2 nights residential retreat over the Winter long weekend (29 May - 2 June) and the Spring long weekend (27 - 29 September). An inspiring program of yoga, meditation, healing, sound healing, sacred mantra, ritual, and high-vibration vegan healing foods. The central focus of this retreat is deep meditation and a nature immersion to restore radiance, healing, love and balance within our hearts and for the earth. The transformative program is focussed on rediscovering and reconnecting with the spiritual heart of nature through through sacred, ancient mantras and meditation, and the direct healing transmission from being amongst the trees.
Retreat highlights
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detailsDate & Time Sat 2pm - Mon 1pm Winter 31 May - 2 June (long weekend) Spring 27 - 29 September (long weekend) Cost • $690 Residential - stay onsite in shared room • $590 Stay offsite in your own accommodation Book • Book Winter • Book Spring |
kookaburra yoga
Kookaburra Yoga Retreats include a generous balance of yoga, meditation, relaxation, pranayama, knowledge-based sharing, time in nature and opportunities for deep immersion into the yogic lifestyle. Sivananda's traditional hatha yoga is comprised of 5 distinct points which together comprise a balanced and holistic system of self-care and self-awareness. On your retreat you experience and live them all including mindful movement (yoga asana & nature walks); breathwork (pranayama); relaxation (yoga nidra & time in nature); mindfulness (meditation); proper diet and lifestyle (sattvic/peaceful food, ritual). When practiced with sincerity and integrated into everyday life and everyday thinking, traditional yoga perfectly and effortlessly brings balance and harmony to the 5 aspects of self: the body, breath, mind/emotions, wisdom and soul. nature Through our reverence of nature, we learn to embody the grace, softness and fierceness of the Divine Feminine in the form of Bhu Devi, the Earth Goddess who rules the nature spirits, arising from gratitude and devotion. She is often prayed to in order to gain wealth or material gain but this is a basic misunderstanding based on a distortion of the divine feminine by the masculine principle. Patriarchal western culture, with its emphasis on continual and unsustainable economic growth, has usurped this subtle beauty and overlaid it with a grabbing sense of possession. We have been conditioned to try to own it for our personal and individual gain, clinging and holding onto wealth in greed and selfishness. We see the tragic results of this in the destruction of our precious planet, the looming climate crisis and ruthless business practices that justify all means in the pursuit of so called growth. Our puja and prayers help to set things back in balance. Through Bhu Devi we remind ourselves and through the vibrations we produce, those around us, of the mystery and wonder of self regenerating life and the boundless abundance of nature on which we are entirely dependent for our lives, true happiness, fulfilment and well being. The masculine aspect, when properly understood has an equally important role to play. That is, to create and hold a safe space in which this regeneration can take place. The analogy is that of a bowl, a pedestal in which herbs and spices are ground to release their healing essence and intoxicating fragrance. The male aspect must chisel and carve the bowl from hard unyielding stone but should never seek to own and hoard the contents for its own benefit alone. This theme of natural balance becomes embodied through our practices and the powerful sacred mantras we share, and in the process, we transform ourselves. Those around us cannot help but be uplifted too. |
Warm, cosy shared living and eating spaces
We feed your soul...delicious, nourishing, heart-warming sattvic food
Food is fresh, vital and prepared with love
Spacious shared bedrooms with either 1, 2 or 3 beds.
Lovely stone and wood interiors
Wrap around verandahs overlooking the forest
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vigil
To keep vigil means to stay awake at times we would normally sleep - to keep watch, to pray, to meditate - on the eve of a holy day. Regardless of which religion we follow, meditation is an opportunity to look inwards at those aspects of our lives we could shed and renew - to rise up and shine, and reflect on the deeper spiritual meaning of a spiritual life - the endurance and permanence of the inner divine spirit and renewal of the inner light. |
darkness
Within each of us, there is always an interplay of both 'darkness' and 'light'. The practices of yoga lead us through these polarities to discover the brilliant, unwavering inner light which is our soul. The Winter Retreat begins with an acknowledgement of the darkness within the world and our own hearts. We light the havan fire and chant together the sacred protective mantras offering those aspects we wish to shed or transform to the flames. 
