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.

Designed especially to suit beginners and intermediate levels of experience, classes for each weekend will vary to suit the changing needs of the seasons according to Ryoho Yoga Therapy.

17-19 February 2012: High Summer Retreat
Themes: good digestion, weight loss, improving energy levels and kicking sugar cravings!

18-20 May 2012: Mother & Daughter Retreat
Themes: women’s health, sugar cravings, stress release and core strength.

20-22 July 2012: Winter Retreat
Themes: lower back strength, stress release and sexual energy.

12-14 October 2012: Summer Retreat
Themes: power & strength, upper back release, blood pressure & circulation, happy hearts!

Based on the teachings of my renowned teachers, Andzej Gospodarczyk and Lisa Foster, Ryoho yoga combines traditional Indian Hatha yoga with the principles of Yin and Yang, the Five Element Theory and the healing arts of China and Japan. In addressing specific conditions through yoga and food advise, it is also efficient and effective in dealing with conditions ranging from back and neck pain to women’s health issues, weight control, joint problems, stress, anxiety, respiratory and circulatory problems.

My aim in creating these retreats with Peppers and the Golden Door was to create a yoga escape that is approachable, both financially and in terms of accessibility of the program – something that sits between the existing offerings of intense, strict and often expensive health retreats and, at the other end of the scale, the more hippie, bunk-style intense yoga camps which aren’t for everyone.

The weekend yoga escape at Peppers Salt Resort & Spa 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.

Priced from $557* per person twin share, the all-inclusive escape includes two nights accommodation, full buffet breakfast daily, five  Ryoho yoga and meditation classes with yoga teacher Kris McIntyre, a yoga mat, workshops and Zumba hosted by The Golden Door, a 50 minute spa treatment at The Golden Door Spa, wholesome meals including lunch supper on Friday and lunch and dinner on Saturday inspired by The Golden Door cook book and prepared by Peppers Salt Resort & Spa’s  onsite restaurant Season, full use of resort leisure facilities, unlimited in-room movies and more.

Non-residential packages are available from $407* per person including all yoga classes, mat, The Golden Door Spa treatment, one dinner and two lunches.

When guests aren’t striking a pose, they can step out into nature and enjoy a network of beachside walking and bicycle tracks, unspoilt surf beaches, the resort’s large tropical beach lagoon pool, or head to The Golden Door Spa for a wide range of soul soothing spa treatments.

Peppers Salt Resort & Spa is located just 15 minutes from Gold Coast Airport, 60 minutes from Ballina Airport and less than 90 minutes drive from Brisbane.

For bookings call Jolene Napper at Conferences and Events at Salt on 02 6670 5027 or email jolene.napper@conferencesandeventsatsalt.com.au.

Read Lance Richardson’s article in the Sydney Morning Herald here.

Spring is a time for fresh new beginnings and this retreat is the reason to stretch out and relax at Peppers Salt Resort & Spa.

This  Pre-Spring Retreat is designed to shed off the last vestiges of your winter hibernation and prepare you for the arrival of Spring. It is for all ability levels from beginners through to experienced.  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.

The aim of the retreat is to be a relaxed weekend away in beautiful surrounds with the opportunity to enjoy yoga classes, an indulgent spa treatment and wholesome food. It’s not a ‘hard core’ yoga boot camp’.

Priced from $533* per person twin share, the all-inclusive escape includes accommodation at Peppers Salt Resort & Spa, six yoga classes with me, yoga mat, Golden Door Spa treatment, wholesome meals inspired by The Golden Door cook book and prepared by Roughies Restaurant & Bar, full use of resort leisure facilities and more.

Non-residential packages are available from $390* per person including all yoga classes, mat, Golden Door Spa treatment, two dinners and two lunches.

Featuring all the luxuries you would expect of one of Australia’s leading resorts, Peppers Salt Resort & Spa offers multiple pools including a large tropical beach lagoon, a network of walking and bicycle tracks, an unspoilt surf beach patrolled 365 days a year at its doorstep, the indulgent Golden Door Spa and award-winning Roughie’s Restaurant & Bar.

