https://www.amarafarm.co.za/blog/2019-09-19T00:00:00+02:00Amara Farmstay@amarafarm.co.zaCopyright (c) 2026, Amara Farm2019-09-19T00:00:00+02:00https://www.amarafarm.co.za/blog/post/natural-wellness-summer-retreat-7-10-november-2019/

<p>Each day will begin with a light breakfast and cold-pressed juice and will flow into a movement class to bring you into your body. </p> <p>On offer we have a Dance Flow class with renowned personal fitness trainer Wania van Wyk, as well as two Aerial Yoga classes with popular and highly experienced yoga teacher Eve Cunard. No experience is necessary as the instructors will expertly guide you through these playful yet powerful classes. </p> <p>You will then take part in the Self-Discovery workshop sessions with experienced British Life-coach and Holistic therapist Ginny Johnstone. Over the course of the 4 days, you will gain valuable insight into your internal dialogue through following journal prompts and practicing radical honesty with YourSelf.</p> <p>Ginny will share some powerful tips and techniques on how you can naturally balance your energies and help you clarify your intentions on how to move forward.</p> <p>She will also be sharing some incredible information on essential oils and how you can use these little plant-based helpers to enhance every aspect of your life. To further intensify your intentions, you will be making your very own essential oils roller bottle to take back with you into your daily life and recall your intentions anytime you wish using the power of smell.</p> <p>After a scrumptious lunch, the afternoons will be spent indulging the senses in a pampering session with a treatment of your choice:</p> <p>Thai Massage with Eve (60min) OR</p> <p>Deep Tissue OR Swedish Massage with Heather (60min)</p> <p>Melt away tension in the warmth of a wood-fired sauna and enliven your senses by cooling off in the natural swimming pool filled with fresh flowing mountain water.</p> <p>After a wholesome nourishing dinner, the evening will wind down with a guided meditation and gentle breath work facilitated by your host, Irene Buhler. </p> <p>Another important aspect of Natural Wellness is the social aspect. Humans are social beings by nature and being surrounded by like-minded people can feel very up lifting. Women especially tend to recharge best by sharing their experiences in communion with one another. </p> <p>During this Natural Wellness Retreat you may share as much or as little as you wish with your fellow female participants and facilitators. </p> <p>Only eight spaces available.</p> <p><a class="prose-button" href="http://www.amarafarm.co.za/contact/contact-and-enquiries/">Please contact Irene for bookings and further info.</a></p> <p>Price: R4’800</p> <p><strong>Price includes:</strong></p> <ul> <li>3 nights accommodation (2 ladies sharing per chalet)</li> <li>Wholesome vegetarian meals with emphasis on farm-to-table (breakfast, lunch and dinner)</li> <li>Unlimited home-grown herbal teas</li> <li>1 Dance Flow class with Wania (60min)</li> <li>2 Aerial Yoga classes with Eve (2x 60min)</li> <li>Daily Self-Discovery workshops and life-coaching techniques with Ginny (total 8 hrs in group setting)</li> <li>1 massage  of choice (60min)</li> <li>Daily guided evening meditations with Irene  </li> <li>Access to sauna, natural swimming pool and fynbos trails</li> </ul> <p>A deposit of R2’000 will secure your place. Bookings close 30 October 2019</p> <p>For further info and to book your space please contact Irene:</p> <p>Cell: 071 675 3920</p> <p>Email: stay@amarafarm.co.za</p> <h2>Treatments available to choose from (one per person):</h2> <p><strong>Thai Yoga Massage with Eve (60 min)</strong></p> <p>Thai Yoga Massage is an ancient healing art often compared to a flowing dance. The body is guided through gentle yogic stretches, while the therapist uses hands, feet, knees and elbows to stimulate pressure points. Combined with deep breathing, the healthy movement of energy along the channels is restored, encouraging a sense of relaxation and vitality.</p> <p>This is a very effective therapy for back pain, scoliosis, sciatica and chronic headaches. It helps relieve stiffness, restore mobility to the joints and can improve circulation to problem areas. A specialised treatment can be given to assist with breathing issues.</p> <p>A treatment is given through loose comfortable clothing while lying on a floor mat.</p> <p><strong>Deep tissue OR Swedish massage with Heather (60min)</strong></p> <p>Deep tissue massage is designed to relieve pain and muscle tension throughout the body. This type of massage is extremely beneficial because it reaches the deepest layer of muscles, fascia (connective tissue surrounding the joints) and tendons. I combine trigger point therapy and skin rolling.