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Sacred Healing Nourishment with Chrystal Nathal

with

Chrystal Nathal

Wangapeka Study & Retreat Centre

Sacred Healing Nourishment

Nourishment is at the heart of our earthly experience. Our bodies come from the earth and return when we die. This precious human body is a vehicle to Awaken our full potential on earth. Through attuning to our bodies with awareness and love, we can connect with our innate wisdom and interconnectedness with all of life.

In this course we explore cooking and eating as medicine, as we deepen our connection with the unconditional love, given freely by our Earth Mother. In community we will cook together, in this spirit, and experience an ancient cacao ceremony to augment the healing of ourselves, each other, and our planet.

We will immerse ourselves in Healing Sound Meditation, with Tibetan singing bowls, and open our hearts and minds to whatever is ready for healing.

The Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre is place of elemental nature and nurture, and there will be time to rest into this beauty during your time here.

Facilitators

My passion for healthy food started after several health issues. As I was always busy praying and meditating, I did not pay attention to my food, I thought that I was eating healthy, not knowing that I had candida and sugar was not healthy for me.

I met Dr. Amy Rachel in Bali and she was my first teacher who helped me understand what kind of food is healthy for me. After an intense year of detoxing my strength and energy came back.

I lived at the New Earth cooking school in Bali where I learned different ways of cooking. For me, food needs to be a medicine, and preparing the food is a meditation. Not too complex or difficult, and made with love.

Gifted from birth with a healing connection to the Divine realms, Chrystal was born in Holland but now lives her life abroad, guided by intuition and traveling the world to serve individuals, couples, and groups with her "healing touch" and Tibetan singing bowls.

Chrystal was invited to join a Shamanic Sound Healing Circle, where she was first introduced to the Tibetan Bowls. Following a series of prophetic dreams, a friend presented her with two master bowls made especially for her by a Lama in Tibet.

This gift provided the catalyst for a life-long love affair with Tibetan Bowls, which has evolved into her healing practice and training workshops for practitioners of this ancient sound healing tradition.

At a young age, Chrystal came to realize that life is incomplete without mediation and silent contemplation, which move us toward the realization of ultimate compassion and love. While embracing this spiritual journey, she also completed a seven-year Chakra Healing Program.

She is highly regarded in the healing work that she does.

Photo of Chrystal Nathal
Essential Information

To register for a retreat or programme, participants must complete the online registration form or contact our office directly. Registration is confirmed upon receipt of the required deposit.

  • All fees are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD) and include GST unless otherwise stated.

  • A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place.

  • Full payment is due at least one week prior to the start date unless otherwise arranged.

  • We accept payment via bank transfer, credit card, and other specified payment method

Dana is the practice of generosity, a gift freely given with no strings attached. In keeping with ancient wisdom traditions, the facilitators offer their teaching freely, and no fee for their facilitation is included in the course costs. The retreat fee covers accommodation, meals, and course resources, but not compensation for the teachers.

You are warmly invited to offer Dana as a gesture of appreciation and support for the teachings and those who share them. This is an offering from the heart, given according to your means and circumstances. There is no expected amount—Dana is about generosity of spirit rather than a prescribed fee.

Traditionally, Dana is offered at the beginning of the retreat by placing an envelope in the Dana bowl or box. However, there are many ways to express generosity, and if you'd like to explore other forms of Dana, please feel free to ask.

If cost is a barrier to your participation, Wangapeka has a Sangha Support Fund available, and you are welcome to apply for assistance to attend. If you are experiencing financial hardship and would like to participate, please contact the course manager to discuss possible options.

If cost is a barrier to your participation we encourage you to consider applying for sangha support. Funds have been donated to Wangapeka to offer support for people who want to attend retreats and are unable to afford it. Sangha Support is for accommodation costs only and up to a maximum of 50% of those costs. More info can be found on our costs page. To apply contact the Wangapeka Office Caretaker [email protected].

Please remember to bring sufficient cash to cover your dana to the teacher (if you are attending a group retreat).

  • Bedding (pillow, pillowcase & 2 blankets are provided)

  • Towel

  • Personal items, toiletries, medication

  • Alarm clock

  • Torch (with spare batteries)

  • Easy slip-on shoes as all shoes are left outside buildings

  • Raincoat and/or umbrella

Winter

  • Hot-water bottle

  • Extra bedding

  • Warm clothing

Summer

  • Sunscreen

  • Insect repellent

  • Sun hat

  • Swimming gear

The Wangapeka Study & Retreat Centre is located about an hour and a half drive SW of Nelson, New Zealand. Nestled in the foothills of the Southern Alps it, overlooks the beautiful Wangapeka River.

If you require transport advice or assistance or, please let us know when you register.

During your stay at the Centre you are invited to abide by five precepts of skilful living:

  1. to refrain from harming others

  2. to refrain from stealing

  3. to refrain from sensual misconduct

  4. to refrain from unskillful speech

  5. to refrain from taking substances that cloud the mind and hide the openness of the heart

We understand that sometimes plans change, and we are happy to offer a refund for cancellations made at least 30 days before the start date.

If a person cancels within the month before the course starts:

  • The deposit is non-refundable but can be used for another retreat within 6 months

  • Fees paid are fully refunded if cancellation is at least a week before the course starts

If a person cancels within the week before the course starts:

  • The deposit is non-refundable

  • If cancellation is due to illness, all fees paid are fully refundable on request

  • If cancellation is for any other reason, 50% of fees paid are refundable on request

If a person leaves the course for reasons beyond their control (e.g., illness, death in the family) during a retreat:

  • The deposit is non-refundable

  • 50% of the balance of any fees paid for the missed days are refundable on request

  • If a person leaves the course for any other reason, no refunds will be provided

In the rare event that Wangapeka cancels a course:

  • All deposits and fees paid will be fully refunded, or

  • Participants may choose to transfer their payment to another course within 12 months

29 Aug - 2 Sep 2025 17:00 - 14:00
5 days residential retreat
Wangapeka Study & Retreat Centre
Register Now

The Wangapeka Retreat Experience

Whenua Land

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.

Kainga Accommodation

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.

Kai Food

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.

Whare Wānanga Teaching Space

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.

Whare kai Main Hall

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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