Day Retreat at Cullen Bay - Yoga, Breathwork, Meditation & Sound Healing

Itinerary:

10:00am   Welcome Juice & Opening Circle

10:30am   Yin Yoga & Guided Meditation

12:15pm   Sumptuous & Nutritious Lunch

1:00pm     Self-Pampering Sesh - Food Facial for your skin type & Foot Bath 

1:45pm     Transformational Breathwork

3:00pm     Afternoon Tea/Snack

3:15pm     Sound Healing Journey

4:15pm     Closing Circle

Itinerary and times are subject to change.

Guest Skill Level

With Carole's extensive teaching experience she caters for all skill levels from absolute beginners i.e. gentle practice to advanced yoga experience, so everybody receives the wonderful benefits of each of the yoga sessions.  Even if you cannot get down onto the ground, she will provide a chair for your practice.

More Information about YOUR Retreat

 

What to Bring/Wear

Loose Yoga or similiar clothing, Yoga Mat, Drink Bottle, Towel and your favourite Pillow - plus 'You Time'

Meditation

No matter what your age, meditation is one of the easiest ways to improve your health. Research at the Medical

College of Georgia found that meditation lowered blood pressure and reduced the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Additional studies have demonstrated meditation can reduce chronic pain, decrease levels of stress and pain in

cancer patients, and reduce symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia.

Other studies have indicated meditation may reduce the levels of cortisol, a hormone that in high levels can weaken the immune system and slow down healing. Results from a small study conducted in 1998 with patients suffering from psoriasis lesions indicated meditation can speed up the body’s natural healing process. Some studies have even suggested meditation can help in the prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Carole is a qualified Meditation Teacher. Her teaching methodology is to ‘keep it simple’ starting at

the basics and then progressing at an achievable pace.

What is Yin Yoga?

Yin Yoga stretches and targets both the deep connective tissues between the muscles, and the fascia throughout the body.  The aim is to increase circulation in the joints and improve flexibility as the poses stretch and exercise the bone and joint areas.  It also helps us to regulate the body's flow of energy.

Yin Yoga is a beautiful deliecious practice that helps us heal both our heart and out mind.  It allows us time to sit within ourselves, to just be still and to notice what the body and mind are telling us.

It differs from Vinyasa Yoga yet is the perfect complement!  By having a Yin and a Yang yoga practice, you are creating a beautiful balance within your energy systems and a unique sense of calmness you will feel both physically and mentally.

Benefits:

• Yin Yoga increases flexibility
• Melts stress away
• Allows you the opportunity to learn to listen to your body, slowing everything down and brings you closer to your authentic self
• Builds fortitude and perserverance
• Releases emotions
• Yin Yoga give you a fabulous afterglow

What is Sound Therapy?

Sound Baths are an ancient form of deep meditation that includes various ambient sounds played by an instructor. Your instructor, during a sound session, uses a variety of different traditional instruments to create repetitive sounds. These sounds are notes at different frequencies that help enhance and guide you through your whole meditative experience.  While most people lay down in savasana (a yoga pose where one lays flat on their back) on mats with pillows or blankets during the duration of the sound bath it is up to the particular individual on how they would like to practice their meditation.  Here is what we believe to be the best benefits of sound baths.

Heals your body by reducing stress and anxiety

The sounds created by the particular instruments used during a sound bath are meant to activate the alpha and theta brain waves which are associated with deep meditative and peaceful states. When one is able to access these brain states it develops a more conducive space for healing the body, heart, and respiratory rate. 

Additionally, new research has been done on the benefits of binaural beats, which is when two tones at slightly different frequencies are played together, and its effects on anxiety levels and mood states.  One study by Padmanabhan, Hildreth, & Laws found that binaural beat audio has the potential to decrease acute pre-operative anxiety while another study by Le Scouarnec et al. discovered that listening to binaural beat tapes in the delta and theta range may be beneficial in reducing mild anxiety.

Impacts the human nervous system and decreases blood pressure

One previous research, Landry, J.M., studied how Himalayan singing bowls, which use similar healing vibrations used in modern sound baths, in meditation practices could enhance certain physiological and psychological effects.  This study measured blood pressure and heart rate before and after exposure to a Himalayan singing bowl meditation session and found that exposure enhanced both blood pressure and heart rate responses. Listening to the various vibrations and frequencies in a sound bath have the potential to help restore and enhance one’s respiratory system.

Helps tune out your thoughts and tune in your meditation

The healing sounds and vibrations created by the various instruments helps give you something else to focus on other than your thoughts which enhances and improves your meditation.  While there have been multiple scientific studies proving the healing benefits of meditation it can sometimes be very difficult for individuals to completely clear out their mind and concentrate. However, by having the added benefit of different sound frequencies surrounding you during your meditation you can clear out your thoughts and focus your mind on the sounds and vibrations, making it easier for you to clear and reset your mind.

Allows you to open up and reconnect with one’s self

Since this is a deep form of meditation, sound baths can allow one to completely reset their body and then reconnect with their own intentions.  Much like regular meditation, sound baths have similar benefits of allowing one to free their mind of daily thoughts and nerves while also restoring their body and stimulating their mind to take on the next day. The healing sound instruments produce vibrations that help to promote not only the expansion of your consciousness but also your inner peace.

Makes you more relaxed, balanced and focused

The environment created in a sound bath class provides a soothing and safe space to relax and rest.  Since you are lying in savasana, a comfortable and restorative pose, it allows your body to become more relaxed and balanced as well as helps to realign and connect your mind and body.  This deep meditative process includes active breathwork and listening. Combining deep breathwork with the soothing sounds and healing vibrations from the collection of instruments completely envelops you into a relaxing experience where you can let your mind go, recharge, and then refocus in on your daily life after the session.

Sound baths can be a great help for anyone who wants to hone into a moment of relaxation and meditation.

Special Breathwork Practice:

This is going to blow your socks off......if you choose to read our TripAdvisor Reviews you will get a feel for what to expect.

Lunch

Your host will prepare for you a sumptuous vegetarian (or vegan, upon request) lunch packed with nutrients to nourish your body.

Covid Safety Plan & Cancellation Options Due to Covid

Balance for Life has an approved Covid Safety Plan.

If you have contracted Covid-19 and this affects attending your retreat and travel plans, then depending on your circumstances, you may choose from one of the following options:

• A full refund based on evidence of a positive RAT or PCR test; or
• Under the Covid extenuating circumstance policy you can request a retreat credit for the full amount paid.

Finally.....

"Be prepared to challenge yourself, have a lot of fun and most importantly pack an open mind and a belly full of laughs! You are about to have a very unique Territory experience".

I hope to have the opportunity to share this amazing day with you at Cullen Bay.

Om Shanti

Carole x