“it has been a year of emotional ups and downs, and that’s okay. i think we could all do with a trip right now though. so, in celebration of our resilience, and our nature to adapt, in celebration of what’s to come, and of hope and of connection, i’ll be hosting my one and only yoga retreat for 2020”

— sjana

YOU’VE MADE IT to Byron Bay

MARVEL at the organic farm surrounds

SHAKE off the day with a swim in the magnesium pool

ROLL out your mat for Sjana’s first yoga class on embracing the unknown

DINNER of paddock to plate plant-based food

FIRESIDE chats in the library getting to know your fellow travellers

RISE with the sun

OPEN up with Sjana’s heart-opening yoga class on joy

FOREST-BATHING and wild swim

SADDLE up for a horse-ride on an empty Byron beach*

SWEAT it all out at the infrared sauna

COOKING CLASS with our organic fine-dining chef before dinner

MESMERISE your eyes at the bright night sky with a celestial meditation

WAKE to a sunrise meditation on a lake

FLEX it out with Sjana’s yoga class on the art of play

HAND build clay into a take-home fired piece of art while practicing mindfulness

FIRE AND ICE ritual with ice bathing

KAHUNA energy massages

FAREWELL at our last group dinner

CEREMONIAL cacao serving

FIRE PIT under the stars

RISE with the sun and join a morning meditation in the field

TWIST yourself with Sjana’s yoga class on surrender

SAVOUR breakfast and say good bye to the friends you’ve made

OH, go on then: one last swim and sauna

meet your host

Sjana Elise is an international yoga instructor , a wellness influencer, a blogger and avid traveller, as well as a self described adventure-seeking, sunshine-loving, hug-giving Aussie girl.

She believes that all women deserve to feel empowered and confident in their skin and through her own experience, she has learned that yoga is an invaluable tool for the enrichment of the lives of women of all ages.

Thus, her programs focus on a holistic approach to well-being. She loves helping women to achieve their goals, whether that’s to increase flexibility, improve balance, learn a new skill or simply to gain strength.

She was recently on the cover of body +soul magazine, and has published a book of poetry and photography called “you will rise”. you can read about her here and here.

an invitation from sjana

sjana here. so i know it's been a long year of unexpected turns and events. if your 2020 has been anything like mine, you've probably been "blessed" with many opportunities of challenge and simultaneous growth. from the bushfires, to covid, from the blm protests, to meghan and prince harry quitting the royal family to massive hornets invading the us and murdering bees - it’s been a wild ride.

and at the same time, none of the external chaos that has occurred this year has stopped any of us from also enduring countless personal hardships too. whether it be having your heart broken (i was there too, i feel you!), losing a loved one, or just feeling overwhelmed and blue from life becoming even more uncontrollable and unpredictable than usual, it has been a lot to handle.

it has also been a year of emotional ups and downs, and that's okay. i think we could all do with a trip now though. i think we all deserve one! and i know we can't travel out of australia at the moment. but thankfully, we can still do something...

so, in celebration of our resilience, and our nature to adapt, in celebration of what's to come, and of hope and of connection, i'll be hosting my one and only yoga retreat for 2020! and i am inviting you to join me!

it will be a 4 day trip, november 12-15th, in byron bay (one of my favourite places in the whole of australia!) we'll be doing daily yoga classes, eating incredible food, doing a little bit of travel around the area and even going beach horse riding. i invite you to experience it with me.

i don't even think you need any convincing, but this is going to be epic! and just what we all need i feel! a means of connection back to ourselves, each other, and source.

love and light,

sjana x

location

we are staying on an organic farm in the byron hinterland, with herds of cows, organic vegetable and fruit patches, as well as long walks weaving through green hills. with a few hundred acres at your disposal, you can wander the country fields any time of day. there is also a pontoon on the lake where we practice yoga and meditation, a magnesium swimming pool and infrared sauna. .

inclusions:

a portion of profits donated to First Nations children empowerment charity Children’s Ground
professional photographer capturing candid images from the trip so you can put your phone down
all chef-prepared locally sourced and organic meals: daily breakfast, lunch and dinner
cooking class with acclaimed chef from local institution halcyon house
guided forest bathing and wild swim
clay play with mindfulness meditation
beach horse ride* (*for those who want to sit this out, there will be an extra massage)
kahuna massage
beautiful farmland accommodation with magnesium swimming pool
unlimited infrared sauna sessions, with proven health benefits
daily yoga class guided by Sjana Elise
ice bath workshop

exclusions:

transit to byron

faq’s

+ How do I get there?

If you want to fly, the property is approximately 40 minutes from Ballina airport. You can drive as well, with parking facilities on the property. Having a car means you'll be able to explore in your down time. Otherwise, fully immerse yourself in the day trips and the organic farm surrounds.

+ Can I come solo or with friend or a partner?

Both! Solo travellers will immediately connect with the group under the bubbly stewardship of Sjana, and friends will likewise have a great time connecting with the group. If you're coming with a friend, and want to be roomed together, let us know in the rooming configuration box at purchase. If you're coming with a partner (or someone you're close enough to share a double bed with), let us know at time of booking and we will contact you with further details.

+ Will I have downtime?

While we do have lots of things planned, there will be time to chill and read a book on your deck or go for long country walks. The activities are of course optional, so if you feel you want to sit one out, just let us know!

+ I'm a yoga beginner, will I be OK?

Yoga is for everyone and the classes will be tailored to meet your capabilities. Sjana is an expert teacher. And whenever you need, there's always the option to rest in child's pose!

+ Will there be alcohol?

We won't be providing alcohol, but you can for sure bring drinks to have with dinner!

+ Is it COVID safe?

We will be watching the border and health situation very closely. Rest assured that if COVID impacts the majority of travellers we will postpone to a later date. If that isn’t feasible, we will offer partial refunds (the deposit is non-refundable).

What is your refund policy?

The terms and conditions are here, and as we have very limited spaces, the initial deposit is non-refundable.

+ How do I pay to confirm my place?

You have two options: pay in full or pay the $500 deposit. If you pay the deposit, we will require payment in full 25 days prior to the trip start date.

+ What do the rooms look like?

MAIN HOUSE

Private rooms (king / queen bed with private ensuite
Private rooms (double bed) with shared bathroom
Shared room (double / single beds) with shared bathroom

PRIVATE CABIN (#1, #2)

Private rooms (queen / double beds) with shared bathroom

PRIVATE CABIN (#3)

Shared room (single beds) with shared bathroom

GUEST HOUSE

Private rooms (king single) with private ensuite

+ Any further questions?

Hit us up anytime through the contact link at the bottom of this page.

private king - private bathroom

private queen - shared bathroom

Private Cabin Main Room

private double - shared bathroom

shared double - shared bathroom

private queen - private bathroom

the joy escape with sjana elise