Deep Rest Retreat
Yoga I Meditation I Reflection I Massage I Relaxation
Friday 18th - Sunday 20th September 2026
Savour a weekend of rest, relaxation and renewal.
This retreat is the deep dive into rest that you need as you step out of winter hibernation and into the rejuvenation of spring.
Enjoy twice daily Yoga and meditation, nourishing meals, quiet time in the gardens and loving company in the nurturing heritage setting of The Convent at Murrumburrah.
Your weekend of tranquillity includes guided explorations into yourself with mediation; movement to invite your body to unfurl, rest and refresh; pranayama to restore and expand your energy; free time to spend in contemplation, creativity or reading; and guided reflections to map a path forward into a life that balances productivity and rest.
Suitable for people craving rest with a love of contemplation, deep intentions, slow living, and good company, with or without Yoga experience.
At the Deep Rest Retreat, you will…
Disconnect and unwind in the unique heritage-listed home of The Convent and surrounding gardens
Unfurl tension and connect with the joyful flow of spring with daily Hatha Yoga
Nurture your nervous system and balance your energy with gentle, twice-daily pranayama
Meet yourself where you’re at and explore your relationship with energy, productivity and rest with meditation, contemplative activities and journaling
Be guided to a place of deep rest every night before bed with Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra
Align your energy and productivity with your values and design a home program of simple, restorative rest practices to weave into your daily life
Experience whole body release and relaxation with an in-house massage with Angela Taylor from Boorowa Wellness Clinic (optional add-on)
Be nourished by fresh home-cooked meals made with seasonal and homegrown produce
Disconnect from the demands of everyday life and reconnect with yourself in your own light-filled room with views to the garden
Build connections with a supportive and like-minded community
The Yoga and Meditation
Twice-daily Yoga and meditation will nurture your whole self and help you to nestle into the tranquillity and mindful awareness of the retreat.
Begin your day with guided meditation before breakfast to connect with the wisdom within you and move into the day with peace and perspective.
Each morning, Hatha Yoga in the garden will focus on unfurling tension and creating an expansive space of rejuvenation throughout your body, with views across the surrounding hills.
Gentle pranayama (breathing practices) will help regulate your nervous system and restore depleted energy.
Each day will conclude with gentle Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra to rest the body-mind and prepare you for deep, replenishing sleep.
Saturday afternoon will include a Restorative Yin Yoga practice for the deep stretch and realignment that you’ll be craving after winter.
The retreat is suitable for people who are new to Yoga and meditation, and for those who have been practicing for a while. All props to support your practice are provided.
Your retreat weekend schedule is designed with the space you need for your whole self to rest deeply.
It includes periods of free time for you to immerse yourself in reading, creativity, relaxation, connection, sleep, massage or a walk into town - however you feel called to rest and renew your body, mind and spirit.
Workshops will guide you through practices to connect with your inner guide, explore where you are now, consider your relationship with productivity and energy, and learn to bring the rest you need into your daily life.
Everything has been considered to facilitate the kind of rest you need. In your free time, you may choose to:
- Borrow supplies from the creative corner to draw, sketch, paint or write
- Peruse the library and choose a book to immerse yourself in over the weekend
- Take a soak in the bath with luxury bath products
- Go on a mindful walk through the gardens and grounds or into town for a coffee
- Connect with others in shared spaces
- Luxuriate in an in-house massage (optional add-on)
- Take extra naps in your private room overlooking the grounds
Rest Your Way
The Accommodation
Sitting proudly within private cottage and formal gardens, expansive lawns and a jaw-dropping facade is The Convent. Built in 1892, this grand home is one of the best preserved heritage-listed Victorian masterpieces in the region.
At The Convent, you’ll experience an intentional combination of comfort and connection to fully rest and renew your body, mind and spirit.
Your private, light-filled room with views to the gardens is fitted out with a warm and comfortable bed, space for your belongings and an individual spring flower arrangement created just for you by Elise from Paper Daisy Studio.
Enjoy a morning cup of tea or coffee on the east-facing verandah overlooking the ceremonial front entrance, sumptuous homecooked meals shared in the sunlit Art Deco dining room and Happy Hour on the deck surrounded by historic fruit trees.
Unwind and connect with quiet conversations in the bright and welcoming loungeroom, or peruse the expansive library for your weekend read.
Hot showers and an original bath with luxury products for your indulgent bathing experience invite you to deeply nourish your body.
Lovers of historic architecture will appreciate the high, timber-lined ceilings, wide hallways and Victorian details that have been lovingly restored and preserved in The Convent.
Enjoy a weekend of complete nutritional nourishment, with Helen lovingly preparing all your meals from primarily seasonal, homegrown and house-made produce and preserves.
Each evening, enjoy Happy Hour on the deck with alfresco drinks and shared dishes as the sun sets over the surrounding hills.
Sumptuous 2 course dinners, refreshing breakfasts and nutritious lunches are interspersed with morning and afternoon teas of fresh produce and home-baked goods. See the sample menu below for details.
Dietary requirements are catered for and all meals, from Happy Hour on Friday to lunch on Sunday, are included.
