April Relax and Wellness Weekend with the Mana Team

The April Relax and Wellness Weekend is a wellness retreat at Mana Retreat Centre in Coromandel, Waikato, New Zealand. It is built for people who want an affordable, unhurried getaway from the pace of daily life: two nights of rest, simple movement and meditation, and wholesome vegetarian food, led by the Mana team including Amrit Saraswati and Hedwig Bakker.

What to Expect

The weekend begins on Friday afternoon and finishes on Sunday afternoon, so it is a full two nights away. The aim is to rest and replenish, and the daily schedule is optional. You can join the classes or leave them and simply be still.

Offered through the weekend are beginners Qi Gong, meditation and yoga classes. Between them there is plenty of unstructured time to relax, read, walk in nature, have a sauna or soak in a bush bath. Massage is also available. Appointments cost extra, need to be booked in advance, and the schedule may change.

Mana describes itself as a non-judgmental, quiet and contemplative sanctuary, and past guests speak of feeling looked after, well-fed and supported.

About Amrit Saraswati

Amrit Saraswati is the Centre Manager at Mana and a dedicated student and teacher of yoga and meditation. She completed her first yoga teacher training in 2012 and has spent the last 15 years learning, deepening and sharing traditional yoga practices in retreat centres around New Zealand. Her teaching is calm and concise, offered with compassion, authenticity and humility, which leaves people room to go deep within and have their own experience.

About Hedwig Bakker

Hedwig Bakker grew up in the Netherlands, trained as a physical education teacher and worked as an outdoor instructor for 15 years before leaving the country in 2000. She travelled, then lived in India and Nepal for nine years, taking part in Buddhist teachings and retreats and several charity projects. She has practised meditation for over two decades and has led meditation classes, courses and retreats since 2004. She is also a certified Holden Qi Gong teacher. Her approach is joyful, gentle and practical, with lightness and humour, and her classes suit people from all walks of life.

The Setting

Mana Retreat Centre sits on the Coromandel Peninsula, off State Highway 25. Guests describe the drive in as leaving the hustle and bustle behind and being enveloped by the earth. Accommodation for the two nights is included, along with breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The food is lacto-ovo vegetarian, so there is no fish or chicken. Mana also caters for gluten free, dairy free and vegan diets. The centre is an alcohol and drug free environment.

Before You Go

No experience is needed. The Qi Gong, meditation and yoga classes are pitched at beginners, and the weekend suits anyone who wants a gentle reset. Included in the cost are accommodation, all meals and the classes. Massage is the only extra mentioned.

Payment is taken in full at registration. The weekend needs a minimum number of participants to run, and Mana may cancel if that number is not reached. Cancellation fees apply if you withdraw, so it is worth reading the centre's cancellation terms before you register. Mana acts as agent for the independent teachers, who supply the teaching, while the centre provides accommodation and meals.