3 immersive retreats for meditation and mindfulness

Meditation has many forms and offers many paths to attaining a higher level of mindfulness. At the Meditation Essentials by Billabong Retreat, guests are treated to a range of insights into how they can benefit most from meditating.

The tranquil and pleasant location sets the mind at ease as you delve into a meditation session, led by experienced teachers who will guide you through the process of reducing stress and being more in control of your mind.

Combined with yoga sessions twice a day, meals from organically cultivated produce, and varied themed workshops every day, this retreat promises to help steer you towards a healthier, more fulfilling way of life. With a variety of accommodation types to choose from, guests can take their pick based on their preferences to ensure maximum comfort during their stay.

With its comprehensive offerings, you are provided with all the tools and knowledge you’ll need to keep walking the path of mindful thinking and living, long after you depart the retreat.

Practicing mindfulness is made all the more easier when your surroundings are just as quiet. Tucked on 200 acres in the Gold Coast Hinterland, this all-inclusive award-winning retreat is a wellness haven with packages including massages and spa treatments as well as yoga, meditation, seminars and workshops so you can implement your practice once you return to the outside world.

The space is free from the many things that consume us in our daily lives. That means limited technology, no caffeine and only the nutritionist-approved whole foods that are provided. After 5 days, we know you’ll be a new person.

The 2-day ‘Move, Meditate and Massage’ retreat at Shizuka Ryokan in Daylesford is a wonderful combination of releasing and grounding techniques to get your body moving with greater ease and joy.

Day one includes a 2-hour private session with an experienced meditation, yoga and shiatsu massage therapist. The session will be designed for your needs and abilities and may incorporate breathing techniques (pranayama), props to assist alignment in meditation and yoga poses, self-massage, meridian theory, acupressure, abdominal massage and a range of other yogic and oriental therapy techniques. Your instructor will then design a short meditation, yoga and self-massage program for you to take home.

On day two immerse deeper into the yoga and meditation practice and revisit learned techniques. A shiatsu massage builds on the foundation and connection to allow a greater sense of ease.