Spring Cleanse Retreat 14 - 17 November 2024 

Our Ayurveda Retreats offer the perfect opportunity for a deep cleanse in a stunning environment at Parohe on Kawau Island. We invite you to relax and rejuvenate with an authentic Ayurvedic experience during this four day weekend. Ayurveda, a sister science of Yoga, is an ancient holistic healing system from India with a history of over 5000 years.

The retreat includes an educational talk about Ayurveda with an introduction to basic principles, history, and philosophy, with particular focus on Panchakarma. We will introduce and practice traditional Ayurvedic cleansing and purification rituals together, such as Jala Neti (nasal cleanse), tongue scraping, and self-Abhyanga massage with Dosha-specific oils. These practices can be incorporated into your daily routine (Dinacharya) at home. Additionally an Ayurvedic cooking class will demonstrate the application of Ayurvedic principles to nutrition.

Prior to the retreat, as part of this package, an individual Ayurvedic consultation will be scheduled with the retreat host Sarita Blankenburg, a certified Ayurvedic Medicine Practitioner based in Freemans Bay, Auckland. This will give you the opportunity to address any health concerns and set some goals for the retreat. It will also provide the Ayurveda New Zealand team a better understanding of your health history to tailor your customised retreat program. 

During your spare time at the retreat you can explore the idyllic Parohe Island Retreat with native bush walks, paddleboarding, kayaking, sauna, outdoor bath, swimming in the ocean or the pool, or just relax and enjoy reading a book.

Parohe Island Retreat on Kawau island - a jewel in the Hauraki Gulf - is nestled in 20 hectares of native bush, and incorporates luxurious Scandinavian-inspired accommodation, organic gardens, and orchards with native birds, alpacas and wallabies.

Three different accommodation packages are available (Twin Share, Private Room & Luxury Private) with a selection of 7 Cabins, 3 Cabanas, the Villa, and Honeymoon cottage so you can select an option that suits you best.

Various land and sea activities are available to connect with nature during any spare time, including archery, volleyball, lawn games, pitch/putt golf, sauna, fishing, outdoor baths, swimming pool, paddle boarding and kayaking. The Parohe restaurant ‘Enchantment’ offers plenty of indoor-outdoor space for dining and relaxation. A short stroll away, you'll find two outdoor baths, a sauna, the massage hut and bush-enclosed yoga platforms.

Easily accessible from Auckland and the short ferry ride, departing from Sandspit near Matakana, makes an enjoyable journey. Once on the ferry, you feel as if you are leaving your busy life and transitioning to a serene and tranquil island. 

Abhyanga - a full body massage is performed with a warm medicated and Dosha-specific oil infused with ayurvedic herbs. Gentle strokes with a specific focus on joints and marma (energy) points will improve circulation and the shift of dosha to regain balance. Oelation begins the detoxification process by loosening impurities (in Ayurveda called Ama).

Shirodhara - an experience of timelessness and its effects are often indescribable. It is a blissful therapy beneficial for sleep disorders, stress relief, headaches, depression and anxiety. Warm medicated oil is gently poured on the forehead in a rhythmic, steady stream. The treatment begins with a traditional Indian head massage to sensitise the nerve endings on the skull.

Nasya - this treatment is effective in restoring clear breathing and reducing headaches or other problems caused by sinus challenges. After a head, neck and face massage, steam is applied to the sinus area to "ripen" the site for receiving treatment. Then warm, herbal oil called Anu Taila is applied through each nostril while the head is supported in a position to absorb the treatment. Nasya is effective in chronic sinusitis, migraine and hair loss. It brings clarity to all sense organs and promotes clarity of the mind.

Marma Therapy - is a subtle treatment utilising traditional essential oils according to your Dosha to restore balance through vital energy points. The sense of touch is used as a therapeutic tool to gently massage these Marma points which are delicate junctions points between our physical body and our consciousness. Marma Therapy facilitates a deep relaxation, has a calming effect on the mind and nervous systems and helps to promote sound sleep. 

Garshana - is a traditional Ayurvedic dry massage with natural silk gloves or exfoliation mittens that stimulate the lymphatic system to release accumulated toxins and enhance blood circulation. Garshana means friction. Through invigorating massage strokes, this treatment improves digestion and metabolism. The exfoliation of dry dead skin layers generates a glow and vibrance. It is especially suitable for individuals with a Kapha constitution and those wanting to loose weight. Garshana reduces Ama (impurities) in the body and has an energising effect.  

The Yoga classes in the mornings and evenings will be a gentle and restorative practice to complement the Ayurvedic therapies. Each class will include Pranayama (breathing exercises), a slow warm up sequence, strengthening and balancing standing and seated Asanas (postures), meditation, relaxation and some chanting.  No matter if you are a beginner, advanced Yoga student or it is your first time on a Yoga mat, all levels are catered for. The main purpose of these Yoga classes is to come together as a group and practice a spiritual and reflective sequence that promotes the healing and cleansing experience of this retreat. 

Sarita, who will be teaching the Yoga classes, has been trained as a classical Hatha Yoga teacher in Rishikesh, India followed by a Yoga Diploma course with Dr Pooja and Dr Shridar Maddela at Wellpark College. She continued her studies with Vincent Boletta and completed a Yoga Therapy course. Her teaching style is very traditional and authentic with elements of Yoga philosophy and therapy.