Cairns Inner City Exhale Retreat
Description
A little space to breathe. A little time for you.
Welcome to The Inner City Exhale Retreat—a week of wellbeing, movement, creativity and connection in the heart of Cairns.
From 23–28 November 2026, join us at The Melting Pot, upstairs at Elixir Music House, to step out of your everyday routine and explore experiences that help you slow down, express yourself and reconnect.
You don’t need to escape town or set aside an entire week. Create your own retreat around your life, choosing sessions that spark your curiosity and give you something to look forward to.
Your retreat, your way — up to 7 sessions for $45
Your $45 Retreat Pass includes up to seven sessions across the week. Come along for a morning reset, a creative afternoon or an evening to unwind—or mix them together to make the week your own.
Explore a programme bringing together movement, relaxation, sound, creative expression and opportunities for connection, guided by local facilitators sharing their skills and passions.
Discover something new, revisit something you love, and meet the people behind experiences you may wish to continue beyond the retreat.
Come as you are
You don’t need to be good at sitting still, know your way around a yoga mat or consider yourself creative. This is an invitation to be curious, take part at your own pace and enjoy some time for yourself.
Come on your own or bring a friend. There’s room for quiet moments, shared laughter and new connections.
The details
📅 23–28 November 2026
📍 The Melting Pot, upstairs at Elixir Music House, 92 Abbott Street, Cairns
🎟️ $45 Retreat Pass — up to 7 sessions across the week
Please check the programme for individual session dates and times when planning your week.
Venue access: Sessions take place upstairs, with stair access required.
Give yourself something to look forward to—a chance to move, create, connect and simply exhale.
Lineup
Monday 23rd November (1.00pm - 1.45pm): 'Speak Your Soul' - Introduction to Poetry, Spoken Word & Rhyme with Wendy Ramsey, FNQ Events Group
Discover the power and joy of putting your thoughts and ideas into words. This welcoming introduction explores poetry, spoken word and rhyme through playful writing prompts and creative expression. Whether you’re a curious beginner, already filling notebooks or a published author, come along to explore your voice and find new inspiration in everyday experiences. Sharing is encouraged but always optional. Facilitated by Wendy (Witch) Ramsey, host of Cairn's own monthly Poetry Open Mic event. Facilitator bio — Wendy "Witch" Ramsey, founder and principle of FNQ Events Group brings you events including Spill The Tea, OMG Comedy, Off The Stage (radio show) and regular MC in the region. She is a musician, published author, spoken word artist and performer with more than 30 years of experience entertaining audiences around the world. She brings together wordplay, spontaneous storytelling, abstract thinking and audience interaction to create experiences filled with fun, laughter, creativity and connection.
Tuesday 24th November (1.00pm - 1.45pm): Introduction to Art for Wellbeing with Amber Hill, Art Dojo (max 15)
Put perfection aside and enjoy an art session created to boost your wellbeing. This relaxed session offers a creative pause in your day, with space to experiment with different materials, express yourself without pressure to conform, and enjoy the creative process. No drawing experience is needed. Facilitator bio — Amber Hill | Art Dojo Amber is the artist and therapeutic art practitioner behind Art Dojo. Her welcoming classes use creativity to encourage self-expression, emotional connection and wellbeing. Working with individuals and groups, including NDIS participants, she helps people build creative confidence and rediscover the enjoyment of making art.
Tuesday 24th November (6:00pm - 7:00pm): Introduction to SOMA Breathwork with Sungee Heijneman (max 15)
Explore the relationship between breath, rhythm and awareness in this introductory SOMA Breathwork experience. Guided breathing, music and meditation invite you to step away from everyday distractions and reconnect with yourself. Sungee will introduce the practice and explain how to participate at an appropriate pace, with time to settle and reflect afterwards. Facilitator bio — Sungee Heijneman Sungee Heijneman is an Advanced SOMA Breath instructor based in Kuranda, Far North Queensland. His background includes yoga, meditation, hypnotherapy and other complementary practices. Through group classes and individual sessions, he shares his enthusiasm for breathwork, movement and meditation as ways to explore awareness and personal connection.
Wednesday 25th November (7:00am - 8:00am): Ashtanga Yoga Introduction with Alannah Erck, Yoga To The Sun (max 15)
Begin your morning with a welcoming introduction to Ashtanga yoga, exploring the connection between breath, movement and focus. Alannah will guide you through foundational postures and flowing sequences, encouraging you to work within your own comfortable range. Beginner-friendly, with experienced participants also warmly welcome. Whether you’re discovering Ashtanga for the first time or revisiting the foundations, come along to move, breathe and connect with your body. Facilitator bio — Alannah Erck, Yoga To The Sun Alannah Erck joins The Inner City Exhale to share an introduction to Ashtanga yoga. Her session invites beginners and experienced participants to explore the foundations of this breath-led practice, with space to move mindfully and develop familiarity with its flowing sequences.
Wednesday 25th November (6:00pm - 7:00pm): The Art of Seeing — Life Drawing with Georgina Dear and Gaby Wright
Take a creative pause and explore the human form through life drawing. Join Georgina Dear and Gaby Wright for a relaxed session exploring line, shape and proportion, with space to experiment and develop your own drawing style. Beginners and experienced artists are equally welcome. Whether you’re picking up a pencil for the first time or returning to a familiar practice, come along to enjoy drawing, sharpen your observation skills and connect with fellow creatives. Facilitator bio — Georgina Dear and Georgina Dear and Gaby Wright Georgina Dear and Gaby Wright brings life drawing to The Inner City Exhale, inviting participants to slow down, observe and explore the human form through art. Her session welcomes beginners and experienced artists to share in a creative experience centred on curiosity, expression and connection.
