Immersive Retreat.
Connection | Energetics | Movement
A deeply restorative and immersive two night retreat with nurturing and transformative practices, beautiful intentional spaces, shared with like-heart people and surrounded by bush on a private venue in Kinglake, Victoria.
The retreat weaves together connection, spinal energetics, movement and expression to align you with your inner landscape and harness your own healing capacity.
The weekend offers you the guidance, practices and environment to feel supported and witnessed as you reconnect, reclaim and cultivate aspects of yourself.
Your own unique expression is welcome on this retreat as we all co-create a deeply felt and memorable experience, guided by our individual and collective innate wisdom.
You can expect the opportunities for transformation, reflection, self devotion & connection, harmony and restoration.
In 2026 we return to the beautiful Kinglake for the 6th year of retreats
Choose your retreat weekend
24 - 26 April
24 - 26 August
Retreats are curated from the heart and consider the astrological alignment, collective energies, and accessibility for all participations. These retreats welcome all women who feel the call to be part of this deeply magical shared experience.
Created, hosted and facilitated by Kirsty Saunders - Spinal Energetics Practitioner, Retreat Facilitator, Intuitive Healer, Yoga & Meditation Teacher with over 15 years experience in the Health and Wellbeing sector. Kirsty is joined in attendance by special guest facilitators.
Please be aware that retreat weekends (April & July) differ slightly in the program and guest facilitators.
“I’m feeling lighter and clearer than I have in years, maybe ever. Thank your from my soul, please never stop your amazing work and never for a moment forget the changes you are making to each of us.”
— Heather (Retreat 2025)
“My weekend at Kinglake was a deeply restorative experience. Kirsty held the space with her warmth and wisdom, supported by co-facilitators who enriched each activity with care and creativity. I left feeling grounded, inspired, and truly seen.”
— Sharon (Retreat 2025)
Connection.
Connection is the foundation of this retreat, and our existence.
You will be guided to connect within, with nature and her remedies, and with one another.
When we go through times of change, challenge, or unprocessed experiences we can disconnect from aspects of ourselves, leaving us feeling overwhelmed, fragmented, disassociated, scattered, and disconnected from self and life. The retreat practices provide you with gentle opportunities for you to reconnect, reclaim and cultivate harmony and wholeness.
Integration is an important part of the retreat. Intentional leisure time, between our practices, is part of the program and intends to give you the space to be with yourself, the land, and one another. This supports shifts within your body to take place with compassion and self awareness. It is important to acknowledge that integration will continue into the days and weeks following the retreat.
Our inner nature is interconnected with outer nature; the astrological happenings, the seasons and cycles. Aligning to the energies of nature supports our inner harmony. Over the weekend we acknowledge and connect with the aspects of nature, the earth, and we use essential oils as a way of connection & embodiment. You are guided to reflect on and harness your own internal rhythm.
Although the retreat is focused on your self-connection, the potency also comes from the collective energy of women who are present with themselves and with each other. Often there are collective themes that show up in a retreat group which creates a thread of healing. In witnessing another, we also witness ourselves. As we express ourselves we give permission and safety to another to express, be seen and heard.
Spinal Energetics.
As Kirsty is a Spinal Energetics Practitioner you can expect this practice and modality weaved throughout the retreat weekend. Kirsty is also Reiki trained and an intuitive healer who reads the body and energy field.
Spinal Energetics recognises you as a vibrant, multifaceted being, embracing every aspect of your existence—physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and beyond. It honours your unique journey, ancestry, and stories, creating a nurturing space for profound self-discovery and holistic healing, releasing stored tension, resistance, and stories held in the body.
Spinal Energetics is a somatic practice of collaboration and co-creation between client and practitioner to cultivate and support a deep self-awareness and connection to all parts of you.
We co-create a flow of energy and sense of safety within the body where the innate wisdom is felt, expressed and embodied.
You can expect Spinal Energetics sessions as part of the retreat program. Kirsty will provide a demonstration, facilitate group sessions and there is also the opportunity to book a 1:1 appointment with Kirsty over the weekend.