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light
We meditate into the night under the light of the stars, keeping the purifying flame alight within our awakened hearts. We listen with quiet minds to the messages of surrender, love and grace which flow into and through us. This sets the tone and mood for our retreat - delving directly and deeply into the spiritual yogic traditions which deepen our connection with our own inner nature, and the healing and peaceful forest around us. |
grace
Without the distraction and stress of the constant thinking, doing, and acting which characterises our everyday lives we discover a silent centre, where we discern a deeper, spiritual presence. Immersing our mind and consciousness here within our centre we awaken to grace which powerfully illuminates and transforms our lives. We return to our lives with a lighter heart, with flow rather than resistance to the ever changing nature of life. 
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Saturday
2.00pm Arrive between 2pm and 3.30pm. 4.00pm Welcome Circle 4.45pm Hatha Yoga 6.30pm Agni Hotra Earth Healing 7.00pm Dinner 8.00pm Trataka, Yoga Nidra, Sound Healing 9.00pm Silence & Rest Sunday 6.30am Mano Yoga Meditation 7.30am Hatha Yoga 9.30am Breakfast 10.00am Sacred Bush Walk & Meditation (optional river dip for the bold!) 1.00pm Satsang - Sacred Conversations 2.00pm Lunch 4.00pm Samyama Meditation and the Mind 5.00pm Yin Yoga 6.15pm Havan Fire Ceremony 7.00pm Dinner 8.00pm Trataka, Yoga Nidra & Sound Healing Journey 9.00pm Rest |
Monday
6.30am Mano Yoga Meditation 7.30am Hatha Yoga 9.30am Breakfast 10.00am Forest Meditation & Reflection 11.00am Satsang & Closing Circle 12.30pm Light Lunch 1.00pm Departure |
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$690 residential
• 2 nights stay in shared room (1, 2 & 3 bed rooms available). • All meals (vegan & gluten-free) • Retreat program. |
$590 offsite
• Stay offsite in your own accommodation and come for program. • Full use of facilities during program. • All meals (vegan & gluten-free) • Retreat program. |
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Making yoga alive and realThe Kookaburra Yoga retreat program brings the history, philosophy and practices of yoga to life. We have an idea in our mind about what yoga is and even what life is, when in fact this is often a dream. The sages, rishis and deities are our alarm clocks - waking us from this this living dream. When you awaken and realise the true nature of things, life takes on a new perspective - infused with light and love. This is the blessing and beauty of a spiritual retreat.
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Beautiful & serene venueKookaburra Creek Yoga Centre was created as a sanctuary for seekers to experience the profound depths of true yoga. The centre has been blessed by our spiritual gurus who's presence, wisdom and influence infuse the program and teachings. The centre and grounds are a beautiful, pristine and vital environment which supports, replenishes and holds you during your retreat.
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Transformational programThe retreat program is designed to inspire, awaken and transform. Transformation happens at a subtle level - the consciousness becomes more subtle, able to perceive more directly. There may be a cathartic release of what is unreal which can be temporarily intense. A guided, professionally facilitated retreat provides you with the supportive framework to identify and release the pains you carry, enabling you to experience the joy of being.
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The healing power of natureLiving closely to nature brings us into harmony with both the external environment and our inner nature, enabling an intuitive understanding of what is needed to rebalance and bring healing to the body, mind and soul. On this retreat we meditate within and upon nature, including the sun, the moon and the trees.
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Hatha & Yin YogaKookaburra Yoga's integrated system of Hatha and Raja Yoga is holistic and beneficial on every level of being. Asanas are of 2 types (both rejuventative/uplifting and restorative/calming) imbued with 4 qualities: those which bring inner quiet; those which bring focus and body awareness; those which bring humility and detachment; and those which increase confidence and vitality. Afternoon Yin is a quiet and restful practice to unwind the nervous system.
