Time to refresh

Sammy Garrett from Evergreen Earth and Renee Riley from Bay Fitness are extremely excited to present the first ever Women’s Wellness Retreat to be hosted at the Kahurangi Outpost this November. This weekend getaway offers a refreshing location, filled with rejuvenating activities, and revitalizing company. Need an excuse to take some time out? Now’s your chance!!

The Kahurangi Outpost- secluded accommodation immersed in nature

Renee and Sammy are giving women from all walks of life an opportunity to take time out for themselves. NOW is the time to put YOURSELF first! Life is becoming increasingly demanding and many of us struggle through doing what is expected of us without doing what is BEST for US. We are here to change this. During the weekend you will be challenged to discover that there is more in you. With lots of adventure and a focus on refreshing the body, mind and spirit there really is no time to wait.

Once refreshed you will have the ability to reconnect with yourself, the beautiful person you are deep down inside. With a goal to develop self love and acceptance you will learn the tools of wellness in order to live a healthy and happy life.

The weekend will be filled with group activities, nature walks, adventure, challenges, bonding, wholesome food, yoga, sunshine (we hope) and of course, the chance to rest, relax and recover. This quiet reflection time is vitally important for you. We will be asking that participants leave their phones behind in order to fully be present in the moment and connect with themselves (there is a phone at Kahurangi Outpost for emergencies). The ‘Women’s Wellness’ group will be small (10-12 max) to allow a supportive, safe and encouraging space where each member feels comfortable. By the end of the weekend you will know the other women and yourself a whole lot better, sticking by the rule that what happens on camp stays on camp!

A nearby waterfall…

The weekend begins on Friday afternoon 6^th November, we will be travelling together to the Kahurangi Outpost with pickup locations in Takaka at 4.00pm and Collingwood 4.30pm. Giving you the ability to leave daily stresses, responsibilities, your kids, your car and your phone at home! From Friday to Sunday afternoon everything will be taken care of for you, all you need to do is show up and take part. We want you to get the most out of the weekend, optimising your wellness and your life. This weekend is fuelled by a passion of wellness for women and the prices covers costs only. In other words, Renee and Sammy both do this for the love it not to make profits. We want to keep the cost at a minimum in order to make the weekend as affordable and aaccessible as possible.

Everyone deserves to take in this view- Patarau Beach

Now’s the time to ask yourself, is wellness a priority for you? For $180-$200 it can be. This price is yet to be confirmed but will be all inclusive of costs throughout the weekend. Including accommodation, transportation, nutritious quality food and all excursions and activities. Places are limited and filling up fast, a deposit of $50 is required to secure your spot. Contact Renee 0212364505 or Sammy 0279773831 to arrange your deposit and ask any questions. If you are interested and the weekend of 6-8^th November doesn’t work for you, never fear there will be future events in 2016.

We’re here to tell you that YOU are important, YOU matter and YOU are beautiful. Join us at the ‘Refresh Women’s Wellness Weekend’ a perfect way refresh before summer rolls around. With love and wellness,

Renee & Sammy

The Evergreen Evolution

It began with a dream, and then a vision and eventually a knowing that this is what I am to do. It is my mission and I gladly accept! Slowly but surely the ideas kept growing inside of me, urging me to take action. So I did. The yoga training was the first step. Through yoga and meditation I was able to navigate the path of life- once discovering the tools to help me on my way I couldn’t keep the secrets to myself and vowed to share these revelations with the world. And believe me when I say, this is just the very beginning.

