Expand. Explore. Play.


Intention

Our intention with hosting weekend Retreats is to create a safe, supportive environment, where people can experience powerful modalities like Family Constellations, to explore and resolve aspects of their lives which are troubling them.
As this type of inner work can get serious and intense, we use Dance (Biodanza), Art, Nature, Music and Playfulness to lighten the process and to help participants to integrate their insights and experience.

Gathering for a weekend, allows us to build greater trust and safety, enabling people to go more gently and deeper into their process.

Within these Retreats, we are also creating a sense of Community, where caring people are coming together in a beautiful place, to support each other on their journeys. While someone may arrive as a stranger, they are very soon part of the family, making special connections.

As one participant from my previous retreat shared:
"I found the weekend calm and restorative creating a safe non judgemental space to unpack old baggage allowing release and space for personal growth. The dance was playful which balanced the intensity of the constellation work. Come with an open heart and let the healing work it’s gentle magic, the touches and smells of nature all around is soul soothing πŸ™"

BIODANZA AND BIODANZA IN NATURE

"Biodanza is a radical system that awakens our potential to live life fully. It is about falling in love with life. This means deepening our love for ourselves, our connections to other, to nature and all that that is, through movement and music!"
Rolando ToroAreneda (Creator of Biodanza)

Biodanza gives us an opportunity to explore different ways of Being in the world, freeing ourselves from learnt patterns, connecting deeper with Ourselves, an Other and with All that is around us.

Connection to Nature is right there in the heart of Biodanza. We adventure together and experience how nature can hold and nurture us, as we slow down, connect with, open to and rest within her magnificence.
 
FAMILY CONSTELLATIONS

Family Constellations leads us to the realization that it is never too late for a greater, happier life. For every person there is only one right place in their family, and that is their own place. Once you have found and fully taken your place, a new perspective opens up, which makes you capable of taking action. Frequently, we have taken on misguided beliefs and other people's expectations, inherited from our parents and ancestors , that keep us entangled and not able to live our full magnificence.

Family Constellations can help bring these patterns and entanglements out into the light and into our consciousness, so they can be questioned, released and overwritten. The decision whether you are ready to do so is up to you personally.

 
AUTHENTIC ART MAKING

This beautiful creative process will be guided by Gayle.

Intuitively choosing images and colors, bringing them together into a magical collage. This process is a wonderful way to integrate the many insights of the weekend and make it manifest in a stunning image.

The result is something you can take home with you to remind you of your learnings and inspire you going forward.
 
OPTIONAL EXTRAS AND OWN TIME

Early morning Yoga. An opportunity to greet the dawn withsome gentle stretches and breathing.

Nature walks, either Guided or on your own.
Gentle strolls, to explore and connect with Nature.

Party Night. Socializing together with Live music, Singing, Joke sharing and Story telling.

There will be free time for you to read a book, have a nap,
swim in the dam/river, explore the beautiful gardens and nature.

Time to Be, to relax, rejuvenate and restore your Soul.
 

Feedback from past Participants

Cost and Booking Details

We will have a maximum of 18 participants attending this retreat.

The following prices PER PERSON, includes your accommodation,
all delicious vegetarian meals, teas, coffees and biscuits.


R3200 sharing a room
R3700 for a room on your own


A deposit of R1500 will reserve your place, with the balance due by the 21st of October 2022.

Arriving by 5 pm on Fri 4 November, we will start with an early Dinner.
We will finish around 4 pm on the Sunday.

We have arranged with Hearth and Soul for the option to stay on for an extra night (Sunday the 6th).
This is a lovely way to integrate the experience, rather than rushing home to the "Real World".
The cost for the extra night's accommodation, including dinner and breakfast is R500 sharing and R620 in a single room.

Cancellation/Refund Policy
More than two weeks before the event - 75% refund
Less than two weeks before the event - 25%

Rooms will be allocated as deposits are received, so if you have a preferred
room or want a single room, please mention this when booking.


What to Bring along with you

Hearth and Soul will cater for us, with wholesome, delicious vegetarian meals. They can also do vegan meals, if you arrange it with Alan when booking. Their food is generally outstanding and plentiful, with much of it grown on the farm.

There is always fresh rain water, coffee, tea, biscuits and fruit available to snack on. Please bring along any special teas, juices or sweeteners you might require. Likewise, if you want additional snacks, supplements, superfoods etc. please do bring them along.

We are choosing to hold this event without the influences of alcohol, recreational drugs, or any other mind altering substances, so please leave these at home. If this is unclear, or there is a substance that you need for your well being, please discuss this with Alan before booking.

Bring clothing for all weather, layers work well. For walking, a water bottle, daypack, sun hat, sun screen, sun glasses, decent walking shoes and water proofs.

Any little creature comforts to help you feel more at home, such as a blankey, yoga mat and cushion. A book to read and a notebook to capture your Magic in.

Please bring an abundance of Curiosity, Playfulness and a Willingness to Explore and Grow.

ABOUT ALAN

For over 25 years, I have worked with various forms of Self Development and Healing.
Of all the work I have done, these weekend Retreats are the most meaningful and rewarding. They ignite my passion and it is humbling to see the amazing shifts in people, when given the support and space they need to evolve.

My Healing journey took seed in Cape Town in the mid 90's. It then blossomed in the later 90's, while I was living in Ireland. After taking time out to do personal spiritual retreat, I completed a 2 year training as a Professional Healer, followed by another 2 years to get my Diploma in Craniosacral Therapy. I then honed these skills, running a small practice in Ireland.

Since returning to South Africa in 2006, I have trained and graduated as a Biodanza Facilitator, a Life Coach, a Family Constellations Facilitator and as a Watsu Practitioner.

Nature has always played a hugely restorative part in my life. As well as enjoying a lot of time being and connecting with Nature, I have studied and offer Biodanza in Nature, participated in Nature Constellations, completed nature guiding studies with "Spirit of the Wild", led various hikes and shared many special nature experiences with others.

 
ABOUT GAYLE

I am always thrilled when Alan invites me to support him and lead Art Processes on his Retreats. While I have attended many, each weekend is always unique, always with an amazing "family" of people, coming together to have fun and grow together.

I love hiking and being in Nature and where possible I also sketch and paint in Nature. I often take trips out to the country side to do plein air painting. I also love the energy of Live Music and always have the compulsion to sketch when I attend these events. We are all creative, so I encourage who ever wishes to explore this aspect of themselves, to attend my free Happy Hippy Girl Open Studio once a month to share our talents in a loving atmosphere.

I have been involved with the Blaauwberg Art Society since 2014 and President since 2015, where I organise artists to do monthly practical demonstrations in various mediums and also organise exhibitions for our members at a local shopping centre. I am a member of SASA, exhibiting with them at Kirstenbosch Gardens and Rondebosch Art In The Park. I am also a member of The International Water Colour Association and have exhibited with them at Lourensford Wine Estate.