Total Retreat Cost: $1,650 for shared room. $500 deposit required to reserve spot. Please see below for full retreat costs.
Retreat Overview
There is no time like to the present to nourish yourself and start living to your fullest potential. True happiness can only be achieved when we feel our very best in this present moment.
There is no greater way to gain perspective, to think more clearly, to heal, to refocus, to get creative and to be true to the inherent nature of what makes us who we are, and makes us happiest than by taking some guilt-free time to just be and to live.
This week in St. Lucia will be a rejuvenating change retreat that will introduce you to new experiences, new information, new skills, and help you to evoke new visions and goals that will catalyze positive changes you never could have imagined.
The sweet, blissful and beautiful island of St. Lucia will allow you the opportunity to unwind, explore and play. The things you will learn, the adventure you will have and the people you will meet will ultimately change the way you live the rest of your life. This retreat is a blend of some of the most healthful life giving practices, as we blend together nutritional education, yoga, meditation, organic food, rainforest hiking and waterfalls, seawater and sunbathing, cooking and delightful light and enlightened discussion.
Everything about this retreat including the organized excursions, daily yoga and meditation and the freshly prepared vegetarian meals are all designed to enhance personal health and wellbeing and educate along the way.
The Location: Balenbouche Estates, St. Lucia
When I say there is no place in the world like Balenbouche, I mean it. I have looked!
Located just a 20 minute drive from St. Lucia Hewnarra International Airport (UVF), Balenbouche is a unique combination of organic farm, historic site, guest house and family home; a living testimony to St. Lucia’s rich heritage and natural beauty. The Plantation House, Guest cottages and 18th century sugar mill are surrounded by farm-and pasture land, fruit and flower gardens, ancient trees, historic aqueducts, nature trails, rivers, and secluded beaches within walking distance.
Balenbouceh is simply, natural living at it's very best. What you will find here, including unique charm, living amongst nature, beautiful animals, grand trees, and fruit trees around every corner most certainly makes up for what you won't fine- and that is swimming pools, air conditioning, and television. This is not The Holiday Inn which is why I love it so much. Many of the cottages do not have screens. Instead you sleep the night away enclosed in a moquito net and really hear the nature that surrounds you. If you require more luxuries, this may not be quite right.
Balenbouche is a unique combination of organic farm, historic site, guest house and family home; a living testimony to St. Lucia’s rich heritage and natural beauty. The Plantation House, Guest cottages and 18th century sugar mill are surrounded by farm-and pasture land, fruit and flower gardens, ancient trees, historic aqueducts, nature trails, rivers, and secluded beaches within walking distance. Visit the Balenbouche website for more information on the property.
Food and Nutrition
There will be three key nutrition lectures spread throughout the week that form the foundation of understanding the meals, the keys to personal health, and the concepts and experiences explored during this retreat. The health and nutrition education is not limited to the lectures. It is experienced first hand with the bountiful environment that surrounds us. A walk down to the Balenbouche beach might reveal an impromptu talk on herbal medicine, a trip through the star fruit grove may spark a conversation around local commodities, production and produce export. You never know what may come up, and what may be learned. As much as I plan the lectures for the retreat, the greatest learning happens simply by being present in this natural environment- where we let the environment inspire our lessons and teach us. I will do my part to help you translate all that you learn and experience into your lives once you return home.
The meals on this retreat are vegetarian and vegan friendly. We do not use any cow's dairy and refrain from using refined flours, sugars or glutenous grains. The women of Balenbouche do an extraordinary job of using locally grown, seasonal produce as much as possible.
Some of the topics we intend to cover include:
- The incredible healing properties of whole foods
- What superfoods should be included in your diet
- About common allergens, the impact these foods have on our health and how to avoid them
- Healthier ways to prepare your favourite dishes
- Disease prevention with whole foods and herbs
- How to prepare Natural Body Care products
- How to live the best life ever!
Yoga and Meditation
Regular yoga and meditation practices can be incredibly powerful in establishing an internal environment that enables and encourages healing. Each morning of the retreat, we will begin our day with a vigorous yoga practice focused on increasing metabolism, circulation and detoxification. Drawing on her training from various instructors, Meghan flows smooth sequences together for yoga that is accessible and challenging to any level of experience, encouraging participants to practice at a place that is gentle and kind to where they are on any given day. The 75 minute yoga practice will be followed up with a guided meditation focussing on relaxation, breath and healing. On a physiological level, this combination of yoga and meditation has been proven to lower stress, increase immune function, reduce inflammation, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, improve digestion, and ultimately improve quality of life overall.
