retreats
the sanctuary
a healing retreat space for women
14-17 October • Margaret River WA
"The things which women reclaim are often their voice, their own values, their imagination, their clairvoyance, their stories, their ancient memories. If we go for the deeper, the darker, and the less known we will touch the bones." ~ Clarissa Pinkola Estés
A beautiful 4 day retreat for women to gather in a nourishing sanctuary to rest, reflect and dream.
gentle yoga • qi gong • meditation • reflection • self-cultivation practices • eft (tapping) • deep rest • dreaming and visioning
a lovingly designed program to support your healing and spiritual journey with time to rest and replenish.
Professional, skilful, experienced, compassionate retreat leaders who safely support all attendees.
Daily qi gong, yoga and meditation.
Daily women's healing circle featuring guided enquiry, reflection and release.
Satsangs to connect and explore women's lived experience.
Dreaming and visioning meditations.
Bedtime yoga nidra.
Amazing vegetarian meals lovingly catered to your needs.
Peaceful homestead venue amongst the Karri trees in stunning Margaret River.
single and shared accommodation options in beautiful, luxe rooms garden apartments and cottages.
highlights
2023 dates
Click date to book
Saturday 2pm - Tuesday 1pm
From $1390 pp
Payment plans available
This female-centric retreat is for all women in any stage of life. Experience of yoga and qi gong is not required. Simply a willingness and desire to reconnect with your beauty, radiance, intelligence and stillness - to emerge into the light and purpose of your inner self with grace and gentle courage.
Saturday
2.00pm Arrive & Tea
3.30pm Welcome Circle & Mandala
5.00pm Gentle Yoga
6.00pm Meditation
6.30pm Dinner
7.30pm Yoga Nidra
Sunday
6.30am Qi Gong
7.30am Meditation
8.30am Breakfast
10.00am Women's Healing Circle & Satsang
1.00pm Lunch
2.00pm Silent rest
5.00pm Gentle Yoga
6.00pm Meditation
6.30pm Dinner
7.30pm Yoga Nidra
program
Monday
6.30am Qi Gong
7.30am Meditation
8.30am Breakfast
10.00am Women's Healing Circle & Satsang
1.00pm Lunch
2.00pm Silent rest
5.00pm Gentle Yoga
6.00pm Meditation
6.30pm Dinner
7.30pm Yoga Nidra
Tuesday
6.30am Qi Gong
7.30am Meditation
8.30am Breakfast
10.00am Closing Circle & Mandala
12.00pm Lunch
"I know myself with absolute clarity, and embody true wisdom. I delight in my body, in the senses, in my wholeness, in the world. I trust in the desires and choices which flow from my heart. I live from my medicine and magic which I share with the world"
You are invited to join Mandy and Jemma in our lovingly curated space for women and women's practices, the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is a retreat program where women can come together in a safe and sacred space where they can connect with each other and the sanctuary within their own Self.
Here we women gather to embrace deep rest, reflection, nourishment, and connection. Collectively we dream in the woman who we are becoming. With the presence and wisdom of the woman that we are. While honouring with gratitude the woman and the girl that we were.
The Sanctuary is a celebration of our lives and experiences as women across time. This retreat is for all women in any stage of life. Experience of yoga and qi gong is not required. Simply a heart felt willingness and desire to shed the veils which mask your beauty, radiance, intelligence and to emerge into the light and purpose of your inner self with grace and gentle courage, then we invite you to join us in the Sanctuary.
the sanctuary
Fully inclusive price from $1390. Payment plans available.
$100 earlybird discount - book and pay by 14 February
(March retreat) or 14 August (October retreat).
about the retreat
the venue
Gilgara is nestled on a hillside near the corner of Caves Rd and Carters Rd, just five minutes by car from Margaret River town, Gracetown and Prevelly beaches. The homestead and surrounds are very quiet and peaceful. The centre and grounds are a beautiful, pristine and vital environment which supports, replenishes and holds you during your retreat.
the practices
teachings and practices specifically suitable for a woman's body and energy system drawing from traditional and modern healing modalities.
gentle yoga
somatic, healing movement integrating breath and mantra. Our yoga sessions are slow, mindful and deeply restorative.
qi gong
gentle movement meditation bringing harmony, flow and authenticity to the mind, body and breath.
meditation
guided practices drawn from ancient traditions and contemporary wisdom - to cultivate an inner sanctuary of knowing, connection, clarity and peacefulness.
reflection
guided group contemplation and journalling. Time for personal reflection.
mandala
during the retreat, we together create a mandala from our intentions, dreams, insights using words, images, and chosen objects.
sacred satsang
sharing of our thoughts, feelings, insights and reflections. Time for questions and discussion.
eft (tapping)
a powerful holistic healing technique based on Chinese acupressure and modern psychology, which helps calm the nervous system, rewire the brain and harmonise energy.
dreaming and visioning
journey deeply inwards to the inner sanctuary to bring to life the gifts and insights of your dreams and visions.
sattvic food
pranic, life-giving and incredibly delicious vegetarian meals to nourish and sustain. Vegan, gluten-free and catered to specific needs.
community
enjoy the company and support of other women in an open, caring and safe sanctuary. Through these connections we come to realise that we are never alone on the healing path.
