapeutic blend of warmth and relaxation, perfect for releasing tension and connecting with the body. Once you’ve soaked in the heat of the sauna, you can refresh with a rejuvenating dip in the sea, embracing the natural elements and the cleansing power of water. This outing is a perfect way to ground the retreat experience, combining nature, relaxation, and community in a serene coastal setting.
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Meals:
The carefully prepared meals at Sanctuary Hill have a special mention on our guide. Our chef crafts extraordinary menus that are rich in natural, plant-based whole foods and herbs and contain no artificial substances or common allergens. Chef prepares all meals with seasonal, organic, locally available ingredients and with as much naturally grown ingredients from our own garden. Beautiful, delicious and so, so good for you—the food we serve is meticulously prepared to fuel both body and soul. All special dietary requirements are accommodated.
Accommodation:
We provide private and shared accommodation, with two or one guest per room. The maximum number for our groups are 15 guests.
Our modern luxury bedrooms are equipped with 100% cotton linen and towels. We also have an option for couples to accommodate in a king size bedroom.
We invite our guests to unwind: take a walk, explore the property, read a book from our library, journal, connect with nature and wildlife, and relax in the hot tub.
Prices
​Three Night Program:
Shared Bedroom: $950 each (this is for single travelers that share a double or triple occupancy room)
Private Bedroom: $1,225 for single occupancy
Private Double Room: $1,850 for 2 guests (this is a private room for a couple or 2 friends traveling together)
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We offer Extended Stay Packages if you wish to stay at Sanctuary Hill after/before your Retreat.
Our packages can include accommodation, meals and access to our daily yoga schedule.
Program:
Thursday
3:00pm Arrival meet & greet
4:30pm Evening Gentle Yoga session
6:30pm Dinner
7:30pm Sharing / Spa pool
Friday
8:00am Breakfast Smoothie
8:30am Meditation & Yoga
10:30am Fruit Break
11:00am Creative Journaling
1:00pm Lunch
3:00pm Free time / Massages
5:30pm Dinner
6:30pm Traditional Cacao with Seleno
8:30pm Sharing / Spa pool
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Program:
Saturday
8:00am Breakfast Smoothie
8:30am Meditation & Yoga
10:30am Tea & Fruit Brake
11:00am Creative Art with Sigrid Freyens
1:00pm Lunch
3:00pm Scandinavian Sauna Therapy / Ocean Dip
6:30pm Dinner
7:30pm Sharing / Spa pool
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Sunday
8:00am Breakfast Smoothie
8:30am Meditation & Yoga
10:30am Closing Circle
11:30pm Departure
About New Plymouth
Transportation:
Sanctuary Hill is located only 15 minute drive from the New Plymouth Airport. We are happy to organize a shuttle service with an independent specialized company which normally charges NZ$35 dlls one-way.
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New Plymouth is the major city of the Taranaki Region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand.
Notable features are the botanic gardens (i.e. Pukekura Park), the critically acclaimed Len Lye Centre and Art Gallery, the 11 km (6.8 mi) Coastal Walkway alongside the Tasman Sea, the Len Lye-designed artwork known as the Wind Wand, Paritutu Rock, and views of Mount Taranaki/Egmont. New Plymouth Airport has daily services from Air New Zealand and Jetstar airlines.
What YOGA means to us
Yoga is at the heart of our retreats, and we offer the real deal. From the physical practice, the environment where you move, the food you eat, is all part of the philosophy of an integrative way of living. The goal of the physical practice is to challenge you physically but most importantly to quiet the mind. That’s what yoga is all about – calming the mind. And that’s what we teach on our yoga retreats. You will feel re-energized and restored both physically and mentally.
We are truly looking forward to welcome you to join us on an amazing adventure. Have a question we've not yet answered? Please don't hesitate on contacting us. Refund policies in the booking link.
Terms and Conditions
Please make your reservation as early as possible as spaces on our retreats are limited. Before payment, please read our Terms and Conditions here. Payment of your deposit equates to agreeing to the booking conditions. Should you require further clarifications of any of the conditions, we encourage you to contact us.
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