</p> <p>The Swedish massage technique is to relax the entire body. Releasing muscle tension increasing circulation and removing toxins.</p> <h2>More details on the Movement Classes:</h2> <p><strong><br /><img class="alignleft" src="/media/cache/c4/6e/c46ebb37376bf3818f0dc6906404aee0.jpg" alt="" />Aerial Yoga</strong></p> <p>A fun and challenging workout that combines yoga, pilates, aerial arts and strength training using the support of a silky yoga hammock. </p> <p><strong>Dance Flow</strong></p> <p>A journey through the body using dance and music. Universe and Soul communicate with us through our Bodies. Connect and reconnect with yourself through gentle and flowing movements. Allow the Elements to fill and energise you and feel reacquainted with the love of your life ~ you. During this hour you will be reminded of how powerful and phenomenal your body truly is.</p> <h2>Bio's</h2> <p><br /> <img class="alignleft" src="/media/cache/bf/68/bf681fb58561f21c0818a538d82bc171.jpg" alt="" /><strong>Irene - your chef &amp; host</strong></p> <p>Irene together with her husband Elton, is the owner of Amara, a guest farm near Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. Irene studied Hotel school in Switzerland in early 2000s. She worked as an Air Hostess by air, as Guest Relations Officer by sea and managed various guest houses and a coffee shop on land. While working on a cruise ship in Mexico, she fell in love with her future husband and they proceeded to travel extensively. </p> <p>A few years later, a change in life circumstances sparked Irene to immerse herself into the field of holistic wellness in search for answers. This led to a qualification as a Natural Health Practitioner and Herbalist, as well as a dream for creating a simpler way of living more in harmony with the natural world. Amara is an expression of this dream; an organic life-style come guest farm and venue where she, together with her husband Elton and her daughter Sofia now receives guests from all over the world, and delights in blending her love for hospitality, holistic wellness and Nature in one beautiful location. </p> <p> </p> <p><img class="alignleft" src="/media/cache/0b/a0/0ba0779b6d93f7222c84f45a8f908dec.jpg" alt="" /><strong>Ginny - Life-coach &amp; Holistic Therapist</strong></p> <p>Ginny is a life coach and holistic therapist (and a mother of five special souls). In her mid-twenties Ginny (back then a marketing manager working in fast-paced London ad agencies) began to suffer from burnout. Seeking a simpler, more meaningful and nature based lifestyle Ginny trained as a life coach at the UK Coaching Academy and soon after followed her dream to live in South Africa. Now 17yrs later, Ginny lives on a beautiful smallholding in The Crags just outside Plettenberg Bay, raising her five children with her husband of 14yrs.</p> <p>Following the birth of her first twins, an innate passion for emotional healing, energy medicine and holistic therapies woke up in Ginny. She is now trained as a Reiki Master, NLP practitioner, LomiLomi massage therapist and teacher, and Heal Your Life Facilitator. Ginny's passion lies in helping others wake up to their stories, reclaim their power and live a life aligned with their heart and soul.</p> <p> </p> <p><img class="alignleft" src="/media/cache/cb/1d/cb1d13e5b7aae1fd610053edf24d6a60.jpg" alt="" /><strong>Eve - Yoga Teacher &amp; Thai Massage Therapist</strong></p> <p>I was drawn to yoga in my teens because it helped calm and focus my mind for studying at school. It became a constant that accompanied me throughout my life. While at university in Brighton, UK, I was introduced to Scaravelli-inspired yoga. It resonated so deeply with my whole being, like a sigh of relief for my body. This was a practice that embraced our imperfections, allowed creative exploration, but most importantly, it prioritised what felt right for the individual body above achieving a perfect shape in space. </p> <p>After graduating in 2001 I immediately embarked on a yoga teacher training and have been following this calling ever since. On returning to South Africa I began teaching a weekly class at first in Storms River. I have now been teaching yoga in beautiful Plett for over ten years. </p> <p>Thai Yoga Massage, which I studied in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, has been a wonderful complement to yoga. This gentle dance of therapist and receiver can give the calm, blissful experience of yoga even to those who don’t go to classes.