Movement.
Welcoming the sense of intuitive and authentic movement in our bodies supports us to feel, process and shift what our bodies may be storing. Somatic movement allows for the flow of energy in our body to create capacity to embody more of what is aligned to us and what may serve us. We will move with what feels stagnant or tense within the body, mind, heart and energetic field and create space in body, mind, heart and field.
On retreat you can expect gentle guided Yoga classes which are accessible for all levels of experience; intuitive movement where your connection and expression is foundational; nature walks both on site on the retreat bushland grounds and off site with a visit to Kinglake National Park and Mason Falls.
The July retreat includes guest facilitator Sophie from Pohss Studio, who brings an embodied dance experience of movement and expression. The session uses silent disco headphones to guide you inward, inviting you to move with yourself, and be moved by yourself. No dance experience is needed. This is about liberation, not choreography. You will be supported every step of the way as you explore joy, play, and your own rhythm in a safe and uplifting space.
Expression.
Your expression of yourself is deeply welcomed, invited and cultivated on retreat. Your experience will be unique to you, and as you give yourself permission to be fully present in your authentic valuable expression, you will inevitably contribute to creating safety for other women to be in their own valuable expression of self.
Your experience may be, but is certainly not limited to; internal, subtle, quiet or more externally expressed with emotional release, movement in the body, breath or words of insight, reflection and creativity.
The July retreat concludes with a facilitated Art Therapy integration process, hosted by Jodie Davies, specialist women’s Psychotherapist and Facilitator. The workshop will be the perfect emotional integration of the retreat, inviting you into a process of reflective and embodied self-inquiry with a creative - expressive practice.
The April retreat includes an inner voice journey with singer, healer and vocal alchemist Samsaruh. Sam will take us on a beautiful vocal and sound journey to connect us with our inner voice and expression. You will receive, and deeply feel, her vocal sounds and guidance through your body, heart and soul!
“Full of healing energy, safety from everyone and a compassion and acceptance that can not be described, only felt because it ran so deep and connected to what i needed to connect with that weekend. It made me feel relaxed and peaceful and grounded. Exactly what i needed.” Lisa (Retreat 2025)
“I felt supported, nourished and valued through my retreat experience, and loved the balance of quality experiences on offer that supported me to rest, to reflect, to release, to connect, to be witnessed, to receive, …energetically, physically and emotionally” Jodie (Retreat 2025)
Group Ethos & Safety
There is a like-hearted energy that is present on every retreat. The women co-create the energy which is shared by the group, which comes from presence, respect and compassion with oneself, with each other and with the program offerings which have been intentionally curated to create a sense of emotional safety.
The facilitation can support you to identify, feel and move with any feelings of vulnerability.
Participants are encouraged to listen to their own bodies and needs, to participate in the program with integrity and discernment. This also means using the leisure time as an opportunity to integrate the activities and practices to support the nervous system and body systems.
There are also health contraindications which should be considered before participating in some of the retreat activities and practices.
Please read the group ethos and safety agreement.
Group Healing
When we come together in a nurturing space with the intention to connect with ourselves and the collective consciousness there is a great weaving of healing potential for one and all.
The collective healing capacity is felt deeply by a retreat container, a beautiful co-creation of what is needed for one and all, and which has ripple effects out into our lives, relationships, and the wider community.
Location & Accommodation
Kinglake is located on the top of the Great Dividing Range and is surrounded by National Park.
Located only 75 minutes from Frankston and Melbourne CBD and 45 minutes from Ringwood.
The retreat is held at Karma Kinglake which is an easy walk into Kinglake township and a short drive from the National Park, St Andrews Market and two beautiful waterfalls.
The entire venue will be for retreat guests only, with self contained accommodation, two communal spaces for practices, classes and dining. Surrounded by trees and land, it is absolutely beautiful in the cooler weather with individual and shared fire places and comfortable spaces.
Accommodation options
Two bedroom cottage which can accommodate 2-3 people; There are two individual bedrooms each with double bed. One room can be booked as a twin share with a split double bed (two small single beds). The cottage also has a kitchenette, bathroom and living space with a fire place.
