qigong, repeating three cycles together,
taking in the beauty of the sun rising behind
the hills. While most opt for pilates and a
garden walk, I’m intrigued to see if the final
challenging walk is as heart-racing as the
last. While longer, the hills aren’t nearly
as steep and the views of the glittering
Gold Coast skyline are just mind-blowing.
A boxing class with Ali is a great way to
continue the endorphin boost, knowing I’ll
be on an eight-hour flight soon.
The conclusion of Sharon’s talk on
stress focuses on the solutions. Practical tips
include downloading apps that reduce blue
light on electronic devices and avoiding
sleep-disrupting social media before bed,
though brain-training apps like Luminosity
are encouraged. In terms of mindfulness,
she reminds us that multitasking is
counterproductive, that saying “no” is
sometimes necessary and the importance
of listening twice as much as you speak.
When faced with a stressful situation,
she recommends using diaphragmatic
breathing, meditation and visualisation, as
we are ultimately the product of our daily
practices.
As we say reluctant goodbyes over
lunch, to those who were complete strangers
just days ago, it’s clear that the people are
what make Gwinganna so special. Even if
you are introverted as I am, it’s impossible
not to engage with others when you spend
most waking hours together, through
challenging situations, sharing the bond of
no caffeine, sugar, dairy, gluten or phones.
Everyone comes with baggage, whether to
heal after a break-up, health scare or to deal
with emotional trauma. Human connection
and a sense of community is irreplaceable,
and there is something genuine and
beautiful about accepting vulnerability
in yourself and those around you.
http://www.gwinganna.comJuly/August 2017 AsiaSpa 75the body, and how negative or self-critical
thoughts can have a huge impact on health
and well-being.
Today’s Dreamtime is Spirit of Sound,
one of the retreat’s most raved-about
experiences. Created by Petrina, drummer
and therapist, which encompasses a medley
of her favourite music with live percussion in
the form of drums and rainsticks, it’s a blend
of meditation and massage, and nothing
you’re likely to have tried before. While on
your front, it’s a masculine expression with
loud, uplifting music and strokes that mimic
the rhythm of the music. The vibration of
the drumming is believed to act as a ‘wake-
up’ call for the cells. Once turned over,
the pace changes to softer, feminine notes
with heated basalt stones to soothe, and oil
delectably massaged into the hair and face,
to conclude the powerful journey.
Everyone is lucky enough to experience
Petrina’s musical talent in the drumming
circle that follows where we are all given a
drum and another percussion instrument. She
begins with clapping, then percussion, and
finally the drums where each person creates
a beat to be copied by the group. She has us
playing games, encouraging us to freestyle
with our instruments, lying in the middle of
the circle to take a ‘sound bath’ and generally
throwing care to the wind.
To m a k e o u r l a s t n i g h t e x t r a s p e c i a l ,
during dinner we write down on paper
something we wish to let go of. Meditating
together around the fire pit and focusing on
the flickering flame, we take turns placing
our paper into the fire, symbolising the end
of a thing or thought that no longer serves us.
It’s a lovely way to bring everyone together
on the last night, and we go to bed lighter,
certain burdens lifted.
DAY 5
It seems we’ve finally got the hang of