I am an expert in the realm of therapy. With a wealth of experience spanning over 23 years as a dedicated therapist and 7 years specifically honing my skill in Hypnotherapy and RTT Therapy, I bring unparalleled insight and skill to my sessions. Having positively impacted the lives of over 3000 clients through my Hypnotherapy practice and countless more through my broader therapeutic work, my dedication to healing is undeniable. My influence extends beyond individual sessions, having empowered over 6000 students through my online programs and guided countless others in transformative retreats across multiple continents.
Nina Lane is a New Zealand singer songwriter guitarist who grew up on the Coromandel Peninsula surrounded by musicians, artists and writers. She is noted for being a “Kiwi original artist in this age of sound-alikes” Nina's musical journey began with classical singing lessons at the age of 13yrs and it became a deep passion in life. Her voice has been described by critics as “a unique voice, a rare instrument with a deep glowing alto tone like liquid honey”. She toured as a solo, national artist for 14 years and then performed as a traveling musician in Australia, Singapore, Northern Europe and America. Nina studied songwriting at the ‘Artichoke School of Music’ in Portland, OR, USA. Currently Nina teaches singing one-on-one to mixed ages and facilitates creative songwriting groups in Whangarei. She tours her music with multi-instrumentalist and partner Bryan Owens performing original songs inspired by a fusion of musical genres including contemporary folk, jazz and blues. Her new album "Holding the Flame" is available now on Bandcamp. For more info: http://ninalanemusic.com
Join us on a paddle in the calm, sheltered waters Parua Bay. Kayaks and life vests provided. No experience is necessary. The morning tour is limited to 12 people, but the kayaks are available all day on Saturday for those who wish to take one out on their own.
Bring your mat to a yoga session on the lawn of Holy Ground. (We’ll have a couple of extra yoga mats for those who don’t have one). From there we will have a lovely view of Parua Bay during our practice.
Carpool 17 minutes drive to Kauri Mountain Beach, one of New Zealand’s most picturesque wild beaches. A little off the beaten track down an unsealed road, Kauri Mountain is a gorgeous white sandy beach with a pohutakawa-clad shoreline, nesting bird habitat and Mermaid tide pools.
Dr Melissa Gilbert is a general practitioner with a special interest in women’s health, menopause hormone treatment, and post-fertility sexuality. Melissa, who has been prescribing body-identical hormones for women for the past fifteen years, firmly believes in women's potential during menopause. She sees this stage as a powerful era of a woman’s life, where physical fertility passes to make way for creative fertility, inspiring women to reach their full potential.
Melissa says of the menopausal, or climacteric, transition, “It is a time of sexual liberation and a realisation of our full feminine power. Unfortunately, our recent historical narrative undermines our value and has attempted to obstruct the matriarchal revolution. We do not become mad or invisible; we are in a chrysalis, awaiting rebirth. It is time to emerge and rise.”
Melissa’s strongest desire is for all women to have access to this possibility by reframing their personal histories. This is done through narrative rewriting, mind-body linking, conscious creation, and lifestyle changes. Her role fiercely supports women with this transition through consultation, prescribing, referral to relevant practitioners, and a mindful investment in the therapeutic relationship. Melissa holds an NZ Medical Degree (MBChB) and is a Royal NZ College of General Practitioners Fellow (FRNZCGP).
Psychodrama is a philosophy, a body of knowledge and a method for working with groups and individuals to enable the emergence of spontaneity and creativity. This enhances our ability to respond to our life and work situations in ways that are effective, fresh, vital and relevant. We are invited to leave the conserved patterns in which we find ourselves constrained and to enter into a free situation.
I also offer nature therapy experiences with llamas, dogs, cats and trees as my co-therapists. Being outside and connecting with the natural elements has the capacity to soothe and free up your creative energies. (See Sunday activity Walking With the Llamas).
Near Whangarei Heads there is the magnificent Ocean Beach, about 20 min. drive from Holy Ground. The long sandy beach is surf patrolled and is well known for boogie boarding and surfing. The water is crystal clear during the summer months and there a fantastic views from the sand dunes at either end of the beach. There are some great rock pool exploring to be had at low tide at either end of the beach. Bring your boogie board and hit the surf!
