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Philosophy – Ruby Retreat Wellness (RRW)

Our intention is to create a safe, nurturing, honest space to facilitate personal and group growth. We do this by utilising holistic therapies where we can find ways to reconnect to ourselves and others, creating a set of life tools that can be used into the future, to maintain healthy relationships to self and others.

In line with Te whare tapa whā our wellness programme offers:

Taha tinana – Physical wellbeing

As our physical ‘being’ is our vessel and shelter, we learn that physical health is necessary to support the mind, spirit and family aspects of wellbeing. At Ruby Retreat we use our bodies in healthy, sustainable ways, so we can connect and become physically well. Nutrition, exercise, yoga, nature walks and swimming are some of the ways we do this.

Taha wairua – Spiritual wellbeing

We believe that spiritual wellbeing is essential to maintain overall wellness. Through meditation, prayer and breath work we start to cleanse, recognise, and renew our inner being.

Taha hinengaro – Mental/emotional wellbeing

We learn to communicate our needs and to empathise with others, learning that our thoughts can be changed and so too, our actions. Through this shift, we begin to see ourselves differently, uniquely, and this shapes how we see the rest of our world, developing faith in ourselves and the wider community.

Taha whānau – Family/community wellbeing

Ruby Retreat Wellness focuses on truly discovering where we are from, and what can separate us from our true nature and customs. We see we need family/community, and realise that our wellness and wellbeing are only sustainable with connection to whānau We practice service/contribution to our family, friends, work for colleagues and community, and begin to accept ourselves and others and feel that we finally belong.

Maori design done by tattoo artist Gordon Toi

How do we do this?

The wellness retreat in Nelson NZ will be facilitated by caring professionals enabling inner exploration and growth within a safe environment.

At the beginning of each retreat, we initiate a community agreement, which is a shared agreement between all involved in the retreat. It will cover such things as how we wish to work together, including guidelines of how one would feel respected, address sensitivity to diversity (in accordance with the Treaty of Waitangi), anonymity, and endeavour to speak from a non-judgemental space. In building such agreements we believe we can collectively make the space safe so each participant can express freely, whilst being held in positive regard. This process is influenced by Carl Roger’s client-centred therapy and Marshall Rosenberg’s adaptation, non-violent communication.

Additionally, we take inspiration from Abraham Maslow’s “Theory of human motivation”, the hierarchy of needs, where we work to uncover, discover and discard that which does not serve us anymore.

Ruby Retreat is an educated blend of therapies.

One-on-one & group therapy

Our wellness retreat in Nelson NZ is a collaboration of many proven modalities.

Our 3-day programme

What is our purpose?

Through this process of examining our past experiences and trauma, in private therapy, group counselling, meditation/reflection and journaling we will see that our behaviours have sometimes hindered our need for safety, relationships, material wealth, physical and emotional health etc. Believing that these areas are vitally important for furthering our moral awareness and emotional maturity, we find ways to face then heal our past, so we can live with dignity, restore our esteem, and fulfil our potential; self-actualisation.

At Ruby Retreat we combine all these renowned therapies to fit each client’s preferred path. Knowing the most important thing is their journey to wellness, which starts exactly where we are! We also work with strength-based theory, which theorises that when people discover their inner strengths, they can meet life’s challenges, and deal with them courageously.

What do we wish for those who attend Ruby Retreat Wellness?

We would like to impart tools of wellness, and through yoga, meditation and learning to express our feelings and needs with NVC, allowing our relationships with ourselves and others to become authentic and caring. We hope to uncover individual strengths and talents so the participants can have the confidence to move forward into a new way of being that is somewhat familiar but empowering.

By offering nutritional counselling and sharing food together at our wellness retreat in Nelson NZ we hope to establish a routine of eating healthy, nutritious food that will support the mind and body. Along with implementing regular exercise and self-care rituals, such as meditation and yoga which can support our life as we move towards a positive future.