Yoga, Writing, Creation and Transformation Retreat in the Flinders Ranges
4 May 23', 5 nights
Retreat Highlights
- A unique experience that will awaken your creativity and transformation
- Small, intimate journey
- A mix of indoors and outdoors practices
- Including wholesome vegetarian meals
- Adventure in landscape exploration and personal writing
Join Sally and Verity for 6 days and 5 nights amidst the amazing Flinders Ranges in South Australia. Both are experienced mentors in their respective fields. They will be your guides to this opportunity to engage with your body and mind through yoga, chant and meditation, to explore your creative self through writing, to expand your imagination through story and to nourish yourself through walking this sacred country.
By immersion in and engagement with the natural rhythms of this unique world you will be inspired and transformed. This is a soulful, intimate adventure (6 participants only).
WHO IS RUBY 9 YOGA
The founder of Ruby 9 Yoga, Sally Riddell, is a fully qualified Yoga Teacher, Yoga Therapist and Vedic Chant teacher in the tradition of T. Krishnamacharya.
In this tradition yoga is an holistic, practical and experiential practice that respects the needs and abilities of each student. Each student is encouraged on a personal journey towards physical and mental health and spiritual growth.
ABOUT THE FLINDERS RANGES
The Flinders Ranges is a region of astonishing beauty, a landscape of primal magnitude. The day starts crisp and cool with the dawn light. The earth pulses red and gold; and the songs of the land hum through ground, trees, bushes, and grasses, echoed by the large and small creatures of place. At day’s end, the fiery sun descends, and the night sky reveals the brightest of stars filling layer upon layer of dark, endless space.
The energy of this environment is palpable. Here the earth holds her own stories – stories in the rocks and in the skies, stories of ancient creatures, stories of the peoples of this land. Through local custodian Kristian Coulthard, we aim to bring those stories to you, and for you to evolve your own.
“Sally & Verity gave a retreat that refreshed body, mind & spirit. The setting in the magnificent Flinders Ranges was awe-inspiring. The rhythm of the daily yoga sessions, walks, creative writing inspirations, storytelling & meditation flowed through each day beautifully & the creative ideas & exercises will be things I continue to practice & develop. Kristian Coulthard was warm & generous in his descriptions of connection to country & many aspects of how his indigenous culture lived in that area & their beliefs & stories. I would recommend this retreat to anyone whose life's journey is leading them to explore a holistic connection with the natural world, to anyone who values health, healing & wellbeing for themselves & for the world in which we live. And to those who value the wisdom & meaning that can be gained through myth & story, imagination & creativity.”
Kathy Fenner
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About
Gallery
About The Host
Ruby 9 Yoga Teachers and Guideline Team
Sally Riddell (Ruby 9 Yoga) is a Yoga Teacher, Yoga Therapist and teacher of Vedic Chant from Perth, Western Australia who has trained in the tradition of T. Krishnamacharya. Sally uses all the tools of yoga in a way that includes each person in a manner appropriate for them. Her personal style of teaching is inspired by the resonance of chant, the wonder of storytelling and the relevance of metaphor. She is passionate about the power of yoga, Vedic Chant, and meditation to guide and inform our daily life and the ways in which our lives intertwine with the rhythms of the natural world. Sally has led walking and yoga retreats in Western Australia, Spain, and India.
Dr Verity Laughton is an award-winning Adelaide-based playwright of more than 30 professionally produced works. Her plays have been produced locally, nationally, and internationally and include work for mainstage drama, dance, puppets, and radio. She has also worked for television and video production. Her most recent works are the verbatim theatre piece Long Tan, produced by Brink Productions and published by Currency Press, and The Red Cross Letters, produced by the State Theatre Company of South Australia and published by Five Senses Education, alongside prose, poetry, and academic articles. She is currently working on a new commission for the STCSA production in 2023.
Verity completed a PhD in political theatre at Flinders University in 2020. In late 2019/2020, she also and immediately undertook a four-month project to research and write a report on the creative industries in regional South Australia for the Legatus Group.
She is a member of the playwrights’ group, 7-ON (http://sevenonblogspot.com). Her works have been published by Currency Press, Phoenix Education, Federation Press, Omnibus Books, and others. She has taught creative writing at community, industry, and tertiary level throughout her career.
Kristian Coultard is an Adnymathanha man who was born and grew up in the Flinders Ranges.