Cacao ceremonies are special to share in a group environment, especially with a special group of women. They can help to increase the energetic field of our hearts, and when we join together, the field is amplified and woven together. Cacao ceremonies are certainly not new. People in south and central America, especially the Mayan and Aztec cultures, have been enjoying, initiating and sharing cacao ceremonies for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence of cacao’s use dates back to 3,900 years ago in Central America, and recent genetic evidence dates cacao’s use to 5,300 years ago in the Amazon.
Science actually supports what the early people knew from their personal experiences. The active ingredient in the cacao is called theobromine, which produces beta-endorphins that are directly responsible for the feelings of calm, relaxation and happiness. Also tryptophan produces serotonin and has been linked to emotional ecstasy. However, in this experience, being in this ceremony with others, far surpasses the clinical knowledge.
Relax and receive a restorative Mystical Sound Journey where you will be guided to explore different levels of conscious awareness that may not be obvious in day to day life. Kāren’s Mystical Sound Journeys begin with a myth based story drawing from astrological imagery. This leads into an opportunity for you to drop into your own inner world, guided by musical accompaniment, healing songs and prayers in several languages including; Te Reo Maori, Spanish and Portuguese. Kāren plays a wide variety of instruments including; shamanic frame drum, koshi bells, singing bowls, bells, guitar, mandolin, jaw harp, flute, kouauau and others. Please bring a mat, blanket and pillow to make yourself comfortable. Mystical Sound Journeys are transformational shamanic experiences and no two are alike.
Kāren Hunter is a (Pākeha) New Zealander of Cornish, Irish and Scottish descent. Kāren’s offerings of Music, Astrology and Ceremony are intended to contribute to the present awakening of humanity. Kāren is also a Zenergy Global trained facilitator and can hold dynamic space with sensitivity.
Lisa’s introduction to the Nia Dance Technique began dancing in her living room to a Nia Global Unity DVD, where she discovered a unique sense of health and wellbeing. In 2009, she participated in her first Nia White Belt teachers training intensive with Ken Gilbert, in Christchurch. She continued to deepen her knowledge over several years and complete the Nia Green Belt, Blue Belt and more recently the Brown Belt with Ann Christiansen in Brisbane. Lisa travels led her to practise with the Nia dance community in Slovenia and then on to dance classes with resident Black Belt trainers at the ‘Nia Head Quarters' in Portland Oregon, USA.
Twenty years on Lisa facilitates Nia dance classes in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. “I believe dancing increases our sense of self-love and is one of the keys to a long and happy life”.
Explore the waters of the Marine Reserve at Reotahi with an experienced snorkel guide. Casey Wyeth led groups of young novice snorkelers as a volunteer guide for DOC and Experiencing Marine Reserves. You never know what you might spot - pipefish, triplefins, nudibranchs or eagle rays. BYO snorkel gear and wetsuit. We will have one extra set of snorkeling gear available, and a couple of pool noodles and boogie boards for those who would like something to hang onto in deeper water. Group is limited to 10 people.
We will carpool 20 minutes drive to Urquhart’s Bay carpark, then walk through rolling farmland for 15 minutes to private little Smuggler’s Bay. This is one of the prettiest beaches in Northland, the perfect place for a dip in the sea.
Carpool (10 min.drive) to Sara Crane’s property to walk the rolling hills in search of her herd of adorable llamas. After we find them, relax in the paddock under a tree, sip a hot drink from your flask, have a snack, and watch the gentle llamas with their babies (very therapeutic!) Group size limited to 10 people. Wear gum boots or good walking shoes. Weather permitting.
Casey Wyeth, Moon Woman Retreat organizer, will give a talk about nutrition and exercise for optimal health during menopause and beyond. We’ll discuss strategies for improving diet for easing menopause symptoms, herbal remedies and more. While earning a degree in Sustainable Agriculture, Casey became interested learning more about food as medicine. Optimal nutrition can reverse chronic disease, improve digestion, help you lose weight, clear up your skin, and even improve your mental state. Casey has a Permaculture Design Certificate and also attended the California School of Herbal Studies.
Back in the 1990’s, Casey started organizing ladies retreats for all her friends in her professional photography group. She would book a large B&B, everyone brought costumes and photographed each other, there was always plenty of drinks on hand (this was in California wine country), and the ladies laughed and goofed off all weekend long. It became an annual event for the next 6 years, one that the women eagerly looked forward to. Fast forward to 2017, Casey organized an Economics of Happiness Conference in Washington along with the international non-profit, Local Futures. Over 250 people from all over the US came to participate, and hear over two dozen speakers and workshop presenters.