retreat information
Where and When
This retreat will be held on 15th-15th February 2025 at Vajrayana Institute – 9 Victoria Square, Ashfield NSW.
Each day will start at 9am – we would ask all attendees to arrive 15 minutes prior.
About the Retreat
In this two-day movement retreat, we’ll explore presence and embodiment through the integration of Buddhist wisdom, mindful movement practices and somatic attunement. Kristina draws from her experience of dynamic “external arts” like karate and peak performance training, as well as contemplative “internal arts” such as Qi Gong, Tai Chi, meditation, and yoga. This retreat is designed for those seeking to explore or deepen a holistic approach to embodied practices supporting self-awareness, regeneration and radical self-compassion.
The retreat focuses on somatic practices that invite us to slow down and access the natural intelligence of our bodies and deepen our wakeful awareness. Through gentle, guided movement explorations, we’ll learn how subtle adjustments, movement patterns, conscious breathing, and energetic practice can release tension and anxiety.
Our days will flow between guided movement sessions and periods of silence and stillness. Within a safe and supportive environment, we will explore embodied themes grounded Buddhist philosophy and practice. There will be time for reflective inquiry and group dialogue, fostering a supportive space for personal insight and shared wisdom.
This weekend offers an opportunity to rest in present-moment awareness while developing a more compassionate relationship with our bodies and connecting with our innate vitality. The somatic practices can also serve as powerful supports for other contemplative practices.
All bodies and experience levels are welcome. Join us in discovering how movement-based practices can unlock natural pathways to presence and embodied wisdom. By the end of the retreat, participants will leave with practical tools for integrating these practices into daily life—mobility, wakefulness, regenerative movement and balance.
Meals
Lunch will be provided each day. All food will be vegetarian.
For those staying at the centre, we will offer a light breakfast. Dinner is not provided.
Retreat Etiquette and Discipline
Participants are advised to adhere to the basic five ethical precepts for a lay Buddhist during the duration of the retreat, doing our best to refrain from killing, stealing, engaging in harmful sexual conduct, lying and consuming intoxicants.
There is no strict rule for keeping silence, though it would be very helpful to be mindful of how we use our speech.
It is possible to lie down in the supine position to meditate during the retreat, subjected to the availability of space in the hall. If you wish to do so, you might want to bring along your own yoga mat.
Since Vajrayana is a semi-monastic meditation centre and not a guesthouse, we ask all of our retreatants and visitors to observe the following rules of discipline in order to maintain an atmosphere conducive to inner reflection and meditation:
- Respect all life: do not intentionally kill any living being, even small insects.
- Respect others’ property: do not steal or take anything not freely given.
- Be honest and straightforward: do not lie or intentionally deceive others. This is easy when observing silence!
- Be celibate: no sexual activity. This also includes no holding hands, hugging, massages, and other physical displays of affection.
- Be alert and mindful: avoid intoxicants such as alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes (we encourage you to stop smoking while here, but if this is impossible, one can smoke at a designated place outside the centre boundary).
- Be considerate of others’ silence: respect others that choose to keep silent during the retreat, especially in the Gompa.
- No singing or playing music and in general, maintain a quiet demeanor while on the property.
- Be considerate of the monks and nuns: dress respectfully (please no shorts above the knee, tank-top shirts or tight and revealing clothing).
In order to keep the atmosphere conducive to inner reflection and spiritual pursuit and to minimise distractions during the course, students on our residential courses and retreats are asked to abide by our basic code of discipline listed below.
- Please settle all outside communication before the course begins.
- Telling friends and family that you will be out of contact for the duration of the course and sticking by that decision significantly reduces distraction from the investigation into the workings of your own mind!
- Participants should attend all sessions of the course and come to sessions on time.
- Please leave all communication/entertainment devices (laptop / mobile phones /cameras / MP3/CD players) etc at home or switch off and leave in your bag.
- Please be gentle in your behaviour and sensitive to fellow group members.
things to bring
Some suggested items to bring:
- Towels
- Toiletries such as soap, shampoo
- Warm socks
- Yoga mat or meditation cushion (if you wish to use your own)
- Water bottle
Course Materials
There are no prior course materials for this retreat