</p> <p>I continue to learn more about the body through my constant regular yoga practice, study of anatomy and the workings of the mind. I love to share this with my students and have in the last few years worked quite intensively one-on-one with students who have particular illnesses, injuries or physical difficulties. It is a constant learning exchange between teacher and student, for which I am most grateful. </p> <p> </p> <p><img class="alignleft" src="/media/cache/2a/94/2a94476423a2f52cc860d92a15d26e71.jpg" alt="" /><strong>Wania - Dance Flow teacher &amp; Personal Trainer</strong></p> <p>With a Bachelors Degree in Human Science (RAU), a PGC in Education (with distinction UNISA) and a Diploma in Exercise Science (Institute of Fitness Professionals), Wania has an approach towards fitness which is everything but average.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <h2> </h2> <h2> </h2> <h2> </h2> <h2> </h2> <p> </p> <p><img class="alignleft" src="/media/cache/13/89/13892fa08eeeaeb45f70347ed80f8110.jpg" alt="" /><strong>Heather - Holistic Therapist and Personal Trainer</strong></p> <p>From a young age Heather knew she wanted to be in a profession that interacted with people on a personal level. She completed her studies at Wits Tech in Somatology, Massage therapy and Nutrition. She worked in this field for many years owning her own Womans Health and Wellness centre. As a very curious human she has explored many avenues of self-realisation and healing and transferred a lot of what she learnt into treating her clients holistically. As she evolved her business evolved into the fitness industry, completing her studies at HFPA, ETA and FITPRO colleges and this added value to her business and clients. Her love and passion for travel inspired her to work on cruise ships teaching exercise classes and giving seminars on health and nutrition. Returning to South Africa she relocated to the Garden Route residing in Plettenberg Bay. Where she continues to teach, treat, learn and grow.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <h2> </h2> <p> </p> <h2>Natural Wellness Summer Retreat 7-10 November 2019 at a glance</h2> <p><strong>Schedule</strong></p> <p><em>This schedule may be changed if necessary subject to weather, participants energy levels and other factors; it is a basic guideline.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Thursday 7 Nov</strong></p> <p>14h00 Arrival and settling into accommodation</p> <p>15h30 - 18h00 Self-discovery workshop with Ginny session 1:</p> <p>Welcome circle, Self-honesty check-in and receiving of journal prompts</p> <p>18h30 - 19h30 Dinner</p> <p>20h00 Evening meditation with Irene</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Friday 8 Nov</strong></p> <p> 8h00 Breakfast</p> <p> 9h00 - 10h30 Dance flow class with Wania</p> <p>11h00 - 13h00 Self-discovery workshop with Ginny session 2:</p> <p>Essential Oils talk and intention roller make ’n take</p> <p>13h00 - 14h00 Lunch</p> <p>14h00 - 18h00 Massage time, Sauna &amp; Free time</p> <p>18h30 - 19h30 Dinner</p> <p>20h00 Evening meditation with Irene</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Saturday 9 Nov</strong></p> <p>8h00 Breakfast</p> <p>9h00 - 10h30 Aerial Yoga with Eve</p> <p>11h00 - 13h00 Self-discovery workshop with Ginny session 3: </p> <p>How to balance your energy</p> <p>13h00 - 14h00 Lunch</p> <p>14h00 - 18h00 Massage time, Sauna &amp; Free time</p> <p>18h30 - 19h30 Dinner</p> <p>20h00 Evening meditation with Irene</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Sunday 10 Nov</strong></p> <p>  8h00 Breakfast</p> <p>  9h00 - 10h30 Aerial Yoga with Eve</p> <p>10h30 - 12h30 Self-discovery workshop with Ginny session 4:</p> <p>Closing circle and Life-Balance technique </p> <p>12h30 - 13h00 Free time</p> <p>13h00 - 14h00 Lunch</p> <p>14h00 Goodbye</p> <p> </p> <p><a class="prose-button" href="http://www.amarafarm.co.za/contact/contact-and-enquiries/">Contact Irene to book your space now.</a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

Copyright (c) 2019, Amara Farm2019-06-28T00:00:00+02:00Irene Buhlerhttps://www.amarafarm.co.za/womensholisticwellnessretreatplettenbergbay2019/