12 months ago, during a 10 day silent meditation retreat I had a light bulb moment of clarity (yes there was a lot of time to ponder life’s big questions!) and from that moment on I knew my purpose. No it was not to slave away in the corporate world, earning the big bucks for someone else’s profit. No it was not to keep a clean and tidy home with dinner on the table. No it was not to be a good daughter, sister, partner or mother. Although these things are part of life I knew there was so much more than that. We all have our own unique ‘so much more than that’, a purpose lying deep inside of us dying to be fulfilled. I believe it is my mission to help you discover yours…

Evergreen Earth, an organisation dedicated to help individuals reconnect with themselves, others and the Earth. With a goal to liberate and educate as many people as possible, the Evergreen Evolution began. I want to share with others how to live with soulful simplicity, opening to the joy and wonder of our Earth. This is not a quest I take lightly, evolving slowly but surely I am putting 100% of my passion and energy into making this dream a reality. Imagine a world where everyone was tuned in to living a wonderfully creative and abundant life? Wow!!

I still have a great deal to learn on my own journey and will be taking the next year to develop my yoga and meditation practice whilst teaching classes and hosting workshops and Evergreen Events part time. As always, I continue to learn and grow myself by attending as many self development courses and programs as possible. On top of that planning will be underway for the Evergreen Retreats to be held in New Zealand. To give you an idea-the retreats will be incorporating yoga, meditation, healing, nature, adventure, nutrition, education, wellness, connection, community, permaculture and so much more. As you can see, there is plenty of planning to be done. I see myself as a facilitator who will work with experts in their field, engaging these people as masterful resources.

Every time I share this vision for my future the light grows stronger and I am more confident to take steps towards making it happen. I thank you for allowing me to share that which is of utmost importance to me. Some may call it a higher calling, all I know it that this is my passion and purpose in life. As I begin to birth this creation I invite you to join me. Share your ideas and visions for a future of open hearted, strong, empowered, connected yet independent individuals. I would love to hear from anyone who is interested in collaborating, collectively we are stronger.

Shortly I will be rebranding to reflect the unveiling of Evergreen Earth, the blogging will continue as I embark on this journey of business creation. What began as a small seed deep inside my heart has now developed into a beautiful flower. Thank you for following and supporting me on this path. By living in truth and continually receiving an abundance of love and nature, Evergreen Earth is ready to blossom.

The Zen of Zuna

As I sit on the beach surrounded by coral and corse grains of sand I gaze across the crashing waves to the mountainous island of Lombok. I am completely full of wonder. Wonder that I find myself in this magical place of beauty. Wonder of the path I am on and wonder of the teachings which have manifested in the first week of the Zuna Yoga 200hr teacher training in Indonesia.

This experience of wonder on the small island of Gili Meno feels like a precious gift for honouring my path of truth. I am beyond grateful for the forces which have made this possible. There are 18 other beautiful souls who are also sharing in this devine reward. We stem from all four corners of the globe, drawn by different goals yet joining to share our individual passions for yoga. Although not yoga as you may know it, what we are discovering is so much more than any singular word can encompass.

In the rustic yoga shala at Mao Meno a powerful space is held where we, as Zuna Yogi’s have the freedom to let go and the openness to be our authentic selves. Since arriving one week ago, a safe sanctuary has been provided to nurture growth and development. Not only in physical aspects of asana but in a much wider scope of what it means to be a true yogi. Surrounded by nature at every turn I can’t think of a more ideal environment for deep transformation. Meditation, breath, mantra and philosophy form a bigger picture of modern day yoga. Somewhere between the natural environment and inner teachings I come to realize that a shift is taking place, change is occurring. 

Time is needed to process the information presented and the two hour pause for lunch is the perfect break to absorb the teachings and explore the island. While snorkelling in the turquoise waters I am reminded of the ebb and flow of life and the subtle vibration of the universe. Nutritious vegetarian food leads me to realize my body is a tool, not something to be abused or judged rather a vehicle which I must fuel appropriately. When you are in a state of awareness it is effortless to see how each learning presents itself in daily life. The ever changing island weather patterns of storms and sunshine reinforce duality and the teachings of impermanence. Understanding that change is imminent and nothing in this lifetime can be certain. 

 What is certain is that the process of yoga is continuous, a never ending school of knowledge. For now the focus is to be present in this moment in order to embrace all the wisdom which offers itself through the practise of yoga. The next two weeks are a chance to embrace this experience with even wider arms, deepening personal practises and expanding awareness. Now is the time to surrender to the zen of Zuna.