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Daily RhythmWe establish a rhythm and routine which bring immediate calmness to the body, mind and soul. The schedule for your days and evenings is taken care of, allowing you to relax deeply, immersing yourself in the program and the retreat process. The program includes yoga and meditation into the night, which is balanced by restful periods during the day. You'll fall asleep to the sounds of the forest.
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Switch off and reconnectWe unplug from technology, computers, phones, devices and social media for the weekend. By all means bring a book (paper), camera, journal, and provide loved ones with our landline for emergencies. With our focus consciously tuned to experience the present moment, the natural world and our own inner nature we are able to begin the recovery and reintegration of our fragmented attention.
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Rest, write, read & reflectMany people come to a retreat for rest and respite. We have allowed time in the program for the rest you need and reflection. Our wide verandahs overlooking the creek and forest are the perfect place to read, write or reflect.
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Sound HealingOur evening candelight meditation and sound healing session leads you on a deeply relaxing and healing Sound Journey. Using sacred instruments, sitar, flute, gongs, chimes and crystal and metal bowls, the intuitive arrangement of harmonious sounds transports you deeply inward to experience the peaceful state beyond the body and mind. It is in this space healing becomes possible.
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Fire CeremoniesAgni Hotra is a purifying fire ceremony performed exactly at sunset and sunrise. It is a simple ritual to mark the transition time of day/night and heal the atmosphere and earth. On our second night (weather permitting) there is a full Havan Fire Ritual which is a powerful deeply transformative ceremony which is your opportunity to be intentional in what it is you might like to let go of, and what you might like to consciously focus on going forward.
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Sangha (community)You'll have the time and the opportunity to get to know and share with others if you wish to. We have some lovely big common areas to relax and mingle. This is balanced with periods of mouna (silence) where we keep company with others while maintaining a respectful silence.
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Powerful, healing placesWe take extended walks to nearby places in the nature reserves. These are places of spiritual significance and natural beauty, where we spend time walking slowly and mindfully and meditating quietly. This country is imbued with a powerful life force which is nourishing and healing
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AccommodationRetreat accommodation includes comfortable shared rooms in our beautifully refurbished retreat centre. There are accommodation options in the main residence and in studios around the property. You might choose to camp, sleeping under the stars in your own tent. There is also the option to stay offsite in your own accommodation.
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Sattvic FoodFood on this retreat is sattvic - meaning it brings peace and enhances the wellbeing of the body, mind and spirit. All food is plant-based, predominantly organic with much of the produce coming from our own kitchen garden. All cuisine is completely vegan and gluten-free, and is sustainable, pure and real.
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Total surrenderOn retreat we leave behind concerns and distractions to deeply and profoundly realise the spiritual and material benefits of yoga, returning to our lives with renewed energy and focus. We deepen the gratitude in our hearts for both the joys and sorrows of our lives. Both are a gift of love leading us to the graceful, limitless centre of ourselves.
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Mandy BeckerKnoxMandy has decades of experience teaching the subtle, powerful and transformational methods of yoga. Her knowledge and insights have been inspired through devotion, consistent practice and learning, and integration of yogic values and concepts into everyday family and professional life. She designs and facilitates Kookaburra Yoga's local and internationl retreats and programs.
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Robert BeckerRobert has taught yoga and inspired many thousands of students over almost 4 decades here in Australia, and also India, Africa and Europe. Robert is committed to sharing and passing forward the insights and knowledge he has acquired. He has a Masters in Psychiatric Social Work and is a professional and skilful group facilitator and spiritual guide. Together with Mandy, Robert built and developed Kookaburra Creek into the spiritual haven it is today.
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Kookaburra Creek Yoga Centre
210 Carradine Road, Bedfordale WA 6112 |
