“Our deepest calling is to grow into our own authentic self-hood, whether or not it conforms to some image of who we ought to be. As we do so, we will not only find the joy that every human being seeks--we will also find our path of authentic service in the world.”

― Parker Palmer

Are you looking for an opportunity to re-connect with yourself, your vibrancy, and your gifts in the world as we find it?

Do you crave stillness, and sacred space to think, feel, reflect and craft an aligned life - in the container of community?

Are you feeling called to reconnect, realign, and return to a deeper sense of self-compassion and wholeness?

Homecoming is a 3 -day Quest facilitated by Al Jeffery and Ryan Mannix, inviting you to journey with us as we explore what it means to return to ourselves, each other, and a greater sense of meaning.

...in a very real sense, to restore relationality in our very way of being-in-the-world.

We live in a hyper-connected-yet-deeply-fragmented world, a culture that often has us engineer distance and smallness into our lives. We feel it within ourselves, and between us. The process of unravelling and re-grounding in our nature as powerful, compassionate individuals in a complex web of life, is a process many of us yearn for (we know we do!).

Lockdown and COVID-19, an emerging increased awareness of systemic inequalities and ecological collapse, have spurred many to face and come to value the BIG QUESTIONS, of who and why...and how to ground this.

This unique retreat experience is for those seeking to deepen in their own practice, power, purpose and be in greater service to cultural and ecological renewal.

This is not simply a yoga or wellbeing retreat, this is a quest, a journey for those ready to be held in meeting an edge, in softening into a greater sense of self.

Homecoming will invite you to consider a series of contemplative questions delving into your relationship with yourself, those around you, and meaning. You’ll come out the other side with a greater felt-sense of how you can live with these three in congruence, leading to a more aligned and intentional life.

Held at the beautiful Casa Warrandyte, you will be guided through a series of processes combining:

hatha yoga, Animal Flow, and primal movement
meditation and contemplative practices
guided journaling and self-reflective practice
wilderness therapy and nature based-inquiry
values and core-desired-feeling articulation workshops
feelings and authentic-relating work
group processes and dialogue
secular ritual and ceremony

YOU WILL LEAVE WITH:

awareness of that which is holding you at-distance from yourself
understanding of that which is holding you at-distance to others
clarity and a strong connection to your sense of meaning or purpose (rooted and grounded in place)
a deeper sense of self-compassion, strength, and inner-knowing
practices and tools to come into deeper connection with yourself and others
a committed group to support you in integrating following the weekend

RYAN & AL'S PHILOSOPHY:

The approach both Ryan and Al take for all of their work is not one of ‘forcing transformation,’ or moving toward anything we are not. This is an experience designed to provide the scaffolding, the holding, and the spaciousness for the process already taking place within you, to unfold.

Their intention for Homecoming is to hold space for your process of unfolding and re-connecting. To provide guidance and support for those ready to dive deeply into self-inquiry, through this, social-inquiry and slowly become the stewards of our own lives and the “more beautiful world our heart’s know is possible.”

Designed using a Rites of Passage model, Ryan and Al are deeply curious about meeting you where you are. To do this, they will be in touch with you in the weeks leading up to the retreat to hear more about you and your intentions. They will also remain in contact for the 2 weeks following the retreat to support you in your integration.

LIMITED TO 10 PEOPLE

This Quest is limited to 10 people and will be an intimate group of others on a similar path. This means there will be plenty of time to connect with others meaningfully and have the space you need.

OUR VENUE

Casa Warrandyte is a stunning retreat center situated in North Warrandyte just 45 minutes from Melbourne CBD. A river walk on the property, architecturally-designed spaces, breakout areas, communal gathering spaces, and bushland to roam.

FOOD AND MEALS:

All meals (breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner) will be cooked and served by the wonderful Viviana Sandoval. Viviana was taught by a Michelin Chef, is a former chef at many of Melbourne and Sydney's 2-hat restaurants, and currently runs the kitchen at Cafe Cuccina (a 2-hat restaurant). Her philosophy is incredibly aligned with our Quest, embedded within a connection to land, intention, and the energetics of the food in her practice.

A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR FACILITATORS:

Al Jeffery (www.aljeffery.com)

As a renowned meditation teacher, training-psychotherapist and community-builder, Al has supported thousands of people around the world in restoring connection in their lives, leadership, and communities.

He is a facilitator, writer, speaker, and founder of The Base Between; a facilitation agency restoring community in the 21st Century. As a queer man, haiku poet, leadership virtuoso, and martial artist, Al’s love for integrating the diverse and transgressive is alive in all he touches.

Whether he’s teaching through words, or the spaces between them, Al’s love for philosophy and contemporary science shines through in all his ways.

Ryan Mannix (www.instagram.com/ryanmannixyoga)

Ryan lives and breathes a philosophy of connection. He loves creating a space for people to come together to share, inquire and grow.

He owns and runs It's All Yoga in Torquay and has been a yoga teacher for six years, traveling the world to share his teachings.

Deeply inspired by Buddhism and self-inquiry, Ryan uses yoga and meditation as a platform to deepen one's connection to self, and create a deeper sense of freedom and ease. He leads teacher training at Yoke yoga and teaches in and around Melbourne.

SUPPORTING CHILDREN'S GROUND

All registrations also include a $20 donation to Children's Ground: facilitating systemic, economic, and cultural transformation for the life-long wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in Australia.

COVID-19 & LOCKDOWN POLICY

If due to a Melbourne (Victoria) lockdown we are unable to proceed with our original dates, we will postpone to a later date and hold your place. If you are unable to attend the revised dates, you will be offered a full refund 😃

WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU JOIN US.

If you have any questions or would like to know more before sensing if this is for you, please email Al at al@aljeffery.com.