Studio apartment with double bed, bathroom and kitchenette. Accommodates one person.
Suite accommodation with two queen bedrooms, two ensuite bathrooms and a living space with fire place. Accommodates two people.
-
Samsaruh
Samsarah is known for her Sound Healing & Music Medicine, and her own self-produced healing music. She’s topped the Triple J Radio charts multiple times. Her offerings evoke a naturally transcendent experience through offering space, sound and intention that allows one to dive inwards. Often described as a deep soul reconnection and healing experience. Her process also invites you to learn the ancient knowledge of sacred vowels and vocal toning as a tool for self-healing and balancing the chakra system.
Guest Facilitators in August
-
Soph from Pohss Studio
Soph is a passionate creator and embodiment guide on a mission to reconnect people to their bodies through freeform dance, intentional movement, and deep expression. Through her work at Pohss Studio, she creates spaces that honours emotional release, self-discovery, and the liberation that comes when we stop performing and start truly feeling.
-
Jodie from The Essential Self
Jodie is a specialist Women’s Psychotherapist, Facilitator and founder of The Essential Self (essentialself.com.au) supporting Women’s Growth and Care through emotional awareness, creative - expressive practice, and embodied self-inquiry. Her work invites women into the slow, sacred process of emotional embodiment, cultivating foundational self relating capacities that make a fundamental difference in their lives.
Retreat 2021
“Kirsty has the ability to make everyone feel welcome, loved, heard and valued. It was perfect for mind, body and soul”
Retreat 2025
“I attended the Kinglake retreat 2025, one word to describe this experience is “MAGICAL”. Kirsty is an amazing authentic healer. She nurtures, supports and holds space for women in need of grounding and healing.”
Program activities.
The retreat program activities are optional and you are encouraged to make the weekend yours by design
Listed below are the retreat practices and activities*
Welcoming circle
Guided meditations and breath practices
Sound journey with crystal singing bowls and other sound healing instruments
Spinal Energetics demonstration
Group Spinal Energetics Healing
Opportunities for silence & reflection
Yoga classes focused on breath and gentle movement
Restorative Yoga - no movement
Purifying fire ritual and journaling prompts to shift old narratives and emotions and cultivate space for true connection and alignment
Embodied movement and dance facilitated by Pohss Studio - July only
Gatherings for social connection, reflection and consideration
Gentle walk in the National Park to Masons Falls
Creative integrating art therapy process with The Essential Self - July only
Sound journey & vocal experience with Samsaruh Music - April only
Integration and leisure time
The use of essential oils and aromatherapy healing
Optional activities**
St Andrews Market Saturday 10am -2pm
Book a 1: 1 Spinal Energetics appointment with Kirsty
Book a massage onsite with local massage therapist
Participation in an Equine workshop on Saturday afternoon. Connect with horses through emotional regulation and mindfulness, hosted off-site at The Matanya Effect in Kinglake. This 2 hour workshop is a unique and insightful experience. This is not horse riding.
* These are subject to change slightly
** Optional activities are at an additional cost
All equipment needed for practices can be provided e.g. yoga mats, eye pillows, bolsters and cushions.
Nourishment through food
Be nourished with catered meals for the whole weekend.
Breakfasts provisions
An individual dinner will await you in your accommodation on Friday
Saturday lunchbox
Saturday communal dinner with some wine available
Sunday lunch is a nourishing soup
A cold pressed juice of your choice
Herbal teas and coffee pods
Morning tea, fruit and snacks
Meals will be vegetarian and dietary requirements can be accommodated.
Bookings
Investment includes two nights accommodation, all meals and retreat activities & classes
Created, hosted and facilitated by Kirsty, with the addition of selected program workshops run by guest facilitators.
Arrival is from 2pm on Friday
Departure 3pm on Sunday
$950pp twin share bedroom
$1100pp individual bedroom
$1200pp studio
Payment plans are available upon request. Secure your place with a deposit.
There is the option to purchase an additional night of accommodation on the Sunday evening. To be arranged during the booking process.