Providing the ultimate beach break on South East Queensland’s doorstep, SALT is located just 20 minutes from Gold Coast Airport, 60 minutes from Ballina Airport and less than 90 minutes drive from Brisbane through the new Tugun Bypass.

For bookings contact: Jolene Napper at Salt Conferences & Events, Phone: (02) 6670 5009 or email jolene.napper@conferencesandeventsatsalt.com.au *Conditions apply. Subject to availability.

at Peppers Salt Resort & Spa, Kingscliff
with Kris McIntyre & Michele Chevalley Hedge
Friday 28-Sunday 30 October 2011

Nutritionist and author, Michele Chevalley Hedge, will co-host this special weekend for mums and daughters on 28-30 October. The weekend will include luxury accommodation at Peppers Salt Resort & Spa Kingscliff, morning and evening yoga and meditation classes with Kris, sessions on food and nutrition with Michele, healthy and nutritious meals planned by Michele and prepared by Peppers chefs,  pampering at the Golden Door Day Spa* and plenty of mother-daughter bonding time.

Mother & Daughter weekend packages include:

• 2 nights accommodation for Mum & Daughter
• All meals
• 5 yoga classes with Kris
• 2 food & nutrition sessions with Michele
• 1 Zumba class with the Golden Door
• 1 x 50-minute Spa treatment for Mum at the Golden Door *

Prices start at $1,076 per package ($538 per person). Please note that additional Golden Door Spa bookings can be made at a special retreat rate at the time of booking. Conditions apply.*

For bookings contact: Jolene Napper at Salt Conferences & Events, Phone: (02) 6670 5009 or email jolene.napper@conferencesandeventsatsalt.com.au

* Minimum age for bookings at the Golden Door Day Spa is 16 years of age, unless in the same room as a parent or guardian. Bookings at The Golden Door will be taken on a first in, best served basis.

The program

Friday 28 October 2011
6.30-7.30pm     Yoga (The Pavilion Room, Mantra on Salt Beach)
8.00pm               Dinner  (Season Restaurant, Peppers Salt Resort & Spa)
8.40-9.00pm     Welcome & introduction with Kris & Michele (The Pavilion Room)
& Relaxation session with Kris (Bring a pillow, shawl, sarong or blanket)

Saturday 29 October 2011
6.30am                Morning ‘joggle’ with Kris – not a run’ (meet Kris on the beach)
7.00-8.15am      Yoga with Kris: The Pavilion Room, Mantra on Salt Beach)
8.30-9.30am      Breakfast (Season Restaurant, Peppers Salt Resort & Spa)
9.30-11.00am    Food & nutrition session with Michele (Pavilion Room)
11.00-12.00        Zumba with the Golden Door (Pavilion Room)
1.00 -2.00pm     Lunch (Lagoon Poolside, Peppers Salt Resort & Spa)
2.00-5.30pm      Free time and/or Golden Door treatments
5.30-6.30pm      Yoga with Kris (Pavilion Room, Mantra on Salt Beach)
6.45-7.45pm       Dinner (Season, Peppers Salt Resort & Spa)
8.00pm                Free time

Sunday 30 October 2011
6.30am                Morning ‘joggle – not a run’ (meet Kris on the beach)
7.00-8.15am      Yoga with Kris: The Pavilion Room, Mantra on Salt Beach)
8.30-9.30am      Breakfast (Season Restaurant, Peppers Salt Resort & Spa)
9.30-11.00am     Food & nutrition session with Michele (Pavilion Room)
11.00am               Check-out (Lobby Lounge – NB. Luggage can be stored at Reception)
12.00-1.00pm     Yoga with Kris (The Pavilion Room, Mantra on Salt Beach)
1.00-2.00pm       Lunch (Lagoon Poolside, Peppers Salt Resort & Spa)
2.00pm                 Departure or relax at leisure

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.

This all-inclusive weekend includes accommodation at Peppers Salt Resort & Spa, six yoga classes with Kris McIntyre, meditation and relaxation sessions, Golden Door Spa treatments, wholesome meals inspired by the Golden Door with the special touch of Peppers executive chef Reuben Radonich.

