Located on the shores of beautiful Port Stephens just over 2 hours drive from Sydney and 40 minutes from Newcastle, Peppers Anchorage is the perfect place to relax and unwind for a weekend yoga retreat.

Friday 23-Sunday 25 March 2012: Autumn Retreat
Themes: Autumn cleansing, respiration, elimination, improved digestion.

Friday 17-Sunday 19 August 2012: Winter-into-Spring Retreat
Themes: Spring detox, back strength, flexibility, eyesight and stress release.

Designed especially to suit beginners and intermediate levels of experience, each weekend varies to suit the changing needs of the seasons according to Ryoho (a form of yoga therapy combining traditional Indian Hatha poses with the meridian based healing arts of China and Japan). Yoga, meditation, food talks, beach and bush walks are all part of the weekend.

The weekend yoga escape at Peppers Anchorage isn’t a yoga ‘boot camp’ and we don’t have any ‘rules’. We instead provide a platform for attendees to get as much as they want out of the weekend.

From $536 per person, twin share the weekend retreat package includes two nights accommodation at Peppers Anchorage Port Stephens, six Ryoho yoga and meditation classes, a yoga mat, morning beach and bushwalks and a healthy wholefood menu prepared by Peppers Chefs. Optional treatments (at additional cost) available at Shayna Day Spa.

When not stretching out on the yoga mat, guests can enjoy massage and beauty treatments at the onsite Shayna Day Spa and full use of the resort’s leisure facilities including a swimming pool, sauna and the adjacent beach.

For bookings contact Delise McLean at Peppers Anchorage Port Stephens on (02) 4984 0364 or email delise.mclean@peppers.com.au.

Read about Newcastle Herald journalist, Anita Beaumont’s experience on a recent retreat here.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Spring is when the wood element associated with the liver and gall bladder meridians in the body is most prominent. It is the time of year associated with new beginnings and is also a time when the body has a natural desire to cleanse. Based on Ryoho yoga therapy combining traditional Indian Hatha poses with the meridian based healing arts of China and Japan, the Spring Retreat will address specific issues including detoxification, flexibility, joint problems and eyesight.

Located on the shores of beautiful Port Stephens, just over 2.5 hours drive north of Sydney, Peppers  Anchorage Port Stephens is the perfect location to emerge from your winter hibernation and celebrate the arrival of Spring.

This all-inclusive weekend includes accommodation at Peppers Anchorage Port Stephens, six yoga classes with Kris McIntyre, meditation and relaxation sessions, healthy meals prepared with the special touch of Peppers chefs. Prices start from $485 per person (twin share), $685 per person (single) or $245 per person (non-residential package including yoga, dinner on Friday and Saturday night,  lunch on Saturday and Sunday).

We’ll also be including winter activities to build strength, connect to the water element in nature and develop a meditation practice. You also have the option to indulge in massage and beauty treatments (at an additional cost – see Resort Beauty Therapy).

The weekend is designed to give you the option de-stress and unwind or just enjoy a relaxed weekend away with your partner or a group of friends. It’s not a ‘hard core’, boot-camp style yoga retreat, but you’ll have the opportunity to work hard if you wish to.

The weekend is open to beginners, but a basic level of fitness is required. Non-residential and non-yogi packages (for accompanying companions) are also available.

For bookings, contact Delise McLean on (02) 4984 0350 or email delise.mclean@peppers.com.au

The program:

Friday 23 September 2011
2pm onwards – guests check in
6pm-7pm – yoga in the Guest Lounge Room
7.15pm – light welcome dinner in Merretts Restaurant/ The Pavilion
8.45-9.15pm – Relaxation/ guided meditation in Thurlow Room

Saturday 24 September 2011
7.00am – meet on Corlette Beach for morning ‘joggle’
7.30am – morning yoga on Glover Lawn or in the Thurlow Room
8.45am – breakfast in Merretts Restaurant
9.00am-midday- free time & beauty treatments*
Midday – yoga in Thurlow Room
1pm – lunch in Merretts Restaurant/ The Pavilion followed by food talk with Kris
2pm-5.30pm – free time & beauty treatments*
5.30-6.30pm – Yoga in Thurlow room
7pm – light dinner/ supper in Merretts Restaurant
8pm – free time

Sunday 25 September 2011
6.30am – meet in Reception for morning bushwalk along Corlette Headland
7:30am – morning yoga on Glover Lawn or in the Thurlow Room
8.45am – Breakfast on the Terrace outside Merretts Restaurant
9.30am- midday – Free time & beauty treatments*
11am – guests check-out of rooms and leave luggage at Reception
Midday – yoga in Thurlow Room
1pm – lunch in Merretts Restaurant
2pm – departure (plus spa treatments)

* Please note beauty treatments are at an additional cost and must be booked prior to arrival. Refer to pre-arrival notes for details.