The Food
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1530 - Arrive, settle in and explore the beautiful Convent and grounds
1600 - Opening Circle and Yoga for Renewal in the garden
1700 - Guided journaling and intention-setting
1730 - Happy Hour on the deck
1830 - 2 course dinner in the dining room
2000 - Yoga Nidra
2100 - Bed time -
0700 - Meditation
0730 - Breakfast in the dining room
0900 - Hatha Yoga in the garden
1030 - Morning tea
1030 - Free time to get a massage, rest, read, connect, create, reflect, soak in the bath or walk into town
1200 - Workshop: exploring energy, productivity and rest
1300 - Lunch on the deck
1400 - Free time to get a massage, rest, read, connect, create, reflect, soak in the bath or walk into town
1530 - Afternoon tea
1600 - Restorative Yin Yoga and energy alignment workshop
1730 - Happy Hour on the deck
1830 - 2 course dinner in the dining room
2000 - Yoga Nidra
2100 - Bed time -
0730 - Meditation
0800 - Breakfast in the dining room
0930 - Combined slow Hatha and Restorative Yoga in the garden
1100 - Morning tea
1100 - Free time to rest, read, connect, create, reflect, soak in the bath or walk into town
1230 - Lunch
1330 - Workshop: designing your Rest Program for daily life
1430 - Retreat integration and closing circle
1500 - Depart
Sample Schedule
All activities have been lovingly created to give you the ultimate retreat weekend but all activities are optional. This is your time to do with it what you wish.
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Happy Hour:
Alfresco drinks and warm nacho cashew dip with corn and tortilla chips
Dinner:
Sweet potato and black bean enchiladas with avocado-cilantro sauce and house-made salsa.
Chilled chocolate espresso torte with vanilla ice cream.
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Breakfast
A selection of teas and coffee
Overnight turmeric and cinnamon oats with homegrown preserved fruit, nuts and seeds
Fresh house-made sourdough with a selection of spreads
Fresh fruit and yoghurt
Morning tea
Vanilla chia cups with fresh fruit, seeds and nuts
Lunch
Thai pumpkin soup with fresh house-made sourdough
Afternoon tea
Your selection of fresh fruit and biscuits
Happy Hour
Alfresco drinks and a grazing board with a selection of house-made pickles, dips, olives and cheeses.
Dinner
Seasonal vegetable korma with red lentil dahl and rice
Homegrown rhubarb and apple crumble with vanilla ice cream
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Breakfast
A selection of teas and coffee
House-made baked beans with greens and optional baked eggs
Fresh house-made sourdough with a selection of spreads
Fresh fruit and yoghurt
Morning tea
Individual serves of fresh fruit, nuts and whipped coconut cream
Lunch
Potato and leek soup with fresh house-made sourdough
Sample Menu
All meals are vegan with the option to add dairy to your own plate. The grazing platter on Saturday will include a variety of vegan and dairy-based options.
Gluten-free options are available for all meals.
Deep Rest Retreat Details
Friday 18th September 2026 at 3:30 pm - Sunday 20th September 2026 at 3:00 pm
EARLY BIRD UNTIL 15th APRIL 2026 - $1,050 per person*
Payment plan $175/month for 6 months
All accommodation is in private rooms
(10 places available)
*In-house massage additional $100/1 hour massage, booked separately
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*Please note the retreat cancellation and refund policy.*
– If you cancel your retreat attendance up to 30 days prior to the retreat commencing, you will receive a refund, minus a $200 non-refundable fee for costs incurred.
– If you cancel your attendance within 30 days of the retreat commencing, you will not receive a refund unless your place is able to be filled.
– Your place in the retreat is fully transferrable to another person.
– The retreat will be held in all weather conditions. In the case of inclement weather, outdoor activities will be held in the house.
For all enquiries, email Helen.
FAQs
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My retreats are attended by people of all levels of experience, from beginners to experienced students; by people with varied levels of physical ability and mobility; and by people living in all kinds of bodies. Yoga sessions in retreats are set at a pace that meets your needs, with options to support your unique body, and are suitable for pregnant and postnatal students.
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You will receive a full packing list in your welcome package prior to the retreat.
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The entire retreat is catered, from Happy Hour on Day 1 to lunch on Day 3. Dietary requirements will be accommodated for.
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No. All rooms on the retreat are private, with a mix of single, queen and king rooms available. You will be able to choose your room upon arrival.
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You will be able to book a 1 hour in-house massage with Angela from Boorowa Wellness Clinic after booking your retreat space. Details will be emailed to you to book directly with Angela.
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You can easily find The Convent on Google Maps, located on the edge of the village of Murrumburrah (Harden).
Approximate travel times:
Young 30 minutes
Boorowa 30 minutes
Cowra 1 hour 15 minutes
Canberra 1 hour 30 minutes
Wagga Wagga 1 hour 30 minutes
Orange & Bathurst 2 hours 30 minutes
Sydney 3 hours 30 minutes
A map and detailed directions are included in your retreat welcome pack. Parking is available on-site.
For all enquiries or to discuss your needs, email Helen.
Meet your Host
Helen Johnson
Helen is a Yoga and meditation teacher and owner of Nurture Yoga and Meditation in Young, NSW.
Passionate about guiding people to slow down and create stillness with Yoga, she specialises in supporting others to integrate traditional Yogic teachings and practices in modern life.
Helen’s seasonal retreats are popular as an opportunity to reset, connect with self and feel nurtured and refreshed. She loves bringing people together from all over NSW and the ACT in these special connection-forging events.
When not teaching Yoga, you’ll find Helen creating memories with her children, supporting women through her other love, Hilltops Women’s Health, or immersed in her garden.
