A New Year Day Retreat: Embodied Presence and Intention

A New Year Day Retreat is a one-day wellness retreat in Red Hill, on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, for anyone who wants to begin the year slowly and in the body. Led by yoga teacher and Spinal Energetics practitioner Kirsty Saunders, it combines gentle yoga, meditation, circle sharing and intention work at Nearkey Biik, Education and Environment Centre. Everyone is welcome, and the group is capped at twelve.

The day is held under a waxing moon, a time the organizer describes as suited to gathering energy and calling things in. The invitation is to slow down, notice which qualities are ready to be felt and nurtured, and let your intentions come from that quiet connection rather than from doing more. There is room to complete what is ready to finish and to choose the energy you want to carry into the new year.

What to Expect

The retreat runs from 10am to 5pm. It opens with a gentle yoga flow to help you arrive in the body, followed by a guided gratitude meditation and circle time, where each person shares what is present for them.

The centrepiece is a group Spinal Energetics session, working with your own energetic field and the field of the group to support self-connection, processing and integration. After lunch there is an optional nature walk through the fern gully, then embodied intention work with guided and self-guided practices and time to write by hand. The day closes with restorative yoga with essential oils, and afternoon tea.

The small group is deliberate, meant to keep the space intimate and well held.

About Kirsty Saunders

Kirsty Saunders is a senior Spinal Energetics practitioner (Levels 1 and 2) and a yoga teacher with more than 15 years in the wellbeing industry. She has six years of experience hosting retreats, and past participants describe feeling safe and supported among people who began as strangers.

The Setting

Nearkey Biik, meaning "Take Care of Country", is a 27-hectare National Trust property in Endeavour Fern Gully on Bunurong / Boon Wurrung Country. It protects one of the Mornington Peninsula's last remaining pockets of original temperate rainforest.

The group gathers in the Education and Environment Centre, a light-filled, spacious room that opens directly onto the land and is fully air-conditioned. A large shaded deck offers space to breathe and take in the surroundings. The optional walk through the fern gully covers a mix of boardwalk, open path and bush track.

Before You Go

This retreat is open to all levels, and no prior yoga or meditation experience is stated as a requirement. It is offered in English. Participants are asked to read the group session health, ethos and safety information before registering.

Included are all practices, yoga equipment, a nourishing lunch, afternoon tea and snacks. A duo pass is available for those coming with a friend or partner.