I recently had the ABSOLUTE AND UTTER privilege of attending a 4-day retreat in a breathtakingly beautiful mountainous setting with a stunning waterfall and a serene dam. The combination of natural beauty and exceptional programming made this experience exceptional.

Highlights:

- Nourishing Cuisine: The retreat's focus on healthy eating was actually quite easily managed with two delicious juices served daily, These were complemented by a delicious homemade heated almond milk drink infused with superfoods. The evening broth was a soothing treat that warmed the soul.

- Detoxification and Reset: The retreat's emphasis on healing was a significant reset for my body and mind. This experience has unquestionably helped me feel rejuvenated more focused and enlivened.

My time away felt sacred - I loved the joy of taking advantage of the opportunity to connect with nature, like-minded individuals, and my inner self.

This retreat was truly a transformative time that has left an indelibly lasting impact. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have participated and would highly recommend it.

Rusty Gate Mountain Retreat is truly a perfect setting just two hours of scenic driving outside of the Mother City: A place of tranquility and inherent connection to nature. The scenery was simply awe-inspiring. During breaks and evenings we retired to our beautiful clean cottages with wood-filled fireplaces, fitted with comfortable beds including electric blankets and quality bedding. The bathroom's are modern and lovely.

Informative Teachings and Soul-Soothing Activities:

These indelibly conveyed valuable insights and tools for personal growth.

- Yoga practice: This was an awakening for me as it was gifted both spiritually and expertly and is suited to either beginners or those more established. One can't help but be enticed to rediscover muscle groups and become motivated to increase suppleness and yoga ability further.

- Yoga Nidra: This nightly ritual was a highlight, allowing us to relax and recharge in a peaceful state. The practice helped us cultivate deep relaxation and inner awareness before sleep.

- Guided Hikes: The daily guided hikes were superb, allowing us to connect with nature and explore the beautiful surroundings. We somehow found the energy to participate fully!

Creative Expression:

The retreat also encouraged us to playfully experience Mandala art, allowing us to tap into our inner creativity and self-expression.

-Shaking or free flow dancing was another unique aspect, helping us release tension and connect with our bodies:

Massage Therapies: The inclusion of excellent whole-body massage and Shiatsu massage was wonderful. These therapies significantly contributed to my healing and restoration, melting away tension and stress by helping relax muscles, improve circulation, and reduce stress.

Both therapies provided for a deeper sense of relaxation, balance, and energy flow.

- Soulful teachings: These were beautiful and delivered adeptly, informatively and insightfully. We were reminded to go within and focus our thoughts and actions with self awareness and acceptance.

It all felt remarkably sacred- it was such a joy to take advantage of the opportunity to connect with nature, like-minded individuals, and your inner self.

My time away was a transformative experience. I'm so appreciative of the opportunity to have participated. I would highly recommend participating to anyone seeking something truly meaningful and self-fulfilling and uniquely magical!

"Grudgingly I began to admit to myself that it was even possible that this entire escapade had been beneficial (in a limited sort of way). Our instructor had been a constant source of support, encouraging and at the same time remarkably adept at all the strange things she asked us to do. And yet, it was obvious that she had gone out of her way to avoid being superhuman, which gave rise, I suppose, to a somewhat unreasonable hope on my part that I might someday be capable of performing some of these exotic rituals (in a limited sort of way).

Somehow, though, I knew that there was more to it than that. I had come here to lose weight but I had discovered something else. Initially I had assumed that the purpose of the yoga, the dancing, the meditating, the group ‘talks’, and all the rest of it were intended to fill in what would have otherwise been endless hours of agony waiting for the next five-minute ‘meal’. In the beginning, these activities had seemed silly and totally pointless to me but suddenly, on Day Four, I realised that they were all part of a package. Taken together with the fasting, they created a structure that promoted and celebrated fitness in a holistic way, opening up both the mind and body to new ways of being.

Thus it was that a half-hour exercise in drawing mandalas had become for me a revelation, and I suddenly felt that I might be ready to take up drawing and painting again, an endeavour that had become for me, ever since I retired, an insurmountable mountain, a kind of mental obstacle akin to writer’s block.

It was then that I began to see the week in Tulbagh as not so much a retreat as a release. When I would leave this refuge two days later I realised that I would not be re-entering the real world but emerging into a new world. Feeling lighter, breathing deeper, energised and optimistic, and with a new sense of freedom, I felt ready to go out and conquer the world. And then I began to regret that in only one day, it would all be over."

Part of Letter from Tulbagh by Larry Oltmann