<p>Each day will begin with a delicious smoothie bowl and will flow into a moving meditation class, known as Qigong. No previous experience is required as your teacher Maggie, will expertly guide you into the gentle flowing motions. Coupled with the breath this will generate your body’s own energy flow (Qi) to release old and stuck patterns within the body and mind.</p> <p>You will then take this peaceful state of mind into the Self-Discovery workshop sessions with experienced British Life-coach and Holistic therapist Ginny Johnstone. Over the course of the 4 days, you will gain valuable insight into your internal dialogue through following journal prompts and practicing radical honesty with YourSelf.</p> <p>Ginny will share some powerful tips and techniques that can help you clarify your intentions on how to move forward and help you release outmoded ways of thinking that may be holding you back. </p> <p>She will also be sharing some incredible information on essential oils and how you can use these little plant-based helpers to enhance every aspect of your life. To add more power to your intentions, you will be making your very own essential oils roller bottle to take back with you into your daily life and recall your intentions anytime you wish, using the activating power of smell.</p> <p>After a scrumptious lunch, the afternoons will be spent indulging the senses in a pampering session with a treatment of your choice:</p> <p>Chakra Balancing massage by Maggie (60min) OR</p> <p>Full body LomiLomi massage (75min) OR</p> <p>Manicure and Pedicure Combo (80min)</p> <p> </p> <p>Melt away tension in the warmth of a wood-fired sauna and learn to make your own face-mask using everyday natural ingredients.</p> <p>After a wholesome nourishing dinner, the evening will wind down with a guided meditation and gentle breath work facilitated by your host, Irene</p> <p>Another important aspect of holistic wellness is the social aspect. Humans are social beings by nature and being surrounded by like-minded people can feel very up-lifting and connective. Women especially tend to recharge best by sharing their experiences in communion with one another. </p> <p>During this Holistic Wellness Retreat you may share as much or as little as you wish with your fellow female participants and facilitators. </p> <p>Between program sessions (which are totally voluntary), there will be time to meander through the fynbos trails, write in your journals or simply to rest and absorb the tranquil surroundings.</p> <p>Only eight spaces available.</p> <p><a class="prose-button" href="http://www.amarafarm.co.za/contact/contact-and-enquiries/">Please contact Irene for bookings and further info.</a></p> <p>Price: R4'200 Early Bird Special (until 22 July 2019), R4'800 thereafter</p> <p>A deposit of R2'000 will secure your place. Bookings close 1 August 2019</p> <h2>Price includes:</h2> <ul> <li>3 nights accommodation (2 ladies sharing per chalet)</li> <li>Wholesome vegetarian meals (sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free) with emphasis on farm-to-table</li> <li>   (breakfast, lunch and dinner)</li> <li>Unlimited home-grown herbal teas</li> <li>Daily morning Qigong classes (3x 90min)</li> <li>Self-Discovery workshops and life-coaching modules total of 8 hours in group setting </li> <li>One massage or treatment of choice (ranging from 60 - 80min)</li> <li>Daily guided evening meditation (3x 30min)</li> <li>Access to sauna, natural swimming pool and fynbos trails</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p> </p> <h2><strong>Bio's</strong></h2> <h2>Irene Buhler - Your Host and Chef <img class="alignleft" src="/media/cache/6a/5c/6a5c3f728e4bb5f2a797135576d85baf.jpg" alt="" /></h2> <p> </p> <p>Irene together with her husband Elton, is the owner of Amara, a guest farm near Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. Irene studied Hotel school in Switzerland in early 2000s. She worked as an Air Hostess by air, as Guest Relations Officer by sea and managed various guest houses and a coffee shop on land. While working on a cruise ship in Mexico, she fell in love with her future husband and they proceeded to travel extensively. A few years later, a change in life circumstances sparked Irene to immerse herself into the field of holistic wellness in search for answers. This led to a qualification as a Natural Health Practitioner and Herbalist, as well as a dream for creating a simpler way of living more in harmony with the natural world. Amara is an expression of this dream; an organic life-style come guest farm and venue where she, together with her husband Elton and her daughter Sofia now receives guests from all over the world, and delights in blending her love for hospitality, holistic wellness and Nature in one beautiful location.</p> <p> </p> <h2>Ginny Johnstone - Your Self-Discovery Facilitator, Life-Coach and Holistic Therapist<img class="alignleft" src="/media/cache/29/3a/293afbdf9944d67d49d0251b21195f0c.jpg" alt="" /></h2> <p> </p> <p>Ginny is a life coach and holistic therapist (and a mother of five special souls). In her mid-twenties Ginny (back then a marketing manager working in fast-paced London ad agencies) began to suffer from burnout. Seeking a simpler, more meaningful and nature based lifestyle Ginny trained as a life coach at the UK Coaching Academy and soon after followed her dream to live in South Africa. Now 17yrs later, Ginny lives on a beautiful smallholding in The Crags just outside Plettenberg Bay, raising her five children with her husband of 14yrs.