Kona Hawaii, Nourish Wellness & Culinary Retreat

This is a rare opportunity to experience a yoga retreat on the Big Island of Hawaii with a highly experienced international teacher, a private chef extraordinaire, a "kumu" (local teacher of Hawaiian sprituality and traditions and no more than 12 guests on an eco-estate surrounded by tropical gardens. Think: small-box luxury unique, respectful of your individuality and deeply transformative.

More than a feel-good retreat, you will learn skills for more ease in your daily life at home and beyond. Move well with gentle therapeutic yoga, breathe like never before, meditate, eat consciously with exquisite meals and cooking classes. Our kumu (traditional teacher) will deepen our island experience well beyond what is normally accessible to tourists.

From the convenient location of the Kona area, enjoy free afternoons to explore beaches, swim with dolphins, or slow down with sea turtles or just “be” in a luxurious chaise lounge or hammock under a palm tree. Awaken to your true nature. Awaken to joy and well-being.

Meditation, mindful therapeutic movement, and farm-to-fork cuisine will nourish you on all levels. Enjoy cooking classes with 'Chef Sam’, or linger in the permaculture gardens or under the shade of an ancient olive tree until dinner is served.

"We found exactly what we were looking for. As a mature couple, looking for something to do together, Julie’s retreat was perfect. There was no competition, it was yoga to suit every body and put smiles on our faces."

Hervé and Kim, France

This retreat is for you if you wish to:

honour your body and mind and your heart's deepest calling
awaken to the part of you that is whole, complete and peaceful
Be a better human being!
eat well in a farm-to-fork environment with a fun-loving chef who will share tips and lessons
learn to meditate and move like never before, with a seasoned, international teacher who empowers you to get the results you desire
be in an intimate, safe and caring environment with as much solitude or community as you like
retreat on a private property for a week dedicated to a small group experience, without others coming and going
free time to explore or swim, commune with wildlife or do nothing at all
Learn skills to take home for more ease and joy
authentically honor and connect to island tradition and spirituality
Deepen your relationship; this retreat is ideal for couples, friends and family members in a shared experience.
Deepen into your sense of being if you are travelling solo, with the support or a warm and caring community.

This retreat is not for you if you wish to:

focus on physical form more than function
bust out an impressive yoga pose that might be on the cover of a yoga magazine!
party with alcohol

"Julie's retreat actually changed my life. I was coming from a bit of a closed-minded place of what yoga means. I had so much to learn, but didn't understand that until my mind expanded through daily guidance from Julie on the beautiful island of Hawaii. Most of the teachings clicked once I was back home in my daily grind. I could hear Julie's gentle wisdom guide me through difficult decisions and situations. If you are interested in developing yourself and expanding your mind, I recommend spending a week with the lovely Julie Seibt!"

Kelly H, St. Louis, MO

accommodation

Your home-away-from-home is the historic Huehue Ranch, an environmental model for the future, on the slopes of Mt. Hualalai. Huehue is a private sanctuary, with an expansive biodynamic garden designed for human-nature integration. A walk through the garden is an adventure of discovery, wonder, and sizzling engagement. Enjoy complete seclusion with convenient, fifteen-minute access to all that Kona has to offer, from best restaurants to beaches.

The accommodations are comprised of two ranch houses located adjacent to acres of forest, up at 2000 ft elevation in a cool, dry climate. Both of the houses come with fully equipped kitchens attached to a dining room with beautiful hardwood dining set and an outdoor lanai with a view of the surrounding landscapes. There is a flat event space between both houses equipped with an outdoor oven, a fire pit, and a volleyball court.

The property boasts of a 3 acre organic garden with various sitting spaces for meditative walks. From the top of the garden, you have a spectacular 180-degree view of the ocean facing West to enjoy the famous Kona sunset. The 30-acre forest has a beautiful road that leads into the open grassland at the higher elevations. The mornings are filled with the chirping of the birds and the nights permeate with the soft ringing of crickets.

The Hawaii retreat location was wonderful, views, nature and flowering trees producing an abundance of fresh fruit. A truly peaceful, warm and comfortable home for a week of wonderful memories and growth through yoga and meditation.

Sue C, Canmore, AB

costs

Retreat fees are $2400 USD per person for 7 nights based on twin share, including accommodations, 7 days with instruction and 3 meals per day*, all yoga, meditation, breathwork, and cultural sessions. Solo travellers will share a room with the same gender.

*Departure and arrival days include one meal, the six full days each include 3 meals. Lunches will be self-serve to pack'n go if you'd like.

Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of $500 USD is due to secure your space. Accommodation preferences will be considered in order of dates deposits are received.

Balance: The balance of payment is due Sept 7, 2019. Cancellation insurance for your protection is required.

Refunds: If you must cancel, the $500 USD deposit is non-refundable. The balance is refundable until September 7, 2019. Any cancellations after September 7, 2019, are 100% non-refundable Please purchase cancellation insurance.

Forms of Payment: PayPal account julie@bodymindease.com.

