Creativity That Connects…
A nourishing winter retreat to soothe your soul. Book before 30 May 2023 and receive a 10% discount! Take this opportunity to PAUSE and come into presence. An invitation to reflect, write, collage, create, meditate, move gently and re-connect with yourself, others and the world.
“Go ahead, write yourself a love letter every day forever, let it gush—
gush out, gush free, gush all over every thing, everyone.
Vow to be radically, fiercely, stubbornly, triumphantly on your own side—
for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health from this day forward.”
~ Julia Fehrenbacher
Clearly recognising what is happening inside us and observing what we see with an open, kind and loving heart, is what we call acceptance. If we are holding back from any part of our experience; if our heart shuts out any part of who we are and what we feel we begin to feel stuck and this can lead to feelings of anxiety, fear and unworthiness.
Self-Compassion – makes it possible for us to be present with all of our experiences, including those that are difficult. It is the stepping stone to acceptance – of self, of others, of uncertainty. This makes space for us to observe ourselves differently. When we are present and we feel our hearts open it actually feels like we are coming home to who we truly are – our true essence – which is LOVE.
Learn more about your true nature
Practice letting go of perfectionism, control and overthinking
Cultivate a practice of self-compassion and gratitude
Practice listening to your thoughts and your body
Open to new experiences and outcomes
Connect with like-minded individuals
Practice being in the present moment
Practice observing yourself and the world differently
Move from anxiety and fear into acceptance and peace
Become clear on what matters to you
Join us in the abundant gardens of Temenos Retreat, McGregor in the Western Cape – a sanctuary where there is an array of bird life, plant life and so many hidden gems, including meditation rooms, a labyrinth and a Library. It’s the perfect place for stillness, self-reflection and provides an opportunity to connect with nature and her elements.
R5 900 for a single cottage
R5 700 per person for sharing (with your friend or relative)
2 nights accommodation at Temenos Retreat in McGregor. All fresh, healthy vegetarian meals, all journals/books and art materials, guided meditations, mindful movement and Creative Guiding/Coaching PLUS one follow up Coaching session with Karen after the retreat.
Optional: Stay Sunday evening, 2 July – for free.
Sunday evening’s dinner and Monday morning’s breakfast are not included. The cottages are set up for self-catering.
Beverages from the restaurant are not included. (Special coffees, teas, bottled waters & sodas.)
ALCOHOL IS NOT ALLOWED ON THE RETREAT.
We start at 16:00 on Friday the 30th of June and aim to finish the programme with our last lunch together at 14h00 on the Sunday.
Wellness treatments are available at your own extra cost. Please make bookings in advance here: https://www.temenosretreat.co.za/wellness
Karen uses a creative approach and shares mindful body practices and self-compassion practices that will help you become more aware of your old habitual patterns, guide you to center, let go of fear and anxiety and begin to cultivate more acceptance and compassion.
Creative Guiding centres on the creative process and journey of making art rather than the finished product. Karen gently nudges and guides art-making in a supportive environment. She draws on inspiration from nature and its elements, stories, poetry and other stimuli. The Emphasis is on the experience of creating, developing, learning and reflecting. There is a deepening of self-awareness in which one’s thinking does not override the process of spontaneity and creativity. It’s about an inward exploration, being in the present moment, letting go of expectations and being curious about whatever emerges.
No art experience is required.
Karen has been guiding retreats since 2014. She partners with clients to re-connect with their innate wisdom and cultivate a more resilient and resourceful way of being so that they may navigate consistent change and respond to challenges with more ease. She comes together with her clients as conversation partners, creativity partners, co-observers and co-learners. Karen embodies care, love and deep respect for personal dignity and brings a presence to her coaching that is both compassionate and encouraging. This in conjunction with her sensitivity to all in a group creates an environment for all to explore and discover.
Karen facilitates processes that expand through three key approaches: Ontological Coaching, Leadership Embodiment & Creative Guiding.
Creativity is defined as the tendency to generate or recognise ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and reconnecting to ourselves and others.
Charmaine Horsburgh is a Yoga practitioner and Conscious Movement Facilitator who met her teacher, Swami Venkatesananda of Rishikesh, India in the the early 1970’s and began a lifelong journey of yoga study, practice and investigation. The culture of learning which Swamji encouraged has led her to constantly be looking for ways to deepen and inform her own practice and teaching skills. Charmaine now incorporates the cutting edge postural alignment techniques of the Bowspring into the yoga classes that she offers. It has been her great good fortune to learn from, and keep on learning from, the co-founders of the beneficial system, Desi Springer and John Friend.
The Bowspring is a new and exceptional alignment template that can be applied to any yoga pose, athletic movement or functional posture for optimal performance. A unique way of working with the natural curves of the body to improve balance, enhance strength, flexibility and a sense of lightness. Since it positively affects the nervous system and the circulatory system, a student can expect to see better mental focus, emotional clarity and a reduction in stress with regular practice.
“I can highly recommend #theselfcompassionbreak especially if you’re needing a safe and nurturing environment to go within and reflect. Karen’s guiding and art processes offer a rich opportunity for self enquiry and insights to emerge.” ~ Lana
” The retreat highlighted for me the importance of self-soothing and compassion. It helped me to release my old judgmental and critical way of thinking.” ~ Nicolas
” Liberating, educational, joyful, compassionate, reflective and the opportunity to enjoy nature.” ~ Margot
” It has reminded me of things forgotten and renewed my commitment to a path of kindness to myself and to joy.” ~ Tom
“This opened new ways of getting to know myself and ways to discover what matters to me. It encouraged me to discover what gives me joy.” ~ Petra
” This is for anyone wanting to explore their creative energy and move forward in a personal path of self-discovery.” ~ Melissa
“Thank you so much for your energy, insight and for holding the space in such a nurturing and mindful way.”~ Leo
” I am leaving the retreat feeling reinvigorated, safe and a lot braver than when we began. The safe space Karen created was supportive, nurturing & challenging at the same time. It allowed me to expand my thinking and to let go of limiting thoughts.” ~ Anthea
” This has put me in touch with emotions I didn’t know I felt but desperately needed to touch.” ~ Bruce