</p> <p>Following the birth of her first twins, an innate passion for emotional healing, energy medicine and holistic therapies woke up in Ginny. She is now trained as a Reiki Master, NLP practitioner, LomiLomi massage therapist and teacher, and Heal Your Life Facilitator. Ginny's passion lies in helping others wake up to their stories, reclaim their power and live a life aligned with their heart and soul.</p> <p> </p> <h2>Maggie Brauteseth - Your Qigong teacher <img class="alignleft" src="/media/cache/20/a4/20a42626b1131e33ce272a3b9c3282c7.jpg" alt="" /></h2> <p> </p> <p>Maggie initially discovered Qigong whilst attending a  retreat at the Ixopo Buddhist Retreat Centre, in 2005. She developed a passionate interest in the energy systems of the body, and so she began her journey, studying energy healing modalities and Qi Gong. She gives regular Qi Gong classes, sharing the healing benefits that she believes the practice to embody. She also offers a Chakra balancing massage which helps to align the energy centers (chakras) by releasing any stuck energy and filling that space with pure calming life energy. Maggie’s caring and gentle nature complement her offerings. Maggie lives on a permaculture-inspired small holding with her husband Dave and aspires to a life of simplicity and community.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <h2>Treatments available to choose from (one per person)</h2> <p><strong>Chakra Balancing massage with Maggie</strong></p> <p>Massaging the back of the body 7 different oils are used, each one specific to a chakra.  The vibrational healing tools are the Oils of Transformation, chimes are also used which bring in the healing aspect of sound.  The Oils of Transformation contain natural nut oils and include the healing properties of herbs and flower extracts, crystals and sacred geometry.  When these oils are absorbed by the skin they work on a cellular level.  </p> <p><strong>LomiLomi massage </strong></p> <p>Flowing full body massage using hands, elbows and knuckles. The physical benefits of this massage are the same as other types of massage in terms of relaxing muscles, promoting circulation and releasing blocked energy. The difference lies in the Hawaiian traditions woven into the massage, including the belief that "loving hands" help you release not only physical tension but also mental, emotional and spiritual blockages.</p> <p><strong>Manicure and Pedicure combo</strong></p> <p>Classic beautifying of your hands and feet, including painting of nails and hand- and foot massage. </p> <p> </p> <h2>Schedule at a glance</h2> <p><em>This schedule may be changed if necessary subject to weather, participants energy levels and other factors; it is a basic guideline.</em></p> <p><strong>Thursday 8 August</strong></p> <ul> <li>14h00              Arrival and settling into accommodation</li> <li>15h30 - 18h00 Self-discovery workshop with Ginny session 1: </li> <li>                        Welcome circle, setting of intentions and receiving of journal prompts</li> <li>18h30 - 19h30 Dinner</li> <li>20h00              Evening mediation with Irene</li> </ul> <p><br /><strong>Friday 9 August</strong></p> <ul> <li> 8h00              Breakfast</li> <li> 9h00 - 10h30 Qigong with Maggie</li> <li>11h00 - 13h00 Self-discovery workshop with Ginny session 2:</li> <li>                         Essential Oils talk and intention roller make ’n take</li> <li>13h00 - 14h00 Lunch</li> <li>14h00 - 18h00 Massage time, Sauna &amp; Free time</li> <li>18h30 - 19h30 Dinner</li> <li>20h00               Evening meditation with Irene</li> <li><br /><strong>Saturday 10 August</strong></li> <li>8h00              Breakfast</li> <li>9h00 - 10h30 Qigong with Maggie</li> <li>11h00 - 13h00 Self-discovery workshop with Ginny session 3: </li> <li>                        Emotional Healing</li> <li>13h00 - 14h00 Lunch</li> <li>14h00 - 18h00 Massage time, Sauna &amp; Free time</li> <li>18h30 - 19h30 Dinner</li> <li>20h00              Evening meditation with Irene</li> </ul> <p><br /><strong>Sunday 11 August</strong></p> <ul> <li>  8h00             Breakfast</li> <li>  9h00 - 10h30 Qigong with Maggie</li> <li>10h30 - 12h30 Self-discovery workshop with Ginny session 4:</li> <li>                       Closing circle and Journal reflections</li> <li>12h30 - 13h00 Free time</li> <li>13h00 - 14h00 Lunch</li> <li>14h00              Goodbye</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

Copyright (c) 2019, Amara Farm