Touching The Earth
An Invitation Into Wholeness
with
Jaime Howell, Ming Janssen & Chrystal Rogers
Wangapeka Study & Retreat Centre
“The key to reclaiming our original wholeness is not to suppress psychological symptoms, to merely recover from addictions and trauma, or to simply manage stress but rather to fully embody our multifaceted wild minds, commit ourselves to the largest, soul-aligned story we’re capable of living, and serve the greater Earth community.” The retreat is inspired by the work of Bill Plotkin.
A retreat to deepen into the work of what Joanna Macy calls the Great Turning, “A shift from the Industrial Growth Society to a life-sustaining civilization”.
Now is a time to cultivate refuge in our belonging to this living earth, growing skills and resources for self care woven together in the heart basket of community that includes the more than human world.
Touching the Earth is a practise that will guide people into the empowered heart of inter-being, it is a teaching for these times. Using the arts of luminous meditation, word and movement we will honour the pain and turn struggles into generous creative acts.
What you will find here:
- Beginning Anew Solstice vision quest
- A nature based ritual for shedding that which no longer serves.
- Open floor movement inquires woven with Joanna Macy Work that Reconnects
- Deepening and strengthening our understanding of meditation as a wild and natural state
- Developing a map of wholeness – the birth-rite to our innate purpose and belonging.
What to expect
Severance from the routines and responsibilities of being a modern (possibly busy?) human. Each morning you will be guided gently into the bodies, stretch and move toward a practice of grateful meditation (with Ming & Jaime) followed by an abundant nutritious self serve breakfast.
Morning inquiries will lead you on a deeper dive into the four facets of wholeness in the spirit of Touching the Earth. Embodied sensing, feeling, wild imagination and thinking. There will be time for solitude and group inquiries. Together we will explore both; embodied movement guided inquiries (Open Floor) and periods of meditation in and as our natural world. Throughout the time of solstice you will be offered an opportunity to fast and re-vision your life and living. Laksmi our cook will be nourishing our body/heart and mind with fresh healthy food.
By the end of the week you will have experienced gratitude, had an opportunity to honour pain and be guided through a powerful teaching of Touching the Earth. We trust you will have some new skills, feel inspired and more connected to the rhythms and beauty of the earth.
There will be spaces for personal sharing and one on one mentoring. We will give careful attention to the return making sure you have what you need to integrate and harvest the seeds you have planted.
This retreat is FULL. Please email Chrystal at [email protected] to go on the waiting list.
Jaime is a trained Wilderness Rites of Passage guide, Work That Reconnects facilitator and experienced teacher of Open Floor movement practice. He has a Masters in Education on the topic of Transformative Rites of Passage. He spent 15 years studying wholeness with Tarchin Hearn from whom he received encouragement to share. These retreats are inspired by Joanna Macy and the work of Bill Plotkin. Jaime and his colleagues are passionate to develop maps to wholeness. We are building the foundations of a new culture. Jaime will bring the guitar, in among the inquiries you can expect some community heart songs.
Ming’s embodied practices started 15 years ago in Indonesia when she was introduced to Tantric Hatha Yoga by Ketut Arsana. A vast journey of enquiry into the science of yoga & somatics followed and she’s been teaching for the last 6 years. Her accreditation is with Awakening Arts, School of Yoga & Eco-Somatic Therapies 200 RYT. Play and curiosity is her mantra. And she invites you to explore new pathways of movement and connection within your body and the wider earth body ‘Terra Soma’.
Chrystal is bringing her experience of holistic education to support the teacher and the flow of this retreat for everyone and everything. She will be giving care, focusing on the wellbeing and smooth runnings of the group. Chrystal is trained in Steiner Education & Philosophy. She is passionate about teaching in a way that inspires awe, curiosity and wonder for the world around us. She loves to connect to self, and others, through nature, dance, singing and deep heart sharing and listening.
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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