The Art Of Beginning
Thoughtfully curated workshops, mindful movement, nervous system reset
Modern life rarely gives us a pause. Between work, family, responsibilities and the constant pace of everyday life, it’s easy to move into a new year without stopping to consider what you really want from it.
Maybe you’ve been craving a reset. Time away from the everyday to reflect on what matters, set meaningful intentions and make space for the things you want more of. Inspiring workshops that bring clarity. Movement that energises your body. Meditation that quiets the stories in your mind. And the warmth of a multisensory sauna ritual that invites you to slow down and simply be.
This one-day twilight retreat has been thoughtfully curated to help you begin the year feeling more intentional.
Throughout the day, you’ll experience a Nervous System Reset with Holly (Founder of Renu), inspiring goal setting workshop, breathwork, sound, restorative sauna rituals, nourishing meals inclusing a two-course dinner and moments of stillness, all designed to help you find clarity, reconnect with what matters and create space for the year ahead.
Join us this February to pause, reflect and set intentions that feel right for you. Step away from the noise, invest in yourself and return home feeling calmer, clearer and ready to make this year your own.
What You Will Experience
We begin our journey at Studio Paradise, a beautiful wood-fired studio nestled beside St Andrews Beach. Spend the afternoon immersed in mindful movement, meaningful connection and restorative practices before escaping just five minutes down the road to Alba Hot Springs for guided sauna rituals, geothermal bathing and dinner under the stars.
Over 10 hours we have curated a series of wellness practices designed to support deep restoration.
These include:
• Discover how your Nervous System influences how you feel, respond to stress and show up in everyday life. Guided by Founder of Re·nu Holly Quinlan.
• Mat Pilates with Amanda Berger to move with intention, reconnect with your body and discover how small, consistent practices can create meaningful changes in your wellbeing.
• Breathwork & Sound Healing session to fall into deep relaxation with Amanda Berger
• A Sauna Guided Session with Aromatherapy, Breathwork, Steam & Music in a traditional sauna
• A grounding coastal walk to reconnect with nature, breathe deeply and restore.
• Light Lunch, Two-Course Dinner & Refreshments included. Delicious and nourishing meals that will support you in feeling replenished and grounded
• Access to Alba Hot Springs with 25 contemporary geothermal pools, sauna and steam room
Optional Extras
Accommodation – Want to stay longer? We have a list of onsite and local accomodation designed for rest. Please contact Amanda to discuss options.
Alba Spa - Indulge in holistic facial and massage treatments.
What You Will Leave With
Our goal as your facilitators and support throughout the retreat is to ensure you leave feeling:
• Physically relaxed, restored and re-energised
• Calmer, with a greater understanding of how to support your nervous system
• Clearer on what matters most to you and what you want from the year ahead
• Inspired to set meaningful goals and intentions that feel right for you
• More grounded, focused and ready to make space for the things that matter
Sometimes what we need most is a moment to step away from the noise, settle the nervous system and give ourselves the space to reflect, reset and move forward with intention.
Facilitators
Amanda Berger (Retreat Host, Wellness Facilitator)
With nearly two decades of experience in movement, health, and human connection, Amanda has supported hundreds of people on their personal wellness journeys. In 2023, she pivoted from fitness to wellness, embarking on a personal mission to visit 100 saunas around the world. It was sauna number 32, in New York, that changed everything. Sitting in a packed 50-person sauna, Amanda experienced her first guided sauna ritual and immediately recognised the power of this collective practice knowing she had to bring it to Australia. She later travelled to London to train under Aufguss championship judge and Director of the British Sauna Society, Deborah Carr. Blending this training with her background in movement and holistic well-being, Amanda is emerging as a pioneer in Australia’s growing bathhouse culture. Amanda co-founded Bathhouse Studio, a brand dedicated to creating immersive bathhouse rituals and experiences. Amanda leads sessions as an Aufguss (Sauna) Master, Personal Trainer, Pilates Instructor, Breathwork Facilitator, and Sound Healer. Her Bathhouse Rituals combine deep knowledge with grounded intuition, inviting people to slow down, reconnect, and leave feeling deeply restored.
Holly Quinlan (Found of re•nu)
I’m Holly, a mum of three in my 40s, juggling family life, building a business and trying to look after myself along the way. Like so many women, I know how easy it is to put everyone else first and leave very little for yourself. My own wellness journey has taught me that feeling good isn’t about doing more or chasing perfection — it’s about slowing down, finding balance and making small, consistent changes that help you feel like you again. That’s the heart behind re•nu. I wanted to create a space where people could step away from the noise, reset and reconnect with themselves through sauna, cold plunge and recovery. A reminder that we don’t need to become someone different; sometimes we just need the space to come back to ourselves. We we still her underneath it all.
Carefully Designed Retreat Pillars
This retreat experience has been thoughtfully designed around five pillars that support your mind, body and wellbeing. Each element works together to help you slow down, reconnect within and return to life feeling calmer, clearer and more restored.
🌿 Nervous System Reset
Discover how your nervous system influences how you feel, respond to stress and show up in everyday life. Holly will guide you through recognising your personal triggers and glimmers, the small moments that help you feel safe, calm and connected. Through guided reflection, you’ll gain practical tools to regulate stress, support relaxation and create more moments of calm long after the retreat ends.
💪 Intentional Goal Setting
Amanda will guide you through a practical and inspiring goal-setting workshop to reflect on what you want from the year ahead. You’ll look at your current routines, schedule and priorities, exploring how to make space for your wellbeing, create realistic goals and bring fresh energy into your everyday life. Leave feeling motivated, with simple, achievable steps to help you turn your intentions into action.
🧘 Mindful Movement
Pilates is a mindful movement practice designed to lengthen, strengthen and restore your body through controlled, intentional movement.
This session is designed to reconnect you with your body, awaken your energy and release the endorphins that help you feel your best, leaving you feeling stronger, more balanced and deeply present.
🔥 Restorative Rituals
Experience the powerful reset that comes from contrast therapy and heat experiences.
Sauna, bathing and guided Aufguss rituals support circulation, relaxation and nervous system recovery while offering moments of quiet presence.
🥗 Nourishment & Connection
Deep rest is nourished through beautiful surroundings, delicious food and meaningful moments shared with others. The Mornington Peninsula provides the perfect backdrop to slow down, savour thoughtfully prepared meals and connect with a community who share your desire for wellbeing.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