From a lineage of artists and guides, Kristian combines his knowledge of country with a range of educative, storytelling and management skills. Kristian knows his country; he knows the languages and the tales; he knows the mythology and geology, the flora and fauna of Adnymathana country, and he is enthusiastic, both highly informed and generous in the way he shares his knowledge and love of his place of birth.
Kristian has worked as a guide in the Wilpena and Blinman regions for many years. He is also in demand as a teacher and guide for schools and universities and as an advisor for government and ecological organisations.
This region is homeland country for the Adnyamathanha people, of the Central Flinders Ranges. It was and is a meeting point for several Aboriginal tribes, namely the Kuyani, Arabunna, Kokatha, Nukunu and Barngarla peoples. The region is rich in songline stories, and the landscape holds and amplifies the physical, mental, cultural, and spiritual narratives of these peoples.
Itinerary
Location
Things to keep in mind
FAQ
How far is it from Adelaide to the Flinders Ranges?
It is a five hour drive. We will be travelling in two 4WD vehicles. We stop for a break half way – usually at Clare.
What is the accommodation like?
Alpana Station is a working sheep station 5km south of Blinman. Sally and David Henry are pleased to be able to offer the shearer’s quarters for accommodation for visitors to the Flinders Ranges. This is not fancy, but it is very clean and well cared for and offers everything we need. The rooms can be for single or shared use, bathrooms are shared and very, very clean. There is a large kitchen and dining area that will also serve us for yoga and writing activities. The shearer’s quarters sit above a beautiful tree lined riverbed, the ranges close by. There is a fire pit beside the wide, protective verandah and an area suitable for activities outside should we choose.
What if I have difficulties walking distances but do enjoy a shorter walk?
All our walking activities offer alternatives for those who want a good, longish walk or a shorter walk in the same area for those who need or prefer this option.
If I am from interstate, will I need to book accommodation in Adelaide prior to and post this retreat?
Yes, you will. We leave Adelaide early in the morning of the first day. We will collect you from your accommodation and deliver you back to where you are staying post retreat. We recommend that you stay fairly close to the airport as that is easy for all of us. There are plenty of AirB&B’s or hotels in the area.
What is the weather like in May? What clothing should I bring?
May is a beautiful time in the Flinders Ranges. Daytime temperatures range from 15 – 27 degrees Celsius. Evening temperatures from 10 – 17 degrees. Rainfall is minimal but it does sometimes rain.
Layers for clothing are highly recommended. As we will be outside, we recommend that you wear cotton tops with a long sleeve to protect from the sun but that will also keep you cool. A hat, good walking shoes – clothes that are comfortable and not too restrictive. We also suggest that you have a waterproof/ windproof jacket just in case you need it.
We suggest that you include a small day pack and a water container. We use a 1.5 – 2 litre “CamelBac”.
Some people like to have walking poles. Poles take about a third of your load while you walk – we love them.
What will I need for the yoga activities? For writing activities? For other activities?
You will need to bring a yoga mat and perhaps a smallish cushion or bolster (or you can use your pillow from your room at Alpana Station)
For writing activities you will probably want to bring your own writing paper or journal (especially if you have a writing project you are working on) although we will supply a journal for you. If you like to write on a laptop or ipad you will need to bring that with you.
You will be given art/craft supplies.
What if I am ill or have an accident whilst on retreat?
Sally has a current first aid certificate. We carry a personal locator beacon and satellite phone with us.
There is no medical facility at Blinman but there are several hospitals or clinics nearby and the Royal Flying Doctor services this region. Please see the link for regional medical facilities here.
Can this retreat facilitate specific dietary needs?
The food we provide is vegetarian. We make every effort to make sure that the food we serve is appropriate for everyone. We work with Sorrelle Catering and Noni is very practiced at making sure that there is good food suitable for all participants. We ask that you let us know of any specific requirements you may have prior to the retreat.
What is the communication service like in Blinman?
This is a remote region. Until recently Optus was the only reliable supplier in Blinman but Telstra has upgraded their service recently. This is why we carry a satellite phone at all times. The internet is unpredictable.
First Aid
Sally holds a current Senior First Aid Certificate and will be carrying a substantial first aid kit, as well as a satellite phone and a GPS locator for emergencies.
In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, there is an ambulance in Hawker (60km away), emergency services personnel in Leigh Creek and Hawker, and the Royal Flying Doctor service is available.