About the facilitators
Mandy BeckerKnox
Mandy is director of Kookaburra Yoga, creator of the Hatha Yoga Method and co-owner of Kookaburra Creek. She has decades experience teaching the subtle, powerful and transformational methods of traditional yoga and tantra, and creating and leading retreats, teacher trainings and beautiful yogic experiences. Her knowledge and insights have been inspired through devotion, consistent practice, higher education in yoga, Ayurveda, the arts, and integration of yogic values and concepts into everyday family and professional life. Mandy continues to study with her own teachers AG Mohan and Indra Mohan and is always learning and evolving. Yoga has been a support throughout her personal and professional life, and Mandy teaches and shares soulful, spiritual yoga which is relevant, practical, accessible and profoundly beautiful.
For more about Mandy see her bio
Jemma Doak
Jemma has over twenty years experience working with clients on personal and psychological issues using established and varied psychotherapy and counselling modalities combined with mindfulness, movement and body awareness methods. This offers an increased focus on body/somatic experiences and an individuals unique experience and process. Jemma seamlessly weaves somatic psychotherapeutic techniques, with neuroscience and ancient wisdoms in a gentle, trauma informed and trauma sensitive environment. This approach and method is highly effective.
Venue & Accommodation
We have 5 twin share or single rooms in the homestead and 8 luxury garden apartments onsite at Gilgara, our main venue. Offsite accommodation is less than 5 minutes away (by car) in 4 gorgeous rammed earth 2 bedroom cottages at Bussells Bushland Cottages.
Luxury apartment, Gilgara
Homestead - twin share rooms Gilgara
Rammed earth cottages, Bussells
Cost and Booking
Click 'Book Now' button to book and confirm your place.
A non refundable $400 pp deposit is required when booking.
The price is all inclusive and is based on the accommodation option you choose.
There is a $100 early bird discount if booked and paid in full by dates below.
4 month payment plans are available. This incurs an additional $100 fee.
Accommodation Options
Gilgara Homestead (onsite)
$1390 twin share room (1 person, single bed)
$1890 single room (1 person, king size bed)
Bussells Bushland Rammed Earth Cottages (offsite)
$1290 twin share room (1 person, single bed)
$1790 single room (queen size bed or single bed)
Gilgara Luxury Garden Apartments (onsite)
$2190 single luxury apartment onsite (1 person, king size bed)
$3890 couple - luxury apartment onsite (2 people, king size bed. No option for twin beds)
Early Bird Discount
March Retreat - book & pay by 14 February
October Retreat - book & pay by 14 August
Payment Plan
if you require a payment plan, please book, pay your deposit and let us know on the booking form you would like to take up this option which incurs an additional $100 fee.
book early for your $100 discount
Margaret River retreat venue
Facts and Questions
-
We welcome anyone who is interested in embarking upon a journey of self enquiry and discovery. The practices on each retreat are carefully explained and taught in a caring and respectful manner. All of the practices taught can be adapted to suit the needs of each participant.
-
The 4 day retreat is at Gilgara Homestead, Margaret River.
Accommodation is onsite and also offsite at Bussells Bushland Cottages.
-
Your deposit of $400 for 1 person or $800 for 2 people is non-refundable if you cancel.
If you cancel 0-2 weeks before the retreat the full amount of the retreat is payable.
If you cancel more than 2 weeks before the retreat the full amount minus the non-refundable deposit will be returned to you.
If the organisers cancel the retreat the whole amount you have paid will be refunded to you.
If the retreat is cancelled or postponed due to Covid you will be issued with the choice of a refund or credit.
-
You should be fine to attend if you are in reasonable health. Please check with your own health care provider if you have any concerns or doubts.
Please do not attend if you have symptoms of respiratory illness. If you get sick with respiratory illness during the retreat you will be required to self-isolate until are you well or until you have a negative Covid test.
We are within close proximity to Margaret River. If you get sick during the retreat, an after hours locum doctor (bulk billed) can be called or you can attend the local health services. The nearest major hospital is in Bunbury (1 hour).
-
Maximum Capacity:
There are twin share rooms - 10 people
There are 6 luxury garden studio apartments - 6 people
There are up to 8 places staying offsite.
-
$400 deposit when booking to reserve your place
Online payments only: credit card, paypal or direct deposit
If you require a 6 month payment plan select this option when booking. An additional $100 will be added for payment plans.
-
clothing for: yoga, bush walking, warmth, waterproof jacket if raining
sturdy shoes, water/wind proof jacket for bush walking
shawl and warm clothing for meditation and evenings
notebook and pen
reading material
torch
toiletries, personal items
"I loved your retreat, I think it's a beautiful harmony of modalities and I loved getting to experience a taster of different modalities. I felt straight away that you were both able to hold safe space and the fact that I felt safe to release and then bring in at such a deep level in only my first time in the group is testament to the safety you provide." Cherie
Enquiry Form
(I’d like more information)