The Itinerary
General Itinerary (Days and times may vary)
- 8:00-9:30 Yoga/Meditation
- 10:00 Brunch
- 11:00-12:30 Nutrition Session
- 1:00 - 6:00 Free time and/or island excursion (tea will be served at 3:00pm daily)
- 6:45 Dinner
- 8:00 Free time and/or planned event
Note that this is a very general itinerary. What is standard is yoga, brunch, tea and dinner. Everything else is flexible and will shuffle depending on plans for the day, weather and group preferences. We do our absolute best to make the most of the time on the island.
Included Excursions*
- Sunday – Arrival
- Monday – Settle in at Balenbouche, property tour and on-site beaches (nutrition session in the morning)
- Tuesday – Excursion to Sulfur Pools, Drive-In Volcano, Malgretoute Beach, Jerusalem Hot Springs and the town of' Soufriere
- Wednesday – Organic Farm Tour, Herbal Medicine Walk and Talk with Uta and Sunset Swim
- Thursday – Visit To Laborie Beach, Tour of Laborie Town with Picnic (nutrition session in the morning)
- Friday – Free day**
- Saturday – Beach Day with Picnic tea (nutrition session in the morning)
- Sunday – departure
* Not that these are the excursions we plan to run and that are included in your registration fee. We have every intention of running the schedule as outlined above. However weather plays a large role in the day-to-day plans. We are fortunate with this small group, we are able to make switches to the itinerary to make the most of the weather. Also note that unforeseen storms and the like can also have an effect on which natural excursion destinations are best to be highlighted.
** The options of what to do on your free day are many and include horseback riding, hiking the piton, taking a day cruise/snorkel trip, hanging at Balenbouche, exploring local beaches, having brunch at a nearby hotel, visiting the cocoa plantation and more. We will help you arrange this)
The ladies of Balenbouche will be av available to book your additional activities upon arrival.
Rates and Registration
Shared Occupancy: $1650 CAD
Capacity: 10
We are currently only offering shared occupancy. We tend to have mostly women on this trip, not that men are not welcome! If you are a gentleman or hoping to come as a couple, or really just want your own room, please contact us directly and we will work something out
Please note that at this time, we have only one retreat scheduled for 2012. Last year we sold out two, which means this trip will sell out. We recommend paying your $500 deposit as soon as possible, if you will be joining us. Every cottage and each room has it's own special charm. The rooms will be reserved on a first deposit basis.
Payment of deposit signifies that you have read and agree to our Retreat Terms, Conditions and Cancellation Policy. Once you have paid your deposit, you will receive a confirmation email that will include your registration form. Please download and complete this form and return to us (directions are on the form)
Payment Options
- A $500, non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot on this retreat. The balance will be due no less than 60 days prior to the start of the trip.
- If you would like a payment plan set-up for you with monthly payments, we are happy to work with you.
Payment plan Example: Currently, if you pay your deposit before June, and wish for a monthly payment plan, your payments will be around $200/month from June 15th-November 15th (may vary slightly depending on chosen payment method)
Package Inclusions
- Round trip airport transfers* on the retreat start and end dates
- 7 nights accommodations
- Daily Yoga and Meditation
- Nutrition/Lifestyle Session
- Daily tea, fruit and juice prior to morning yoga, Brunch, Afternoon Tea and Dinner
- Tour of locally grown herbs and medicines
- Excursions as listed above (except for any you plan on the free day)
- Guided tours of the onsite organic farm, onsite beaches and estate grounds
*Note: There are two airports on the island. Airport code UVF, the international airport in the south, and the smaller airport in the north, code SLU. Transfers from the smaller airport in the north, SLU, are not included. You can expect to pay about $90 for the 1 ½ hour taxi ride to Balenbouche.
Package Exclusions
- Airfare and travel to St. Lucia
- Gratuities including tips for taxis, tour guides, maid service etc. are at your discretion
- Personal expenses including souvenirs, massages, incidentals, extra excursions, alcoholic beverages etc.
- Travel Insurance – We recommend that you verify your health insurance coverage and purchase travel insurance
Travel Arrangements
You are responsible for taking care of your own travel arrangements from your home to UVF airport. From Toronto, there are direct flights on Sundays by Air Canada, West Jet, Sunwing, Sunflight, and Air Transat. Last year, airfare was around $600 for most participants. Kayak.com is a great website to track airfares. Should we notice any seat sales, we always send out a notice.
Should you wish to extend your stay, or arrive earlier than the retreat, we'd be happy to connect you with someone who will help plan your extra time.
Please ensure you review ourRetreat Terms, Conditions and Cancellation Policy.