Forms of Payment: Payments are accepted via Paypal account julie@bodymindease.com Please add 3% when using your credit card. Canadian residents may pay by e-transfer in the current $Cad equivalent or in $USD. Cheques from US bank accounts are accepted.

In the unlikely event any retreat is cancelled by the organizer, all payments are refundable.

The camaraderie and bonding of the attendees were so very special. Julie's teachings resonated with me and I came back feeling energized and open and connected to my body in a way I hadn't felt for a very long time. Sharing this experience with a dear friend has deepened our friendship...your retreat connected us in this soul sister way and I am so grateful.

Dara S, Los Angeles, CA

flow

Begin each morning with sunrise meditation and breathing awareness. After a delicious and hearty breakfast, come to the pool-side yoga sala to support your opening to well-being with mindful movement flavoured by therapeutic yoga, alignment principals and qi kung. Pack your own lunch from a selection of nutritious ingredients provided for you and head out to explore beaches, hikes, sacred sites, markets or just "be" in a hammock. Return in the late afternoon for a relaxing and insightful practice of iRest® yoga nidra (lying down meditation) before being treated by our chef to 'Farm to Fork' dining.

Food choices throughout the retreat include local fish and chicken, organic vegetables, freshly picked fruit and delicious, hearty grains and legumes. Take in a cooking lesson or two on-site for no extra charge.

Our kumu will infuse our retreat with local activities to be announced. Be active or still as you fully receive the abundant gifts of nature as we retreat on the Big Island. Receive exquisite and healing bodywork.

As an additional feature this year, local islander Carolyn Mondress will lead two "Self-Discovery Breathwork" sessions. Carolyn had been working as a certified holotropic breathwork practitioner for 40 years. We free our breath, so our breath can fee us.

For this small, exclusive retreat, Julie may customize the schedule and itinerary depending on the interest and needs of the guests. Enjoy the small-group advantage!

The teaching of the underlying function in movement is extraordinarily helpful. Understanding how muscles and joints move is so much more helpful than just trying to copy picture perfect asana. Thank you!

Mark H, Hawaii 10/10

food

Delicious and nutritious meals prepared by "Chef Samantha" will feature fresh, local and organic products organic products. Sam entertains and educates with humour and passion in a luxurious kitchen and diningroom. The focus will be on local cuisine with options of local fish, like 'Mahi-mahi" or "Ono", and chicken.

"Go with the flow” is the mantra for our small; individual preferences and dietary needs are easily accommodated.

“Take-away lunches”, so you can explore the island during the afternoons will be assembled for you, or make your own from a selection of ingredients.

Yoga bodywork and meditation in Hawaii - delicious!

I find retreats with Julie to be nourishing on so many levels. I'm embarrassed to say that she actually taught me how to breathe! Our practice and experience in Hawaii have given me a greater appreciation and awareness of the body. I've learned that paying close attention to my body help deepen my meditation practice. The combination of community, excellent teaching, local food, and spectacular surroundings is something I could get used to!

Sean S, Boston, MA

your team

Julie Seibt has led retreats in Thailand, Hawaii, and Canada for 10 years.

She welcomes each person exactly as they are, with no pre-requisites physically, emotionally or spiritually.

Julie's credentials include Anahata Yoga Teacher Certification (Anne Douglas, 2006), IRI Certfied iRest Teacher® (www.irest.us (link is external)), IAYTCertified Yoga Therapist (2013, Functional Synergy) and teacher's training in Yin Yoga with Sarah Powers and Restorative Yoga with Andrea Peloso.

Julie worked for several years at a private collaborative medical clinic with physicians, psychologists and other healing practitioners, bringing her skills in therapeutic movment and meditation to the team and the clients. She studies mindfulness under Steven Smith and Michele McDonald, teaching movement classes to support a meditation practice at their Vipassana Retreats in Thailand and Hawaii since 2010. As an Asian Bio-Energetic Therapist, Master Reiki Teacher, and Thai Massage Therapist, Julie brings a holistic, compassionate and mindful approach to well being.

Samantha Smith – Retreat Chef and Culinary Arts Teacher

Samantha’s culinary style is an amalgamation of her interest in culture, creativity, survival and love. For her, food is a way to connect; cooking is energizing and inspiring. Being a chef is a path of curiosity and experimentation and Samantha’s cooking and teaching style emanates these core values.

Tracy Laval, from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is an advanced bodyworker with over 6000 hours of bodywork training. She loves the art and elegance of gentle bodywork to reduce pain caused by tension. She works with your body in a fluid, intuitive and skillful way that feels good and gets practical results.

Tracy has a diploma in European style Manual Osteopathy and a diploma in Massage Therapy. She is a certified Craniosacral Therapist from the Upledger Institute. She specializes in reducing jaw pain, headaches, migraines, effects of concussions and tension in their face, head, neck and shoulders. Tracy recognizes brain heath as the driving force of your overall health and vitality and offers treatments to nourish and “declutter” the brain, resulting in a refreshing clarity with more focus and relaxation.

Julie, Chef Samantha, Tracy and Julie's partner Mitch made me feel welcome and contributed their skills, sense of fun and genuine care in their unique ways.

Shawna C, Red Deer, AB