By Georgie MooreA mindful retreat brings enforced serenity to the usually busy mind of Georgie Moore Peace by a billabong. There are about 20 of us - mostly well-to-do professionals, virtually all women - seeking enforced relaxation at a yoga and mindfulness retreat near Sydney. But Billabong Retreat isn't some "heebie-jeebie" hippy thing, founder Paul von Bergen, a former corporate-gone-yoga teacher, insists. Forgetting to bring soft, comfortable gear to a yoga retreat reinforces how little of a yogi I am. AccommodationBillabong Retreat's three, four, five and seven-night packages include Mindfulness for Stress, Meditation Essentials, Yoga Essentials, Advanced Yoga, Lucky dip (daily surprise workshops) and Wellness Essentials.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 01, 2017 00:00 UTC