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.

Prices start at $533 per person (twin share). Non-residential packages are available from $390 per person. For bookings contact: Jolene Napper at Salt Conferences & Events, Phone: (02) 6670 5009 or email jolene.napper@conferencesandeventsatsalt.com.au

The Program:

Friday 10 June 2011
6.30-7.30pm        Yoga (The Pavilion Room, Mantra on Salt Beach)
8.00pm                  Dinner (Season Restaurant, Peppers Salt Resort & Spa)
8.40-9.00pm       Relaxation/ Meditation with Kris (The Pavilion Room – bring                                  a pillow, shawl, sarong or blanket)

Saturday 11 June 2011
6.30am                    Morning ‘joggle – not a run’ (meet Kris on the beach)
7.00-8.00am         Yoga: The Pavilion Room, Mantra on Salt Beach)
8.00-9.00am         Breakfast (Season Restaurant, Peppers Salt Resort & Spa)
9.00-12.00am        Free time & Golden Door treatments
12.00 -1.00pm        Yoga (The Pavilion Room, Mantra on Salt Beach)
1.00 -2.00pm          Lunch (Lagoon Poolside, Peppers Salt Resort & Spa)
2.00-3.30pm           Free time and/or Golden Door treatments
5.30-6.30pm           Yoga (Pavilion Room, Mantra on Salt Beach)
6.45-7.45pm            Dinner (Season, Peppers Salt Resort & Spa)
8.00pm                     Free time

Sunday 12 June 2011
6.30am                    Morning ‘joggle – not a run’ (meet Kris on the beach)
7.00-8.00am         Yoga: The Pavilion Room, Mantra on Salt Beach)
8.00-9.00am          Breakfast (Season Restaurant, Peppers Salt Resort & Spa)
9.00am-noon         Free time & Golden Door treatments
11.00am                   Check-out (Lobby Lounge – NB. Luggage can be stored)
12.00-1.00pm         Yoga (The Pavilion Room, Mantra on Salt Beach))
1.00-2.00pm           Lunch (Lagoon Poolside, Peppers Salt Resort & Spa)
2.00pm                     Departure or relax at leisure

Issue 9 of Australian Yoga Journal is on sale. Inside you’ll find my story about beautiful Uma Paro Bhutan (oh my gosh, I so want to go back!), along with stories about the path to becoming a yoga teacher, understanding your chakras, yoga for back pain, yummy recipes and more. Copies are available in good newsagents or you can subscribe online.

“The floor is covered with women, legs twisted one way, torsos in the other direction. More than two-dozen heads tilt languorously backwards as Kris McIntyre directs the room to imitate a Hollywood starlet in photographic pose. A few people breathe heavily into the stretch and then, in the next movement, a woman explodes into laughter as her feet slide off the mat, soles slick with sweat.”

Read the full article here

Located in the northwest corner of Western Australia, Broome is one of the most remote towns in Australia. Even more remote is Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat, located 119 kilometres and just over an hour’s drive south of Broome, or 27 nautical miles by boat across Roebuck Bay.

I recently checked out Eco Beach on behalf of Australian Yoga Journal – and I loved what I saw. It’s a special place that on first and lasting impressions is both awesomely authentic and in keeping with the vision for an eco-friendly, sustainable tourism project. It feels like a personal invitation to explore a very loved part of this rugged and beautiful coastline from a place that knows what it is.

On offer is the chance to explore an amazing part of Australia, stay in beautiful accommodation (the Eco Tents are like an Australian version of an African Safari), eat yummy food from their organic garden, relaz and they offer daily morning yoga.

Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat is located 1.5 hours drive south of Broome in Western Australia. Eco Beach also runs yoga retreats with visiting teachers throughout the year and offers group bookings to yoga schools and teachers looking for the perfect venue to host a retreat with tailor-made activities schedules and menus. For bookings and enquiries phone (08) 9193 8015 or visit www.ecobeach.com.au