4 Day Long Weekend Yoga and Meditation Retreat in Waipu, Northland Region

Facilities

The benefits of a yoga retreat

Taking this time to immerse yourself in your yoga and meditation practice can have enormous benefits, in all realms of your life - physically, mentally, and spiritually. These immersive weekends give you time to take stock of all aspects of your life, reflect, set intentions, and maybe reset your direction.

The weekend program

There will be two sessions of yoga and meditation every day. In the morning, a 2-hour energizing, dynamic yoga class including pranayama and meditation. The afternoon class will be a 2-hour workshop where you will dive deeper into a few of the poses to gain a deeper understanding of the practice and the benefits. The afternoon will also include some restorative yoga, with deep relaxation finishing with meditation and chanting.

If you have never practiced meditation before, full instruction will be given and the practice will focus on how to get a comfortable seated or lying position for the meditation. When the weather permits, the meditation may be taken outside so you can enjoy an uplifting walking meditation amongst the beautiful grounds and birdsong.

About the yoga

These weekends are based on classic yoga practices, drawing largely on the traditions of Iyengar and Ashtanga Vinyasa. The weekend program will be tailored to the group, their experience, and what they would like to focus on during the weekend.

Iyengar Yoga is known for its intelligent anatomical alignment. It's a more static practice where you tend to hold a pose for a few breaths, paying attention to correct alignment. Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga incorporates the energetic principles of movement and flow. It's a dynamic sequence of movements, synchronized with the breath which builds internal heat in the body. The combination of these traditions helps you to build strength, stamina, concentration, and flexibility.

5 pillars of practice

• Asana - the physical postures
• Vinyasa - connecting flow between postures
• Bandha - muscular locks to transform internal energy
• Pranayama - breathwork
• Drishti - using focal points to direct the eyes and compose the mind

A cornerstone of this style of yoga is the appropriate use of props (straps, blankets, blocks, bricks, bolsters, chairs) to support you in your asana practice. This can be useful for complete beginners or for those (like most of us!) that have some physical limitations.

Over the course of the weekend, you will explore working with and without props to understand what it will take to develop the full expression of classical postures.

Paradise View Retreat is located near Waipu and situated high up in the Brynderwyn Hills, in a sheltered position overlooking stunning Bream Bay, on New Zealand’s north-east coast. It has been built to ensure that every room, including the yoga room, has an amazing view, with huge panoramic windows letting in plenty of natural light.

Distances

• Beach - 10 minutes' drive

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You will be nourished by tasty and nutritious plant-based meals created by the inhouse chef including fresh juices and sour dough bread baked on the premises.

There will be two meals a day, a filling and wholesome brunch and dinner. This regimen typically enables everyone to make the most of the available time for yoga and meditation without going hungry!

Each day will start with tea, coffee, fruit, and biscuits. After the morning yoga practice, you will enjoy a substantial two-course brunch. In the mid-afternoon, you will be served a light afternoon tea with tasty sweet treats. A two-course vegetarian meal will be served in the evening.

Whilst Yoga Paradise tries to accommodate all dietary requirements, you are recommended to contact them before booking.

During the day, there will be plenty of free time to enjoy swimming in the pool, relaxing in the spa, sitting quietly in the Serenity garden or walking in the surrounding area. The beach is only a 10-minute drive away if you feel like swimming or walking on the beach.

In the evenings after dinner, there will generally be group activities such as talks and discussions, playing board games or time to watch inspirational movies. You may even just spend the time chatting and making new friends.

Yoga Paradise can arrange massage and other therapies on-site for an extra fee from a local therapist.

• 2 yoga classes a day
• 2 led-meditation sessions a day
• 3 nights accommodation
• Delicious vegetarian meals consisting of dinner on Friday night, brunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday and brunch on Monday
• Unlimited tea, coffee, and snacks
• Plenty of personal time for walks, reading, chatting, relaxing
• Use of all facilities, swimming pool, spa, gym, TV room, and library

• Travel to and from the retreat center
• Alcohol is not available on these retreats
• Massages or other therapies

Recommended Airports

• A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.