Thursday 26th November (7:00am - 8:00am): Gentle Flow Yoga with Helen du Cros, A Space to Breathe (max 15)
Ease into your morning with gentle, flowing yoga that connects movement and breath. Join Helen for comfortable stretches, mindful sequences and moments of stillness, with space to move at your own pace and listen to your body. Beginner-friendly, with experienced participants also warmly welcome. Arrive as you are and enjoy an unhurried hour to reconnect, find your rhythm and begin the day with intention. Facilitator bio — Helen du Cros, A Space to Breathe Helen du Cros is a Cairns-based breathwork, yoga, Reiki and crystal sound practitioner. Through A Space to Breathe, she offers trauma-informed sessions guided by nervous system awareness. Her approach centres on choice, gentle exploration and creating space for people to pause, notice and reconnect with themselves.
Thursday 26th November (1:00pm - 1.45pm): A Moment to Exhale — Breath Awareness & Guided Relaxation with Violet, Soma Embodied
Step out of the busyness of your day and into a quieter moment. Explore simple breath awareness before settling into guided relaxation, with space to notice sensations and rest your attention. This gentle session invites you to reconnect with your natural breathing rhythm without pressure to change how you feel. Facilitator bio — Violet, Soma Embodied Violet is an Advanced Somatic, Breathwork and Energetic Practitioner, offering sessions locally and online through Soma Embodied. Her body-led approach invites people to slow down, explore their breath and reconnect with themselves. Her work emphasises gentle guidance and creating space for each person’s experience.
Thursday 26th November (5:30pm - 6:30pm): 'Laugh Out Loud' - Introduction to comedy variety with Wendy Ramsey, FNQ Events Group (30 max)
Make room for smiles, giggles and laughter by exploring humorous creativity. Enjoy this lively session of improvisation, spontaneous storytelling and playful connection, where unexpected ideas become memorable moments. No comedy or performance experience is needed. Join in when you feel comfortable or simply enjoy the fun as it unfolds. Come along to loosen up, share some ideas and discover the joy of being in the moment. Facilitated by Wendy (Witch) Ramsey, host and curator of the OMG Comedy Troupe. Bonus: As the OMG Comedy Troupe are performing on the same evening, attendees are welcome to attend the show and literally see some of what is shared in the workshop in action, live onstage. Facilitator bio — Wendy "Witch" Ramsey, founder and principle of FNQ Events Group brings you events including Spill The Tea, OMG Comedy, Off The Stage (radio show) and regular MC in the region. She is a musician, published author, spoken word artist and performer with more than 30 years of experience entertaining audiences around the world. She brings together wordplay, spontaneous storytelling, abstract thinking and audience interaction to create experiences filled with fun, laughter, creativity and connection.
Friday 27th November (1:00pm - 1.45pm): Nervous System Pause — Gentle Movement & Relaxation with Helen du Cros, A Space to Breathe (max 15)
Give yourself permission to pause. Through gentle movement, simple breath awareness and guided rest, this lunchtime session offers space to notice how you’re feeling and reconnect with your body. There is nothing to achieve or perfect: you’re invited to move, rest and participate in ways that feel comfortable for you. Facilitator bio — Helen du Cros, A Space to Breathe Helen du Cros is a Cairns-based breathwork, yoga, Reiki and crystal sound practitioner. Through A Space to Breathe, she offers trauma-informed sessions guided by nervous system awareness. Her approach centres on choice, gentle exploration and creating space for people to pause, notice and reconnect with themselves.
Saturday 28th November (11:00am - 1:00pm): Emotional Intelligence Bodywork with Megan and Gary, Mind Body Works (max 15)
Take a moment to slow down and explore the connection between your emotions and your body. This introductory session offers gentle, clothes-on bodywork techniques to help you notice tension, develop body awareness and reconnect with how you feel. Discover a compassionate approach to listening to your body, with space to explore at your own pace. Facilitator bio — Megan and Gary, Mind Body Works Megan and Gary share Emotional Intelligence Bodywork through experiential sessions exploring the connection between emotions and physical sensations. Their approach invites participants to become more aware of their bodies through gentle, clothes-on techniques, offering an introduction to bodywork and emotional awareness.
Saturday 28th November (3:00pm - 4:00pm): Sanctuary of Sounds - Crystal Bowl Sound Journeys with Michelle, My True Essence (max 15)
An invitation to slow down, get comfortable and receive the gentle sounds of crystal singing bowls, chimes, tuning forks and other sacred instruments. We’ll begin with a short-guided relaxation before settling into the sounds of the bowls, with quiet moments in between. You’re welcome to lie down or sit comfortably. No experience is needed. Facilitator bio — Michelle, My True Essence Michelle is the Sound Healing and Tuning Fork practitioner behind My True Essence in Cairns. She brings more than 20 years of experience in energy healing and bodywork to her practice, which includes Sound Healing, Tuning Fork Therapy, Access Bars, Reiki and Emmett Technique. She enjoys creating a welcoming space where people can slow down, rest and reconnect with themselves.
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