writing & yoga in byron bay

Writing & Yoga in Byron Bay

Join us in beautiful Byron Bay for this fun and inspiring workshop run by three highly regarded teachers.

The creative writing sessions with Sarah and Alan are supportive and nurturing and will build your skills to write with freedom and ease, while Kathryn's yoga classes will take you to a still calm place - all the better to write from!

Dates
Wednesday 6th to Tuesday 12th October 2010.

The Daily Schedule
Each day starts with a walk on nearby Tallow Beach, for those who wish. Or you may like to do some early morning writing (or catch some extra sleep!). Breakfast is a delicious organic vegetarian buffet.
You'll write every day in the three hour writing class after breakfast, with a different focus to each class. For example: creating character, life writing, and plot. Writers of all levels are welcome, whether you aspire to publication or want to write a memoir for your family. Our goal is to support you in appreciating your unique writing voice and help you distance the inner writing critic that can get in the way of a free flow of words.
Lunch is in the beautiful dining room with a deck looking down to the ocean. In the early afternoon you are free to visit the vibrant township and beautiful beaches of Byron Bay or simply lounge by the pool with a book. There will also be an afternoon 'writing marathon' for those who are keen and each participant will also have the chance to meet for an one-on-one chat about their writing, with Alan, Sarah or one of our guest writers.
The group meets again in the late afternoon for a gentle yoga class before dinner. Two evenings we will host several guest writers who will share their writing process and challenges.
The meals also provide a great opportunity to chat with Sarah and Alan and other participants about the writing life.

The Venue

The retreat centre, Sangsurya, is on a bushy ridge with panoramic easterly views of the Pacific Ocean. Private and secluded, yet only a three minute drive to Byron Bay, Sangsurya offers us a truly inspiring and magical environment to explore our creativity.

The workshop space has wooden floors and doors that open to the bushy surrounds and ocean view. In the extensive sub-tropical gardens nestle the charming rooms. Follow the winding paths to the freshwater swimming pool, or explore one of the walking trails through the 10 acre property.

We'll eat our meals in the Main House where the dining room and kitchen is located. All meals are delicious spreads prepared for you by Deb, our cook extraordinaire, who uses mostly local and mostly organic food. She's especially good at catering for food allergies or intolerances. Tea, coffee, fruit and snacks are available throughout the day.

Sangsurya is a short drive (or good walk) from the beach. Nearby Byron Bay offers great shopping and cafes - but you may just like to rest at peaceful Sangsurya for the whole five days.

Sangsurya is 20 minutes from Ballina airport and 50 minutes from Coolangatta (Gold Coast) airport. Airport transfers are easy to arrange - and we'll send you details.

Feedback from previous retreats

The most supportive workshop I have ever attended. Spacious, structured sessions which supported my writing to emerge...Impeccable facilitation and superb synergy between Sarah, Alan and Kathryn made this as close to perfect as an experience could be.' Mischa Telford.

The writing class was ten times more useful than anything similar I've been to. It's brilliantly designed, presented in a measured, gracious way where each day builds on the day before. Sarah and Alan stick to the time schedule, they are thoroughly organised and they are unfailingly kind and generous. I've come away with heaps of writing, several frameworks for understanding writing and many tools to use in my writing. They really know what they are doing!' Biff Ward.

'Take a bow Sarah, Alan and Kathryn. Your wisdom, insight, humour and compassion made this a brilliant 'creativity week'. I've done writing courses before - but never with this amount of heart. I also loved Alan and Sarah's personal stories of their writing journeys. Thank you.' Theresa Miller.

'Sarah and Alan are a fantastic teaching team. Their wisdom, guidance and supportive feedback have helped me feel confident about continuing my writing project. I tapped into forgotten parts of myself, beginning the journey to freedom. Thank you.' Edwina Morgan.

This was possibly the best use of five days I could have found. I am walking away well rested, well fed, well flexed and more comfortable with myself both as a human and a writer. Greer Quinn.

Sarah Armstrong

Sarah is a novelist, passionate teacher of writing and in her former life a Walkley Award-winning journalist. Her novel, Salt Rain, was shortlisted for the 2005 Miles Franklin Award, Australia’s most prestigious literary award, as well as the 2005 Dobbie Award and Queensland Premier's Award. She teaches weekly writing classes in her home town of Mullumbimby and yoga and writing workshops around Australia and in Bali. A long-time yoga practitioner, Sarah has a keen belief in yoga’s power to unlock our creative expression. Before leaving to concentrate on her writing, Sarah spent eight years at the ABC working on the flagship radio current affairs programs AM, PM and The World Today (where she won a Walkley Award for Radio) and on the TV programs Foreign Correspondent and Australian Story.

‘Sarah’s calm presence and inspirational teaching gave me insight, confidence and very specific direction for my writing,’ Mary McCarthy, participant.

Alan Close

Over a twenty-five year career Alan has published poetry, short stories, novels and literary non-fiction and written for both stage and screen. He edited the acclaimed anthology Men Love Sex, for many years has contributed essays and feature articles to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian and Good Weekend magazine, where he wrote a regular column on relationship and social issues for men. He has taught writing at Queensland University of Technology and Southern Cross University and runs life writing workshops in Northern NSW. His new book, 'Before You Met Me: A memoir of one man's troubled search for love' has just been published by William Heinemann.

‘Alan has a great way of connecting on all levels; very strong physical presence, emotionally open and warm, mentally sharp and spiritually aware.’ Participant in Byron Bay Writers Festival ‘Healing Stories’ workshop.

Kathryn Riding

Kathryn is a yoga teacher of many years experience. She has written two books on yoga and childbirth and is a specialist in pre and post-natal yoga. Her classes cater for all levels of experience. Her teaching is gentle, releasing and energising.

Cost

The cost of the retreat varies depending on which level of accommodation you choose. The price includes a single room. Share or double accommodation is available in all levels of accommodation (depending on availability), for a reduced price. If a share or double room interests you, please email me to check availability.

Level 1 - larger, more luxurious room: $1980 (there is a very large Level 1 room to be twin-shared. Cost per person to twin-share that room: $1780)

Level 2 - mid-range room with bathroom: $1920 (there is a Level 2 share room: $1720)

Level 3 - mid-range room without ensuite: $1860

Level 4 - rustic, small bush hut with walk to toilet and shower: $1780

The rooms at Sangsurya are all unique - so within each level there is also some variation in size, furnishings and aspect. We'll assign the best rooms to those who book first.

The retreat fee includes all classes, six nights single accommodation at Sangsurya and three meals a day, as well as morning/afternoon tea/coffee.

Participants are responsible for their own travel and any airport transfers.

To secure a place on the retreat, please pay the $400 deposit. Should you withdraw from the retreat, the deposit is non-refundable unless we can find someone to fill your place (and in which case we keep a $100 administration fee). The balance of the retreat fee is refundable if you advise us up to a month before the retreat starts. Cancellations less than a month before the retreat will be refunded in part.

When to arrive

The retreat begins on Wednesday evening 6 October and finishes by 2.15pm on Tuesday 12 October 2010.

Please arrive at Sangsurya by 4pm on the Wednesday. If your plane arrives earlier in the day, you are welcome to drop your bags at Sangsurya and then go into town to explore. Please let us know if you wish to do this.

There will be a yoga class in the late afternoon on Wednesday, to settle in and stretch the travelling from your body.

The closing session will be after lunch on the Tuesday. If you wish to stay an extra night, this may be possible. Please let us know.

^ Back to top