Vipassana- the Art of Living

Shhhhhh- a silent meditation retreat! I’m talking (or in this case not talking) 10 days, one and a half whole weeks of complete and absolute silence. It’s taken me a good couple of months to come to terms with the whole experience and reach the point where I am able to put my journey into words. That and the fact that I wasn’t able to write or take notes throughout the entire course meant that this is nothing but a reflection of what I have retained over these past months.

Full Moon during the 10 day Vipassana Retreat

Throughout the 10 days participants were encouraged to feel as isolated and alone as possible, not something many of us are accustomed to these days. There were over 40 brave souls who accepted the challenge of zero physical or verbal communication whilst focussing on the art of living through Vipassana meditation. The purpose is to encourage an inward journey by maintaining noble silence of speech, body and mind. In doing so, distractions were very limited. The moral code ensured that nil reading or writing materials were available, no use of electronics, no exercise, no speaking, no eye contact or gestures and even no eating after midday. I know what you’re thinking, I couldn’t believe I signed myself up for this either!

During the course I became so aware and in tune with the smallest of things, I guess that’s what happens when you have no distractions. The landscape and nature in Brookton was stunning and I found solace in my camera (Yes this was also prohibited but I’ve never really been one to follow rules!)

First, a little background on Vipassana. Said to be one of India’s most ancient techniques, a teaching of Buddha and a gift to humanity. The meditation technique itself is very simple and something which anyone of us could follow if we had the willpower to do so. It is all about self observation and self purification, by focusing on the breath and eventually expanding awareness throughout the body. At this level of observation universal truths are accessible to be understood by the mind and self discovery can be made at the deepest level. The whole experience is a journey, a path they call Dhamma. The way of Dhamma is not something which has a finish line, it is a never-ending way of life. The Vipassana tag line “10 days in silence… Meditation for life” eludes to the notion of continuous practice and progression although we all know it’s never that simple.

Vipassana is not a religion nor a cult, rather something which can be freely practised by anyone at anytime. Something which is equally beneficial to all – regardless of culture, race, age, language, community or religion. This could be seen by noting the diversity of the course participants, yep we were definitely a mixed bunch! Our daily schedule consisted of a 4.30am wake up followed by 10 hours of silent and still meditation classes in 1-2 hour blocks at the group hall. In the evenings there was a daily audio-visual teaching which I always looked forward to, even if it was an old Indian guru harping on. He did raise some every interesting points however. Goenka was this fellas name and he was the one who brought this technique across the world and made it accessible to all. Goenka’s main teachings included the understanding of 3 main points:

Impermanence– Things are ever-changing, nothing, absolutely NOTHING is permanent. Ignorance of this leads into suffering.

Suffering– Caused by the craving for things to remain permanent and as they are OR craving for the past/future. When you think about it this is true, how often are we completely and utterly content in the present moment?!

Egolessness– Reaching deep enough into the mind to be fully aware of when the ego is at play and the tough part- resisting reactions to the big bad ego…

According to Goenka, successful completion of the 10 day course relies on each individual’s earnest efforts, confidence, sincerity, health and wisdom. The technique requires strength and good qualities of the meditator to ensure progression and development. The meaning of ‘Vipassana’ is to see things as they really are. A way in which to mentally purify the trials and tribulations of the mind. With so much time up my sleeve it was only right that I was able to gain deeper insight and feel calm and balanced within… Although I’ll admit getting to that point was no small feat! It didn’t take long for reality and my ego to take back over… which is why this weekend I will be picking up where I left off and returning to volunteer. Courses are run solely by donation and rely on ‘old students’ offering there services to future courses. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and helping out while deepening my practice at the same time.

For anyone interested in learning more about Vipassana, courses are open to all and run worldwide solely by donation. For further information you can visit http://www.dhamma.org

Dhamma Padipa- Brookton WA