WANAKA/HAWEA 2024
Tranquility and Insight
Meditation and Yoga Retreat (non-residential) with Susan Allen
Dates: 6 – 10 Nov. 2024
Join us in this epic setting on the shores of Lake Hawea. The dramatic mountain lake background is the spacious backdrop for this immersive meditation learning experience. This is a non-residential retreat where participants have the flexibility to find their own accommodation, coming together each day in this one of a kind setting, for learning and practice. Accommodation is available on-site for those that would like it.
Led by Susan Allen, practitioner and meditation teacher for the last 22 years.
Yoga classes facilitated by Kate Wolfe.
– The practice –
4.5 days of inspiring practice, setting a new direction for yourself
The meditation practices and discussion will have a particular emphasis on cultivating quietness and steadiness in the mind as well as cultivating insights that bring freedom and peace of mind into our everyday life. Tibetan Buddhist meditations value an intelligent and structured approach to investigating ‘What is the mind?’ and consequently frame meditation in a practical and methodical way. You can read more detail about the meditation approach here. The meditation practices will be taken from the Mahamudra and Dzogchen Tibetan Buddhist tradition. These will be presented in a secular, practical fashion.
This is an opportunity for you to begin a daily practice for life or to advance an existing practice with fresh ideas and strategies.
The retreat is hosted by one of NZ’s most experienced yoga and meditation teachers. Susan Allen has been teaching meditation for 22 years and has an authentic passion for sharing this transformative practice with others.
Meditation will change your life, it is a tool for developing calmness of mind, a poise of character. Through the practice we gain insight into how our mind works; we find a path that facilitates the flourishing of all positive mental traits
What will we be practicing?
- Just finished 5 day retreat with Susan and had the best and most wonderful experience. Each day was very clearly... read moreJust finished 5 day retreat with Susan and had the best and most wonderful experience. Each day was very clearly explained and a joy to be part of a lovely group of people and i have taken away a practise I am excited about and can do. read lessNicola T.4/24/2024This retreat was such a unique experience filled with life changing wisdom that will remain with me forever, not to... read moreThis retreat was such a unique experience filled with life changing wisdom that will remain with me forever, not to mention the remarkable location! I would highly recommend this retreat to anybody interested in learning meditation or wanting to take their meditation practice to the next level. read lessJenna W.4/24/2024Excellent! Through attending this meditation retreat, I have been able to establish a daily mediation practice, which is having... read moreExcellent! Through attending this meditation retreat, I have been able to establish a daily mediation practice, which is having a hugely positive impact on my relationships, work and play :). read lessCharlotte M.4/24/2024
- Had such an amazing time! Susan is an excellent teacher, and has truly inspired me.Samantha P.4/24/2024Susan is one of the best educators that I have met. She held our attention the entire five day treat... read moreSusan is one of the best educators that I have met. She held our attention the entire five day treat and taught me so much. Susan knew her practice inside out, able to lead, guide and answer diverse questions with ease and expertise. Although I have a different cultural perspective, Susan was open and supportive of how I made sense of my world and integrating Buddhist practices. Your the best Susan. read lessKelli T.4/24/2024I found this quite insightful. Even with coming in with a bit of scepticism and possible negativity I felt that... read moreI found this quite insightful. Even with coming in with a bit of scepticism and possible negativity I felt that Susan talked and explained these all very well. Still an enjoyable course and felt like a safe space to ask lots of questions without judgement. read lessSam C.4/24/2024
- Susan is a calm and kind teacher. She shared some complex information in a clear manner and set me up... read moreSusan is a calm and kind teacher. She shared some complex information in a clear manner and set me up with motivation and skills for a home practice. I had an amazing experience and would highly recommend this retreat. read lessJo H.4/17/2024Its as if i was wearing bifocals before this retreat and now i have 20:20 vision. Susan has the most... read moreIts as if i was wearing bifocals before this retreat and now i have 20:20 vision. Susan has the most incredible knowledge, demeanour and warmth. I couldn't meditate for 5 minutes beforehand and now i look forward to meditating each day. read lessSimon R.4/17/2024Just spent a wonderful 5 days with Susan on a meditation retreat at Lake Hawea. Loved the non-residential format... read moreJust spent a wonderful 5 days with Susan on a meditation retreat at Lake Hawea. Loved the non-residential format and Susan is an excellent teacher. Highly recommend to others. read lessErica4/17/2024
