with
Brandon Schwinn, Luciana Freire D’anunciação & Bonni Ross
Wangapeka Study & Retreat Centre
Growth and unfoldment begin in the body — the basis of life. The flow of spiritual and creative inspiration manifests through our physical and energetic bodies, which constantly respond and adapt to the environments we find ourselves in.
Exploring in nature, in community and in solitary practice, we’ll investigate somatic approaches to movement, creative writing, drawing, sculpture and meditation to discover creativity as a way of being. Visualisation practices from The Namgyal Treasury will stimulate discovery.
Meditators, artists, dancers and the curious should find tools to extend the depth of their existing practices.
The Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre provides a wilderness environment on the edge of Kahurangi National Park; an idyllic container for experiencing inner depth and expansiveness.
Participants should be in reasonably good physical and mental health to enjoy the inner and outer challenges of life at Wangapeka.
Brandon Schwinn is a dance artist and meditator living in Vancouver, Canada. He has been studying Dharma for over twenty years and finds it a fundamental tool for living a life that values compassionate action. He has always found creativity to be essential for his spiritual practice. He has studied visual arts at Emily Carr University of Art + Design and he has been studying contemporary dance in Vancouver Canada intensively for the past 6 years. He has also completed a transformative training program in the art of clowning, which is where his interest in presence work and creative process in community began to take an artistic form.
Luciana Freire D’Anunciação is a Brazilian-Canadian multidisciplinary artist, educator, and researcher. With an MFA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Simon Fraser University (Vancouver, Canada), her work integrates dance, visual arts and poetry, focusing on the themes of creative reciprocity and the interconnectedness of body, environment and community. Luciana has exhibited and performed internationally, blending her passion for art and community exchange. www.lucianaf.com
Bonni Ross has taught at the Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre for 30 years and is a deeply respected Centre Elder. The Dharma teachings she shares stem from decades of meditation experience and intensive study with her main teacher Namgyal Rinpoche and other great masters.
She is a mother and grandmother with a deeply practical, integrated presentation of ancient wisdom. Bonni has immersed herself in the study of many spheres including Western Mysteries, music, science, dance, astronomy, systems theory, psychotherapy and poetry.
The retreat takes place on the beautiful Wangapeka whenua nestled in stunning native forests with expansive views down the Wangapeka valley. The land itself provides a healing sanctuary surrounded by mature trees and offering the perfect environment for reflection and reconnection with nature.
Accommodation is included in the price of the retreat, with all rooms being comfortable and well-appointed with single beds and electric heating. Shared bathroom facilities are conveniently located close to all rooms.
All meals are included in this retreat to support the your well-being and focus. Our kitchen team prepares nourishing vegetarian food to sustain and delight you throughout your stay. Specific dietary requirements can be accommodated and self-catering is also possible if you prefer to bring and prepare your own food.
This teaching room is beautifully crafted and has been used for a wide variety of teaching for over 20 years. It has a wooden parquet floor and a pot belly stove to keep away winter chills. Set amongst beautiful mature trees, it offers a charming view looking down the Wangapeka valley, creating an inspiring environment for movement and meditation practices.
The original building at Wangapeka, the Main Hall serves as the heart of community life with its combined living and dining room, library, and welcoming wood burner. Tea, coffee, and snacks are freely available here throughout your stay. Whether you choose to relax in the cosy interior or step out onto the porch to enjoy the expansive views, this space invites connection and contemplation. The hall also houses the kitchen, bathroom facilities, and laundry for your convenience.
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