This weekend retreat held in the quiet and peaceful Berwick Forest will be an opportunity to learn and practice the ancient Yogic art of Japa.

Japa is the repetition, again and again, of a sound. When the mind is restless Japa will help to still the mind. A still mind is the goal of Yoga. The magic happens when we can settle the waves of the mind.

My association with the Hare Krishna movement led me to develop a long standing love of Japa. It is an exquisite practice which can be a doorway into the deeper states of the mind in a relatively simple way.

Japa mantra is the repetition, over and over of a matra, a word that has specific and positive meaning.

This can be done in many ways. We will explore some of them over the course of the weekend.  

                                                        With mala beads

                                                        Silently

                                                        With Nyasam (Placement of sound on the body)

                                                        Out Loud

There will also be Yoga, Yantra and Meditation practices over the weekend to enhance the Japa.

All meals will be plant-based.

Breakfast is self catered so you can eat what you like, when you like it.

Accommodation is in warm, clean, shared bunkrooms.

There is a spacious, warm sauna, gentle forest walks and no wifi, all which combine to create a relaxing atmosphere.

Berwick is 40mins south of Dunedin, so the 7pm start on Friday is achievable after work. Finishing at 12pm Sunday means you get to arrive home in time to ease back into your home life while retaining your retreat vibe.