- What an absolute blessing this retreat was. I haven't meditated in many years and it was such a wonderful... read moreWhat an absolute blessing this retreat was. I haven't meditated in many years and it was such a wonderful approach to all levels. I learned so many tangible tools to support my meditation journey which has resulted in a really support to my over all health already (getting to sleep easier, less reactive, more loving relationships). I plan to attend this every few years to keep growing my skills and allow for me freedom and awareness as I move through the world. Susan lives breaths these teaching and I feel so lucky to have been her student twice now. 100% would recommend! read lessDripping B.4/17/2024I have just returned home from a 4 day meditation retreat with Susan Allan. Susan's method of directing through experience,... read moreI have just returned home from a 4 day meditation retreat with Susan Allan. Susan's method of directing through experience, explaining and encouraging discussion is very effective. We worked hard on our learning by way of growing and developing our meditation experience over the four days, along with knowledge learning and discussion, and it shows! I learned so much.The delight of feeling benefits from an intense four day experience can only encourage me to maintain a daily practice. Soon after I returned home from the rainy drive I cleaned my meditation space - and yes I was excited to get on my cushion for my first home practice since the retreat, this morning. Thank you Susan and thank you to Kate for the lovely yoga to start the day. Susan wisely employed the skills of one of our class to have some tasty healthy snack treats on hand too. read lessFrances A.12/01/2023Meditation retreats are amazing. Highly recommend, learnt a lot!Raphael v.12/01/2023
- Felt very lucky that Suze has decided to dedicate herself to sharing the incredible knowledge and experience she has accrued... read moreFelt very lucky that Suze has decided to dedicate herself to sharing the incredible knowledge and experience she has accrued through her overseas study of meditation. Not only has Suze brought it back to us in NZ, she also unpacked it in a very accessible and organic way, and by the end of the retreat I felt genuinely on track to creating a better way of thinking and living. A benefit of this 4 day course was that it attracted those to join who already had a curiosity for meditation so we could all enjoy going deeper into the topic together, and made like-minded friends in the process 🙂 Loved the Dome at Lake Hāwea, what a beautiful setting in which to learn and detach from the rest of the world! Thank you, Suze! Kt read lessCeroc A.12/01/2023Susan’s meditation retreat - spot on! Susan has a gift to teach beautifully, clearly and lovingly.Jenny C.12/01/2023Susan is a wonderful teacher: her knowledge, patience, kindness and ability to guide on a meditation path is precious. Highly recommend!Maiju P.12/01/2023
– The location and amenities –
A truly beautiful nature setting to learn meditation
Our setting is the wild spaciousness of Lake Hawea, 15mins from Wanaka. The retreat location is Cross Hill at The Camp, a large geodesic dome right on the lakeshore with the spectacular mountain background that only NZ can offer.
The price of the meditation retreat includes the tuition and refreshments. Participants will need to organise their own accommodation and meals. For on-site accommodation The Camp has a huge range of options – accommodation for all budgets, from very basic to very flash. There are also meals available from local cafes on site and close by or a kitchen where you can prepare your own meals.
On site there are hot tubs that can be hired, big roaring outdoor fires to enjoy, the Secret Sauna, many stunning walking tracks as well as massages that can be arranged. Lake Hawea is a magical place to swim and there are are many many hidden quiet spots under the trees to read and hang out. Plenty of space and open sky for you to rest and retreat.
This is a non-residential retreat. Participants will arrive for a 9am start each day and we will finish around 6pm. The days will consist of 4 meditation practice and discussion sessions with breaks in between. There will be yoga in the morning for those that wish to participate. Light refreshments will be given in the breaks (no meals provided). This style retreat is to make it more accessible price wise and flexibility wise for those that cannot take a longer period of time away from home.
This style retreat intentionally cultivates our state of mind in a real world setting, using the material of our daily life to develop insight.
– Dates and Pricing –
Dates: 5-8pm on Weds. 6th Nov. and then
4 full days 9-6pm for 7 - 10th Nov., 2024
Tuition per person for the 4.5 day program –
Early bird, if booked before 30th Sept. 2024 – $850
Full price if booked after 30th Sept. 2024 – $950
This is a non-residential retreat. Price includes all meditation and yoga instruction, audio recordings to take away. Light refreshments are included in the breaks.
For accommodation – Participants need to find their own accommodation locally. Budget and high-end accommodation is available on-site, for on-site accommodation see here.
For meals – Price includes all meditation instruction as well as tea, coffee and refreshments through the breaks. For meals, on-site there are cafes, self catering kitchens as well as supermarkets and cafes only a short walk or drive away. We can arrange a cooked breakfast for you on-site.
Booking process terms and conditions
1. The full tuition fee is required to make a booking.
2. Register by clicking the ‘Register Now’ button to pay with a credit card. If you would prefer to pay by bank transfer or cash you can contact us to do so.
3. If you cancel your booking before 30th Sept. 2024 your payment minus a non-refundable $100 admin fee will be refunded.
4. If you cancel your booking, for whatever reason including sickness, after 30th Sept. 2024 no refund will be given but you are able to transfer it to someone else of your finding, or someone on the waitlist if there is one. This policy is necessary so we can secure the venue.
Meditation will change your life forever. Learning this practice is one of life's greatest gifts to yourself
Susan Allen who is leading the retreat is the founder of Yoga Ground, studios in Auckland and Wanaka, New Zealand. She also owns Entering the Stream, a world class online yoga and meditation platform and The Yoga Transition, a yoga teacher mentorship business. Read more about Susan here.
Retreats NZ | susan@theyogatransition.com | +64-21-222-6550
Retreats NZ susan@theyogatransition.com
+64-21-222-6550